Skip to main content

13 replies

Why Are Your Writings So Long, Bill Gray?

Bill GrayBill GrayOld Faithful

Hi to all my Forum Friends,

Yes, it is true.  My writings do tend to be rather long.  And, I am sure that many Friends do not read them, or maybe read only a short portion of the writing, or possibly just scan the writing to see if there are any hidden "golden nuggets" which might be mined.  Regardless of how you read my writings, not a problem.  I realize that most folks are busy, and even that some have short attention spans or get bored easily.

One thing we all know -- we are saved, by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ alone.  To the best of my knowledge, no one has ever been saved by reading a Bill Gray writing.

So, what is the benefit of reading my long writings, or the long writings of others?  Well, we know you are saved by faith; so, you have your "eternal security."  But, what happens when a non-believer comes to you and asks a question about God, Jesus Christ, the Bible, salvation, etc.?   Can you give this person an answer that will help him/her decide to seek more knowledge about God, or even possibly, at that time, to invite Jesus Christ to come in and be his/her Lord and Savior?

When Jesus Christ tells us to, "Go, Make disciples, Baptize them, TEACH them -- be My witnesses in all the world" (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Mark 16:15) -- doesn't that presume that YOU have learned enough that you can TEACH them?   True, you may prefer to read the writings of others to prepare yourself; and, I applaud that effort.  I am not trying to force anyone to read my writings; I am only offering them for those who do want to read, or even scan them; and I am trying to encourage all my Christian brothers and sisters to study the Bible and other Christian writings from a reliable, accurate, Christian source -- to make sure you are prepared to follow His Great Commission to Go and Teach others.

If my writings do no more than to encourage that effort on your part to continue, daily, to grow more mature in your knowledge of His Word; to prepare yourself for that one soul who may come to you and ask, "Tell me about your Jesus"  -- then, I am happy.

In the mid-1990s, I worked for a company owned by a Pakistani man; my immediate boss was a Pakistani who professed Islam, although I believe he only did this out of a belief in, "I was born a Muslim, I will die a Muslim."  I am not sure he really practiced his religion.  Anyway, one day, our small sales group was having a meeting where he was telling us about a new product and what we should tell prospective customers.  He gave is a statement to tell prospective customers -- which we knew was not true.

One of my female co-workers spoke up and told him, "Bill cannot do that."  Funny that she did not say, "I cannot do that."   Anyway, our Muslim boss asked, "Why not?"  And, she told him, "Bill is a Christian.  He cannot lie to customers."   I did not preach to, nor attempt to proselytize people in our office.  She formed this opinion only based upon what she saw in me.  And, for that, I praise God.

One day, shortly after this, my Muslim boss and I were in the office alone -- and he starting asking me about Jesus Christ.  At that time, I was not mature enough in my knowledge of God's Word to be able to sufficiently answer his questions; so, I shied away, and let the conversation die.

A couple of years later, he died of a sudden heart attack -- at the age of 49.   What could have happened if I had been prepared to sufficiently answer his questions that day in the office?  Could I have led him toward seeking to know more about Jesus Christ and possibly to have become a Christian believer?  It is possible, for I have close Friends who have led professing Muslims to faith in Jesus Christ.   But, about that man, I will never know -- because I was not prepared to share my faith and my Lord with him that day, when he asked.

At his funeral, I recalled that day and wondered.  But, then it was too late for him.   Since then I have worked to prepare myself so that, just possibly, it will not be too late for the next person who asks me about my Lord.

This is why my writings go into so much detail.  First, it helps me to learn and to grow more mature in my knowledge of God's Word, and in my faith.  And, I pray that it helps or encourages YOU to do the same -- so that we both will be prepared and ready when someone asks, "Tell me about your Jesus."

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

2 Timothy 2-15

Attachments

Hide
Images (1)
  • 2 Timothy 2-15
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

gbrkgbrkOld Faithful
I don't know that there is as much curiosity or questions about why your post are so long as there is about why you have to go leaving a thread/topic where people have a dialog/debate established and go and start one, two, or more separate topics/threads?

Additionally since you seem to want to answer a question that wasn't ask I wonder if you would take the time to answer some questions that were ask of you under one of the topics, regarding the rapture, which was also repeated (by me) under the offshoot topic you went and created apart and separate from the initial thread.  To make it easy for you I will also copy and paste those questions, I would like you to address, here so you don't have to changing screens or windows. 

Feel free, if you will, to either answer them here or under either of the two Rapture topics in which they (the questions) appear, either the original I started or the offshoot that you went and started.  For reference here are the questions yet again and please be specific in addressing them with respect to timing rather than whether or not the event exist as we both are in agreement that the doctrine of the Rapture is a Biblical one.  We are therefore just addressing whether there is evidence of and for a pre-trib or "Before God's Wrath" Rapture.

Questions are:
Q #1)    So BILL Where are the Pre-Trib Scriptures telling ( LITERALLY ) of a Pr-Tribulation Rapture?  Not Scriptures to say there is a rapture but scriptures saying it will be before the 70th week of Daniel or the Tribulation period.

Q #2)  IS Revelation 4:1 (as most Pre-Tribbers use) indication of  or symbolic of the Rapture?

Q #3 ) If you answered question #2 in the affirmative (that it is symbolic)  then IF so, EXPLAIN  why in Rev 4:2 the Rapture is spiritual and NOT a Bodily Rapture for clearly in verse 2 John is "IN the Spirit" and not in the body for his body is still on Patmos and he is only in Heaven in a Spiritual state.

Q #4) if you do not view, as most Pre-Trib advocates do, that Rev 4:1 is symbolic of and the Rapture portrayed in Revelation then where else in Revelation is the Rapture mentioned?  I suggest that without taking Revelation 4:1 symbolically (meaning that it is symbolic of) then there is Nowhere in the book of Revelation that the Rapture is mentioned, if you are a Pre-Trib person, that is.  If I'm wrong then where is it mentioned in Revelation and if you suggest it's not then why would something like the Rapture as important as it is be left out of Revelation and not specifically mentioned by Christ in His recorded Gospel teachings?

Q #5) This is redundant of the latter part of question #4 but where in the Bible does Jesus Christ teach and tell about a pre-trib rapture?  NOT if a Rapture exist but where does he teach that is prior to the Tribulation spoken of in Matthew 24?

To repeat again, it's my statement that Matthew 24:29-30 is NOT the 2nd Coming but is the Rapture itself.  That in 1 Thes 5:4 Paul clearly instructs Christians that, unlike the unsaved and lost, they (Brothers/Christians/Believers) are NOT in darkness that that day (what day? --- day of the Lord vs 2) would catch them as a thief in the night.  That Christ taught the Disciples, those that ask about end times events, that like a fig tree in the Parable (Mat 24:32-33) that certain signs, revealed by Christ in Matthew 24, would signal that redemption was at hand, close, upon those, that generation, that are alive at the times of those signs.  Signs like the agreement between Antichrist and Israel, signs like the celestial signs revealed in Matt 24:21-29.  That Paul in 2Thes 2:1-5 assures the Thessalonians that the Rapture (2Thes 2:1 - Rapture "our being gathered to Him") hasn't taken place already and they are left behind, but that it will not come/happen until after the Antichrist comes on the scene (2 Thes 2:3, Rev 6:2 both about the Antichrist).  That's my answers Bill I await yours.

For you, and the other forum members, forgive me for deflecting from the topic of this post of yours but given that I seem to have difficulty getting you to address my questions under the other topics maybe repetition and asking again here, might yield results.
semiannualchicksemiannualchickOld Faithful
Originally Posted by gbrk:
For you, and the other forum members, forgive me for deflecting from the topic of this post of yours but given that I seem to have difficulty getting you to address my questions under the other topics maybe repetition and asking again here, might yield results.

_________

Doesn't bother me if you deflect from Billy boys topic, he does that to everyone on here when he runs from a topic & starts another of the very same thing. I have Billy blocked but I can see the title of his topics. This topic just goes to prove that the ole man is slowly losing touch with reality.  Anyone that  would post a topic with a question to himself should be considered dangerous.

Bill GrayBill GrayOld Faithful

Hi GB,

 

You say, "For you, and the other forum members, forgive me for deflecting from the topic of this post of yours but given that I seem to have difficulty getting you to address my questions under the other topics maybe repetition and asking again here, might yield results."

 

But, wouldn't a truer description be "hijacking a discussion"?   And, you are right.  I never came on the TimesDaily Forums to join in childish "spitting matches" -- but, to openly discuss God's Word in a way which more people, not just the cabal, can find and read.  Thus, when it starts to get too deep -- I walk away and start again where the air is cleaner.  I am sorry if that bothers you.  But, I know that you are intelligent enough to find the new discussion and respond there, on topic.

 

Also, your two page long paragraphs make it difficult to make heads or tails out of your comments.   However, you have made great progress in alleviating this problem.  Your post above is readable.  For that I congratulate you.

 

Now, to your questions above.  You will find that most of them are answered in my discussion titled "What About The Rapture?" which directly responds to most of your questions.

 

And, regarding Matthew 24, I am answering that in a post I am writing right now.  But, to get a preview:

 

You will notice that preceding Matthew 24:29-31, Jesus is describing the Great Tribulation in verses 15-28.  And, then verse 29 begins, "But immediately after the tribulation. . ."  This is speaking of His Second Coming.

 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

 

Bill

CrustyMacCrustyMacOld Faithful
Originally Posted by Bill Gray:

Hi GB,

 

You say, "For you, and the other forum members, forgive me for deflecting from the topic of this post of yours but given that I seem to have difficulty getting you to address my questions under the other topics maybe repetition and asking again here, might yield results."

 

But, wouldn't a truer description be "hijacking a discussion"?   And, you are right.  I never came on the TimesDaily Forums to join in childish "spitting matches" -- but, to openly discuss God's Word in a way which more people, not just the cabal, can find and read.  Thus, when it starts to get too deep -- I walk away and start again where the air is cleaner.  I am sorry if that bothers you.  But, I know that you are intelligent enough to find the new discussion and respond there, on topic.

 

Also, your two page long paragraphs make it difficult to make heads or tails out of your comments.   However, you have made great progress in alleviating this problem.  Your post above is readable.  For that I congratulate you.

 

Now, to your questions above.  You will find that most of them are answered in my discussion titled "What About The Rapture?" which directly responds to most of your questions.

 

And, regarding Matthew 24, I am answering that in a post I am writing right now.  But, to get a preview:

 

You will notice that preceding Matthew 24:29-31, Jesus is describing the Great Tribulation in verses 15-28.  And, then verse 29 begins, "But immediately after the tribulation. . ."  This is speaking of His Second Coming.

 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

 

Bill

___________________

Beginning this thread with the usual long-winded, dull, and irrelevant post entitled, "Why are your posts so long winded, Bill Gray?", Bill has the audacity to later complain about another poster's "two page long paragraphs." 

 

 

 

bill hypocrisy meter

Attachments

Hide
Images (1)
  • bill hypocrisy meter
smokey1smokey1Hall of Famer
Originally Posted by Bill Gray:

Hi GB,

 

You say, "For you, and the other forum members, forgive me for deflecting from the topic of this post of yours but given that I seem to have difficulty getting you to address my questions under the other topics maybe repetition and asking again here, might yield results."

 

But, wouldn't a truer description be "hijacking a discussion"?   And, you are right.  I never came on the TimesDaily Forums to join in childish "spitting matches" -- but, to openly discuss God's Word in a way which more people, not just the cabal, can find and read.  Thus, when it starts to get too deep -- I walk away and start again where the air is cleaner.  I am sorry if that bothers you.  But, I know that you are intelligent enough to find the new discussion and respond there, on topic.

 

Also, your two page long paragraphs make it difficult to make heads or tails out of your comments.   However, you have made great progress in alleviating this problem.  Your post above is readable.  For that I congratulate you.

 

Now, to your questions above.  You will find that most of them are answered in my discussion titled "What About The Rapture?" which directly responds to most of your questions.

 

And, regarding Matthew 24, I am answering that in a post I am writing right now.  But, to get a preview:

 

You will notice that preceding Matthew 24:29-31, Jesus is describing the Great Tribulation in verses 15-28.  And, then verse 29 begins, "But immediately after the tribulation. . ."  This is speaking of His Second Coming.

 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

 

Bill

=================

You're just a major league tool

Crash.OverrideCrash.OverrideOld Faithful
Originally Posted by CrustyMac:
Originally Posted by Bill Gray:

Hi GB,

 

You say, "For you, and the other forum members, forgive me for deflecting from the topic of this post of yours but given that I seem to have difficulty getting you to address my questions under the other topics maybe repetition and asking again here, might yield results."

 

But, wouldn't a truer description be "hijacking a discussion"?   And, you are right.  I never came on the TimesDaily Forums to join in childish "spitting matches" -- but, to openly discuss God's Word in a way which more people, not just the cabal, can find and read.  Thus, when it starts to get too deep -- I walk away and start again where the air is cleaner.  I am sorry if that bothers you.  But, I know that you are intelligent enough to find the new discussion and respond there, on topic.

 

Also, your two page long paragraphs make it difficult to make heads or tails out of your comments.   However, you have made great progress in alleviating this problem.  Your post above is readable.  For that I congratulate you.

 

Now, to your questions above.  You will find that most of them are answered in my discussion titled "What About The Rapture?" which directly responds to most of your questions.

 

And, regarding Matthew 24, I am answering that in a post I am writing right now.  But, to get a preview:

 

You will notice that preceding Matthew 24:29-31, Jesus is describing the Great Tribulation in verses 15-28.  And, then verse 29 begins, "But immediately after the tribulation. . ."  This is speaking of His Second Coming.

 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

 

Bill

___________________

Beginning this thread with the usual long-winded, dull, and irrelevant post entitled, "Why are your posts so long winded, Bill Gray?", Bill has the audacity to later complain about another poster's "two page long paragraphs." 

 

 

 

bill hypocrisy meter

_______________________________________________

 

and to chastise someone in the form of:

But, I know that you are intelligent enough to find the new discussion and respond there, on topic.

i just can't stop laughing!

gbrkgbrkOld Faithful
Originally Posted by Bill Gray:

       

Hi GB,

 

You say, "For you, and the other forum members, forgive me for deflecting from the topic of this post of yours but given that I seem to have difficulty getting you to address my questions under the other topics maybe repetition and asking again here, might yield results."

 

But, wouldn't a truer description be "hijacking a discussion"?   And, you are right.  I never came on the TimesDaily Forums to join in childish "spitting matches" -- but, to openly discuss God's Word in a way which more people, not just the cabal, can find and read.  Thus, when it starts to get too deep -- I walk away and start again where the air is cleaner.  I am sorry if that bothers you.  But, I know that you are intelligent enough to find the new discussion and respond there, on topic.

 

Also, your two page long paragraphs make it difficult to make heads or tails out of your comments.   However, you have made great progress in alleviating this problem.  Your post above is readable.  For that I congratulate you.

 

Now, to your questions above.  You will find that most of them are answered in my discussion titled "What About The Rapture?" which directly responds to most of your questions.

 

And, regarding Matthew 24, I am answering that in a post I am writing right now.  But, to get a preview:

 

You will notice that preceding Matthew 24:29-31, Jesus is describing the Great Tribulation in verses 15-28.  And, then verse 29 begins, "But immediately after the tribulation. . ."  This is speaking of His Second Coming.

 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

 

Bill


       


For one there was no "spitting matches" as you termed it there was only subjects you were not able to address adequately or were going in a direction you didn't personally like so you attempt to deflect attention from that by moving over to another subject.  There is ample evidence within the archives of this forum to substantiate that.  Furthermore I willingly admitted I was misdirecting the thread from the initial subject account you would not respond to the questions in the other threads where they were ask so I brought them over so as to follow you until you addressed them, which by the way you have not even no for NO you did not answer them under another tread or post.  You NEVER addressed them accurately and NEVER provided scriptures proving or addressing a PRE-TRIB timing example.  I said scriptures clearly proving or indicating a rapture BEFORE the tribulations and NOT defending the rapture itself.  So no you did not address them for you keep talking about defending a rapture as a doctrine and that's not what I was disputing with you.  I was disputing the timing of it.    You also never responded to the points made in the youtube video where the pre-trib position was debunked as non-scriptural and baseless. 

Thankfully though you did see fit to inject a bit of levity and entertainment when you made a COMICAL comment about the length of my post/reply.  I think others addressed that better than I could.  All I could think about when reading that was it would be like the US Government condemning or chastising an individual citizen over their spending habits.

Regarding why you came here, to the TimesDaily forum.  If you truly came here to discuss God's Word then why are you not doing that?  Most post you make are either condemning of another, ridiculing another forum members faith or their personal viewpoint but either way ends up with you setting in Judgment of that member as if you were in some superior position of infallibility.  If you had said you came here to PREACH, DICTATE or Judge I might agree you are 100% achieving your goal but in order to Discuss you actually have to LISTEN and have dialog and respectfully consider what another says before you pass judgment, my opinion mind you. 

To repeat, again, you didn't answer my questions here or in the other thread you are trying to point to.  You see that's another case and point I make about moving around and starting new threads and topics.  You make it impossible to follow or keep things in context.  You may attempt to justify it by saying you are avoiding a spitting match but you are just making a poor excuse for trying to get out of a direct response.  The questions I ask are still in this thread so if you care to address them and answer them then please do.  Your insistence that Matthew 24:29-30 is the 2nd Coming is baseless and incorrect as both the YouTube Video I submitted as well as comparable scriptures clearly show this to not be as you claim it is.  You only HAVE to say it is to make scripture conform to the position that you have took.  Regarding my questions on Revelation 4 you never addressed them anywhere.  So deflect attention as much as you like but from the general responses to your post I think you are basically fooling no one but possibly your own self.

Add Reply

Post
affilated websites:
Times Daily | Decatur Daily | Courier Journal | The Hartselle Enquirer | Moulton Advertiser | The Redstone Rocket | The Madison Record | The Franklin County Times | Reach256 | TNValleyStuff.com TNValleyHomefinder.com | TNValleyWheels.com

Terms of Service | Private Policy | California Privacy Policy/Private Policy

Untitled Document

Membership Required

We're sorry. You must be signed in to continue. Sign In or Register
×
Are you sure you want to remove from your Block List?
×
Loading...
×
When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content.
Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following .
×
Advanced Search
Advanced Search
Link copied to your clipboard.
×