You are so far off it is almost laughable. The calendar of the Jews follows a 19 year cycle at which time, the sun and moon are back in a perfect harmony. The lunar year is 355 days long. The solar year is 365 days and 1/4. Thus each lunar year, there are 11 days extra. Thus, the Hebrew calender intercalates a 13th month every three years.

The calendar is very very accurate and still, you don't get it. The seven day weekly cycle has nothing to do with the calendar.

The Sabbath has always been kept by a remnant, and it is documented through the history of the Jews. The seventh day on your calendar that you think is so accurate, is Saturday. Everyone but you seems to know that.

Art

We should be deeply grateful for the forgiveness we have through Jesus Christ. However, we should show that gratitude by our obedience to what He says, not just give Him lip service.

Art

God does not forgive you unless you repent. Repenting means to turn around and go the other way. When we sin, we break God's law. That is the definition of sin in the Bible (1Joh 3:4)

When we repent, we are sorry we broke God's law, and we turn around and keep it. Without that, God does not forgive. What you believe is licentiousness. That is you think by believing in Jesus you have a license to sin. You can do anything and it is ok because you love. He says no. If you love me keep my commandments.

Think about what you are really saying.


Art

What if you are wrong. There is no absolutely no debate about which day is the Sabbath. The only debate is whether we are to keep it or not. But I ask you to revisit your words and think.

You think as long as you worship god in some way, that He accepts it. The scriptures no where say that. In fact, the ancient Israelites created a calf and worshiped God. They made a feast to God with it all. Was that ok with God? Can we worship Him any way we want, and He accepts it.

I bet some of the people here call Him Lord. But we don't do what He says. He laughs. Keep thinking it. We can do what ever we want, and God accepts it.

He says In vain do you worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Sunday is a commandment of men.

He says, when He comes, people will say we did all this stuff in your name. He will say, depart from me, You are a worker of iniquity. Iniquity means lawlessness. In other words they did not keep His law. He does not buy the argument that so easily spills out on these pages.

Art

The monthly cycle has absolutely nothing to do with the weekly cycle.

In the Hebrew calendar, there are alternately 29 and 30 days. 4 sets of 7 days is 28 days. There is always time that is transferred over to the next month. There is no connection with the astronomical calendar whether is is lunar or solar. The Sabbath is a separate creation that is tied to God's seven days of creation. It stands alone!

Art

It is not difficult to keep the Sabbath. All you have to do is rest. That is the command.

Humans make it hard. It is easy. It is a break from the routine. It is a time to forget the bills. It is a time to forget the power struggles and politics at work. It represents God's hope for mankind--ultimate freedom. No more slavery. It is a time to put it all the trouble, the vanity, the pain, the irritants of life aside and focus on the reason we were born and what our destiny is.

Art

Here again is another assumption of someone who has no respect for God. Christ came and Christ kept the Sabbath. We have records from that day to this of which day is the Sabbath. The Jews have kept very good records and they keep the seventh day. Further, there have been calendar changes down through time and those changes never ever ever ever affected the days of the week, only the months.

The seventh day today is the same seventh day as Gen 2

Art

"As long as it is to serve God."

But!!!! --- Which God??? How do you know which god you are actually serving?

There is a day for every religion and every god. Only the God of the Bible requires the seventh day. He says that the seventh day is a sign between Him and His people. So, if we actually believe what God says, then, if we keep another day it is a sign to Him, that we are not His people.

When we keep Christmas we inadvertently worship Saturn the God of the Saturnailia--Santa Klaus.

When you worship the god of Sunday, you worship the sun God--not the true God.

When you worship the true God on the seventh day, you do as He commands, and it is a sign to Him that you are showing your loyalty to Him, and not the other gods.

That is the entire purpose of the Sabbath. It pictures the millennial rule of Christ for a thousand years. (symbolically a day pictures a thousand years.) It foreshadows the Christian's hope of being with Christ and ruling with Him during that thousand years. It is the gospel of the Kingdom celebrated once a week.

Any other day will not do. You can fool yourself, but you don't fool Him. He sets the day, and does not give us the choice of which day, He gives the choice of will you keep my day, or will you keep another day.

That is your choice. Which god do you serve?

Art

1. Secular work is forbidden on the Sabbath. Jesus did not do it. He did not do personal work on the Sabbath. He did not do commercial work on the Sabbath. He did not do hobbies on the Sabbath. If Christ would have done work on the Sabbath, then He would have sinned. He did the work of Salvation and healing. That is what the Sabbath pictures in symbol and what it's purpose is.

2. One of the biggest lies ever told by the early Gnostic teachers was that it does not matter what we do as long as we have love in our hearts. Of course it matters what we do. You can't tell your boss at work that it doesn't matter what you do, because you love him or her. You can't tell a policeman that it doesn't matter what you do, you love him. It is nutty thinking. We actually believe we can tell the Almighty creator of the Universe, the great Law Giver that his laws don't matter. Why? Why don't they matter? Well, because you have love in our heart.

Jesus said, to enter into life, keep the commandments. You may call it a technicality to disobey one of the ten commandments. Jesus does not say that. He says:

Mat 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Play your game and fool yourself, but God is not mocked.

Art

1. The old Testament is all that the early Christians had to read. When Christ said we are to live by every word of God, He spoke of the old Testament. Paul wrote that the scriptures were inspired by God and were designed for reproof and correction and doctrine. When he wrote that to Timothy, he spoke of him knowing the scriptures from his youth, and he was referring to the Old Testament.

2. In the New Testament, Jesus kept the Sabbath. If He did not, then He would have sinned, and we would have no savior.

3. The apostles kept the Sabbath. In Acts 17, it was Paul's custom to keep the Sabbath. In the conference in Acts 15, they did not list all that was required of Gentiles because Moses was read each Sabbath in the synagogue. vs. 15.

4. When Christ comes back, and institutes the millennial rule. He will require people to keep the Sabbath:

Isa 66:23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.

Just some thoughts on that old worn out un-needed Old Testament

Art

I want to thank everyone for their posts. There were far more generated than I had hoped. I can't stay for any more of the fun.
The truth is I am becoming addicted to posting here, and I have sooooo much to do.

I do take Funches side on this one. I think Christianity is evolving to become something other than it was originally intended. In America, it is becoming a religion in which people believe what ever they want. They have a God that is one of their personal choice, as they see Him, and no rules, but to feel good. It is a kind of new age religion.

As Gnosticism influenced the early Christians, the new age has influenced us. Speaking of our time, the apostle Paul warned:

2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

I think he describes our society today. We are so self absorbed. We, and especially the churches today are driven by money. We boast of our religion and how many members we have, and how big the church is. But, we blaspheme. We trivialize the Great God of the universe. We are disobedient to our parents. We put them in government homes so we don't have to deal with them. We are disobedient to our spiritual parents, Abraham Issac, and Jacob who taught us to obey God. We don't have natural affection. Ever notice the plastic smiles on the TV preachers? The tears and sobbing as the make up becomes smeared on the faces of the women on those programs. Then, if any one brings up the Christianity of the past, they are accused of legalism. They are incontinent, meaning that they do not control themselves. They do not think that they need to discipline themselves. Instead, they do what ever they want, and actually despise those who are law abiding. They are traitors to the faith once delivered, and actually give people into the devil's the enemy's hand. In doing so, then are heady, they rush to their judgment, and are conceited in what they think they know and believe. They love pleasure more than God. They don't want to make sacrifices. They want to feel good about themselves.

Is it possible this is the future for Christianity in America? Is it possible this next verse applies to the church today or the church of the future?

2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Consider the TV evangelists and the impact they have on the church.

2Ti 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

For what it is worth, this is my opinion. Again, thanks for all your contributions.

Art

You sound so hostile though. Are you sure you are not angry? You certainly sound angry about God being a King and ruling over a Kingdom. What was I to think?

But He is not playing a game. His plan is huge, transcending the minds of all the philosophers, religious minds, and poets. And, whether you like it or not, according to the Bible, He is a majestic and powerful King who rules in love.

Art

Actually the New Testament explains that no one had seen God or heard His voice. It also explains that Jesus was the one who led Israel out of Egypt. He would have been the one who gave the ten commandments. Moses was actually talking to the one who emptied Himself and became Jesus.

No one knew of the father until Christ came to reveal Him to us.
Joh 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
Joh 5:37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shap

Thus, David's Lord was the Christ
Psa 110:1 <A Psalm of David.> The LORD (God the Father) said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

It was Christ who led Israel out of Egypt.
Co 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 1Co 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 1Co 10:3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 1Co 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

So, Moses heard of Him, but He had a different name. His name was YHVH.

Art

But, you don't see that that living by the letter of the law leads to death. We must live by the spirit of the law. In this way we understand the purpose and intent of God's law, and we are thus sold on the law, and obey it in spirit, not the letter.

Think my friend. God changes not. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever. But you think He changed. You think He cared about His law in the past and punished Israel for not keeping, it, but now none of that matters. We can do what ever we want and god accepts it. Really? Is God that foolish to you?

The new covenant did not do away with the law. It put God's law in our mind and heart. Christ said the law would not be done away until heaven and earth were done away. Why do you say things in direct opposition to the Bible?

Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Mat 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
Heb 8:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

I understand, and when you do come to understand the kingdom of God, a Kingdom in which the King serves the subjects, not rules tyrannically over them for His own benefit, then you can make this decision, and in love, God will honor your request.

This is His promise to those who reject Him. He does not punish them for eternity as many falsely believe, He simply un-creates them. The wages of sin is death, the end of those who reject God's way is the second death. They simply cease to exist.

But, all the images you have of human governments are sick and corrupt. They are not like God's government.

But, biblically, this was Christ's gospel:

Mar 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

He is the king of kings. The other kings are the resurrected saints.

Christ did not teach this to the general public, but to the disciples He explained things about the kingdom. Notice He was not trying to convert anyone.

Mar 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: Mar 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

When He was resurrected, He spent 40 days teaching about the kingdom.

Act 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

Is the nature of the Kingdom like those on earth? Absolutely not.

Mat 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. Mat 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; Mat 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Mat 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Thus, Christ is the example of the leadership of this kingdom. He would be subject to His own law. He would die to protect his subjects. Then, there is a glory to the Kingdom, a magnificence to it. A royal family that leads others by the law of love.

Just look at the description of it.

Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Rev 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Rev 21:11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; Rev 21:12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: Rev 21:13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. Rev 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Rev 21:15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. Rev 21:16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. Rev 21:17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. Rev 21:18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. Rev 21:19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; Rev 21:20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. Rev 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. Rev 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
Rev 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. Rev 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
Rev 21:25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. Rev 21:26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

That is just the headquarters, It is created in jewels. There could be nothing more beautiful. Imagine the creative projects that these beings inhabiting this headquarters will generate throughout eternity working in love and cooperation with one another without evil to always destroy things. Imagine the beautiy, splendor, grandure, and transcendent glory that will one day be inherited by the Sons of God.

Once you see it, I believe you will want it with all your being. If you don't, you will will get your wish. However, you are just mad right now. I suggest that you reserve judgment until then.

Art

I apolgize to you. I can see I misled you in this. Physical life is of enormous importance, but it is all temporary, and this universe is our training ground. That is all I meant. The millions who died in the flood, are not lost is my point. The billions who lived and died not knowing the truth are not wasted. They along with us have learned an indelible lesson. Our selfishness doesn't work.

My point is that they will live again. According to the Scriptures, they will have a chance in the future. There is enormous hope in this.

art

Actually, I only wrote the previous posts to those who believed in tithing, or who might want some specifics on it. I was not really writing to everyone to try to get them to tithe. I don't care if they do or not. I only care about those who wish to tithe. So, I posted some reasons to tithe, and some clarification for those who wish to do so.

On another level, though. do you really think that God does not have laws? The kingdoms of this world have laws. They finance their governments by taxes, but you think you are going into the kingdom and not obeying God's laws. Do you think God Has a kingdom, subjects, territory, and no laws of that Kingdom? That is not smart my friend. The kingdom of God is not anarchy.



Of course, I see tithing as love, as having faith, and as having mercy on those who do God's work. I see it as good judgment. It is God's way.

What is love of God anyway? What do you think? Is it not giving to God? Or is love toward God giving to Him. But you want to give the number you decide. If it were me, I would give to God the number He thought was a good number. He said ten percent. That was His choice. What is yours? As the apostle of love says:

Jo 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

1Jo 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 1Jo 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1Jo 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 1Jo 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 1Jo 2:7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.

Regarding tithing, Jesus said, this you should do. But, you don't want to do it. That is your prerogative. God will not force you now. So, I understand that circumcision is not required of Gentiles, but where exactly does it say that tithing is done away?



What I teach may hurt your church if it teaches that tithing is not God's financial system to support His work. However, I think that many other churches could be helped by this teaching. They would have a steady income and would not have to cheapen that which is holy by pleading for money in what they call the house of God.



There is always a spiritual counter part to the physical. Thus, sacrifices are not done away. They are expected of we Christians, but the sacrifice is no longer animals, it is us:

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Further tassels were to remind the people of God's law. That was the physical. Today the law of God is written in the converted Christian's heart. Thus the reminder to keep the law is the spirit of God in our minds and hearts, not strings on our garment.

Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.



I love the irony in some of these posts. I chose that picture for a reason. As homely as I am, I usually don't post a picture, but I chose it because it seemed thoughtful. Besides that my hand sort of hides my double chin. If others post to me, saying it looks arrogant, I'll change it for ya. But, it still won't be pretty.

But, get this -- you have to get the irony of this. Look at your picture. In it, you are attacking everyone. I now too come directly under your attack. Ok, who is really arrogant?

Is any one else laughing?

probably not, but it is funny



I bet I would like you if we were bumming around together. I even think you would like me if only you could see inside my head, and understand what motivates me. You would love my passion for God. You would love to bible study with me, and you could ask questions that you never had answers for. You would love to explore the verses with me. You really would, if you were not mad at me right now.

In actual fact, I admire your zeal, I just think right now it is misguided.

I would have even more respect for you however, if you quoted scriptures and not just say nasty things about me.

Art

Regarding the Story of Job?

I want to post this, but fear it will be misunderstood. Still, some might get it, and that makes it worth it. If you choose to fight and argue about this subject, I ask you to read the verses I support things with. Thanks!

Consider that God could put Satan away any time He wants. When Christ returns, He binds him for a thousand years. God could do that any time. But, He doesn't why?

Consider another case more difficult to understand than that of Job. Notice that after the war in heaven, God thrust Satan to the earth. He now is the ruler here. He is worshiped as a god 2cor 4:4. He is the power behind the empires of this world Mat 4:4.

So, worse than the devil killing Job's family, God puts the newly created Adam and Even in the Garden, takes a walk, and lets the devil tempt them, knowing they will fall for the temptation. Since that time, billions have suffered. Is God wicked for this? Or is He simply teaching mankind a lesson which we will only understand later?

What is missed here is that God is using Satan for a purpose so great that few would comprehend it. Yes, God is responsible for allowing the devil to wipe out Job's family. Job, like Abraham, like the apostle Paul and so many of the rest of the heroes of faith were being brought to the point where they would give up everything to obey God. They would face what they feared most in life.

The reason for this is because God is not trying to save everyone now. He was not trying to save those in Noah's day. He was not trying to save the ancient Israelites. Their story was simply written for those at the end of the age to understand their circumstances and to trust God for deliverance I Cor 10:11.

God is building a leadership team that will be rulers in His Kingdom when Christ returns. They will be His Bride. They will be comprised of those who over came their human nature, the pulls of this world, and the influence of Satan the devil.

Today the training to become a world champion at some sort of sport requires complete dedication and rigorous training. So many professing Christians do not understand this. They think they just accept Jesus and float into heaven.

No, this is not the case. Instead, the positions of the resurrected saints will be higher than any king of the earth now. They will be like Christ, I john 3:2. And they will rule the nations of the earth.

Thus, their training is not some easy path. Paul said through much affliction we enter the Kingdom. For Job, it was his reputation, and his position that he cared about most. For Abraham, it was his son. For Paul it was His position as a leader among the Pharisees.

They all had to come to this point. They would obey God no matter what. God is not trying to bring everyone to this point right now. He is not trying to save everyone right now. If He were trying to do that, they would all be saved. In fact the people will all be saved when He returns and sets up His kingdom on earth.

God is only working with a few called out individuals in which it is said of them that they are a kind of first fruits, Jam 1:18. They are said to be only the first to trust Christ, Eph. 1:11-12 and those who are in the first resurrection Rev 20:1-6. Job knew he was destined for this resurrection.

Job 14:14 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Job 14:15 Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.

God was directly working with Job to bring him to the point that he would give anything and everything to God if necessary.
God was not working with Job's friends or his family

Those who have died rejecting Christ, those in Nineveh, and even the queen of Sheba will all live again Mat 12:41-42. So will those in the family of Job, the Israelites that God has blinded for now, they will live again. They will have their chance, Rom 11:26. but God is only working with individuals He calls right now Icor 1:26; John 6:44,65. After Christ rules on earth for a thousand years, He will raise them and give them the chance they never had. Nothing is lost of them.

When Christ returns the faithful saints will be raised. Those not in this resurrection will stay in their graves for 1000 years. Then they, the rest of the dead will be raised to live again. Satan will also be released so that God can use him as He now works with this group of people.

Rev 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. Rev 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, Rev 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Rev 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison

So, we see that Christ uses Satan in this life now. He puts him away for a thousand years when He comes. He rules on the earth during this time, and those who are in the first resurrection will rule with Him. Then after this, the rest of the dead are raised, and Satan is released again, so that these who were not converted, those who never had a chance, never even knew of Christ, and who are raised after the millennium will be able to overcome him like those who are called now.

So, Job's family are not lost. They were taken by Satan, but God used it to bring this vain man to his senses, He was brought to conversion through this experience like Abe,and Paul and the rest of those who God calls.

The final end of this? Job finally gets it:

Job 42:1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said, Job 42:2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Job 42:3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Job 42:4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. Job 42:5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Job 42:6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

Job came to see the true God and understand his position in relation to Him. This was so important in the context of the role he will one day play with Jesus Christ in the millennium, that no physical cost is too high to bring him to this point.

To us, we think that physical life is so important. But, to God it is only important in as much as it leads us to understand and follow Him and eternal life. Job's wife and family will live again--God will bring them to the truth, but for now, He is working only with those who will be in the first harvest of souls, the first fruits rev 14:4.

What the people like Job, Abraham, Daniel, and the other heroes of faith are being called to is so transcendent, and such a vital part of God's plan, if you can possibly see this the physical does not matter by comparison.

The entire physical world is going to be replaced. Job's wife and family were going to die unsaved anyway. This way, their lives had great meaning and purpose, and they will live again and be called and saved in God's second harvest of souls. The child that only lived days will live a hundred years then Isa 66:23.

So, here is another perspective.

Let the attack begin,

Art

Is the tithe calculated on the gross or net?
Some churches insist that their members tithe on their gross income, before taxes. They teach that we are to give God what is His first, before we give the civil government the portion belonging to them. On the surface this teaching might have an appearance of righteousness, but is it really what God wants us to do? When the Almighty states that we are to tithe on our increase, does He consider a person's gross income as their increase?
In a commercial enterprise this question is easily understood. Corporations realize that the increase is their profit after business expenses. Before they can count how much they have earned, they must first pay fixed and variable expenses such as insurance, rent, taxes, depreciation on equipment, interest paid on loans, building maintenance, office expense, salaries, government fees, and various taxes. Such costs for doing business have risen to the point, where in our modern world, companies are considered successful if they earn enough to even net a ten percent gain. This means that a business owner must gross receipts of $250,000 in order to take home a mere $25,000.
If the business owner had to pay tithes on the gross, he would be required to pay $25,000 in tithe money. Consequently, he would be left with nothing to live on. Therefore, it is clear that a business owner must pay tithes on the net and not the gross.
In a like manner employees working for others have a cost for the privilege of working in the country—taxes! In America the average tax paid by the middle class is somewhere near 20%. In other countries it can be far more. For example, in Denmark, it can attain heights of 63% for large income earners, and in Belgium it can reach nearly 60%.
Consider a person earning $50,000 per year in Belgium, and paying tithes of $5,000 for their tithe. Including taxes, such an individual would pay $35,000.00 in tithes and taxes. Out of all the money they earned, they would be left with only $15,000 to live on. In Belgium, paying tithe on the gross becomes absolutely preposterous to consider, and impossible to perform.
A solution some churches that operate in multiple countires have resorted to is to provide a tithe structured according to the country in which church members live. Those residing in socialistic countries with 50-60 % tax brackets were to tithe on the net. In America and other countries with lower tax rates, members were to tithe on the gross. While this system seems fairer to those living in countries with high tax rates, it does not follow God's law which states:

Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God (Leviticus 24:22).

God’s law should not be changed to apply to one group of people differently than to others. The principle found in the verse above shows that God's law is to apply to those in the Church wherever they live. There should be one law for all. Therefore, if those who live in Denmark should tithe on the net—their increase—then we also in other countries should tithe on our net.
The tax laws that apply to our income are a cost that we incur as a result of doing business in our country. This means that, like the business owner, we can deduct these costs. When it comes to other taxes that apply to purchases we make, like sales taxes, a distinction must be made however. A business owner who was required to pay sales tax on items needed to run the business could deduct them. Taxes on personal spending have nothing to do with the increase of an individual's personal income, however. They are not deductible when a person spends the increase they have made.

What about inheritance, pensions, unemployment, social security and gifts?
God does not require that a tithe be paid on everything we receive. Instead, the Almighty mandates that a tithe be paid on what is produced through each individual’s labor. Gifts, inheritances, unemployment payments, pensions and some disability benefits that are an award do not qualify as increase derived from our labor and are not subject to the tithe.
On the other hand, some pension plans require investing a portion of the money that is earned as a salary each year. In such cases where this money is neither taxed or tithed on before receiving it at retirement, the pension may be considered as an increase, and, like any other investment, is subject to the laws of tithing.

An Act of Worship
Although God’s way does lead to prosperity, we must understand that tithing is not a financial investment plan for this life. The very idea of tithing in order to get more for the self violates God’s divine purpose for instituting the law of tithing.
Few really fully understand tithing in the light that God intended. Indeed, many have become jaded in their thinking by the constant barrage of false values of the materialistic, secular society we all live in. As a consequence, some have come to view the Church as a business that supplies religious goods and services. To these people, Church members are little more than consumers, and the pastor is simply a man doing his job.
But we should never view the Church, or the support we contribute to it, in this way. We must always remember that tithing is not an expense, not a financial obligation and not a bill we have to pay like electricity, water, or rent. Tithing is a very personal, intimate act of worship. But how is this so? How is tithing an act of worship?
The word “worship” comes from the English word “worth-ship,” meaning that someone or something is worthy of receiving reverence, adoration and thanksgiving. Only the God of the Bible is worthy of such devotion, and while tithing is a voluntary act performed individually by each person, by giving God the amount that He commands, we show our reverence, devotion and faith in Him. It is our personal acknowledgment that He owns all things and that He is the source of all our blessings.
The fact that we pay tithes shows our trust in Him, but the way in which we pay it reflects the real depth of the personal relationship we share with the Eternal. For example, when Abraham came before the priest to give a tenth of the spoils, the scriptures state that He did “obeisance.” He bowed in reverence before God as he tithed. We should pattern our worship after Abraham, the father of the faithful (Galatians 3:29).
Simply writing a check to the church of your choice is not what God desires. Instead, we should reverently bow, and do obeisance to Him. We should write our check in an attitude of prayerful and humble gratitude, praying as we pay our tithe, realizing this act of faith and obedience has eternal consequences.

Storing our Treasure
God gives us the gift of eternal life freely. It is of such enormous value that it is absolutely beyond what any person could pay. However, it is a gift that God will give only to those who are faithful. When we pay our tithes to God, we are demonstrating our faithfulness, and by so doing we are also storing up a future reward.
A story illustrates this point. There was once an elderly gentleman who attended church in the state of Texas. In the early part of the 20th century, he had become very wealthy from the oil industry that was booming there. This man gave vast sums of money to his church and to a college that educated young Christians. He even sponsored the pastor to travel to Europe to preach to American soldiers during the First World War. But in 1929, the stock market crashed suddenly and he lost all of his money. One day, an old friend chanced to meet him on the street. He saw how humbly the man was now living. He remembered how wealthy he had once been, and he could not resist asking a question, “Now that you find yourself in this position, when you think about all the money you gave away to the church in the past, do you ever wish you could take some of it back?” The man did not hesitate in answering. He said, "Oh no friend. In my mind, the only thing I really have left is what I gave away.”
This story illustrates a profound truth in life. We can’t take it with us. However, there is a wonderful flip side to this truth. It is possible to invest our money in that which is eternal—the Kingdom of God. The effort we make to be Godly, the service given toward others, and the tithes we pay all add up! The Almighty is keeping a record of our works, and in time, He promises to repay His faithful followers. Tithing faithfully will bring dividends to us for all eternity. The law of tithing is not for God’s benefit, it is for our benefit. Tithing not only frees us from the accusation that we are stealing from God, it cuts us loose from the envy and covetousness that characterizes this modern age. It frees us from the financial bondage of the economic system we live in. It frees us from anxiety about money.
Tithing is an eternal law designed by our Creator for our ultimate good. By practicing tithing we learn to live God’s way of give. We participate in God’s system of financing His work and providing for the needs of the Church. We perform a personal, intimate act of worship that promises us a future with Jesus Christ and the Father—a future that will exceed our greatest hopes, dreams and expectations.