StanRP Loc: Ontario Canada

Sunset of the Church?? Some years ago, this was an active SIG with both pictures and discussion. Today, a picture now and again, discussion on different topics almost none. Churches are closing in America, Britain, Canada where over the next ten years, about 9000 will close, about a third of the total.
Here is a topic: What is wrong and what can we do about it.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

A great shot 🟠💛🟠💛🟠, but I'll have to get back to you regarding your topic 🙂

StanRP Loc: Ontario Canada

Thanks joecichjr: Checking on the Internet - many who are leaving their churches are not leaving God. This would indicate that on a wide scale that there are problems in the church: Perhaps Rev 2:4-5 ??

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

The devil may win the battle. But God will win the war.

StanRP Loc: Ontario Canada

Hi AzPicLady: The devil may not even be winning the battle. The Church in the bible are people who live in the real world, not buildings where people are entertained and told what they must believe.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

I'm not real good at this, but isn't that what we were warned about in the Bible during this period before Jesus comes back? Especially, since I lost my Wife to cancer in 2015 I have bought so many different Bibles, mainly because I was looking for answers about why this happened to Carol, and I have had such a hard time understanding what I have read. I came across a copy of "The Holy Bible" published by Passio (MEV, Modern English Version), and I am understanding so much more than I did before. I just hope it is true to the original version. Now, I really enjoy opening the Bible on a quite evening when it is silent in the house and the cat's belly is full and she is curled up in her little bed instead of on my lap wanting attention. Back to the Bible though, now I'm even understanding a lot of "Revelation" that I never did before. I wish there was a lot more activity in this Topic, but it seems that so many are afraid to bring these things up because of being the Target of so many that don't want to hear anything about it. I have wondered ever since this topic was removed from schools and Government buildings, just who are these few that forced this to be allowed to happen, along with disappearing of morality. Is it because of those who make our laws are that afraid of losing votes. Know I'm worried about being forced into the "Attic".

StanRP Loc: Ontario Canada

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Hi AirWalter,

My wife died from Cancer in 2014. At her memorial service I mentioned to a minister that the next time we will be together will be when my work here is complete and I join her. I was shocked at the response: You won't be - there is no marrige in heaven - you will be like the angels: quoting:

Luke 20: 35-36 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

This reference is about about a woman who had not consummated with the first brother and was not legally married and could, by the Law of Moses, for inheritance and support demand that this be completed with a near relative - and did the same going through all seven brothers. It was a trick legal quesion because in this end time ressurection, they were all alive again and the one she chose could get the inherence from the other six. ( Read in detail about this law of Moses in action in the Book Ruth).
Jesus did not say anything about God spitting apart legally married couples who had consummated their marriage and He had made them 'one' - commanding that man must not split them asunder. God does NOT break his own commands.

So AirWalter, your wife is in heaven waiting for you to join her.

If there is any topic you would like to discuss, bring it up and start a good debate. Let us do what was commended in Acts 17:11

I use the King James translation - along with a good concordance to get the meaning of translated words.

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

Hi StanRP,,

It was a pleasant surprise to see your response here. It is 12:12 am, Thursday morning now. I checked my email real quick before going to bed and say your email. I to was shocked,and very disappointed when I read about no marriage in heaven. I still have my wedding ring on my finger from Carol, and a small (I love you ring) that I bought for her on a Valentines Day, before she was called home, on my little finger next to my ring. I have her Wedding rings put away. I've always wondered what she would think when she saw her ring still on my finger. I've kept those rings on even after reading about no marriage in heaven. I think what has kept me going was thinking about being with her again in heaven. After I figured out what I wanted on our headstone I had a bench put on the stone with the two of us sitting on the bench in front of a lake. When I am at the burial site I always tell her to save that spot for me next to her. Home is only about two miles from there. I will talk to you a little later, because I have to be at the hospital early for pulmonary rehab on the bicycle and treadmill. I would like to hear more about what you were telling me in your post. The things about marriage in heaven keep me thinking about it.

StanRP Loc: Ontario Canada

Hi AirWalter, Looking forward to hearing from you. After Shirley died, a friend who is a jeweller, modified my wedding ring to include Shirleys wedding ring. It is a constant reminder that we are still 'one'. The bit at the back is a clip-on filler as I am 86 and my finger has got a bit thinner.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Most major Christian religions do not believe in marriage after death.
Hard concept.

StanRP Loc: Ontario Canada

Hi Architect1776, Yes and it makes one wonder who created this teaching - without one word in the Bible to support it. Some also teach that a husband must love the church family more than his own.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

The LDS church teaches of marriage after death and continuity of family ties.

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

Hi StanRP,

The picture of your ring is a very nice idea. I am getting smaller fingers also, and I did loose Carol's "I love you" ring at one time earlier this year and I was really upset about it. I was making plans to start taking elbow plumbing apart to see if I could find it, but the second day after still worrying about that little ring, I found it in the bottom of a box of Honey Nut Cheerios much to my relief. That prayer was heard.

It looks like some have different ideas about religion already.