₦airaland Forum

KingMEXX: nah dey have Russia, Iran and China as allies although Russia and China have sided with the Americans. They are now left with Iran and am sure Ahmadine... wouldnt mind joining the tussle even though it may be secretly. The man loathes the West and anyone against them, He considers as an ally. Both Nk and Iran nations have drunks as their leaders

ahn ahn kingmexx...countries are talking and you're mentioning Iran weren't they the ones that were recently perfecting a finger cutting machine? Iran's bark has no real bite - just like NK.

Ihedinobi: I think that it will take some major security concessions from the US to China for China not to stand with NK.

As it is right now, I understand that China is practically surrounded by America through her military bases in allies like SK and Japan etc.

Based on what we've heard (or more importantly not heard) from China, I'm not so sure it will take a lot to dissuade them from backing NK. A country's sworn alliances are only so good as long as it benefits their national interests. Should NK strike first and the US hit back, I don't see China taking on the US. NK has repeatedly ignored even China's pleas for common sense.

shymexx: I endorse the bolded... How are we sure that America isn't the one provoking NK intentionally just to continue the encirclement of China?? It's all a chess game - perhaps, that's why the Chinese haven't said much thus far... However, if America wants to remain the sole super-power in the world - this is the time to take on China...

I'm sure the decision makers in Washington and the Pentagon know what they're doing, to be honest...

PS: not taking sides, just giving an honest opinion...

Casanova, commot dia jor. There's no question the US knows how to place all their chess pieces in the right geographical locations, but I don't think anything they've done so far warrants the kinds of threats and language coming from Pyongyang.

phoneport: Food they say is life and good food I say is real life.
I ate EBA with EGUSI yesterday and some beef with KPOMO to support it and my life has never been the same again.

What is your best food tell us
And if possible upload the picture.

lol. Iya Matthew must've been on her game yesterday

ijebabe: Gross and depressing list

lol. Why now? Ignorance is bliss...until it shows up in the midsection

The saddest has to be the potato chips and teaspoon of peanut butter. 200 calories in that tiny thing? lol. Damn.

Strik & Yoo, no wahala friends

frosbel2: I am sure the status of frosbel's account will be restored to full privileges soon.

Already done hrs ago. The spambot likes you Frosbel. Very much.

Hi Sanitvc, oga sir, long as they're not breaking any rules they're free to post anywhere on NL. Its true the rules for posting in the Islam section are stringer than others, the admin does that in the interest of peace. Cheers ehn. Godbless.

And pls continue on the mod thread on top the page. The admin will see your comments there. Thank you sir. https://www.nairaland.com/505782/questions-comments-complaints-talk-moderators

Ogeelove, sister how body now? Per the topic, check out this link. There are several theories out there as to possible explanations. A bit long, but quite thorough & detailed. Godbless!

http://pastormark.tv/2012/02/16/tough-text-thursday-matthew-16-28

Tough Text Thursday: Matthew 16:28

“Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” Matthew 16:28

Salvation costs you nothing, but discipleship will cost you everything. Salvation occurs in a moment. Discipleship takes a lifetime. Salvation is something that God does for you. Discipleship is something you do with God. Sadly, many only preach a life of decision, not a life of discipleship. The result is that when people hit hard times and life doesn’t seem to be working they become disillusioned with Jesus rather than devoted to Jesus.

Jesus is not a salesman. He’s not trying to market anyone, sell anyone, or con anyone. He’s absolutely, brutally honest with us about what it means to truly be his disciple. A disciple is one who believes in Jesus, worships Jesus, serves Jesus, follows Jesus, obeys Jesus, and is even willing to suffer for Jesus.

In Matthew 16:24, Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Jesus told his disciples then, and Jesus told his disciples today, that if we follow him, we must be willing to follow in his footsteps and deny ourselves with the prospect of even suffering.

We live in a world filled with quitters. People often quit on God, quit on their responsibilities, quit on their marriages, and quit on their children. Some people continually look for the path of least resistance. But if you follow Jesus, you must be a disciple who perseveres, not quit when the going gets tough. And following Jesus will be difficult at times and will even cost many their very own lives.

In Matthew 16:28, Jesus encourages his disciples in their self-denying pursuit of Jesus by reminding them that he will one day return “with his angels in the glory of his Father” (Matthew 16:27). This leads us to our passage of study today, Matthew 16:28.

Context of the Verse
Matthew 16:28 falls within the context of Matthew 16:21–28. In verses 21–23, Jesus informs his disciples that he must suffer go to Jerusalem, suffer, be killed, and rise from death three days later (16:21). At this point Peter, who apparently had a different opinion of what Jesus should do, pulled Jesus aside and scolded him for making such a claim (16:22). Jesus in turn rebuked Satan and reprimanded Peter (16:23). This scenario sets up Jesus’ discourse on discipleship in Matthew 16:24–28.

Jesus’ teaching on discipleship in Matthew 16:24–28 is defined by denying ourselves, picking-up our cross, and following him (16:24). In the words of David Turner, to be a disciple is to embrace “cross before crown, suffering before glory, service before reign.” Not only will Jesus carry a cross, so too will those of us who choose to follow him.

Jesus then explains the essence of discipleship in three ways. In verse 27, Jesus explains that when he returns with his angels, there will be a final judgment and everyone will be held accountable for what they have done. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are encouraged to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Jesus since he will return without any notice. The idea of the Son of Man “coming” with his angels in the glory of his Father leads to 16:28, where Jesus says that “there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” What exactly is Jesus referring to here? There are a few different views for us to take into consideration.

View #1: The Second Coming
Some believe that Jesus’ words refer to his second coming when he establishes his kingdom. In light of verse 27, verse 28 makes good sense of the idea of the “Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

The big problem for this view is that Jesus says “there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see” this happen (16:28). The phrase “taste death” is an idiom that means to experience death (cf. John 8:52; Hebrews 2:9). Unless Jesus already came and everyone missed it, it’s safe to say that the disciples who heard Jesus say this did, in fact, taste death before Jesus’ second coming and the consummation of his kingdom.

At this point, some have said that Jesus got it wrong. They contend that Jesus thought he would return and consummate his kingdom within a few years, but he didn’t. As D. A. Carson notes, if Matthew thought this is what Jesus meant, then we would expect to see this idea throughout the Gospel, but instead, “The disciples’ mission is to continue to the end of the age (28:20).” Of course, more obviously, this view also assumes that Jesus could be wrong about something like this or that Matthew, as the author, would portray Jesus this way. This view is unacceptable, because it would require us to believe that Jesus could be wrong about his return and Matthew doesn’t portray Jesus this way in other places.

Some, however, don’t think Jesus was wrong, but that he still referred to his second coming. For example, the phrase “some who are standing here” could refer to the final generation, who are foreseen in a prophetic sense, not to those physically present with him. While this is technically possible, this kind of language feels a little clumsy and doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Even though the first read of this passage may incline our initial thoughts to Jesus’ final coming, most commentators believe Jesus is referring to “an alternate manifestation of the kingdom that did occur within the lifetime of those first disciples.”

View #2: Resurrection and/or Pentecost
Others believe that Jesus is referring to his resurrection and/or Pentecost. This view has as an advantage in the fact that some of those standing there did witness the resurrection and Pentecost. Further, Jesus’ kingdom certainly did come in the victory and exaltation of his resurrection and in the pouring out of the Spirit. Though his kingdom was not consummated, its presence came with power in an “already-not yet” sense.

One significant problem with this view is that it doesn’t fit well with verse 27. Jesus says he will “come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.” In light of that, verse 28 seems to point to something beyond a fulfillment to an event that would happen in the near future.

View #3: Transfiguration
Another option that many commentators have gravitated toward is that Jesus is referring to his Transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-8. In the Transfiguration, Jesus is revealed in his full glory to Peter, James, and John, in which “his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light” (17:2). This view best accounts for the phrase “some standing here” (16:28), which naturally refers to the three disciples. It also has a great advantage in that the Transfiguration story begins in the next verse (17:1). Moreover, this view has an ancient pedigree, being held by many church fathers.

Not only does the immediate and greater context support this position in Matthew, so too does Peter’s words in 2 Peter 1:16–18, which appear to be a reflection upon Jesus’ transfiguration.

Although this position has much strength, there are a few minor problems. While this view can explain the phrase “some who are standing here,” it seems to be complicated grammatically and Matthew uses a lot of words to explain something that seems simple. Besides, this seems to be an intense way for Jesus to refer to the three disciples standing in front of him. Another problem is that, even though Jesus is shown in great glory in Matthew 17, this view doesn’t seem to fully represent the meaning in the idea of Jesus “coming in his kingdom.” This is especially true in light of the verses coming before this phrase and other places in Matthew that portray his “coming” differently.

Conclusion
Since no view best captures the meaning of this verse, I think the best solution may be a combination of these views. It’s difficult to ignore the fact that the Transfiguration comes so closely on the heels of this verse. The “some standing here” naturally refers to the three disciples, Peter, James, and John. But, as already mentioned, it does not seem to do full justice to Jesus’ coming, especially in light of 16:27. What we probably have is something that is not at all uncommon in biblical prophecy, which is multiple fulfillments leading up to the final day. It may be that, as Craig Keener says, “Probably the transfiguration proleptically introduces the whole eschatological sphere, which Jesus’ resurrection inaugurates and his return consummates.” The Transfiguration could be seen as a proleptic or preliminary fulfillment of the second coming of Jesus to consummate his kingdom. A kingdom that was inaugurated with the resurrection of Jesus, the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, and the preaching of the gospel to the nations through his people.

Brethren pls, let's try to discuss respectfully with insults or derogatory remarks. Thank you.

Suicidal NK knows they can't do diddly squad. It's just to rant and rant all day long. The only ally they have is China and even then the Chinese ain't dumb. Push comes to shove NK will be standing by herself. Who will hitch their wagon to a sinking ship?

Vanity to the ^nthdegree.

Fellas fellas, let's just take a clean slate from here on out okay, double ID or not. And Strik, I'm aware of some of the history. I will keep an eye out for all of you. Cheers.

ooman: front page this pls https://www.nairaland.com/1254148/why-idea-god-fraud

let the truth about God be known to the world

Cleaned and Submitted .

By the way, thanks for your detailed reply on the warren thread, I'll get to it soon. Cheers.

Deep Sight: It is indeed spiritually inconsequential but it is politically and socially mightily consequential. I say this because I believe that once your heart is in the right place, believing or disbelieving the trinity will do diddly squat one way or the other.

However it has mighty politico-socio ramifications. In the first place, it is the key doctrine that gave rise to the entire birth of Islam. A doctrine that caused such a mighty schism as to birth an entire religion (with all the terrible consequences that have followed since) is clearly not harmless.

Finally, although this is not relevant, believing that a fellow human being is Almighty God says a lot in very poor terms about the mind of the person who believes such a thing. It, at the very minimum, shews such a person to be capable of believing absolutely anything, and also shews such a person as hardly capable of individual original thought. This is my general view and is not meant as offense to anyone in particular please. I just believe it is a classic case in point on religious gullibility. You see, there is a saying that if you throw in a beautiful woman into the mix, you can sell absolutely anything. You can sell a man arsenic for dinner so long as it proceeds from the hand of Eve. In the same way, you can get otherwise intelligent and reasonable people to believe gibberish not fit for toddlers, once you package it as religious faith. This is a truth that has been demonstrated time and again throughout history.

There are several points in this quote that I'd like to address but I'll stick to just the highlighted. There is certainly truth to the point that wholesale religious faiths may have questionable eggs in the mix.

But rather than focus on the legitimacy or illegitimacy of a particular belief, I think it is wiser to focus on the fruit of the belief instead. I say this because we are all different. From different backgrounds, families, cultures, academic training, religious ideas etc etc...the only universality in this equation is God. The way I approach, digest & apply a concept is almost guaranteed to be completely different from you. By this, I think it not wise to try to use your personal template and expect we all will fit in the grid nicely. I can't use my spiritual yardstick to measure the validity of your beliefs - and vice versa. But caveat lector, as long as the consequence of such a belief is by all accounts, undeniably godly in fruit.

There are two principles for every christian laid out in Romans 14.

¹ To keep what one believes about controversial issues of the ceremonial kind to between oneself & God for the sake of harmony (and for the exact reason I stated above - we are all different).

and

²*very important* That there is room for heterodoxy within the body of Christ. That it is perfectly okay for two christians to disagree on an issue and yet both of them can be right about their beliefs.

I think in spite of the spiritual complications of agreeing/not agreeing with the trinity doctrine, there are genuine christians on both sides of the issue. I would bet both sides believe wholeheartedly that Jesus died for their sins & faith in Him leads to salvation - and that is enough according to John 3:16.

On the "politico-socio ramifications" you touched on. I would say that simply because the echo of a shot ramified in the negative through history, doesn't mean the initial shot was wrong/bad. A singular nuclear technology today can either power electricity for an entire nation, or arm a atomic weapon. Religious, doctrinal belief of these kinds (trinity, tongues etc) to me are somewhat innocuous - it is how the person chooses to apply it, and the resulting fruit that will judge the legitimacy/illegitimacy of such a belief - seeing there is no perfect, omniscient judge - except the Lord God Almighty.

musKeeto: 5hit.. I just realised I was the one reported. My sincere apologies God2Man.

I honestly meant no harm and was definitely not wishing you evil. I'm just wary of the way some celebrate Christian persecution... Anyways, who am I to talk? Lol

DAZ ALL..


Hi Madam J .. I just felt a ban fly past me...

Oga 'skeeto...you will need to do a whole lot more than that to earn a ban . As you have demonstrated here by apologizing, most folks here will agree with me that you're a super cool dude.

ooman: You all seem not to understand me. I am not trying to blame the father here but only showing that everything he wrote down in his book has no real impact in reality. All the Christians who have testified to the wonders the man's book has wrought in their lives can now understand that it is not God who gives us meaning and satisfaction, but every individual must find satisfaction to life. In the case where satisfaction is not found, then suicide results.

I'm trying to find a delicate way of saying this without sounding rude to you sir, but this is absurd, to be honest.

So we should discount millions of testimonies and take your word that those people do not know what they themselves experienced? I put to you the same question to plaetton, how do you know whether or not Rick Warren's son actually practiced anything that was written/taught in the PDL? how do you know this to declare that the philosophy failed him?

You guys sound desperate when you make these kinds of comments. Maybe its my understanding that is flawed, but what I'm reading from you both is a true head-scratcher.

I am only trying to say that God and his worshipers are useless to the challenged society.

http://teenchallengeusa.com/. Check it out. Its a faith-based organization I've worked with in the past that has rescued millions of challenged folk from all ages & walks of life. They have been nationally & internationally recognized by non-religious leaders.

So you must understand my irritation at such an arrogant, ill-informed and fact-devoid comment such as the one you made "God and his worshipers are useless to the challenged society".

If an atheist like my self has spoken to the son, he would have taken his life in his hands and would have continued living despite his impairment.

Wow. I think I understand you perfectly now. You think atheism is a silver bullet for all the troubles of the world. Roger that. Many of you guys count yourselves as better than others simply because you wear an atheist badge. Please re-read what you said here, and perhaps the incredible arrogance of such a comment will humble you.

God is harmful to us, we must do away with him. God makes us weak, he infects us with weakness. God is a parasite.

That is my point

God is everything to me. I will rather die than "do away with" my faith in Him. He makes me strong & infects me with strength & love. Belief in Him makes me a better human being. Belief in Him fills me with love for my neighbor and people all around the world.

If that^ offends the carnal sensibilities of pop-atheists, well, they can go hug a cactus, and spend that time in sober self-reflection as to why someone else' beliefs which makes them better people should bother you.

^^^and all this said with a very big smile

plaetton: The bolded is actually the point that most atheists would want to point out.
Rick warren wrote a best seller, a psychological-how-to book. I never read it, but many swear by it. No doubt, the book sold out because of it's evangelically flavoured theme(The placebo component).

For those who swear that the book changed their lives for better,that should also be proof that it is proper understanding that changes our lives for better, not prayer or god.

This is quite curious. How do you know that prayer or God had nothing to do with those whose lives were changed? Please how do you know this Plaetton?

And how do you know whether or not Rick Warren's son actually practiced anything that was written/taught in the PDL? how do you know this to declare that the philosophy failed him?

So Rick warren's best seller, in an ironic way, while claiming the opposite, actually took power away from god and gave it back to the individual, where it rightly belongs.

I personally haven't read the PDL, so I cannot comment one way or another on where Warren directs his readers to turn to for empowerment. Have you read the book?

We atheists would always ask: If god is in charge, why would this and other kinds of tragedies befall us?

Oh dear. So God should now be in charge of the decisions you make? the black shoes you wore this morning, the toast or garri you ate, the route you used to go to work, the rude or kind word you spoke a stranger....

^the same reason God allowed you to do all this, is the same reason He allows "tragedies to befall us"...it is called freewill. And you practice it everyday. When it is good you guys don't complain, the minute it results in something bad, it suddenly becomes God's fault. Hope you see the irony in that.

Gooogle: But really, this was 2 years ago.
Now there has to be a review.
You need to replace some folks and put insincere9nigeria and others.

Lol...oya over to you. Update am

[quote author=A-40]Una case be say the mind is willing but the body is weak! If the Knicks jam una now na akpako! The Knicks are much much better than the guys you swept some seasons back!

As for the Lakers trust me they where made to be destroyed by the Thunder I don't expect them to win more than one game in that series[/quote]Lol, abi oh. I just don't trust those knicks jare. I'll believe it when I see it. I know they're in a nice groove now but we all know playoff ball is different, and Carmelo has not shown he has what it takes to withstand pressure...small smack talk from KG and the guy was waiting outside the team bus to fight like say he be market woman wey dem steal cup of garri from . When he proves it, I'll accord him/them respect.

[quote author=Boricua:Negro]Knicks are going to the Eastern Finals Babez

I already got a couple G Stacks stashed and stacked for Tickets This Year. [/quote]Not if the malusBulls have anything to say about that Reserve some tix for me...I would make the 3hr drive to Manhattan if you put me in some nice seats

Almost 2 yrs later, I first see this topic. Well better late than never.

MyJoe if you're still around, this is free-king hilarious. I accept my appointment as ambassador to the US (who no like beta thing ).

and 190 as minister of womens affairs is just hilarious! lol.

God2man: Oh! My God, people are so desperate here. I am sure if they can be so desperate like this, they can go to any length to destroy the faith of any weak christian.

@jesoul, you are doing a great Job.

God bless you.

God2man.

You're welcome sweetie. I'm sure he meant no real harm. Hope you have been doing well and growing strong in the faith. Stay blessed!

Capnd143: ewoh! Sory girli, na my mistake, who come be mod there na?

Lol. No problem brother. I would submit it but I don't like to infringe on other mods sections. The mods there are OAM, Afam and Ikenna. All solid nice guys. Here's the thread: https://www.nairaland.com/938835/lets-complaints-suggestions-enquiries-here

plaetton: Thanks for the compliments.

The fact that the trinity doctrine is as hotly debated among christians today as it was in the early days of the church, and, was perhaps the biggest source of schisms amongst the early church fathers is evidence that it had no scriptural underpinnings.

You're right it is a source of constant tussling among some christians. The rest of us simply choose to apply the time-tested principle laid out in Romans 14. Everytime I see loggerhead -ing over the issue I always scratch my head. To me, whichever you believe is really inconsequential in the big picture, so why squibble?

and you're welcome on the compliments. I mean it, you're a gifted writer.

frosbel: ^^

Hmmm, I am sure God gave us a Brain to reason

Good. Now use that brain, and show where I remotely hinted otherwise in my post?

Capnd143: these also is supposed to be on FP!
https://www.nairaland.com/1253010/fg-deploy-troops-bakassi-amid

Oga Capnd, that is in the politics section now, that's outside of my jurisdiction

[quote author=A-40]Where that Roland boy sef? Shebi I told him that the Knicks could be a problem! How many games have they won in a row now? Should they get Chandler,Amare and Sheed healthy I see no reason why they can't beat the Heat! I was going to go with the Pacers but with Granger shut down they just don't have enough offense to cope with the elite teams.
Melo is on beast mode at the moment it must be said

As for the Lakers I think they should just try and make the playoffs and avoid a sweep obviously that was not the plan but reality bites! They might knock a game or two out of the Spurs but the Thunder would absolutely humiliate them Kobe is ma nigga but I gotta state facts[/quote]Dude! for whia? lets revisit that thought when the Knicks actually win a playoff series . As it is, you don't think they're just a bit nervous to be playing the Celtics in the first round? The mental aspect of bball is just as potent as the physical - and the knicks are yet to show us their mental fortitude.

As for the Lakers, should they get in, I think they can win at least 2 games vs the thunder...something about playoff basketball brings out the best, especially for the level of talent they have.

plaetton: Religion, I have been told several times, even on this forum, is not an intellectual exercise.

Things of Faith do not require any form of intellectual rigour.

Trying, as we habitually do, to intellectually dissect religious doctrines or beliefs, always turn into an excercise in futility.
Faith in doctrine simply requires acceptance, whereas, intellectual arguments require conviction.
Acceptance and conviction are not the same thing.

Religion perpetuates itself simply by building thick walls of contrived mysteries around itself.
These walls of contrived mysteries then serve as barriers to keep out the probing torch lights of the intellect.

The trinity doctrine is one of such contrived mysteries. It is not supposed to be understood. We are supposed to look at it with great awe and accept it.
No questions required.

First of all, love the way you write (think I've mentioned that to you before) .

@your post, to summarize: So because it doesn't make sense to you it must be false. Got it!

ooman: The son's death shows the failure of the father. He wrote a best selling book - purpose driven life - but his own son failed to find purpose and reason to continue to live and have faith in God concerning his illness.

I wonder why God cant heal his own people. God is too weak and unworthy of our worship.

I hope now, Warren, like many other pastors will finally listen to reason and do away with God.

Aside that this is insensitive, a family just lost a member, the thing to do is not try and score cheap brownie points. Nevertheless, this quote of yours has serious K-leg.

Atheists such as yourself like to sound in our ears all day long that man is responsible for his own destiny, why in this case have you changed your stance? shouldn't the son have been responsible for his own life? why is this his father's fault? or the fault of his father's religion?

Meanwhile there are millions of Rick Warren followers - both christian & non-christian by the way - who swear that his book changed their lives. But of course, ignore all that and focus on only this. Myopia is already a certified symptom of neo-modern pop-atheists.

Cheerios my dear ooman.

shymexx: Hiya sis JeSoul, this is fp worthy: https://www.nairaland.com/1252310/margaret-thatcher-funeral-security-clampdown

Cheers.

Submitted brother, cheers.

Katsumoto:

I accept your offering but I will pass the kolanut to those celebrating maggie's death.

BTW, the only title my ancestors desired was Shogun. Even Sir, they didn't accept.

[s]wait oh...you be Jap-sanese? naa! unlikely, but anyways...[/s] SHOGUN!!! Katsumoto! best believe, there will be no mis-titles from here on, sir

[quote author=isale_gan2]This looks like Agbada to you? Jesuit, Your shuku braid must be too tight. Did I do it?

https://factsanddetails.com/media/2/20090730-samurai%20warrior.jpg

Hmmmm

Interesting: Life and Culture in the Edo Period (Japan 1603-1867)
http://factsanddetails.com/japan.php?itemid=502[/quote] this chick...you are humorific! lol. Since you refused to do my hair for years now, I had to settle bor Biliki, and you know how she gets down.

but talk true...this your picture take style resemble agbada small. Okay Shogun Katsumoto, more layers to your kimono .

and that bit on "Edo period"...nice co-inci.

lucenzo: no go use mess kill them for class ooo

LOL

pls continue here https://www.nairaland.com/1250200/israeli-government-websites-hacked-anonymous

striktlymi...free-kin' hilarious! You're a natural writer.

I take exception though....why am I not playing? I will have you know I play shutdown, I dare-you-to-come-around defense on my company's soccerfootball team (though I'm currently sidelined with a sprained ankle)...oh wait, you knew I sprained my ankle that's why you left me off? why didn't you say so? oh okay, no problem. I forgive you!