This is a very dangerous reality.
Pastors are confused, all of them. No church is exempted in this wave of confusion.
Now, i am very much interested in the moral values and the knowledge building block (the general studies curriculum) of the nation, not just taking what pastor 1 says and pastor 2 says another thing totally different and you will still take it . The family was supposed to be the unit for inculcating morality, But since the family has been crumbled by faulty African tradition and un educated parents religion now take over to teach the children, But this time, with more confusion.
Now just follow me and look at this Scripture.
After Jesus gave a parable, he interpreted the parable like this for proper understanding
Matthew 13:37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed =the Son of man; 13:38 The field =world
; the good seed=the children of the kingdom;
but the tares = the children of the wicked one; 13:39 The enemy that sowed them=the devil
; the harvest =the end of the world;
and the reapers=the angels
Now, this is the only Scripture of the Bible that parables and fugurative languages were interpreted extensively for understanding the actual message the writer want to pass accross, and if we use this same format Jesus used , the whole Scripture can be understood.
Now, the question is, how are we sure that the whole Bible do not need interpretation like this for us to understand it so that we will not be confused?
ok, look at this
Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Book of life = what?
Lake of fire = what?
Surely, if this is subjected to interpretation
Book of life is not book, it is something else.
Lake of fire is not fire that is burning people, it is something else.
Another one is
Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so COME IN LIKE MANNER as ye have seen him go into heaven
come in like manner = what?
surely, come in like manner is not rapture if you interprete it.
This is now they have used uninterpreted scriptures to make the vast Nigerian christians believe that rapture is coming, this world will end, hell fire is coming to burn people. Therefore making people not to work hard, fight for their right and enjoy their lives here on earth.
illiterate people are the most victims of these school of thought

If you read the bible, early supposed followers of the alleged Jesus didn't just sit down blindly and swallow verses, they asked questions and got answers...but today people just come to be downloaded with the preachers mentality..

is ok...#funnynation comedian

A parable is different from a prophecy. The Book of life was also referred to in Exodus 32:33! The coming of Jesus Whose parable you quoted was also prophesied, do you mean those prophecies were parables with another meaning?!

I mean, what a wayward generation that we are, and a. wayward blind religious leaders of this generation.
if you read Bible, people of the apostles days were more intelligent, having understanding of everything.

flexybobo:
I mean, what a wayward generation that we are, and a. wayward blind religious leaders of this generation.
if you read Bible, people of the apostles days were more intelligent, having understanding of everything.

so what dumbed them down?...Satan?

davien:
so what dumbed them down?...Satan?

they were already dumb since trans Sahara slave trade. Don't blame satan.
everything nor be satan

Paxonel, really, you're the one confused here. You highlighted a parable with its interpretation, but you misinterpret other passages of the Bible expecting them to tow in line with the interpretation of the parable of the sower.

Heaven, Hell, and the Book of Life are not parables. They're facts, real facts. They are literal concepts, not symbolic concepts as some folks erroneously suppose to the detriment of their souls.

Granted, there are things in the Bible that may require some explanation for better understanding, but those you mentioned are hardly deserving of "interpretation" if you can read and write.

denisbid:

they were already dumb since trans Sahara slave trade. Don't blame satan.
everything nor be satan

So everyone was a slave then?

Many Nigerian pastors are truly confused about what the gospel of Jesus Christ is. Hence most of them resulted to preaching another gospel.

There may be several reasons for their confusion but surely not the way the bible is written. It is most likely their understanding or lack of understanding the bible. Judaism and christianity are fully explained in the bible - unfortunately most of them tend to embrace judaism and hide under christianity when they get confused.

When I hear a pastor saying " I am not even sure if I will make it when Jesus returns" then I know he doesn't even understand the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. he doesn't understand that morality cannot make us right with God. he doesn't understand that no man was able to keep the laws given to Moses. He doesn't undersatnd that we cannot generate a righteousness that pleases God. Hence Christ fulfilled the law for us all. He lived under the law and fulfilled it. The righteousness we have is inputed to us because we believe in Christ. Hence the bible say "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" - Acts 4: 12

The major difference between christianity and all other religions/faith is that a christian does not need to do anything to be saved. No amount of "good works" can save him/her. While other religions say " do more good than evil", "strive hard to be good", christianity says " believe on the Lord Jesus and be saved" - your faith will be counted unto you as righteousness. This is an offence to many - They ask, how can I not do anything? Yet that is it, we do "nothing" - we believe in Christ and remain in him. The life we live is not a life of trying to be righteous before God rather it is the fruit of the Holy Spirit that God gives unto us when we believe. The christian does not do good to be approved of God rather his good works is a product (fruit) of Christ's finished work.

@OP your good works will not save you, Christ alone is the way to God!

"Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." - Eph 2:9 (NLT)

Scholar8200:
A parable is different from a prophecy. The Book of life was also referred to in Exodus 32:33! The coming of Jesus Whose parable you quoted was also prophesied, do you mean those prophecies were parables with another meaning?!

there are prophecies that were direct and do not need interpretation.
But there are other prophesies like.
Revelation 4:7
And the first beast was like a lion
lion = what?
and the second beast like a calf,
calf = what?
and the third beast had a face as a man
man = what?
, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle
flying eagle = What?
infact BEAST = what?
You see, when people read these things they become scared. meanwhile, there is nothing there if you get their interpretation

CaptainJune:
Paxonel, really, you're the one confused here. You highlighted a parable with its interpretation, but you misinterpret other passages of the Bible expecting them to tow in line with the interpretation of the parable of the sower.

Heaven, Hell, and the Book of Life are not parables. They're facts, real facts. They are literal concepts, not symbolic concepts as some folks erroneously suppose to the detriment of their souls.

Granted, there are things in the Bible that may require some explanation for better understanding, but those you mentioned are hardly deserving of "interpretation" if you can read and write.

i know exactly what need not to be interpreted and what need to be interpreted in the Bible

davien:
So everyone was a slave then?

all africans were slaves to the whites then, they are still slaves by one way or the other in this modern day

belabela:
Many Nigerian pastors are truly confused about what the gospel of Jesus Christ is. Hence most of them resulted to preaching another gospel.

There may be several reasons for their confusion but surely not the way the bible is written. It is most likely their understanding or lack of understanding the bible. Judaism and christianity are fully explained in the bible - unfortunately most of them tend to embrace judaism and hide under christianity when they get confused.

When I hear a pastor saying " I am not even sure if I will make it when Jesus returns" then I know he doesn't even understand the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. he doesn't understand that morality cannot make us right with God. he doesn't understand that no man was able to keep the laws given to Moses. He doesn't undersatnd that we cannot generate a righteousness that pleases God. Hence Christ fulfilled the law for us all. He lived under the law and fulfilled it. The righteousness we have is inputed to us becuase we believe in Christ. Hence the bible say "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" - Acts 4: 12

The major difference between christianity and all other religions/faith is that a christian does not need to do anything to be saved. No amount of "good works" can save him/her. While other religions say " do more good than evil", "strive hard to be good", christianity says " believe on the Lord Jesus and be saved" - your faith will be counted unto you as righteousness. This is an offence to many - They ask, how can I not do anything? Yet that is it we do "nothing" - we believe in Christ and remain in him. The life we live is not a life of trying to be righteous before God rather it is the fruit of the Holy Spirit that God gives unto us when we believe. The christian does not do good to be approved of God rather his good works is a product (fruit) of Christ's finished work.

@OP your good works will not save you, Christ alone is the way to God!

"Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." - Eph 2:9 (NLT)

i have heard Adeboye and Oyedepo saying that they are not even sure whether they will make heaven, Imagine.
what do you expect other billions corrupt Nigerian christians to say?

paxonel:

there are prophecies that were direct and do not need interpretation.
But there are other prophesies like.
Revelation 4:7
And the first beast was like a lion
lion = what?
and the second beast like a calf,
calf = what?
and the third beast had a face as a man
man = what?
, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle
flying eagle = What?
infact BEAST = what?
You see, when people read these things they become scared. meanwhile, there is nothing there if you get their interpretation

That's not a prophecy!!! It's a description! Ezekiel saw similar Creatures in Ezekiel 1!

Scholar8200:
That's not a prophecy!!! It's a description! Ezekiel saw similar Creatures in Ezekiel 1!

whatever

denisbid:

i have heard Adeboye and Oyedepo saying that they are not even sure whether they will make heaven, Imagine.
what do you expect other billions corrupt Nigerian christians to say?

how are you sure you are going to make heaven? do you know if you will die commiting sin?

whether i die commiting sin or not, i am already in heaven by grace

denisbid:
whether i die commiting sin or not, i am already in heaven by grace

read Matthew 5:20

The buybull is corrupt.

paxonel:

i know exactly what need not to be interpreted and what need to be interpreted in the Bible

No you don't. This quote below proves it.

paxonel:

there are prophecies that were direct and do not need interpretation.
But there are other prophesies like.
Revelation 4:7
And the first beast was like a lion
lion = what?
and the second beast like a calf,
calf = what?
and the third beast had a face as a man
man = what?
, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle
flying eagle = What?
infact BEAST = what?
You see, when people read these things they become scared. meanwhile, there is nothing there if you get their interpretation

Besides erroneously calling this passage prophecy, you misunderstand it to be a parable.

The living creatures are literal beings. They are heavenly creatures who praise God before His throne day and night.

flexybobo:

how are you sure you are going to make heaven? do you know if you will die commiting sin?

I really don't understand it when fellow believers are in doubt of their eternal destination. It shows they're not operating in faith and love.

I am EXTREMELY and DEEPLY CONVINCED without an atom of doubt that when I die suddenly, my eternal habitation is heaven. This should not be misconstrued as an expression of boast. As such, the contrary would be the case.

My confidence is rooted in the fact that I strive to walk in love daily. If any believer walks in love and repents daily of his or her sins, he is a sure candidate of heaven. Love is the greatest commandment in the Bible.

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:17

Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. Ephesians 1:4

CaptainJune:


I really don't understand it when fellow believers are in doubt of their eternal destination. It shows they're not operating in faith and love.

I am EXTREMELY and DEEPLY CONVINCED without an atom of doubt that when I die suddenly, my eternal habitation is heaven. This should not be misconstrued as an expression of boast. As such, the contrary would be the case.

You should try to get murdered as soon as possible, just to make heaven. Try Sambisa forest.

Make sure to remind your murderer that you love him.

CaptainJune:


No you don't. This quote below proves it.



Besides erroneously calling this passage prophecy, you misunderstand it to be a parable.

The living creatures are literal beings. They are heavenly creatures who praise God before His throne day and night.

heavenly creatures?
so eagles and lions are heavenly creatures?
do eagles and lions talk? how then do they praise?

CaptainJune:


I really don't understand it when fellow believers are in doubt of their eternal destination. It shows they're not operating in faith and love.

I am EXTREMELY and DEEPLY CONVINCED without an atom of doubt that when I die suddenly, my eternal habitation is heaven. This should not be misconstrued as an expression of boast. As such, the contrary would be the case.

My confidence is rooted in the fact that I strive to walk in love daily. If any believer walks in love and repents daily of his or her sins, he is a sure candidate of heaven. Love is the greatest commandment in the Bible.

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:17

Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. Ephesians 1:4

nobody is like Jesus
we all commit sin
what we do is to pray that we will not commit sin on rapture day, because many people who think they are righteous will be caught on aware on that day

CaptainJune:


No you don't. This quote below proves it.



Besides erroneously calling this passage prophecy, you misunderstand it to be a parable.

The living creatures are literal beings. They are heavenly creatures who praise God before His throne day and night.

ok, what is the difference between revelation and prophecy?

flexybobo:

read Matthew 5:20

for me, my righteousness has exceeded the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees even though i am currently a fornicator

denisbid:

for me, my righteousness has exceeded the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees even though i am currently a fornicator

So you speak to God, or he speaks to you, and then you leave and break his rules?

Are you sure that you have spoken with the God? I can understand why children disobey their parents, the parents cannot be EVERYWHERE at once. But to claim to have a parent who is EVERYWHERE at once, and still go out practice disobedience is like bringing the ashewo into the sitting room of your parents house and smashing her right there in front of mumsy and her guests.

Weah96:


You should try to get murdered as soon as possible, just to make heaven. Try Sambisa forest.

Make sure to remind your murderer that you love him.

How about you re-read my post? Who said anything about seeking death?

denisbid:

heavenly creatures?
so eagles and lions are heavenly creatures?
do eagles and lions talk? how then do they praise?

Read the book of Revelation 4:6-9

flexybobo:

nobody is like Jesus
we all commit sin
what we do is to pray that we will not commit sin on rapture day, because many people who think they are righteous will be caught on aware on that day

I agree with everything you've said. I hope my post did not give you the impression that walking in love makes you perfect. No one can be sinless on earth in this temporary tent (flesh). However, with love you strive for perfection everyday. That's all what God requires of us. Love is God's nature. If you love, you're living and expressing the nature of God.

paxonel:

ok, what is the difference between revelation and prophecy?

Jesus Christ fulfilled the prophecies concerning Him as foretold by the prophets in the Old Testament.

Paul, on his way to Damascus, had a revelation of Jesus Christ that changed his life forever.