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 9:6-8: 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 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 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.

• 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.

On 10/27/2025 at 1:56 PM, Raf said:

Assuming any historical value to the narrative, the story is abundantly clear there were three crosses on that hill.

For what my heathen opinion is worth.

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.
 

On 2/24/2025 at 9:03 PM, Nathan_Jr said:

Ahhh… the ol’ Truth in History Ministry of Owasso, OK.

Among their BELEEFS, this is my favorite:

WE BELIEVE that the Anglo-Saxon, Germanic, Celtic, Scandinavian and related peoples are the only people that fulfill all the prophetic earmarks that identify them with being the literal physical descendants of the ancient people of Old Testament history known as Israelites (Genesis Chapters 48 & 49; Deuteronomy 7:6-8)

There’s a video on their channel called “St. Paul’s Visit to Britain - Tracing the Footsteps.” Just a tremendous Biblical truth, I’m sure.

It appears they have out-researched Bullinger and Wierwille.

And another video called “Confederate Revival in the American Civil War.”
 

Soooo… they’ve got that going for them. 
 

 

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?

On 9/24/2025 at 9:43 PM, WordWolf said:

 

"i told a friend that homosexuality was wrong.
he asked what that means?
and i said i don't know. his mom didn't let him hang out with me anymore." 

 

[Yeah, lcm could go on for hours that something was wrong, but never spend even a minute explaining WHY it was wrong or what was wrong with it. (It's not like he knew, after all.)   Any competent Bible teacher can at least provide some reasoning.  It may be wrong, but it at least exists.]

 

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.  

Works now... probably only me thx...

On 9/19/2025 at 11:12 PM, GeorgeStGeorge said:

Not necessarily a problem, if it's been steady there.  Has it been creeping up?

George

No.   I went back to some test results here they are:

11-2015 = 1.9

1-2018 = 2.6

12-2018 = 3.8

4-2019 = 2.9

12-2024 = 3.8

9-2025 = 2.5

Sorry to bring this question here but didn't know a quicker way.   Was there a format change?   I no longer have the "activity" option up on top, to see the latest postings in time order.    Don't know if everyone has this problem or only me.   Please help, thanks.

On 5/30/2024 at 8:07 PM, penworks said:

Regarding your 2. 

In my view, loyalty to TWI is such that it very much warrants grave concern to anyone who understands what loyalty to TWI involves at this stage of its game. To still be loyal to TWI, from my viewpoint after 17 years experience of it up close, includes turning a blind eye to (or denying or making excuses for) the abuse of people and Scripture by its founder, VPW, who they continue to laud as their great man of God who taught "the accuracy of The Word." There's been more than enough evidence shown that he plagiarized-- stole -- a great deal of those teachings. So if you're loyal to TWI, in my view that's the stuff you're loyal to. What does that say about such people?

Yes.   I think it's predominantly turning a blind eye to all the past negatives.   Another reason that I think is present in all religions and all peoples, is determinedly not taking a look at other religions.   

STL the antidote is very simple:  go to confession, be very sorry for the sin and you have a clean slate.

I think the greatest hardship was experienced by our Lord Jesus Christ, who paid the ultimate price.

19 hours ago, WordWolf said:

My most immediate concern is the outsourcing of one's thinking- to AI, or to mindlessly swallowing and regurgitating everything from a single source, whether online or offline. 

The idea of opening a "discussion" -on a subject where I'm concerned people aren't doing their own thinking and discussing- with a link for a video to watch strikes me as...well, a little ironic.   In another context, I'd complain about someone who insisted he was right- and "explained himself" by posting a link and essentially assigning homework for anyone who wanted to know why they should take him seriously.  (No, not now, but it's happened before on the GSC.)   I remember "discussions" and I'm a little surprised that we've gotten a number of "discussions" where the "discussion" started with "read this book" or "watch this video" and not actually DISCUSSING anything.  I'm a little dismayed that people think this is perfectly fine. 

WordWolf, I think it's ok to post a video or AI piece only if it's used as a common frame of reference for vibrant discussion.    If not, then I wholly agree with your concern.   Thank you.

2 hours ago, waysider said:

Coins in circulated condition have significantly reduced value as collectables.

Of course...   what I do with these partial silver coins is go to a local coin dealer or coin show and cash them in for current silver melt value at the time.

Go to bank(s) where you have an account, and ask for Kennedy Half Dollars.    They may have some as people bring them in all the time, thinking they are only worth 50 cents.   Maybe they are, but maybe they aren't.    Employees usually are silent but will offer what they have in stock and sometimes you may get back a variety of coins containing valuable silver.   Make sure to ask if there's any around from ALL tellers in the bank because one teller may have some while another may not.   

These are the current melt values as of September 19, 2025:

1964 Kennedy Half Dollar (90% silver):   $15.50

1965-70 Kennedy Half Dollar (40% silver):    $6.32

1971-2001:   $0.50

WordWolf recently alerted us to the potential dangers of AI, so I thought it'd be appropriate to start a thread on everything about AI with WordWolf's gracious help.   

It's here and vibrant.    This Google video popped up on my screen only this morning:

Stayed Too Long,

Thank you for starting this thread, it's well worth a thorough examination.