Posted on 01/03/2002 11:19:13 AM PST by ArGee
A very rich man decided that he wanted to show kindness to the people of the fair city where he lived. Since he was very rich indeed, he decided to throw a banquet for the entire city. He rented the largest sports arena in the city and began his plans. He planned for huge amounts of the best food possible, making allowances for every religious and medical diet. He advertised the banquet in every possible manner - television, radio, billboard, door-to-door canvassing. Considering that there might be some who could not travel, he arranged for free bus transportation to and from the event, and some special-needs vehicles for all who could not ride busses. He even scheduled the banquet to run for 24 hours a day for several days so that everyone could be sure of being served.
He planned long and hard and finally the big day came. The rich man ate quickly and then went about wishing all his guests well and personally making sure that all had every need met. After a while he went outside to tour the grounds and talk with those who had not yet gone in, and those who had already left. Everyone was happy. Many were profusely thankful. It was a glorious occasion.
At one point the rich man noticed a group of people sitting outside a locked door with most unpleasant looks on their faces. Sensing they were not happy, he went over to them. He did not introduce himself but simply asked them if he could be of service.
"We want to go in through this door," one of them replied.
The rich man explained to them that the hall was arranged to feed a large number of people as quickly and effortlessly as possible. This required order inside, and the entrances and exits had been carefully planned to be as efficient as possible. He then offered to go call one of the golf carts that were avaialbe to help people who could not walk far to take them to the entrance. But the man replied, "We do not want to go in the entrance. We want to go in this door. We don't understand why we can't go in any door we wish. We think the man who set this banquet up is mean and hateful for insisting we go in through the entrance. He has tried to bill himself as a very kind man by offering this banquet, but he is not kind at all if he will not indulge us and let us go through this door.
The rich man was distressed at these words, but still attempted to please these people. He tried once more to explain to them what was behind this particular door, and how if they went in this door they would disrupt the meal service being offered inside. He offered to drive them himself, not only to the door, but inside the hall to their tables if they would only go through the entrance to enjoy the meal. Again the man said, "No, but only a hateful man would keep us from going through the door of our choosing. And we will sit here and tell anyone who will listen to us what an awful man he is until he lets us in."
At that the rich man was enraged and he shouted, "Enough." Then he called a police officer to have them thrown off of the property and ordered that they not be allowed to return until the banquet was over and all the scraps had been hauled away. Then, mourning for their loss, he turned to visit with other guests.
This is true, but if you open your heart you will know His voice. It is very distinct and easy to hear.
Open your heart.
Shalom.
Actually... I am a fantasy writer (unpublished, as yet, but still....). Want to talk about the what if's? 8>)
The arrogance in your reply answers the rhetorical question of this thread.
Why would anyone concern themselves with heaven or hell until there is proof that either exists?
I will make you a millionaire. All you have to do is send me 10% of your money and have faith. If you do not become a millionaire it is because you did not send me the money or you did not have enough faith.
Honestly, don't you find that argument a bit weak?
Even if I add the argument that if you do not send me your money and have enough faith then you will spend eternity burning in a lake of fire the argument is still weak.
Especially if I cannot show you a lake of fire with someone in it burning.
Notice that the Rich man was not forcing anyone inside. While others may have tried in his name (not mentioned in the story)....he did not.
This bears repeating......
God didn't open the doors to Heaven and let me in, He opened the doors to Hell and let me out.
Our local Christian radio station ran an add about a year ago with much the same story. It was played out as a deadly disease that was killing everyone (sin) but the King had a cure and, although it was a very costly cure, He offered to pay it for everyone who would come and receive it. All they had to do was come through the door He designated. As in your story, there were those who complained loudly to anyone who would hear how "unfair" it was that the King who was providing the cure for the fatal disease wouldn't just let them enter His courts any old way they pleased.
There is only one road to heaven and God has been gracious enough to point it out clearly to us.
Peace.
I'm sorry, are you under the impression that He is a beast of whom I am the master?
I don't trot Him out, He comes when you call to Him. He is there for you to find. He desires a relationship with you.
But, as Jesus said: (Luke 16:31) "He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"
Even if He were to appear to you tonight, you would convince yourself you were dreaming. There is no more complete evidence than what already is. It isn't a lack of evidence that is bothering you, it is a lack of will.
Open the eyes of your heart and you will see.
Shalom.
FYI: Re: Pope John Paul II's World Day of Peace Message
REPLIED Jim Robinson
2002-01-03 12:39:27 Well, I do not want a lot of hot religious debate on FR. This is not the place for it. Please cool it. Thanks, Jim
I believe her when she says she got tis from Jim.
FYI: Re: Pope John Paul II's World Day of Peace Message
REPLIED Jim Robinson
2002-01-03 12:39:27 Well, I do not want a lot of hot religious debate on FR. This is not the place for it. Please cool it. Thanks, Jim
I believe her when she says she got tis from Jim.
Demonstrated how? Could you expand on this part?
To the cynic or pessimist, perhaps. But then this person probably never looked very far into religion 1 in the first place. Nor did he compare 1 to 3, or 20 to 52.
It's always easier to NOT do something than it is TO do something, so it stands to reason that the cynic/pessimist believes in nothing.
There is no evidence to support this assertion. The Bible was written by men, that is fact. You have yet to demostrate this god you assert exists, let alone that it wrote down anything.
So, it records claims of Jesus, either what he said was 100% the truth or nothing he said is true.
As with all mythology, there is a modicum of basis in fact. Such is the way with myths and legends.
No one logically can pick and choose which things Christ said; that they will agree is true. There is no middle ground.
Which is precisely why it is 100% safe to reject all of it as superstitious nonsense.
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