I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.' (Isaiah 46:10 NIV)
The world faces uncertainty. As 2018 comes to a close, there are so much uncertainty - politics, economics, climate, religious tensions. The world do not know what is ahead in 2019.
But it should not be so with the Christians. Our God knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). And He had told us what is going to happen (Amos 3:7).
At the macro level, we know how the end is going to be. From the prophets Ezekiel and Daniel and also the Revelation of Jesus Christ to John, we know that Israel will be restored (done), there will be seven years of tribulation (coming) and followed by the millennium rule by Jesus the Anointed One (coming).
At our personal level, we know we have eternal life if we die (1 John 5:12). If we do not die, we will be raptured before the seven years of tribulation (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33 KJV)
Monday, December 31, 2018
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
Meaningless
Found that I wrote this in my Facebook last year:
Christmas is meaningless without Christ. Christ is meaningless if people can be saved without Him.
Sunday, December 23, 2018
Everlasting Gospel
And I saw another angel flying through the sky, carrying the eternal Good News to proclaim to the people who belong to this world - to every nation, tribe, language, and people. "Fear God," he shouted. "Give glory to him. For the time has come when he will sit as judge. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all the springs of water." (Revelation 14:6-7 NLT)
This is the eternal Gospel:
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: "Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." (Acts 14:14-17 NIV)
So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: "Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: 'To an Unknown God.' This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I'm telling you about.
"He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn't live in man-made temples, and human hands can't serve his needs - for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.
"His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him - though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' And since this is true, we shouldn't think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone.
"God overlooked people's ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead." (Acts 17:22-31 NLT)
This is the eternal Gospel:
- There is a God;
- He created all things;
- He will judge all men;
- Fear, glorify and worship Him.
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: "Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." (Acts 14:14-17 NIV)
So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: "Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: 'To an Unknown God.' This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I'm telling you about.
"He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn't live in man-made temples, and human hands can't serve his needs - for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.
"His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him - though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' And since this is true, we shouldn't think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone.
"God overlooked people's ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead." (Acts 17:22-31 NLT)
Saturday, December 22, 2018
Birth of Jesus - Predicted And Fulfilled
Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler - the Anointed One - comes. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, despite the perilous times. (Daniel 9:25 NLT)
Then I said, "Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: (Psalm 40:7 NLT)
Long Jesus was born, the Old Testament predicted His time of birth (Daniel 9:25), His place of birth (Micah 5:2) and His special birth by a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). His life was written before He was born (Psalm 40:7).
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Micah 5:2 KJV)
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14 KJV)
Then I said, "Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: (Psalm 40:7 NLT)
Long Jesus was born, the Old Testament predicted His time of birth (Daniel 9:25), His place of birth (Micah 5:2) and His special birth by a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). His life was written before He was born (Psalm 40:7).
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Micah 5:2 KJV)
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14 KJV)
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
God's Dealings With Men
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, (1 Timothy 2:5 ESV)
People are ignorant; need Word of God through prophets;
People are guilty; need to offer atonement for sin through priests;
People are rebellious; need enforcement of law through kings.
Under the old covenant, God gave temporary prophets, priests and kings.
Under the new covenant, Jesus is the true prophet, priest and king.
Prophets are called; priests are consecrated and kings are crowned.
From Rev Stephen Schaefer, JSM Church Camp 2018.
People are ignorant; need Word of God through prophets;
People are guilty; need to offer atonement for sin through priests;
People are rebellious; need enforcement of law through kings.
Under the old covenant, God gave temporary prophets, priests and kings.
Under the new covenant, Jesus is the true prophet, priest and king.
Prophets are called; priests are consecrated and kings are crowned.
From Rev Stephen Schaefer, JSM Church Camp 2018.
Friday, December 14, 2018
Praying For Salvation of Loved Ones
How come we can pray for the salvation of our loved ones and for all people? On what basis can we do that?
1. Because God desires all people to be saved
Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? (Ezekiel 18:23 ESV)
Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?' (Ezekiel 33:11 NIV)
What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish. (Matthew 18:12-14 NIV)
This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4 ESV)
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 ESV)
2. Because God had made provision for all to be saved
He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2 ESV)
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. (Titus 2:11 NIV)
1. Because God desires all people to be saved
Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? (Ezekiel 18:23 ESV)
Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?' (Ezekiel 33:11 NIV)
What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish. (Matthew 18:12-14 NIV)
This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:3-4 ESV)
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 ESV)
2. Because God had made provision for all to be saved
He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2 ESV)
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. (Titus 2:11 NIV)
Thursday, December 13, 2018
Nature of Sin - Transactional or Infectious?
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned. (Romans 5:12 CSB)
Is sin transactional or infectious?
Some people believe that sin is transactional. Good works can cancel bad works. At the end of life on judgement day, somebody will place your good works and bad works on a balance and see which is heavier.
The Bible see sin as infectious. Sin spread like a disease. If someone with SARS enter a crowded lift and sneeze, he will infect all the people in the lift with the disease. Some may die from the disease because of the sneeze, and many more will be infected by those infected in the lift.
Just as a disease need a cure, sin also need to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.
But there is a great difference between Adam's sin and God's gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:15 NLT)
Is sin transactional or infectious?
Some people believe that sin is transactional. Good works can cancel bad works. At the end of life on judgement day, somebody will place your good works and bad works on a balance and see which is heavier.
The Bible see sin as infectious. Sin spread like a disease. If someone with SARS enter a crowded lift and sneeze, he will infect all the people in the lift with the disease. Some may die from the disease because of the sneeze, and many more will be infected by those infected in the lift.
Just as a disease need a cure, sin also need to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.
But there is a great difference between Adam's sin and God's gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:15 NLT)
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Devil Can Quote Scriptures
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"
Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU'; and 'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'" Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'"
Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him. (Matthew 4:1-11 NASB)
In one of the temptations, the devil quoted scripture to tempt our Lord Jesus. But the Lord used scriptures to fend off all three temptations. Truly the Word is the sword. It is the only offensive weapon in the armoury of God.
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:17 NIV)
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 ESV)
Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, 'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU'; and 'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'" Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'"
Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him. (Matthew 4:1-11 NASB)
In one of the temptations, the devil quoted scripture to tempt our Lord Jesus. But the Lord used scriptures to fend off all three temptations. Truly the Word is the sword. It is the only offensive weapon in the armoury of God.
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:17 NIV)
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 ESV)
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
God's Grace vs Buddhist Universal Gateway 應化身
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)
People always ask me, "Isn't it unfair for those who do not have a chance to hear about Jesus to go to hell?" But the Bible state very clearly, salvation is by the "grace of God" (Ephesians 2:8).
It turned out that other religions also have the same problem. An European living one thousand years ago in Europe would never heard of Buddhism. So the poor guy cannot achieve nirvana! But Buddhism has this unproven process of reincarnation and they also came up with another unproven method of how the Buddhist message is spread to other regions.
Below is a quote taken from "妙法蓮華經 觀世音菩薩普門品 The Universal Gateway Of Guanyin Bodhisattva":
QUOTE
4.無盡意菩薩白佛言。世尊。觀世音菩薩。云何遊此娑婆世界。云何而為眾生說法。方便之力。其事云何。
佛告無盡意菩薩。善男子。若有國土眾生。應以佛身得度者。觀世音菩薩。即現佛身而為說法。應以辟支佛身得度者。即現辟支佛身而為說法。應以聲聞身得度者。即現聲聞身而為說法。
應以梵王身得度者。即現梵王身而為說法。應以帝釋身得度者。即現帝釋身而為說法。應以自在天身得度者。即現自在天身而為說法。應以大自在天身得度者。即現大自在天身而為說法。
應以天大將軍身得度者。即現天大將軍身而為說法。應以毗沙門身得度者。即現毗沙門身而為說法。應以小王身得度者。即現小王身而為說法。應以長者身得度者。即現長者身而為說法。
5.應以居士身得度者。即現居士身而為說法。應以宰官身得度者。即現宰官身而為說法。應以婆羅門身得度者。即現婆羅門身而為說法。應以比丘。比丘尼。優婆塞。優婆夷身得度者。即現比丘。比丘尼。優婆塞。優婆夷身而為說法。
應以長者。居士。宰官。婆羅門。婦女身得度者。即現婦女身而為說法。應以童男。童女身得度者。即現童男。童女身而為說法。
應以天龍。夜叉。乾闥婆。阿修羅。迦樓羅。緊那羅。摩睺羅伽。人非人等身得度者。即皆現之而為說法。應以執金剛神得度者。即現執金剛神而為說法。
無盡意。是觀世音菩薩。成就如是功德。以種種形。遊諸國土。度脫眾生。是故汝等。應當一心供養觀世音菩薩。
4.Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva said to the Buddha, "World Honored One, why does Guanyin Bodhisattva journey in this saha world? How does he preach the Dharma to sentient beings? How does he utilize expedient means?"
The Buddha said to Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva, "Good man, if there were living beings on this earth who would be liberated by a buddha, then Guanyin Bodhisattva would manifest as a buddha to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by a pratyeka-buddha, he manifests as a pratyeka-buddha to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by a sravaka, he appears as a sravaka to preach the Dharma.
"To those who would be saved by King Brahma, he appears as King Brahma to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by King Shakra, he appears as King Shakra to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by an isvara, he appears as an isvara to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by a mahesvara, he appears as a mahesvara to preach the Dharma.
"To those who would be saved by a great heavenly general, he appears as a great heavenly general to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by a vaisravana, he appears as a vaisravana to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by a minor king, he appears as a minor king to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by an elder, he appears as an elder to preach the Dharma.
5."To those who would be saved by a householder, he appears as a householder to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by a chief minister, he appears as a chief minister to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by a Brahman, he appears as a Brahman to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by a bhiksu, bhiksuni, upasaka, or upasika, he appears as a bhiksu, bhiksuni, upasaka, or upasika to preach the Dharma.
"To those who would be saved by the wife of an elder, chief minister, or Brahman, he appears as the wife of an elder, chief minister, or Brahman to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by a boy or girl, he appears as a boy or girl to preach the Dharma.
"To those who would be saved by a heavenly being, dragon, yaksha, gandharva, asura, or garuda, he appears as a heavenly being, dragon, yaksha, gandharva, asura, or garuda to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by a kimnara, mahoraga, human, or non-human, he appears as a kimnara, mahorage, human, or non-human to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by a vajrapani, he appears as a vajrapani to preach the Dharma.
"Inexhaustible Intention, Guanyin Bodhisattva has succeeded in acquiring such merits and can use myriad forms to go about the world to save sentient beings. Because of this you should all wholeheartedly make offerings to Guanyin Bodhisattva.
UNQUOTE
This is the scripture in a YouTube cartoon "觀世音菩薩普門品--化身救渡".
The Lotus Sutra describes Avalokiteśvara as a bodhisattva who can take the form of any type of God. A total of 33 different manifestations of Avalokitasvara are described, including female manifestations, all to suit the minds of various beings (adapted from Wikipedia).
Is Avalokiteśvara a real historical person like the historical Buddha? No idea. With so many manifestations, it is really difficult to prove. Since no proof is needed, some Buddhists believed that Jesus is a manifestation of Avalokiteśvara for the Western people.
But the Bible does not pretend that all will be saved. Salvation is by the grace of God. Those who do not know Jesus will be judged justly by their works.
For this is the statement of the promise: At this time I will come, and Sarah will have a son. And not only that, but Rebekah conceived children through one man, our father Isaac. For though her sons had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to election might stand - not from works but from the one who calls - she was told, The older will serve the younger. As it is written: I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.
What should we say then? Is there injustice with God? Absolutely not! For he tells Moses, I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then, it does not depend on human will or effort but on God who shows mercy. (Romans 9:9-16 CSB)
People always ask me, "Isn't it unfair for those who do not have a chance to hear about Jesus to go to hell?" But the Bible state very clearly, salvation is by the "grace of God" (Ephesians 2:8).
It turned out that other religions also have the same problem. An European living one thousand years ago in Europe would never heard of Buddhism. So the poor guy cannot achieve nirvana! But Buddhism has this unproven process of reincarnation and they also came up with another unproven method of how the Buddhist message is spread to other regions.
Below is a quote taken from "妙法蓮華經 觀世音菩薩普門品 The Universal Gateway Of Guanyin Bodhisattva":
QUOTE
4.無盡意菩薩白佛言。世尊。觀世音菩薩。云何遊此娑婆世界。云何而為眾生說法。方便之力。其事云何。
佛告無盡意菩薩。善男子。若有國土眾生。應以佛身得度者。觀世音菩薩。即現佛身而為說法。應以辟支佛身得度者。即現辟支佛身而為說法。應以聲聞身得度者。即現聲聞身而為說法。
應以梵王身得度者。即現梵王身而為說法。應以帝釋身得度者。即現帝釋身而為說法。應以自在天身得度者。即現自在天身而為說法。應以大自在天身得度者。即現大自在天身而為說法。
應以天大將軍身得度者。即現天大將軍身而為說法。應以毗沙門身得度者。即現毗沙門身而為說法。應以小王身得度者。即現小王身而為說法。應以長者身得度者。即現長者身而為說法。
5.應以居士身得度者。即現居士身而為說法。應以宰官身得度者。即現宰官身而為說法。應以婆羅門身得度者。即現婆羅門身而為說法。應以比丘。比丘尼。優婆塞。優婆夷身得度者。即現比丘。比丘尼。優婆塞。優婆夷身而為說法。
應以長者。居士。宰官。婆羅門。婦女身得度者。即現婦女身而為說法。應以童男。童女身得度者。即現童男。童女身而為說法。
應以天龍。夜叉。乾闥婆。阿修羅。迦樓羅。緊那羅。摩睺羅伽。人非人等身得度者。即皆現之而為說法。應以執金剛神得度者。即現執金剛神而為說法。
無盡意。是觀世音菩薩。成就如是功德。以種種形。遊諸國土。度脫眾生。是故汝等。應當一心供養觀世音菩薩。
4.Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva said to the Buddha, "World Honored One, why does Guanyin Bodhisattva journey in this saha world? How does he preach the Dharma to sentient beings? How does he utilize expedient means?"
The Buddha said to Inexhaustible Intention Bodhisattva, "Good man, if there were living beings on this earth who would be liberated by a buddha, then Guanyin Bodhisattva would manifest as a buddha to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by a pratyeka-buddha, he manifests as a pratyeka-buddha to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by a sravaka, he appears as a sravaka to preach the Dharma.
"To those who would be saved by King Brahma, he appears as King Brahma to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by King Shakra, he appears as King Shakra to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by an isvara, he appears as an isvara to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by a mahesvara, he appears as a mahesvara to preach the Dharma.
"To those who would be saved by a great heavenly general, he appears as a great heavenly general to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by a vaisravana, he appears as a vaisravana to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by a minor king, he appears as a minor king to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by an elder, he appears as an elder to preach the Dharma.
5."To those who would be saved by a householder, he appears as a householder to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by a chief minister, he appears as a chief minister to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by a Brahman, he appears as a Brahman to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by a bhiksu, bhiksuni, upasaka, or upasika, he appears as a bhiksu, bhiksuni, upasaka, or upasika to preach the Dharma.
"To those who would be saved by the wife of an elder, chief minister, or Brahman, he appears as the wife of an elder, chief minister, or Brahman to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by a boy or girl, he appears as a boy or girl to preach the Dharma.
"To those who would be saved by a heavenly being, dragon, yaksha, gandharva, asura, or garuda, he appears as a heavenly being, dragon, yaksha, gandharva, asura, or garuda to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by a kimnara, mahoraga, human, or non-human, he appears as a kimnara, mahorage, human, or non-human to preach the Dharma. To those who would be saved by a vajrapani, he appears as a vajrapani to preach the Dharma.
"Inexhaustible Intention, Guanyin Bodhisattva has succeeded in acquiring such merits and can use myriad forms to go about the world to save sentient beings. Because of this you should all wholeheartedly make offerings to Guanyin Bodhisattva.
UNQUOTE
This is the scripture in a YouTube cartoon "觀世音菩薩普門品--化身救渡".
The Lotus Sutra describes Avalokiteśvara as a bodhisattva who can take the form of any type of God. A total of 33 different manifestations of Avalokitasvara are described, including female manifestations, all to suit the minds of various beings (adapted from Wikipedia).
Is Avalokiteśvara a real historical person like the historical Buddha? No idea. With so many manifestations, it is really difficult to prove. Since no proof is needed, some Buddhists believed that Jesus is a manifestation of Avalokiteśvara for the Western people.
But the Bible does not pretend that all will be saved. Salvation is by the grace of God. Those who do not know Jesus will be judged justly by their works.
For this is the statement of the promise: At this time I will come, and Sarah will have a son. And not only that, but Rebekah conceived children through one man, our father Isaac. For though her sons had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to election might stand - not from works but from the one who calls - she was told, The older will serve the younger. As it is written: I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.
What should we say then? Is there injustice with God? Absolutely not! For he tells Moses, I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then, it does not depend on human will or effort but on God who shows mercy. (Romans 9:9-16 CSB)
Monday, December 10, 2018
Life And Death; Good And Wicked
I have always emphasize that Christianity is the only religion in the world where the good people go to hell and wicked people go to heaven. I say it again and again because people does not seem to get it.
Let us look at this man (identified as a ruler in Luke 18:18) who came to Jesus as an illustration.
He said to him, "Teacher, I have kept all these from my youth."
So let all the good people take heed. There is none so good that they do not need the saviour.
Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? (Ezekiel 18:23 ESV)
Let us look at this man (identified as a ruler in Luke 18:18) who came to Jesus as an illustration.
As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus asked him. "No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; do not defraud; honor your father and mother."He said to him, "Teacher, I have kept all these from my youth."
Looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, "You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." But he was dismayed by this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions. (Mark 10:17-22 CSB)
This man honoured his parents, did not kill, did not tell lies, did not commit adultery. He was a good man. But Jesus asked him one question and he went away without eternal life.
At the judgement seat, Jesus is going to ask all the good people on earth one question and they will all be sad. They will not inherit eternal life.
Who are the wicked that go to heaven? The most prominent was the dying thief crucified beside Jesus. He was a thief. He confessed that he was punished justly, for he was getting what he deserved (Luke 23:41). He was a wicked man. But Jesus said to him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43).
The Bible is a big book with many words. Many times, it seems to tell us that the good will go to heaven and the wicked go to hell. But buried deep in the Bible, right at the beginning, in the book of Genesis, is this verse that tells us God's KPI:
Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:6 NIV)
The righteousness of Abraham was credited to him by God, not something that he earned. It was there from the beginning, not something invented in the New Testament.
Finally, let us listen to the words of the most wicked sinner on earth (by his own confession in writing), none other than Paul the Apostle. Yes, SAINT Paul, the MOST WICKED man on earth.
This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" - and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. (1 Timothy 1:15-16 NLT)
And let all the wicked people rejoice at this good news from Jesus Christ. There is no one so bad that he cannot be saved by the blood of Jesus.
Friday, December 7, 2018
Some Incomprehensible Logic of Quran's Argument
In this YouTube video "Who can be more stupid than Allah any watch and see why", the narrator argued that the logic of Quran 3:65 is stupid.
O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Why do you dispute about Ibrahim (Abraham), while the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) were not revealed till after him? Have you then no sense? (Quran 3:65 Mohsin Khan translation)
We can always argue about those who came before us because we know our past. So it is only logical the Christians and Jews can argue about Abraham because they came after him. We cannot argue about people that may appear after us, because we do not know who they will be.
O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Why do you dispute about Ibrahim (Abraham), while the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) were not revealed till after him? Have you then no sense? (Quran 3:65 Mohsin Khan translation)
We can always argue about those who came before us because we know our past. So it is only logical the Christians and Jews can argue about Abraham because they came after him. We cannot argue about people that may appear after us, because we do not know who they will be.
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Wives - Mohammed and Other Muslims
Muslims cannot have more than four wives.
And if you fear that you cannot act equitably towards orphans, then marry such women as seem good to you, two and three and four; but if you fear that you will not do justice (between them), then (marry) only one or what your right hands possess; this is more proper, that you may not deviate from the right course. (Quran 4:3 Shakir version)
Mohammed can have many wives as he desired.
You may put off whom you please of them, and you may take to you whom you please, and whom you desire of those whom you had separated provisionally; no blame attaches to you; this is most proper, so that their eyes may be cool and they may not grieve, and that they should be pleased, all of them with what you give them, and Allah knows what is in your hearts; and Allah is Knowing, Forbearing. (Quran 33:51 Shakir version)
Narrated Aisha:
I used to look down upon those ladies who had given themselves to Allah's Apostle and I used to say, "Can a lady give herself (to a man)?" But when Allah revealed: "You (O Muhammad) can postpone (the turn of) whom you will of them (your wives), and you may receive any of them whom you will;
and there is no blame on you if you invite one whose turn you have set aside (temporarily).' (33.51) I said (to the Prophet), "I feel that your Lord hastens in fulfilling your wishes and desires."
Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 6, Book 60, Number 311
And if you fear that you cannot act equitably towards orphans, then marry such women as seem good to you, two and three and four; but if you fear that you will not do justice (between them), then (marry) only one or what your right hands possess; this is more proper, that you may not deviate from the right course. (Quran 4:3 Shakir version)
Mohammed can have many wives as he desired.
You may put off whom you please of them, and you may take to you whom you please, and whom you desire of those whom you had separated provisionally; no blame attaches to you; this is most proper, so that their eyes may be cool and they may not grieve, and that they should be pleased, all of them with what you give them, and Allah knows what is in your hearts; and Allah is Knowing, Forbearing. (Quran 33:51 Shakir version)
Narrated Aisha:
I used to look down upon those ladies who had given themselves to Allah's Apostle and I used to say, "Can a lady give herself (to a man)?" But when Allah revealed: "You (O Muhammad) can postpone (the turn of) whom you will of them (your wives), and you may receive any of them whom you will;
and there is no blame on you if you invite one whose turn you have set aside (temporarily).' (33.51) I said (to the Prophet), "I feel that your Lord hastens in fulfilling your wishes and desires."
Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 6, Book 60, Number 311
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Trinity - Bible vs Koran
Listen, Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One (אֶחָֽד). (Deuteronomy 6:4 HCSB)
You cannot find the word "Trinity" in the Bible. Why? Because there is no such thing. "Trinity" is a term invented by lazy theologians to give one word to describe what the Bible affirmed about God:
But you can find the word "Trinity" in the Koran!
People of the Book, do not exceed the limits of devotion in your religion or say anything about God which is not the Truth. Jesus, son of Mary, is only a Messenger of God, His Word, and a spirit from Him whom He conveyed to Mary. So have faith in God and His Messengers. Do not say that there are three gods. It is better for you to stop believing in the Trinity. There is only One God. He is too glorious to give birth to a son. To God belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth. God alone is a Sufficient Guardian for all. (Quran 4:171 Muhammad Sarwar version)
Koran says Jesus is the Word of God.
Koran says Jesus is a spirit from God.
Koran says do not believe in Trinity.
You cannot find the word "Trinity" in the Bible. Why? Because there is no such thing. "Trinity" is a term invented by lazy theologians to give one word to describe what the Bible affirmed about God:
- God is One;
- The Father is God;
- The Son is God;
- The Spirit is God;
- The Father, the Son and the Spirit is distinct (that is, the Father is not the Son, the Father is not the Spirit, the Son is not the Father, the Son is not the Spirit, the Spirit is not the Father, the Spirit is not the Son).
But you can find the word "Trinity" in the Koran!
People of the Book, do not exceed the limits of devotion in your religion or say anything about God which is not the Truth. Jesus, son of Mary, is only a Messenger of God, His Word, and a spirit from Him whom He conveyed to Mary. So have faith in God and His Messengers. Do not say that there are three gods. It is better for you to stop believing in the Trinity. There is only One God. He is too glorious to give birth to a son. To God belongs all that is in the heavens and the earth. God alone is a Sufficient Guardian for all. (Quran 4:171 Muhammad Sarwar version)
Koran says Jesus is the Word of God.
Koran says Jesus is a spirit from God.
Koran says do not believe in Trinity.
Saturday, December 1, 2018
Calculating Gabriel's Formula of 483 Years - Time of Messiah's Arrival - 2
Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince will be seven weeks and 62 weeks. It will be rebuilt with a plaza and a moat, but in difficult times. After those 62 weeks the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. (Daniel 9:25-26a HCSB)
The decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem
There are four decrees to consider:
This is the calculation according to this website "A Mathematical Error with the Bible?"
QUOTE
The commandment to restore and build Jerusalem was given by Artaxerxes Longimanus on March 14, 445 b.c. (The emphasis in the verse on "the street" and "the wall" was to avoid confusion with other earlier mandates confined to rebuilding the Temple.) When we examine the period between March 14, 445 b.c. and April 6, 32 a.d., and correct for leap years, we discover that it is 173,880 days exactly, to the very day!
Here are the calculations.
March 14th, 445 B.C. to March 14th, 32 A.D. is 476 years.
(1 B.C. to 1 A.D. is one year, There is no year zero)
476 years x 365 days per year = 173,740 days
Add for leap years = 116 days (Leap years do not occur in century years unless divisible by 400 [therefore, we must add three less leap years in four centuries])
March 14th to April 6 th = 24 days
total = 173,880
This is the only occasion that Jesus presented Himself as King. It occurred on April 6, 32 a.d.
UNQUOTE
This is another calculation - "Was Jesus' Arrival Accurately Predicted in the Bible? – Today's New Reason to Believe"
QUOTE
Now we're ready to do some math to determine if Gabriel did in fact predict Jesus's arrival. We'll start by determining how many days are in 483 lunar years: 360 x 483 = 173,880 days. Next, we'll convert those days back into solar years: 173,880 ÷ 365.2422 = 476.068 years. After converting the decimal part (0.068) to days (0.068 x 365.2422 = 24.8 days), the time prophesized for the Messiah to arrive comes out to be 476 years and 25 days.
Adding this number to March 5, 444 BC - the date on which the decree to rebuild Jerusalem was issued - brings us to March 30, AD 33, the very day of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Is this match not remarkable? The remarkable accuracy of the predictions in the prophecy in Daniel [assuming the estimates are correctly interpreted and accurate] supports the truth of the prophecy, which in turn builds confidence in the authority and reliability of the Bible.
UNQUOTE
The decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem
There are four decrees to consider:
- The decree of Cyrus to rebuild the temple (2 Chronicles 36:22-23, Ezra 1:1-4);
- The decree of Darius I to rebuild the temple (Ezra 6:1-12);
- The decree of Artaxerxes I to rebuild the temple (Ezra 7:12-26);
- The decree of Artaxerxes II to rebuild Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:1-8).
This is the calculation according to this website "A Mathematical Error with the Bible?"
QUOTE
The commandment to restore and build Jerusalem was given by Artaxerxes Longimanus on March 14, 445 b.c. (The emphasis in the verse on "the street" and "the wall" was to avoid confusion with other earlier mandates confined to rebuilding the Temple.) When we examine the period between March 14, 445 b.c. and April 6, 32 a.d., and correct for leap years, we discover that it is 173,880 days exactly, to the very day!
Here are the calculations.
March 14th, 445 B.C. to March 14th, 32 A.D. is 476 years.
(1 B.C. to 1 A.D. is one year, There is no year zero)
476 years x 365 days per year = 173,740 days
Add for leap years = 116 days (Leap years do not occur in century years unless divisible by 400 [therefore, we must add three less leap years in four centuries])
March 14th to April 6 th = 24 days
total = 173,880
This is the only occasion that Jesus presented Himself as King. It occurred on April 6, 32 a.d.
UNQUOTE
This is another calculation - "Was Jesus' Arrival Accurately Predicted in the Bible? – Today's New Reason to Believe"
QUOTE
Now we're ready to do some math to determine if Gabriel did in fact predict Jesus's arrival. We'll start by determining how many days are in 483 lunar years: 360 x 483 = 173,880 days. Next, we'll convert those days back into solar years: 173,880 ÷ 365.2422 = 476.068 years. After converting the decimal part (0.068) to days (0.068 x 365.2422 = 24.8 days), the time prophesized for the Messiah to arrive comes out to be 476 years and 25 days.
Adding this number to March 5, 444 BC - the date on which the decree to rebuild Jerusalem was issued - brings us to March 30, AD 33, the very day of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Is this match not remarkable? The remarkable accuracy of the predictions in the prophecy in Daniel [assuming the estimates are correctly interpreted and accurate] supports the truth of the prophecy, which in turn builds confidence in the authority and reliability of the Bible.
UNQUOTE
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