Hi James,
I would like to underline Valerie's comment.
There was a special name given to God almighty, Maker of
heaven and earth. It was given to HIS chosen people at that time and in their
language. We term it Jehovah God because we do not know what exactly the name
was. Even if we know the name, we wouldn’t know how it was pronounced! I can lovingly
call Him God, Father, Almighty or Father-God. He listens to me and answers me.
That is the God I know- not the God who is waiting to punish me if I cannot
pronounce His name right.
So why would anyone argue about something that we are not
experts at!?
The bottom line is, Jesus died for the sins of ALL mankind.
He said “whosoever” will can come to HIM will receive forgiveness and have
access to God.
I can sum up the whole Bible in just a few lines:
Man – represented by ADAM – sinned. Human beings got
separated from God by SIN. That sin had to be borne by someone who was worthy
to be in the sinners’ place. Only JESUS, who could take our place died for our
sins. He rose again and LIVES for evermore.
I RECEIVED JESUS AND HIS FORGIVENESS AND WILL BE WITH HIM IN
ETERNITY. I don’t care if I am going to be one of 144,000 or one of a billion.
But, Praise God, I will be there!
I wrote all these in English. I can also write these in two
other languages. I can also say God’s or Jehovah’s name in other languages.
THAT DOES NOT REALLY MATTER.
I really do not
care about what Tom, Dick or Harry says or what
the church leaders say. These are human beings. But I listen to what
God says
in the Old Testament and what Jesus says in the New Testament, because
God is
God, and Jesus is equal to God (In fact He was crucified because of
that claim
alone). I do not care what translation I use because these are also
done by
human beings. I get the meaning behind the words and listen to God for
guidance. I do not add to the Bible and I do not take away from it.
I am not perfect and I do not know everything. PERIOD!!
I know enough to take me to HIM when I die and live with Him now.