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Moderators Second Cousin
Registered Member
Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 85
| Posted 11/24/2004 1:28 AM (GMT -6) |   | quote:
Originally posted by TomEwall
"Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world."
Please explain this verse from the Open Theism perspective.
what's the context of Acts 15?
Acts 15:
14 "Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name.
15 "With this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written,
16 'AFTER THESE THINGS I will return,
AND I WILL REBUILD THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID WHICH HAS FALLEN,
AND I WILL REBUILD ITS RUINS,
AND I WILL RESTORE IT,
17 SO THAT THE REST OF MANKIND MAY SEEK THE LORD,
AND ALL THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME,'
18 SAYS THE LORD, WHO MAKES THESE THINGS KNOWN FROM LONG AGO.
How did God know God would select a man from which to make a nation through whom the Messiah would come?
After David's temple had been destroyed, how did God know God would have them rebuild it?
How did God know God would bless all the peoples of the world, even those not of the descendants of Abraham?
Genesis 12:
1 Now the LORD said to Abram,
"Go forth from your country,
And from your relatives
And from your father's house,
To the land which I will show you;
2 And I will make you a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And so you shall be a blessing;
3 And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."
God told Abraham that God would bless "all the families of the earth" through Abraham. That's what Simeon had related to the gentiles. God knew God's plan for the gentiles.
"Listen, strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony." | | Back to Top | | |
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Miss Manners
Registered Member
Date Joined Nov 2004
Total Posts : 2
| Posted 11/24/2004 2:41 AM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by Selah
Hi TomE,
I'm wondering where you found the quote at the end of your post. Would you please share that with us?
Thanks!
selah
Wouldn't it be more polite to answer his question first?
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Miss Manners
Registered Member
Date Joined Nov 2004
Total Posts : 2
| Posted 11/24/2004 2:55 AM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by Selah
quote:
Originally posted by Miss Manners
Wouldn't it be more polite to answer his question first?
I'm sorry miss manners (and TomE!). Besides going to school, I'm working overnights and 2+ day jobs for the holiday season (*not complaining at all just sharing why my brain is too fried to answer that question today*).
I asked the question about the quote because it sounds like some of the stuff I've been reading. As always, it's ok to ignore me when I go on these curious tangents... :)
Apologies are always more acceptable when accompanied with cash.
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ataraxia
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2003
Total Posts : 67
| Posted 11/24/2004 3:12 AM (GMT -6) | | Selah, your post was fine. Don't sweat it.
Miss Manners, your post wasn't fine. It's the heighth of presumption to make your very first post as a new member the correcting of another member, and the sweetest MOST kind member of the board at that. I don't wanna take the risk of finding out what's in store, Miss Manners.
Try again under another name.
ataraxia | | Back to Top | | |
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Tom
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 10353
| Posted 11/24/2004 4:01 AM (GMT -6) | | "Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world."
As I look at this, and the context, I'm wondering whether we are correct in assuming this is forward referrencing. That is, we take it to mean that at the beginning of the world God THEN knew everything he WOULD do. But it makes just as much sense to view it as backwards referrencing, that is, as a referrence to God's knowledge of his past works. NOW (or at any given point in time), God knows all his works from the beginning of the world up to that point, the point being that God is always faithful to his promises and commitments.
Tom | | Back to Top | | |
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TomEwall
Registered Member
Date Joined Nov 2004
Total Posts : 8
| Posted 11/24/2004 4:48 AM (GMT -6) | | Hi Selah! The quote is from "Christ's Object Lessons" by Ellen G. White. It's a book about the parables of Christ. Here's some more of the quote. It gives me chills to read it.
"It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At this time a message from God is to be proclaimed, a message illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His character is to be made known. Into the darkness of the world is to be shed the light of His glory, the light of His goodness, mercy, and truth.
This is the work outlined by the prophet Isaiah in the words, 'O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.' Isa. 40:9,10.
Those who wait for the Bridegroom's coming are to say to the people, 'Behold your God.' The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love." (p. 415)
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TomEwall
Registered Member
Date Joined Nov 2004
Total Posts : 8
| Posted 11/24/2004 4:51 AM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by TGB
"Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world."
As I look at this, and the context, I'm wondering whether we are correct in assuming this is forward referrencing. That is, we take it to mean that at the beginning of the world God THEN knew everything he WOULD do. But it makes just as much sense to view it as backwards referrencing, that is, as a referrence to God's knowledge of his past works. NOW (or at any given point in time), God knows all his works from the beginning of the world up to that point, the point being that God is always faithful to his promises and commitments.
Tom
Very interesting point, Tom!
The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of God's character of love. | | Back to Top | | |
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selah
Registered Member
Date Joined Oct 2001
Total Posts : 1210
| Posted 11/26/2004 2:22 AM (GMT -6) | | quote:
Originally posted by TomEwall
Hi Selah! The quote is from "Christ's Object Lessons" by Ellen G. White. It's a book about the parables of Christ. Here's some more of the quote. It gives me chills to read it.
"It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At this time a message from God is to be proclaimed, a message illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His character is to be made known. Into the darkness of the world is to be shed the light of His glory, the light of His goodness, mercy, and truth.
This is the work outlined by the prophet Isaiah in the words, 'O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.' Isa. 40:9,10.
Those who wait for the Bridegroom's coming are to say to the people, 'Behold your God.' The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love." (p. 415)
Hi Tom,
Thanks so much for getting back to me. If I can figure out why it's taking me a hundred clicks to complete this "one click ordering" thing on amazon - I'll buy the book. It's always interesting to me when authors/saints/pastors/people end up with the same (simple but profound) conclusion - God really is love.
I'm looking forward to reading the rest of her thoughts on Jesus' parables.
God Bless,
love
selah
ataraxia, you're sweet. Of course your words are too kind, really. I hope we don't drive you crazy around here and I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. God Bless you for all you do. love selah
"When we acknowledge that all of life is sacred and that each act is an act of choice and therefore sacred, then life is a sacred dance lived consciously each moment. When we live at this level, we participate in the creation of a better world."
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