Marcos 9:2 Seis dias depois, tomou Jesus consigo a Pedro, Tiago e João e levou-os sós, à parte, a um alto monte. Foi transfigurado diante deles;
Marcos 9:3 as suas vestes tornaram-se resplandecentes e sobremodo brancas, como nenhum lavandeiro na terra as poderia alvejar.
Marcos 9:4 Apareceu-lhes Elias com Moisés, e estavam falando com Jesus.

The current battle three very different leading candidates, along with two minor players. By insider accounts, the race is extremely tight, with significant numbers of voters still undecided. Each of the major candidates exemplifies a different dimension in today's Michigan Republican party. Who has been doing what with what will come clear this weekend with the release of the financial reports.

Below the fold we'll take up the candidates, by their bio, platform, social conservative leanings (if any), and campaign.

Linda Steil

Bio. By most lights she is the front-runner. As the wife of the current representative Glen Steil Jr., and daughter-in-law to former State Senator Glen Steil, Linda has some in-built connections. Her endorsement list includes Chuck Yob, and local businessmen Tommy Brann, as well as the Chamber of Commerce. In the primary season, she and her husband maxed out their contributions to McCain. Interestingly for some one running for State House, she did not give anything in the 2006 cycle.

Platform. Steil is clearly the representative of the broad party, with its tilt towards the economic conservative views. Her issues are strongest on economics: right to work, end personal property tax, privatize, offer incentive to select growing industries. The rest is bland, though we do learn her parents have been married 58 years, and she packs heat.

Social Conservative Leanings. Although one would think that her role as a stay-at-home mom might give her some status, this is rather muted on her web site. The best the comes up is an allusion to walking the aisle at a Baptist church as a youth.

Campaign. Her campaign brings some seriously deep pockets. However there is little evidence of upkeep on the web site. She maintains a Facebook page (4 friends), but again, not active. There have been reports of e-mail campaigns, and presumably of mailers. This will be an old school campaign.

Justin Amash

Bio. Like Steil, Amash brings connections, in this case, the family business. A young lawyer (UM 2005), he works for Varnum and as a consultant for one of the family businesses, Michigan Industrial Tools. His residence on a golf course speaks of the family prosperity. Amash picks up the theme of "principled, consistent conservative" -- this is movement stuff, with a strong libertarian bias (did we mention his undergrad degree is economics?). Not surprisingy, he sided with Ron Paul, and hammers the individualist, economic theme.

Platform. For Amash, it is a cause to "Take Back.." The fare is rather straight-forward Libertarian. In practice what this appears to mean is the return of many services to the local level. As to programs, he emphasizes the role of liberty, and shrinkage of government. In distinction from Steil, he would advocate the end of economic incentives.

Social Conservative Leanings. Although naturally from the money crowd, Amash is a graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High, and has made some real in-roads into the Dutch conservative set in Gaines Township. There is minimal nod to social conservative themes on his web site.

Campaign. Amash opened big, with a strong Facebook showing (but then nothing since the Fourth -- too busy campaigning?), and some smart-set e-mail ads. The web site itself looks cluttered, too DIY. This suggests a campaign big on the idea of running, but less on the execution.

Ken Yonker

Bio. A Caledonia native, Yonker brings the deepest roots to the district. A graduate of MSU, owner of a landscaping business, and school board member. As a school board member and defender of public schools, he would be considered "liberal" by many in the GOP. A better way to think of his campaign is community-centered. The web site testifies to numerous endorsers from local political offices and from local businesses, mostly in the Caledonia and Gaines neighborhood. He is a Huckabee Republican.

Platform. The campaign is built around the theme of "Building a New Michigan." For Yonker that means a business-focus. Of the candidates his is the loosest platform: Job Creation, Education, Values. Very little is spelled out. The campaign is asking voters to vote on who he is, rather than a specific platform.

Social Conservative Leanings. Yonker is upfront about the role of faith in his life. A graduate of South Christian HS, he has a natural appeal to the Dutch community of Gaines and Caledonia. Adding to his social conservative creds has been the backing by the Voorhees clan. In his mix of social conservative leanings and some practical politics, he resembles another South Christian graduate, Jerry Kooiman.

Campaign. With fewer resources, the campaign has emphasized its community focus. They maintain a list of over 200 endorsers on their web site. Along with the traditional direct mail, the campaign has also set up a Facebook account, and a blog.

David Elias

Bio. Campaign activist on several campaigns (Hardiman, Land), Elias interned with the local ofie of Senator Abraham. He works as a Rural Letter Carrier. He lists his own influences as talk radio. His campaign theme has been "send the common man to Lansing."

Platform. Elias is a conservative populist, giving special attention to veterans and homeland security. In one sense the salad basket of issues resembles that of Amash, but without a strong sense of philosophic orientation.

Social Conservative Leanings. A definite pro-gun nationalist. More populist than anything else.

Campaign. A very hard-to-read web site (why, oh why does any one use reverse type?)

27 06 2008

by Steve Wohlberg

Romans 11:26 says, "And so all Israel will be saved." What does this mean?

Obviously, it doesn't mean every Jew will be saved. In fact, the same chapter says God hopes to "save some of them" (vs. 14). Judas was a Jew, yet we know he will be lost for betraying Christ. Jesus called him, "the son of perdition" (John 17:12). Jesus told many Jews, "If you do not believe I am He [the Messiah], you will die in your sins" (John 8:24). Not every Jew believes in Jesus Christ, thus many will "die in their sins" and be lost.

Many Christians today interpret Romans 11:26 as applying to the end of the seven-year tribulation when Jesus appears in the clouds at His Second Coming. In other words, they don't apply the verse to all Jews throughout history, but only to "all Jews" who are alive at the end. Supposedly, at the end of the tribulation, all remaining Jews in Israel will look up, see Christ coming in the clouds, realize He is the true Messiah, believe in Him, and thus "All Israel will be saved."

This is a false teaching, as I will attempt to show.

1. First, the context of Romans 11 is not the Second Coming.
2. "There is no partiality with God" (Romans 2:5-11). It would be an act of partiality to save "all Jews" at the end, but not "all Jews" in history. The idea is, "When all final Jews see Christ coming in the clouds, then they will believe." But this would give those final Jews a supposedly irresistible opportunity to believe in Jesus Christ which past Jews have not had. Nor would this be fair to "all Gentiles" living at the end. Why would God save all Jews at the end but not all Gentiles? All Gentiles will see Jesus coming just like all Jews.
3. When Christ finally appears in the clouds, IT'S TOO LATE TO BELIEVE IN HIM. Rev. 22:11,12 says that before He comes in the clouds, all decisions have already been made. Jesus said it will be like Noah's day (Mat. 24:37-39). In Noah's day the door of the ark closed before the flood came (Gen. 7:16). When the flood came, it was too late. To save all Jews AT THE SECOND COMING would be like saving all those outside the ark WHEN THE RAIN STARTED FALLING.
4. When Jesus comes in the clouds, this is the time of judgment upon ALL unbelievers who don't know God nor obey the gospel (2 Thess. 1:7-10; Jude 14,15).

So what does this mean, "All Israel shall be saved"? First of all, Romans 9:6 says there are two Israels. one is an Israel according to the flesh (Romans 9:3,4) and the other is the Israel of God (Galatians 6:14-16). The Israel of God is composed of both Jews and Gentiles who believe in Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:29). Gentiles who believe are grafted in. They become part of the "same body" with believing Jews (Eph. 3:6). Paul calls this unity of believing Jews and Gentiles, "the mystery of Christ" (Eph. 3:4).

The immediate context of Romans 11:26 is vs. 25. When "the fullness of the Gentiles has come in," then "all Israel will be saved." Or, to be exact, "And so all Israel will be saved." In other words, the coming in of the fullness or total number of the Gentiles results in "all Israel" being saved. Paul's idea seems to be that when all Gentiles (totally, throughout history) have come in, that is, have been grafted into the Vine, they, uniting with all Jews who have become believers, will form the total number of the saved. Paul also reveals that when Gentiles come in, God can use this to motivate some Jews to believe (verses 11 & 14). Vs. 25 calls this whole thing, "this mystery," which we have already proven to be the "mystery" of both Jews and Gentiles being united in one body through Christ (Eph. 3:4,6). Vs. 27 says all are saved because Christ takes away their sins through His covenant, which must be the New Covenant, which applies to all believers, Jew and Gentile. Thus the "all Israel" that is saved is the total group of believing Gentiles and Jews combined.

The "all Israel that is saved" does not apply to all Jews throughout history, nor can it apply to a select favored group who become instant believers when Jesus Christ comes crashing down through the sky. By that time, it is too late to believe.

http://www.whitehorsemedia.com/articles/details.cfm?art=54

 http://www.whitehorsemedia.com/articles/details.cfm?art=24

http://www.whitehorsemedia.com/articles/details.cfm?art=25

http://www.whitehorsemedia.com/articles/details.cfm?art=56

do see also http://postedat.wordpress.com/2008/07/24/who-rules-your-rulers-god-himself/

We've been spending a lot of time with family!  Isn't that the best in the world?  I'm seeing that my job was pretty much tailor made for me.  I had forgotten how much I love teaching.  I got the chance to get some coffee in "town" where they have wifi, so I can blog a little.  The picture above is of Eli in our new tent at Pacific Beach.  We bought it at a gear sale in the winter and used it for the first time last week.

www.sphereofhiphop.com

www.rapzilla.com

www.hiphopismusic.com

This is yet another emcee and DJ collaboration, which is starting to become a common mainstay in Christian Hip Hop, (examples being Surreal and DJ Balance, Othello and DJ Manwell, SevStatik and DJ Dust, ManChild and DJ Dust) Theory Hazit and Vintage have also joined the bandwagon. The two succeeded just like the ones mentioned in parenthesis. Theory Hazit is a very interesting emcee and he’s one of the prime examples of a turnaround in Christian Hip Hop and he talks about it in his music. This is speculation, but I’m guessing Theory and Vintage met through Vintage’s partial production of The Scribbling Idiots The Have Nots album. Another interesting aspect of the album is the guests featured on Lord Fire which include: Playdough, Raphi (aka Big Shame), Sivion, Ohmega Watts and many others. So how does this hold up to other Christian Hip Hop albums?

Right off the bat you realize the album has an interesting sound, a mixture between old school and now. You can easily recognize and distinguish the difference between both. It’s only right that I tell you now, every single song on Lord Fire is awesome, the production and lyricism behind the album is genius, along with guest appearances from emcees in the four big hip hop groups (The Scribbling Idiots, Tunnel Rats, Lightheaded and DeepSpace5) just makes this album amazing.

The album snags you from the beginning taking your ears on a journey you will never forget, but the first memorable track (and my favorite track on the album) is early on in Lord Fire. “All Love” is the most heartfelt track on the album, which deals with one of Theory’s darkest parts of his journey to Christianity: his parents. While Theory doesn’t give details about what happened between him and his parents, he plays both sides of the field saying how both parties messed up, badly. Theory apologizes for all he has done and gives his parents credit for trying their best to raise him. What also takes this track to the next level is the addition of Elias to the track. He doesn’t rap on the track he’s a singer and in this song he handles the chorus. The beat is also superb with the high hat in the background and the deep bass line makes this song the best on the album.

Playdough who is part of DeepSpace5 is the next artist who gets a verse with Theory Hazit in the song “Soph Sissy” which is an entire track that takes a shot at the mainstream hip hop world. This song should be one of the anthems for Christian Hip Hop. While I love Theory Hazit as an artist, I believe Playdough’s verse outshines Theory’s (sorry Theory Hazit). Here’s a snippet.

“You’re so thugged out, so hood with your pedicure

Gun in your holster for your dinner date with Bennifer

Fools ain’t grimy, live large and tiny

8 by ten gloss he’s shiny

Polished and perfect,

But ain’t got no elbow grease…”

So as you can see the song pretty much dogs out the entire mainstream hip hop community and for that I say thank you Playdough.

“Nobody Say” is another track great-sounding track on Lord Fire. The track features Braille and Raphi (aka Big Shame) both add another dimension to this tune. Raphi and Theory Hazit rhyme on their long journey through Childhood to where they are now, Braille on the other hand raps about where he end up after his journey and how he’s enjoying life. What sets this song apart from the others is the beat. Vintage did an extremely good job producing this track, using the slight guitar riff along with keyboard to create the perfect example of old school and new school combined together.

In the end Lord Fire is an amazing example of Christian Hip Hop prowess, in other words Theory Hazit and Vintage should definitely get together again because it could only result in one thing: Awesomeness. While this album is extraordinary it has a couple flaws, first the sound, don’t worry there are no annoying beeps or scratches, but it’s not loud enough. It’s almost like while Theory rapped loud enough it seemed like Theory recorded the album then Vintage took what Theory gave him, made soft beats and turned down Theory’s voice. This is a slight shortcoming all this means is that you’re gonna have to turn up your MP3 players a little louder when listening to Lord Fire. Another slight problem is the language specifically the use of the N-Word. The word is mentioned in two songs “Jive Turkey” and “Simply Ill”, Theory doesn’t say it, two of the guests say it (one being Freddie Bruno the other I have no idea who it is). Even with this language the album is still a big step in the right direction and I really hope Theory and Vintage team up again for what would most likely be another amazing album

The mix of old school and new school beats mesh well together

The many guests on the album add another dimension to the album

All 17 songs are amazing and creative

The use of the N-Word is a big turnoff

The sound quality is kind of soft (but not too soft)

All Love feat. Elias http://www.mediafire.com/?aiommywzztj (here it is for free)

Soph Sissy feat. Playdough http://www.mediafire.com/?c0u5f1t5lxy (here it is for free)

Nobody Say feat. Braille and Raphi

Bounce

Together

-God Bless

BigSto

All you fashionistas out there should be happy with this feature- Pitbull Mansion. An online store where you can buy all the different types of brands out there in one place!!
The brands include:
CLAUDE MAUS
CHRONICLES OF NEVER
LOVE JUNGLE
DARKO
THOUSAND REASONS
KATE HURST
ILLIONAIRE
IF TOBY COULD TALK
BIM KENESIS
LES CORBEAUX
WHO AM EYE
RELIGION
NIQUE
VICIOUS THREADS
BEN SHERMAN
SYKE
ELIAS
DAMSELFLY...
COMING IN 2008: STOLEN GIRLFRIENDS CLUB, TRIMAPEE

How did you come up with the name?
We had a brainstorming session in the office, and Pitbull Mansion was the winning name. We have a dog that looks suspiciously like a pitbull so that is where that part came from, and we liked the concept of a juxtapose between something "tough" and something "glam" - hence the mansion part! We were also keen to come up with a memorable random type name rather than something really obvious like clothingstore.com!

What is it that you do?
We are an online boutique selling some of the hottest up and coming designers from Australia (& NZ). Our focus is high-end streetwear and we stock both menswear and womenswear.

Who's the brains behind all this?
I guess I (Chontelle) am the driving force behind Pitbull Mansion, but I have a great team behind me. I do the buying trips and stock selection. My husband is a photographer so he shoots any of our promo shots or catalogue pics, and we have a crew that process and send out orders and provide customer service.

When, how and why did you start out?
Pitbull Mansion has been running for over 18 months now, and it started after I had been trying to find decent gear to buy my husband online and discovered a shortage in good Aussie online stores - particularly in menswear and in streetwear. Then a crazy brain wave told me that maybe we should just start one! We got in touch with designers and showed them our plans and there was a general excitement out there for what we were doing.

Was it hard to actually start out?
There is a lot of planning and cash outlay that comes with starting a store like Pitbull Mansion. Having come from a graphic design background... setting the site up and getting it to look good was the easy part. But with little experience in the fashion industry it was a steep learning curve about buying cycles, seasons and what people want to buy! The store has grown its label mix over time and has also extended its customer base around the globe.

Any advice for people who have the same idea?
Research your market... get to know how the industry works and what your customers want. Oh and lots of cash always helps!

Any big plans in the near future?
I guess our big plan is to just keep improving at what we are doing. Always refining our designer mix, and looking for ways to give the customer a better shopping experience. We have recently launched a blog to help keep people in the loop for upcoming trends and previews of new collections and I am excited about this. But watch this space!

--Random questions--
What song have you been listening to most in the past few weeks?
Picking one song is a tough one! This week I would probably pick L.E.S. Artistes by Santogold (in fact the whole album has been getting a lot of airplay)... but I am generally a sucker for Sigur Ros, Radiohead, Cut Copy, and The Presets among others!

What one materialistic thing can you not live without?
My Laptop (Apple of course)

Do you have a secret name for your favourite inanimate object?
Hmmm.... that's a tough one. Not sure what my favourite inanimate object would be, but I don't think I have secret names for any!

The store is currently having an awesome sale on so now is the time to check through the stock they have left before it's all gone!

Links:
Pitbull Mansion Online Store
Pitbull Mansion MySpace

So I googled and got this An anti-establishment view or belief is one which stands in opposition to the conventional social, political, and economic principles of a society!

Why be like this? Just suck up and live man! But ho ho thats so hard! I gotta make my wise cracks and push it up the echelons of power! Just suck up and live man!

Is there any vanity in being vain!

We all think it’s a good thing to go into partnership with someone, especially in biz. While there would be many success stories amongst which some might eventually become even listed companies. I worked for one such firm which became a market leader in 1967 and was one of hottest companies on BSE for but eventually there was a fall out between partners! 

I went to a partnership with a conniving smart cookie. He had a rep that was way ahead of him!  But I believed in sleeping with devil and swimming with the sharks!

We had a partnership agreement. The biz needed capital which I provided. He had been running similar biz. We got another partner to run the biz. The biz went on for about two years. It turned profitable. We had two ways to fund the operation. Equity and Loans. We had in the agreement that loans from partners would be paid 12% interest.  The company started paying dividends from the 6^th month.

After 2 years the company was stable and running well I asked for my interest. A. My partners said that what they where paying out as dividends were actually interest. The partner who was running the biz never bought in capital but we were paying interest according to them. Then they said that was paid for performance. We never had a discussion to take this decision.  You see it was my money that was stuck in the biz and if I went for litigation it would take years for my money to come out and the lawyer’s fees. Unfortunately for me my partners also  knew all this. So I had to get out without getting a share of the profits.

If you want to get into biz try hard to get into it on your own. If you need to raise funding. A limited firm is a much better option but then it costs a bit as both the CA and the Govt. would takes it share.

If possible go alone without partners, it might slow your growth but at least it will remain your biz. The banks are probably the best way to fund your biz but they will most probably do only working capital. You have to bring in Venture Capital but most of the time these are not easy people to deal with. You will get squeezed.

On the other hand there will be people who you know who have great biz ideas! Make sure that you have enough safe guards as most of the time the great idea is to part you from your money.

Let me close with a funny one! There was this chap who said I am going into biz with a partner of mine. He is going to put in the capital and I am going to put in my experience. After 5 years he will have my experience and I will have his capital.The person I went into biz with can do this in 6 months.

Moral of the Story - If you swim with the sharks there will be blood and if you sleep with the devil you must climb the tamarind tree! 

Resumen de la carrera

Si duda se puede decir que fue la mejor carrera del campeonato, aunque siento no poder ver en la pelea a Pedrosa, que se fue antes de la clasificación por sus dolencias de la caída de Alemania, y a Lorenzo, que salió por los aires en la primera vuelta al circuito.

No lo he dicho, pero a un mundo de Rossi y Stoner acabó Vermeulen que repite el podium del pasado año y demuestra que es el circuito que mejor se le da con el suelo seco. También nombrar a Elías como único español en carrera que tuvo un pequeño fallo pero que acabó en séptima posición, la mejor de todo el año.

Con su victoria Rossi se afianza en lo alto de la clasificación con 212 puntos, 25 más que Stoner segundo, 41 más que Pedrosa tercero y 98 más que Lorenzo que ocupa la cuarta posición. Elías es 12º con 46 puntos.

La próxima cita será el G.P. de la República Checa en el circuito de Brno, donde ya acudirán todas las categorías. Hasta entonces.

[por Rubén] ¡Qué carrerón! Creo que todos los aficionados al motociclismo estaremos de acuerdo en que ha sido la mejor carrera de la temporada y una de las mejores exhibiciones de 'Il dottore', el mejor piloto de la historia.

Desde el principio, Valentino puso sus cartas sobre la mesa. Su única estrategia posible era luchar con Casey Stoner cuerpo a cuerpo para evitar que se escapara. Y así lo hizo. Le cerró todas las puertas posibles y consiguió que en la "recta" de meta no fuera capaz de irse, pese a que la Yamaha M1 era claramente más lenta. Además, desde la salida, marcaron un ritmo bestial y en cada vuelta eran capaces de "meterle" un segundo al tercer clasificado, Chris Vermeulen.

El plan de Rossi, poner nervioso a Stoner y forzarle a cometer un error, se vio cumplido cuando Casey, en la última curva del circuito, a falta de 9 vueltas, se pasó de frenada y para evitar la colisión con el "46", se salió a la gravilla del circuito y resvaló, perdiendo 16 segundos y toda posibilidad de ganar la carrera.

Al final, tras una exhibición memorable, Valentino Rossi sigue al frente del Mundial, tras endosarle 25 puntos del tirón a Dani Pedrosa y tras aventajar en 5 más a Stoner, siendo ya 25 puntos la diferencia con el piloto aussie de Ducati.

Destacar también el carrerón de Andrea Dovizioso (potencial compañero de Pedrosa en HRC a partir del año que viene), que terminó cuarto con una Honda satélite, por delante del piloto local Nicky Hayden quien en otros años, sólo era capaz de ganar en este circuito. Por otro lado, Toni Elías, tras recibir nuevo material para su Ducati no-oficial, realizó su mejor carrera del año, terminando en septima posición, muy por delante de su compañero de equipo, Sylvain Guintoli.

Por último, mencionar también la caída de Jorge Lorenzo justo al comenzar la carrera, que supuso la fractura de su pie izquierdo, y que le hace recaer de la lesión que se produjo en China. La suerte para él es que la próxima carrera en la República Checa, en el circuito de Brno es el 17 de agosto, con lo cual tendrá tiempo para reponerse.

Foto: Marca

¿Estaba Juan el Bautista predestinado y/o predeterminado para ser lo que fue?

Para responder a esta pregunta les ofrecemos un análisis general sobre la "predestinación y predeterminación" que hemos realizado hace algún tiempo: PULSE AQUÍ.

Una vez comprendido que Dios no "predetermina", sino que "predestina para salvación", y que dicha predestinación (voluntad divina) incluye la otra parte de voluntad humana, ofrecemos, a continuación, un texto que muestra cómo dichas voluntades (divina y humana) estaban unidas al llamado de Juan el Bautista.

1.1. Petición del sacerdote Zacarías, padre de Juan el Bautista

El primer argumento lo encontramos en Lucas 1:13 y 14.

"Pero el ángel le dijo: No temas, Zacarías, porque tu petición ha sido oída, y tu mujer Elisabet te dará a luz un hijo, y lo llamarás Juan. Y tendrás gozo y alegría, y muchos se regocijarán por su nacimiento" Lucas 1:13-14 (LBLA - destacado nuestro)

Aunque no se especifica el contenido de la petición de Zacarías, resulta evidente que el hecho de que su mujer, Elisabet, daría a luz a Juan el Bautista responde en primera instancia a la voluntad de sus padres (petición que han encomendado a Dios), y que está relacionada, vinculada o utilizada, por la voluntad divina (ver versículos siguiente).

"Porque él será grande delante del Señor; no beberá ni vino ni licor, y será lleno del Espíritu Santo aun desde el vientre de su madre. Y él hará volver a muchos de los hijos de Israel al Señor su Dios. E irá delante de El en el espíritu y poder de Elías PARA HACER VOLVER LOS CORAZONES DE LOS PADRES A LOS HIJOS, y a los desobedientes a la actitud de los justos, a fin de preparar para el Señor un pueblo bien dispuesto" Lucas 1:15-17 (LBLA - destacado nuestro)

1.2. El niño crecía y se fortalecía, y Dios se manifiesta

El segundo argumento puede desprenderse de dos versículos concretos.

"Y el niño crecía y se fortalecía en espíritu; y vivió en lugares desiertos hasta el día en que apareció en público a Israel" Lucas 1:80 (LBLA - destacado nuestro)

"durante el sumo sacerdocio de Anás y Caifás, vino la palabra de Dios a Juan, hijo de Zacarías, en el desierto. Y él fue por toda la región contigua al Jordán, predicando un bautismo de arrepentimiento para el perdón de los pecados" Lucas 3:2-3 (LBLA - destacado nuestro)

Tanto el crecer, como el fortalecerse, y responder a la palabra de Dios, son acciones que contienen en sí misma la voluntad humana como respuesta en una dirección concreta. Evidentemente Juan podría haberse negado, o haber rechazado tanto su llamado como su voluntad de crecer y fortalecerse en espíritu.

Una muestra de libre albedrío en esta historia, puede encontrarse en la reacción de Zacarías frente al ángel Gabriel, cuando éste le comunica que su esposa dará a luz a Juan el Bautista, y Zacarías responde con desconfianza, quedando por ello mudo, hasta que todo acontezca.

"Entonces Zacarías dijo al ángel: ¿Cómo podré saber esto? Porque yo soy anciano y mi mujer es de edad avanzada. Respondiendo el ángel, le dijo: Yo soy Gabriel, que estoy en la presencia de Dios, y he sido enviado para hablarte y anunciarte estas buenas nuevas. Y he aquí, te quedarás mudo, y no podrás hablar hasta el día en que todo esto acontezca, por cuanto no creíste mis palabras, las cuales se cumplirán a su debido tiempo" Lucas 1:18-20 (LBLA - destacado nuestro)

1.3. Conclusión sobre la predestinación o predeterminación en Juan el Bautista

Teniendo en cuenta el contexto bíblico general sobre la predestinación y predeterminación, y el contexto específico de la historia de Juan el Bautista, no existe ningún tipo de evidencia que demuestre que Juan el Bautista estuviera "obligado" o "predeterminado" a seguir el llamamiento divino.

2. Juan el Bautista era el "Elías" esperado por los judíos

Elías, fue un profeta que vivió en tiempos del rey Acab (1 R 17-2 R 2). La creencia judía de la época consistía en esperar su regreso, que anunciaría la llegada del día del Señor (Mal 4.5-6).

“He aquí, yo os envío al profeta Elías antes que venga el día del SEÑOR, día grande y terrible. El hará volver el corazón de los padres hacia los hijos, y el corazón de los hijos hacia los padres, no sea que venga yo y hiera la tierra con maldición” (LBLA - destacado nuestro).

Esta idea judía era correcta, sin embargo, no sólo confundieron a Juan el Bautista con Jesús (Juan 7:40-41), sino que tampoco lo reconocieron, ni a Juan el Bautista, como el "Elías", ni a Jesús como el Mesías (Mateo 17:10-12).

Es decir, el “Elías” que anunciaría la llegada del “día del Señor”, se cumplió en la persona de Juan el Bautista. Este hecho queda registrado en las Escrituras por las propias palabras de Jesús, quien clarifica toda esta confusión:

“Y sus discípulos le preguntaron, diciendo: ¿Por qué, pues, dicen los escribas que Elías debe venir primero? Y respondiendo El, dijo: Elías ciertamente viene, y restaurará todas las cosas; pero yo os digo que Elías ya vino y no lo reconocieron, sino que le hicieron todo lo que quisieron. Así también el Hijo del Hombre va a padecer a manos de ellos. Entonces los discípulos comprendieron que les había hablado de Juan el Bautista.” Mateo 17:10-12 (LBLA - destacado nuestro)

Jesús, por tanto, identifica a Elías (aquel Profeta esperado por los Judías antes de la venida del Mesías) con Juan el Bautista y, mientras que Juan el Bautista anunciaba la venida del Hijo de Dios, los judíos rechazarían a uno y a otro. Por eso no es de extrañar que tanto Juan el Bautista (Mateo 14:1-12), como Jesús, terminaran sacrificados.

3. ¿Qué relación existe entre el mensaje de Elías, Juan el Bautista y el tercer ángel de Apocalipsis?

Lo cierto es que la Biblia hace una comparación directa entre "Elías" y Juan el Bautista, tal como ya hemos comentado en el epígrafe 2.

Lucas 1:17 lo dice explícitamente:

"E irá (Juan el Bautista) delante de El en el espíritu y poder de Elías PARA HACER VOLVER LOS CORAZONES DE LOS PADRES A LOS HIJOS, y a los desobedientes a la actitud de los justos, a fin de preparar para el Señor un pueblo bien dispuesto" Lucas 1:17 (LBLA - destacado nuestro. En mayúsculas la referencia a Mal 4.5-6)

El mensaje de Juan el Bautista para conseguir "volver los corazones de los padres a los hijos, y a los desobedientes a la actitud de los justos" era la predicación del "bautismo del arrepentimiento" (Lucas 3:3; Marcos 1:4-5) para perdón de los pecados (tal como dijera Isaías 40:3-5).

Tal como dice la VRV 95:

"De arrepentimiento: La palabra griega traducida aquí por arrepentimiento (metanoia), significa cambiar de actitud y convertirse a Dios" Nota al versículo Marcos 1:4 (destacado nuestro)

No existe duda respecto de la relación directa del mensaje de Elías y Juan el Bautista, ambos fueron LLAMADOS a predicar el arrepentimiento, un cambio de actitud, y en definitiva una verdadera conversión.

Ahora bien, ¿qué se dice sobre el mensaje del tercer ángel (Apocalipsis 14:6-13) y Juan el Bautista o Elías?

En realidad, todo el mensaje, en su conjunto, de los tres ángeles, es un llamado a honrar y alabar a Dios, quien juzgará al mundo" (vers. 6); reconocer a los dioses falsos que han enseñado a pecar y a desobedecer a Dios (Vers. 8), y abandonar la idolatría y no dejarse engañar por dichos dioses. De lo contrario el juicio caerá tambien sobre sus adoradores (vers. 9).

Dicho en términos positivos, los tres ángeles nos invitan, tal como dice la Biblia en Lenguaje Sencillo:

"El pueblo de Dios debe aprender a soportar con fortaleza las dificultades y los sufrimientos. También debe obedecer los mandatos de Dios y seguir confiando en Jesús. Entonces oí una voz del cielo que me decía: "Escribe esto: "¡Dios bendecirá a los que de ahora en adelante mueran unidos al Señor Jesucristo!" "Y el Espíritu de Dios dice: "Así es, porque ellos descansarán de todos sus sufrimientos y dificultades, pues Dios los premiará por todo el bien que han hecho". Apocalipsis 14:12-13 (BLS - destacado nuestro)

Por tanto, bíblicamente, no existe una relación directa entre Elías y Juan el Bautista con el mensaje de los tres ángeles (ni con el tercero específicamente), sino que su relación es indirecta, y se asemeja sólo en cuanto al contenido.

El problema de esta "relación" radica en deducir, apresuradamente, de que como Elías y Juan el Bautista fueron LLAMADOS, de la misma manera, aquellos tres ángeles se podrían corresponder con una institución o persona CONCRETA (con nombre y apellido), llamada para tal fin. En este sentido, podemos aceptar que el mensaje de los tres ángeles (en su conjunto) es un mensaje de reconciliación (al igual que el de Juan el Bautista y Elías), pero no podemos hacer una comparación directa, dado que, de hacerlo, podrían resultar desviaciones teológicas graves respecto del mensaje bíblico de Apocalipsis.

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(Acts 7:51 KJV)  Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

(2 Tim 3:8 KJV)  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

(James 4:7 KJV)  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

I continue to get, read grossly unrespectable, unacceptable  absurd,  false Responses, and  false justifications from  people and supporters of those who have wrongfully  indulged into sins of drugs, smoking, alcohol, stealing or what ever all of my life even from even liars, professing Christians, ongoing church goers, all persons whose minds, habits  now are rather controlled by Satan clearly as well, Now supporting such bad acts, habits, persons makes you in fact an unacceptable accomplice in these matters too.

YOU ARE STILL KNOWN BY WHAT YOU DO NOW.

(Mat 7:18 KJV)  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

(Luke 6:43 KJV)  For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

(Mat 7:19 KJV)  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

(Mat 7:20 KJV)  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

(Mat 7:21 KJV)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

(Luke 10:17 KJV)  And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

(Rom 8:7 KJV)  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

(1 Pet 5:5 KJV)  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

(Prov 27:5 KJV)  Open rebuke is better than secret love.

(Prov 27:6 KJV)  Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

(Eccl 7:5 KJV)  It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

(Eccl 7:6 KJV)  For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.

Mr. Spurgeon should have practice what he preached firstly for he could not give up his sin of smoking a cigar even. And too many other pastors did not and could not give up alcohol, drunkenness, adultery, cheating, lying stealing,, and what else?  Genuine Born Again Evangelical Christians are total abstainers from smoking, drugs, alcohol, cheating, lying, stealing, tax evasions, pornography, or rather all personal vices. Reality! These days it is too hard to tell the difference between secular persons and even evangelical pastors, Christians they seem to do the same things too. Why are alcoholics always in denial? and why do they often lie,  cheat, steal also now? Because if they do admit the truth they are alcoholics, sinners too  they do have now to repent of the sin of disobeying God’s word about being drunk too.. so they take the ostrich denial approach instead too often. Alcoholism still is a sin of a deliberate, personal choice, and to be set free you have to admit your sin, confess it, renounce it, ask God for forgiveness through Jesus Christ as well.. It is not only wrong for the average person it is also especially wrong for leaders in the government, politicians. It is amazing how one can quickly spot an alcoholic, while they cannot still see their sin, and how quick they are to oppose themselves being exposed now too..
 
I admit I had lost all respect for the supposedly great preacher Spurgeon who was so ready to preach to others about their sins, but he himself now could not resist  the Temptation of a cigar.  Similar we find out that other preachers could not give up smoking too.. Look at this reference in regard to AB Simpson, the past founder of the Christian Missionary Alliance denomination now too.  “The Man, the movement, and the mission-A documentary of the C&MA”  Cut directly from their national web site. It was the custom for the ministers of the district to meet together to discuss all things common. This little reunion, in its proper sequence, was held one day at the Manse. And unaccountably strange odor of tobacco smoke began to steal upstairs. Suddenly the study door flew open and a towering figure of fury - all of four feet, one inch in its stocking feet - stood at the threshold. “SMOKING! Out of this house!” said Grannie Simpson, and in a body the ministerial association moved.  https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=15796002&postID=3424830162204895882    http://reversion-clause.com/

(Eccl 7:7 KJV)  Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.

(Eccl 7:8 KJV)  Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

(Eccl 7:9 KJV)  Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

Genuine Born Again even Evangelical Christians are total abstainers from smoking, drugs, alcohol, cheating, lying, stealing, tax evasions, pornography, or rather all personal vices. And if you took 2 martinis or 2 beers a day you are an alcoholic. Alcoholism is a crime and not a disease, it is a crime, it is just as lethal, bad, and it is really unacceptable as selling or taking bad drugs too. Canada’s  bad drug problem, drunk driving, alcoholism is increasing not just amongst the teens, but also in the work place, in the government now as well even amongst the civil and public servants. Most major home violence, car or truck accidents are still associated with alcohol now too and not speeding. It’s a fact that  drinking alcohol can seriously damage one’s health and cause permanent brain damage as well .Alcohol may lead to liver problems, a variety of cancers as well as forms of osteoporosis and depression, and studies are showing, too, that women are more susceptible to the ill effects of alcohol than are men. . Not one cent of taxpayer’s money should be ever used in the governments, civil  and public servants, expense accounts  to buy alcohol, wine  or beer.
 
Reality! These days it is too hard to tell the difference between secular persons and even evangelical pastors, Christians they seem to do the same things too. Why are alcoholics and smokers now too, sinners, always in denial? and why do they often lie,  cheat, steal also now? Because if they do admit the truth they are alcoholics, sinners too  they do have now to repent of the sin of disobeying God’s word about being drunk too.. so they take the ostrich denial approach instead too often. Alcoholism still is a sin of a deliberate, personal choice, and to be set free you have to admit your sin, confess it, renounce it, ask God for forgiveness through Jesus Christ as well.. It is not only wrong for the average person it is also especially wrong for leaders in the government, politicians. It is amazing how one can quickly spot an alcoholic, while they cannot still see their sin, and how quick they are to oppose themselves being exposed now too..

and what other pastoral, supposedly acceptable Christian  vices now are now being PERMITTED falsely today,  the handing out of beer, wine, alcoholic beverages, playboy, pornography, acts of cheating, lying, stealing, STEALING THE TITHES, adultery, tax evasions still? WE ALL DO NEED to have a right attitudes, WALK WITH JESUS CHRIST  EVEN  all of leaders, pastors, elders too, and they have to lead by a good personal example too.
 
Even the most anointed man or woman, preacher  of God clearly still can be wrong, biased, have a hidden agenda, limited, (or just shallow) in their understanding or interpretation of certain Bible topics, subjects. Do not believe any man or women, rather solely Take God’s word for it.
 
We all should by now know that alcoholism is a terrible sin  that now damages the person’s brain, affects their ability  to work, to drive a car, and negatively affects their own behavior and affects many others too. The same reality is true of one taking now bad drugs as well. So I was also similarly shocked, surprised to discover the the falsely professing evangelical Christian Stephen Harper our Prime Minister likes to consume wine, alcohol, and he buys it for others as well. Beyond a Biblical doubt the Genuine Born Again Evangelicals are total abstainers, like me, I never drink or touch wine or alcohol, at any time, nor do I give playboy, pornography, wine or wine glasses to anyone.
 
““Dr. Daniel Akin, President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary has written an article in favor of the famous Resolution #5 (Resolution calling for total opposition to alcohol). Alcohol is the number one drug problem among teenagers. (1 Cor. 8:13; 9:19-22; 10:32-33). Because I am an example to others, I will make certain no one ever walks the road of sorrow called alcoholism because they saw me take a drink and assumed, “if it is alright for him it is alright for me.” No, I will choose to set an uncompromising example of abstinence because I love them.  I will seek my joy and filling in the Spirit not in alcohol. I love the Phillips translation of Ephesians 5:18 which reads, “Don’t get your stimulus from wine (for there is always the danger of excessive drinking), but let the Spirit stimulate your souls.” Psalm 4:7-8 adds, “You [O Lord] have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”  There is no record that Jesus drank strong drink,  As a pastor or church leader, would I demand abstinence for  leadership? Absolutely! The principle of Proverbs 31:4-5 is appropriately applied here, “It is not for Kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.” “
 
(1 Cor 11:28 KJV)  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30   For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31  For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (Prov 3:33 KJV)  The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

 
Jesus himself had said that professing to be a Christian is not enough,  one rather can  tell what a person is really like by what he does,  a True Christian is one who evidently is controlled by the Spirit of God and not by  self, sin, a real Christian is one where thus anyone can clearly see by the evidence of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, including even self control.

Matt 3:8 Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart];

Gal 5:23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].

Matt 7:16 You will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?17 Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit [worthy of admiration], but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit. 18 A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit [worthy of admiration].  19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. 20 Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits.  1 Tim 3:2 Now a bishop (superintendent, overseer) must give no grounds for accusation {but} must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, circumspect {and} temperate {and} self-controlled; [he must be] sensible {and} well behaved {and} dignified and lead an orderly (disciplined) life; [he must be] hospitable [showing love for and being a friend to the believers, especially strangers or foreigners, and be] a capable {and} qualified teacher,

Alcoholics, wine drinkers, smokers, drug users, cheaters, liars, slandereres, absuers, liars, tax evaders  too they all  tend to have evidentially lost their self control..

I have often rightfully said to many preachers I would rather see them first by example live the life of Christ instead of merely preaching it others.  Preaching the Gospel is not an valid alternative to living it.  I even do know People who profess to be Christians and they are Alcoholics too.. but they are not Christians… They fool themselves only as to who they still really are too.

By their own fruits Jesus said to us all you can tell what they are really like still.

..(Prov 16:25 KJV)  There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

(Mat 7:20 KJV)  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
 
 > I did not know that smoking is a sin?