Random Questions Thread

[Amanah]

Dreadlocks have spiritual symbolism in Rastafarianism and other African diasporic traditions. Here are some of the symbolic meanings associated with dreadlocks:

1. *Connection to Africa*: Dreadlocks are seen as a link to African heritage and culture.
2. *Spiritual growth*: The uncombed, untamed hair is believed to symbolize spiritual growth, wisdom, and maturity.
3. *Resistance to oppression*: Dreadlocks are a rejection of Western beauty standards and a symbol of resistance against cultural oppression.
4. *Holiness and purity*: In Rastafarianism, dreadlocks are considered a symbol of holiness and purity, reflecting a commitment to a natural, uncorrupted lifestyle.
5. *Strength and resilience*: The knots and tangles in dreadlocks represent the struggles and challenges of life, and the strength and resilience needed to overcome them.
6. *Crown of glory*: Dreadlocks are seen as a crown of glory, symbolizing the wearer's connection to the divine and their inner beauty.
7. *Non-conformity*: Dreadlocks represent a rejection of societal norms and expectations, embracing individuality and non-conformity.
8. *Knots of knowledge*: The knots in dreadlocks are believed to hold spiritual knowledge and wisdom, accumulated through meditation, prayer, and spiritual growth.
9. *Protection*: Dreadlocks are thought to offer spiritual protection, shielding the wearer from negative energies and influences.
10. *Identity*: Dreadlocks are a visible expression of one's identity, culture, and beliefs, serving as a badge of honor and pride.

These symbolisms vary across cultures and individuals, but they all reflect the significance of dreadlocks as a powerful spiritual and cultural expression.

[Amanah]

Maybe it is because he is a guy with long uncut dreads that it doesn't seem right. I don't think I would give a woman with long uncut dreads a second thought.

[Amanah]

I don't believe in a rapture to heaven.
I believe in resurrection to immortality to reign on the earth.

Here's my understanding:

Matthew 13:24-43 (The Parable of the Wheat and Tares)

- Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven as a field where wheat (believers) and tares (unbelievers) grow together.
- At the harvest (end of the age), the wheat will be gathered into the barn (millennial reign), while the tares will be burned (annihilation).
- This parable illustrates the separation of believers from unbelievers at the Lord's return.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

- Paul describes the Lord's return as a gathering of believers, both living and dead, to meet Him in the air.
- The dead in Christ will rise first, followed by the living, who will be transformed into glorified bodies.
- This passage emphasizes the resurrection and gathering of saints at the Lord's return.

1 Corinthians 15:50-54

- Paul discusses the resurrection of believers, stating that our natural bodies will be transformed into spiritual bodies.
- He emphasizes that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, but we will be changed in an instant.
- This passage highlights the transformation of believers into glorified bodies, preparing them for the kingdom reign on the earth.

Connecting the verses

- The parable of the wheat and tares (Matthew 13) illustrates the separation of believers from unbelievers at the Lord's return.
- 1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15 describe the resurrection and gathering of believers, emphasizing the transformation into glorified bodies.
- Together, these passages paint a picture of the Lord's return as a harvest, where:
- Believers (wheat) are gathered to meet Jesus in air to reign with him on the earth (the barn).
- Unbelievers (tares) face annihilation.
- The dead in Christ rise first, followed by the living, who are transformed into glorified bodies.
- The resurrected and transformed saints are gathered to meet the Lord in the air, marking the beginning of the millennial reign on earth.

These verses collectively describe the final event before the millennial reign, where the Lord returns to resurrect, transform, and gather His saints, destroying unbelievers and ushering in the kingdom of God on earth.

[shag]

Originally Posted by Amanah

I don't believe in a rapture to heaven.
I believe in resurrection to immortality to reign on the earth.

Here's my understanding:

Matthew 13:24-43 (The Parable of the Wheat and Tares)

- Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven as a field where wheat (believers) and tares (unbelievers) grow together.
- At the harvest (end of the age), the wheat will be gathered into the barn (millennial reign), while the tares will be burned (annihilation).
- This parable illustrates the separation of believers from unbelievers at the Lord's return.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

- Paul describes the Lord's return as a gathering of believers, both living and dead, to meet Him in the air.
- The dead in Christ will rise first, followed by the living, who will be transformed into glorified bodies.
- This passage emphasizes the resurrection and gathering of saints at the Lord's return.

1 Corinthians 15:50-54

- Paul discusses the resurrection of believers, stating that our natural bodies will be transformed into spiritual bodies.
- He emphasizes that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, but we will be changed in an instant.
- This passage highlights the transformation of believers into glorified bodies, preparing them for the kingdom reign on the earth.

Connecting the verses

- The parable of the wheat and tares (Matthew 13) illustrates the separation of believers from unbelievers at the Lord's return.
- 1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15 describe the resurrection and gathering of believers, emphasizing the transformation into glorified bodies.
- Together, these passages paint a picture of the Lord's return as a harvest, where:
- Believers (wheat) are gathered to meet Jesus in air to reign with him on the earth (the barn).
- Unbelievers (tares) face annihilation.
- The dead in Christ rise first, followed by the living, who are transformed into glorified bodies.
- The resurrected and transformed saints are gathered to meet the Lord in the air, marking the beginning of the millennial reign on earth.

These verses collectively describe the final event before the millennial reign, where the Lord returns to resurrect, transform, and gather His saints, destroying unbelievers and ushering in the kingdom of God on earth.

Regarding the “order of events”

Matt: 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”


Would that mean that the tares are gathered before the wheat?
Or, is that saying first gather both the wheat and the tears at the same time and then comes something else…?


I was also wondering how a futurist dispensationlist views the difference in first Corinthians 15 and the wheat and the tares in Matthew 13:30

[Amanah]

Originally Posted by shag

Regarding the “order of events”

Matt: 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”


Would that mean that the tares are gathered before the wheat?
Or, is that saying first gather both the wheat and the tears at the same time and then comes something else…?


I was also wondering how a futurist dispensationlist views the difference in first Corinthians 15 and the wheat and the tares in Matthew 13:30

If you had to take a guess how would you explain it?

[shag]

Originally Posted by Amanah

If you had to take a guess how would you explain it?

I’m trying to learn, my intent is not to lock up with anyone.
I attend a church that teaches dispensationalism theology (with futurist eschatology), so my goal from the beginning was to try to find out after recently hearing Matthew 13, if it conflicts with the teaching they(“futurist disp’s”) have of the rapture in first Corinthians 15. I’m not sure how they worked out, but that was my point from the beginning and asking on here, to see if someone understood that view,(between Matt. 13:30….and 1 Cor. 15)


The Parable of the Weeds Explained

Matt. 13:36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.


It would seem that whenever this were to take place, the evil people are taken out of the way, and the good people are left, or remain.


Similar to Matthew 24, where just as the “bad people” in the flood were removed, and Noah and his family remained, so also
37As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.


Do you see the Matt. 24 above as future?
3 verses prior it mentions: 34Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

[Amanah]

I don't do dispensationalism.

When Jesus comes he destroys the wicked and resurrects the church to immortality to reign on the earth

2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 KJV
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Amanah

I don't do dispensationalism.

[Sister Alvear]

Common sense should tell a women but some do not seem to have it!

[Amanah]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

Common sense should tell a women but some do not seem to have it!

The Lord bless you and Keep you Sister Alvear.