June 6, 2015

Just a Note: All of the following documentation is meant to generate Biblically based discussion. this content was gathered from individual published Christian contributors, varies versions of the Bible. So as always use discernment when discussing or listening to Gods word, the Bible…not the Connection Group Members…is the final authority!

144,000 Jewish Evangelists During the Tribulation those who remain will have an opportunity to be saved after the Church has left. God will deliver his message to the world by the following:  The angel of the Lord will spread the gospel. We are told that this angel will fly through the heavens proclaiming the everlasting gospel, which means that everyone will hear of Jesus Christ and even the “unreached” people will be reached with the message of the gospel.  God will raise up 144,000 evangelists. These will be Jewish people who receive Jesus as their Messiah during the Tribulation and they will evangelize the world.  There will be two special witnesses. These unidentified witnesses may be Moses and Elijah, but we don’t know that for sure. These two witnesses will have amazing powers and will testify to the nations. They will be killed by the people and raised back to life by God. Note: The Tribe of Dan will not be part of the 144,000, due to their idolatry. So the Tribe of Ephraim is renamed (The Tribe of Joseph is another name for the Tribe of Ephraim).

12 Tribes of Israel

Protected By God

Summary of Discussion The 144,000 will be taken from the 12 Jewish Tribes. They will be separated from God. But will accept Jesus as their Savior after the Rapture. They will be have the Seal of God on their forehead. The Seal will be the name of God the Father. They will not be defiled by Women, so as not to be distracted. They will be spared from the coming judgment of the Tribulation. At the end of the Tribulation the 144,000 will rule with Jesus in the Millennial reign. They will be very successful and there will be a big Revival. In heaven they will sing a new song, that only they will know.

Where The Bible Documents Suicide The Bible does not seem to condemn suicide. There are, six accounts of suicide in the Bible (others?), the most well known being those of… – King Saul (1 Samuel 31:2-5), ( stressed out, felt rejected and a failure.)(1 Samuel 31:2-5) – Judas (Matthew 27:3-5), ( Depressed, felt trapped by materialism and guilt.)(Matthew 27:3-5) Also… – Abimelech (Judges 9:50-54), ( lacked personal identity.)(Judges 9:50-54) – Samson(Judges 16:23-31), ( died for a cause he believed in and for revenge.)(Judges 16:23-31) – Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:23), ( was bitter because his advice was not followed.)(2 Samuel 17:23) – Zimri (1 Kings 16:15-20), ( Rebellion; had a problem with authority.)(1 Kings 16:15-20) As far as we know, none of the six are explicitly condemned for taking his life.

Taking Your Own life…WHAT Does the Bible Say? God has a great plan for your life. God has created us in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). He created us for a purpose. God has a specific plan in mind for everyone.Genesis 1:26-27 God's plan is for life, not death. The Bible teaches that both physical and spiritual death are the result of our sin and disobedience to God, but eternal life is a gift to those who receive it. (Romans 6:23)Romans 6:23 Jesus taught that death and destruction are the work of “the thief” (Satan). (John 10:10)John 10:10 Jesus wants us to have life. (John 10:10)John 10:10 Life belongs to God. It is never our place to take our own life or someone else's life. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)1 Corinthians 6:19-20

If Suicide Is Not The Answer…What Is? The solution to despair and hopelessness is not suicide, but faith in God. (Psalms 33:20-22)Psalms 33:20-22 Christ promises that He will give us rest from our problems. (Matthew 11:28)Matthew 11:28 Tell someone. Tell your parents, your brother or sister, your teacher or school counselor, your pastor or youth minister that you are thinking about suicide. If a friend tells you that he or she is serious about suicide, then you need to tell someone who is responsible and can help. Accept Christ's free gift of eternal life and salvation, if you haven't already. (Romans 10:13 )Romans 10:13 When we accept Christ, God gives us a brand-new life and sees us as completely holy and righteous. (2 Corinthians 5:17)2 Corinthians 5:17 Because of God's salvation through the death of Jesus on the cross, we can have assurance of eternal life with God. (John 5:24)John 5:24

Summary on The Topic of Suicide Suicide is definitely a sin, and a sin that the person committing it has no possibility to repent of, The sixth commandment forbids the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbor unjustly, If an unsaved person commits suicide, he has done nothing but “expedite” his journey to Hell for he is condemned already for not accepting Christ’s salvation, A saved true Christian that commits suicide (if it were possible at all) will still be saved for Christ died on the cross to atone every one of his sins (including suicide) and nothing can separate him from the love that God has bestowed on him, As far as a "must" to confess every one single sin we have committed to be saved, we have the example of the malefactor on the cross next to Jesus, he simply asked Jesus: “And he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when You come in Your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42) To which Jesus responded: “And Jesus said to him, Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) The love of God is greater than any memory, God is more interested in a truly broken heart in front of Him rather than an efficient accountant, Of course, in extreme suicidal cases, such under terrible torture or brain damage, we better not pass judgment but leave everything under the grace of God.