oldiesman

I'm very sorry to hear that Lifted Up, sorry you had to go through that. TWI screwed up and missed an excellent opportunity when it taught but failed to strictly enforce God's will when it came to believers needing their sexual needs met -- otherwise known as "marriage".

Thank you Revvel. The mystery for Israel IS the mystery for the church it's one and the same; for the church is comprised of former Jews and Gentiles who now are members of the body of Christ. True, spiritual Israel is understood and described in the following key scriptures with my commentary: (Ai assisted) Romans 9-11 Romans 9:6-8: Paul states, "For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel". This passage distinguishes between ethnic Israel and the "true" or spiritual Israel, comprised of those who have faith. He clarifies that "the children of the promise who believe in Christ are counted as offspring". Romans 11:17–24: Paul uses the metaphor of an olive tree to explain the relationship. The cultivated olive tree represents the people of God (true Israel). Unbelieving natural branches (Christ-rejecting Jews) were broken off, and wild olive branches (Gentile believers in Christ) were grafted in. The tree itself remains the same, emphasizing the continuity of God's people across the Old and New Testaments. Romans 11:25-26: Paul speaks of a future time when "all Israel will be saved," which many understand as the final salvation and inclusion of a large number of ethnic Jews who believe in Christ into the one people of God (the church). Galatians Galatians 3:7, 29: Paul explicitly states that "it is those of faith in Christ who are the sons of Abraham". He later concludes, "And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise". This indicates that the promises made to Israel's patriarch, Abraham, are now inherited by all believers in Christ, regardless of their ethnic background. Consequently, those who do not believe in Christ, including former Israel, are broken off. Galatians 6:16: Paul offers a benediction "upon the Israel of God". While debated, many scholars interpret this phrase as referring to the true, spiritual people of God, the church, made up of both Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ. It still is debated because (I believe) some Jews think they can get saved without Jesus. I believe our duty is to convince these folks that they are wrong. 1 Peter 1 Peter 2:9-10: Peter applies titles and descriptions once used exclusively for Old Testament Israel to the New Testament church (which included many Gentiles). He calls them "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession". These terms directly echo God's description of Israel in Exodus 19:5-6, indicating that the church now fulfills Israel's role as God's special people on earth -- God's Chosen People. In other words, God's Chosen People are exclusively believers in Jesus. Other Passages Ephesians 2:11-22: Paul emphasizes that Gentiles, who were once "separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise," have now been brought near to God. Christ has broken down the "dividing wall" between Jews and Gentiles, creating in himself "one new man in place of the two" (the church) and making them "fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God". Philippians 3:3: Paul refers to believers in Christ (who worship by the Spirit of God) as the "true circumcision," a term that was the definitive physical mark of Old Testament Israel.

Old favorite

Jew and Gentile now to be one body in Christ. The great mystery revealed which is the new and everlasting covenant; Christ in you (all of you both individually and collectively), the hope of glory.

I consider your heathen opinion! Having finally been released from my twi-brain prison, now it's clear to me that teachings like this are almost folly. All it did was help support unsuspecting sheep falling into the "VPW is a great master-craftsman of the Verd". LOL Seriously, the historical value is only one cross. Walk into any church today especially traditional roman catholic and only one crucifix is displayed for a solemn memorial.

Dr. Taylor Marshall, Protestant turned Catholic, is well-qualified to explain the intricate differences as he has been with both groups for several years of his life. I like his explaining Catholic beliefs more so, since me having left TWI with much questions and basic disgust of the Catholic Church, Dr. Marshall hopefully explains these details in a way that Protestants may be a little more tolerant of Catholics.

Went over this thread again and the Owasso statement again, then viewed Ward's video again: he says it right in his video that these ideas are a form of racism, i.e. a "national people" are the 'only' people of God.. All Owasso had to do was say that these Anglo-Saxon people's and others honored and accepted Christ as Lord and Savior; then and only then are they God's people because they honor the Son. Jesus said that whoever honors the Son, honors the Father; he who doesn't, does not. etc. The truth of Christ's Messianic Mission is quite simple but seems to elude the adherents of other religions... like them having a blindfold covering their eyes. Reminds me of Paul having to have those scales removed before being converted?!

any photos available?

I did that once myself... told a guy in high school that I thought homosexuality is perverted... so he called me perverted. But I was and am thankful that we learned the correct doctrine about homosexuality in TWI, LCM's rants notwithstanding. Not only is homosexuality wrong, it's an abomination. "I didn't write the book" as VPW would say. I want to please God though, so a part of my morning prayers consist of asking God to show me how He feels about important issues like this so that I may make a deliberate daily attempt to walk in a way that is well-pleasing to Him.

Powerful reflection of a lost love ...

WordWolf's admonition to avoid relying on a single source is mandatory. I need to buy a new video editing software, as the one I've been using (Windows Movie Maker) is no longer supported or even available to be downloaded correctly. Did a search for one similar on AI platforms Gab, Perplexity and IASK, and got 3 different answers!

Been busy the last couple of days but had to post this... running through my head... "can't sleep, can't stop my brain..." nice photographs there too...

Actually it's still not working for me... I don't get the activity row automatically, I have to choose it now.