Dots... Isn't it sweet to know God and His love? It makes such a difference in my everyday life!

Chatty: I hear you!
Since I was a child I learned God's character is Love. There is nothing we can do to deserve the gift of salvation. And he rejoices when we obey his Word out of love, not out of fear.

Smile, that's a good example. Pardon is free or it's not pardon at all! And out of love for what Jesus did for us, we serve Him joyfully! Amen.

I have heard pardon and parole compared to being saved by Salvation or being saved by works.

You get a parole if you are an exemplary prisoner and you have obeyed all the rules. But if you are paroled, you have a record and you are still guilty. The parole can be revoked at any time and is automatically revoked if you commit another crime or disobey the rules.

But with a pardon as with salvation, your record is wiped clean and you are free with no fear of punishment.

It was a good analoby.
smile

Good analogy! It's so sweet to know Salvation is a gift. Otherwise, we would've never been able to attain it. I praise God for his wonderful gift.

HI Cathi

my apologies...it wasn't Elisha, it was Elijah in II Kings, Chapter 2 the story is told, verse eleven..."Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven." I'm forever getting those two men confused. Another story...either Elisha or Elijah...yet again my memory fails...was mocked by a group of children because he was bald, a bear came from the woods and consumed the children. In this, and other Bible stories, we see mocking is a *serious* offense...especially when directed toward God's people.

But on to my explanation ---

Elijah and one other Biblical prophet, never experienced death. Biblical scholars believe these two men are those referenced in Revelation of St. John the Divine, Chapter Eleven, as those who return to Earth to be "God's" witnesses.

That's what I meant by saying it's not always the case one has to experience death to enter Heaven. Overwhelming this is the case but there are "two" exceptions...*smile*.

Good point, Sandra.

Elijah and Enoch are in heaven without knowing death. They represent those who will be alive at the moment of Christ's return. Moses was taken to heaven after death. He represents those who will be resurrected when the Lord returns!

THANKS Songbird...Enoch is the other man.

Okay...what's my daily prayer?

"Please God, let it be menopause and not Alzheimers!"

You're welcome, TCF!

And I like your prayer!

Oh yeah Songbird...if you need to use my prayer, feel free although it *does* get a LOT of use from this end! --imagine a smiley face here--