We all want to be free. That�s why we think that the paradise is a place of eternal freedom.
But freedom from what?
We need freedom from sufferings, hunger, diseases, death and decay and our sins.
God in the Bible said that we are able to experience �glorious freedom from death and decay.� (Romans 8:21). God is going to protect us and wipe away our tears. He is going to give us eternal life FREE. Muslims are striving to live righteously and yet they cannt be sure that they will get to the paradise. You can worship your Indian cow in the one of 30 mln idol worships in India and yet you are unable to enter into the paradise.
The other day I was talking to my Jewish brother History and he said:
How wonderful to know that G-d understands we are only human, will make mistakes, and we can take the steps He has provided us and be fully forgiven. That we can, by our own efforts, continually strive to become better tomorrow than we are today. And G-d and His Teachings will guide us. This provides both an infinite sense of worth and purpose.
My response was:
Brother, just do not forget that scripture of a 'cow' in an Indian religion is NOT able to make you forgiven of your sins! Thus, if you understand your mistakes, this understanding cannot make you FREE of your mistakes! We can be forgiven ONLY by the true God and according to the ORDER which was established by Him. Where is this order in the Hebrew Scripture? In your favorite verse- Isaiah 53! God said that a MAN will set us FREE of our sins by talking our sins to His HOLY Body! Only in this case we can be forgiven and we can belong to the SMALL REMNANT saved by God! So, by striving to become better tomorrow than you are today in your cow worship in India you will NOT be perfect. You have in this case only one perspective to become a cow like your cow god. At least inwardly because outwardly it is not so easy�hahahah. So, if your religion is NOT true and you do not follow the TRUE God then you will be judged by God who NEVER was in Islam and in any other cow worship.
Brothers, God gave us a solution of our problems. God saves us. He is not irrelevant and passive like Islamic allah. But He stretches His hand out to give you His help and support. He does not wait until when you will die to give you what you want but already TODAY He gives you His FREEDOM which is salvation from death and slavery of your sins. He is God of LOVE and there is no one who is like He is in any false cult, religion and even in Islam!
He is God of our father Ibrahim and His name is God Jesus/ Kalimat-Ullah!
The Word of God!
That�s why you are unable to see the name of God Jesus -Al Faadi (Redeemer)- in Islam!
This is one of His prominent Divine names.
Where can we see in the Holy Scripture that the Messiah is al Fadi?
In Isaiah 53 and in the Holy Tanakh.
Is it possible that a man can be ransomed by God?
Muslims say NO.
But God said YES. He said it many centuries BEFORE the existence of the world Islam and foundation of Islam! But who do want to know what God taught us?! Who do want to know that Islam is the false religion?! Who do want to know what God said? To those who want to know it, God is offering His salvation! He said in the Holy Scripture which existed BEFORE Islam that the Redeemer is God and that ONE Man will redeem people from their sins..slavery of their sins.
This Man is Isa All Massih.
What did al Quran say?
Is it possible to be saved?
The Qur'anic story of Abraham's sacrificial test reads, �We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice.� (Surah 37:107)
So, we need to be saved from the coming WRATH of the Lord.
I said the other day:
Brother, do you remember what is the Passover? When Jews were set free of their slavery in Egypt? The angel of the Lord moved through Egypt destroying the firstborn of all people and animals (see Exodus 11 and 12.) This was the final of the ten plagues God visited upon Egypt designed to force Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave the country and their captivity. Who did not die during that time? Only Jews. Jews were instructed to take some of the blood of a lamb and "put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it." They were commanded by God to take the blood of a male lamb�one without blemish�and smear it on the doorposts of their houses. When the angel of the Lord saw the blood, he would "pass over" that house. It is just symbol that those houses where the blood is a sign, will be alive. It is a symbol that by the blood of God Jesus shed to save us we will be saved from the wrath of God. The bread is the symbol that we should be sinless/holy to survive. God Jesus is able to make us holy imputing us His righteousness. So, this event is a foreshadowing of the spotless Lamb of God, Jesus, whose blood would cover the sins of those who believe in Him, causing God's judgment to pass over them. Ever since that night, Jews have celebrated the Passover in remembrance of God's grace to them. So, you, Jews, celebrate that day but you are not forgiven! This blood does NOT cover your sins yet! That's why you are destined to perish like Egyptians if you will disobey God Jesus and if your sin will not be forgiven by Him!
Let me summarize the epic exodus story to see WHY did God kill Egyptians and WHY we will die like these Egyptians if we would disobey God:
We read in Exodus 6:6-7; �I am the LORD. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment. I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt.�
What do we see here?
We see that God JUDGED people through great acts of judgment.
He judged Egyptians and killed them.
Let me remind you that according to the prophecies of God, written in the Holy Scripture called by Jews as the Tanakh or the Old Testament, God will judge nations. Thus, Syria and Damascus will be destroyed and Egypt also. It will happen before the day of the Second Coming of God Jesus to judge people. So, He will judge people the same way by His righteous judgments. But offering us LIFE, He says that we will face DEATH if we will NOT live as He says.
Our sin causes DEATH. If we do not live as God says, we live in sins and without God. That�s why we will face death. Sin is killing us but God proclaims FREEDOM of sin and SALVATION.
Jesus Christ proclaimed �that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free...� (Luke 4:18).
�So, if the Son (Jesus) sets you free, you are truly free.� (John 8:36)
It is abundantly clear that the Messiah claimed to give true Freedom.
Throughout the Bible one finds many statements proclaiming and affirming freedom. But in the Qur'an such statements are notable by their absence. Muhammad was not known for promoting freedom. He was engaged in many wars and mass murders according to Ahadith. The emphasis of the Quran is more on obeying Allah as his slave. You Muslims speak out about the liberation struggle of the Palestinians. You want to set them free. But first of all you need to KNOW that you yourslves are NOT free! Islam says that you are slaves! God Jesus said that we are sons of God! Slaves, the day of your salvation is near! God Jesus is going to set you free!
Jesus� statement, �You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.� (John 8:31-32)
Hearing this the Jews queried Him, �But we are descendants of Abraham. We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, 'You will be set free'.� Jesus replied, �I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family for ever. So, if the Son(Jesus Himself) sets you free, you are truly free.� (John 8:33-36)
Let�s consider today why God did kill Egyptians and why did He command to celebrate the Passover festival (Pesach). If one looks carefully at this story you see it is more than just a rescue operation, it has a spiritual meaning for every one of us. God is teaching Jews and us the same way with the use of the HOLY Words of God.
So, WHY did God kill Egyptians? It was because of Pharaoh's hard-heartedness that God brought an unprecedented death plague on the Egyptians. This catastrophe was an outpouring of God's holy wrath against the Egyptian people who oppressing their slaves- Israelites- at that time. The question arises, Why did God focus His wrath on the Egyptian children- first born sons? Why did God take twhat is he most precious -children- from people? But God warned even Israelites that if THEY would disobey God they would die the same way like Egyptians! That�s why He required that the Israelites to sacrifice a Passover Lamb. There was a real threat of death over every Israelite home if they would disobey God. So, God said to take some of the blood of a lamb and "put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it." They were commanded by God to take the blood of a male lamb�one without blemish�and smear it on the doorposts of their houses. When the angel of the Lord saw the blood, he would "pass over" that house. People could be alive if God saw the blood on the lintel of the houses. The same way we are FREE of our sins and redeemed by the blood of God Jesus shed on the cross for every sinner. He is the Lamb of God who redeemed us from death.
The LORD told Moses to command Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go free. However, he refused to obey God. God struck Egypt with one plague after another including bloody water, gnats, flies, widespread death of livestock, boils. Then the LORD warned Pharaoh,
�If you don't [let the slaves go] I will send more plagues on you ... Then you will know that there is no one like me in all the earth. By now I could have lifted my hand and struck you and your people with a plague to wipe you off the face of the earth. But I have spared you for a purpose � to show you my power and to spread my fame throughout the earth.� (9:14-16)
Finally the time had come for God to send the last and most painful plague. As we see: all the first born sons should die in every family in Egypt, from the eldest son of Pharaoh, to the first born of all the livestock should die. �This is what the Lord says. At midnight tonight I will pass through the heart of Egypt. Then a loud wail will rise throughout the land of Egypt, a wail like no one has heard before or will ever hear again. But among the Israelites it will be so peaceful that not even a dog will bark. Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between the Egyptians and the Israelites. ...� (11:1-7)
What is this distinction? God saves those who OBEY Him. He saves those who WORSHIP Him. He saves those who are separated from the false gods. He saves those who belong to His people. He saves those who BELIEVE in God of Israel! Now the question for you: Can an Arab be Israel to be saved by God? Listen to what I discussed with my Jewish brother History:
History said: The "Jewish nation" in Hebrew Scripture is ALL of us, the Everyman of the human species. Those who interpret G-d's Word as "the Jewish nation was/is sinful" but we are not, we are better, engage in deliberate self-denial and unrighteousness.
And I said: Brother, my Arab and Muslims brothers and friends will be surprised to read these words which you said. Thank you. I teach them too that my Arab nation is in fact the Jewish nation. But they would glad to hear it from another Jew too.
Later History said: You misunderstand. Christians and Muslims and Hindus and Buddhists and Wiccans and... are not Jews. They have their own faiths/beliefs. However, the story and events that befall the Jews/Hebrew/Israelites in Hebrew Scripture, the best and worst of human behavior are present in all human beings. It is this humanity we share--not Jewishness.
My response was: I understood it of course. That's why I was surprised that you said that the Jewish nation in the Hebrew Scripture is ALL of us! The fact is we all who BELIEVE in God Jesus are considered by Him and Israel or the Church of God. In this case we ALL (Arabs and ex-Muslims) are Israel and the chosen people of God. The 'elect' who are saved from the coming Judgment of God. We are the ONE nation. The One people of God saved by Him to inhabit His new world created by Him for us.
History�s response was: You continue to misunderstand. The story told within Hebrew Scripture is the human story. Hebrews are human. When you see the sins they commit and for which they are punished, these are human sins everyone (not just the Hebrews/Jews) possess. When you see how the Jews can repent of their sins and be forgiven, this is true for all people, regardless of their religious beliefs. Feel remorse, ask forgiveness, make reparations to any you've harmed, and you have atoned. This is the lesson of the Book of Jonah--the people of Ninevah (non-Jews) repented and G-d forgave them. Non-Jews are not Israel (the People Israel), but they are equally G-d's Children.
My response: Brother, my Arab brothers who are living in Israel are NOT Israel! And you are right. Try to explain it to Jews! Because even they call Arabs as Israeli Arabs. If Israel is a citizenship, as many of Israelis think, then all these Arabs are Israeli! If they have Israeli citizenship then they are part of Israel and Israel! Thus, according to your definition, Israel is a God's chosen people! That's why not all Arabs are Israel and not ALL Jews are Israel. Because many Jews do NOT worship God and do not live as God says. They are just sinners and unbelievers. So, who is Israel? Those who are chosen by God for salvation! They're separated from other nations and idols. They are HOLY people of God. They are Arabs who committed their hearts to God of Israel and ex-Muslims and they are those who chose God to be their Savior. They are from all nations of the world and they are the chosen people of God who will inhabit the Kingdom of Heaven- a NEW WORLD prepared for them. Thus what is Israel? A citizenship? Yes. It is a citizenship of the Kingdom of God. And every one of you can be there THROUGH your FAITH in God Jesus.
This is a distinction between Egyptian and Israelites- whether you BELONG to God or you belong to the false gods! �. the LORD makes a distinction between the Egyptians and the Israelites. ...� (11:1-7)
�This is a day to remember. Each year from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the LORD. ... Remember, these instructions are a permanent law that you and your descendants must observe forever. When you enter the land the LORD has promised to give you, you will continue to observe this ceremony. ... When Moses had finished speaking, all the people bowed down to the ground and worshipped.� (12:14-27)
The day of the Passover from the slavery of Egypt became the Day of salvation for Israelites. Two days after leaving Egypt the Israelites camped near the Red Sea. The Pharaoh, the king of Egypt and Pharaoh's army � all his horses ... and his troops chased after the people of Israel...
Seeing the Egyptian army about to overtake them, the Israelites cried out to the LORD and said to Moses, �Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness ... Why did you make us leave Egypt?�...
But Moses told the people, �Don't be afraid, just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today ... The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.�
How did God protect Israelites?
And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night. Exodus 14:19-20
Now it came to pass, in the morning watch, that the LORD looked down upon the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud, and He troubled the army of the Egyptians. And He took off their chariot wheels, so that they drove them with difficulty; and the Egyptians said, �Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.� Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the LORD opened up a path through the water ... So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! Exodus 14:24-25
Encouraged by this experience, the Israelites continued their journey toward the Promised Land which is the SYMBOL of the Kingdom of God. God promised us His Kingdom and we are able to get there ONLY through our FAITH in God Jesus. Be there and be part of Israel. Get citizenship of the New World created for you! Because God, who gives you this Promised Land, says to you in His 10 Ten Commandments: �I am the LORD your God who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. You must not have any other god but me.� (Exodus 20:2-3)
Summary: The prophets foretold that God will ultimately destroy death and raise true believers to eternal life. Now God is saving you Jews and you Muslims. This God NEVER was in Islam and His name is Al Faadi- God Jesus.
And He will destroy on this mountain
The surface of the covering cast over all people,
And the veil that is spread over all nations.
He will swallow up death forever,
And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces;
Perhaps it is not so much freedom 'from', but freedom 'to'..... the freedom to live life abundantly, the freedom to live without sin, the freedom to worship God in spirit and truth, the freedom to rest, the freedom to enjoy relationship with God, the freedom to enjoy peace, the freedom to love, the freedom to hope, the freedom to exercise faith, the freedom to enter in the Holy of Holies with confidence, the freedom to be obedient, the freedom to embrace the love of God.
EXCELLENT POST, Bihria! Your convesations with the lost should also be written as formats for teaching lessons and guides for the many Christians who are not strong in their faith, and are not living life styles in the hope of their salvation as they should, according to what the Bible teaches.:glow:
Jude, you keep up the good work, Excellent post!:applause:
The focus of this is knowing that God will not tolerate sin in any form from the lost or the Chritians, bbut there is hope for eveyone, the Christain through repentance, and the lost to repentance and receiving Christ.
Yes, God kill us for our sins, for the Bible tells us that He will, and we kill oursleves when we sin, because as Paul writes that the wages ( price or penalty) of our sins is death. Whether its physical death, spiritual death, emotional or mental death or financial death. Whatever our sins if there is no repentance the consequencs is death, and even when there is repentance God has mercy on us according to our sins and our knowledge of our sins if they are committed willfully or in ignorance, either way we still must pay the price, wages, penalty. We are seprared from God when we are in sin, and that its self is death. Romans chapter 6 tells us this, and we also find this throughout His word that after God has given time for repentance, and there is none, there is death.
Our freedom from suffering and pain and fromm all the other things, when we believe and receive the Lord Jesus Christ, is not so much that we are set free from these things on that we must endure on this earth. But the freedom is within the hope of our glory, and total freedom comes when we die and go to be with the Lord. God has promised us this freedom to us in our eternal life, He has promised us a a glorified body, free from suffering, free from death, free from all manners of evil, freedom from decay, free from pain, free from sorrows, and this is the hope of our salvation and freedom in Christ. That when we die, if we are born again Christians in Christ, there will be no more of these things that we must endure on earth.
God will wipe away all our tears and we will ONLY THEN experience what FREEDOM is all about in its fullness! Because real FREEDOM and the gift of God comes ONLY through God's Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ, and that's our eternal life The Promise fulfilled.
thank you sister. I am glad that you like it. :yay:
my real name is Maria. The nick name Bahira I use when i talk to Muslims....but somethimes i even do not feel difference and use them both during prayers for Muslims :prayingm:....
I think PJ is right; if you read the account of Adam and Eve in the Garden, God did not say He would kill them if they ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, however God did warn them they would die.
(There is a bit of a difference between the two, don't ya think?)
