No, I don't believe he is the antichrist (Satan) however whoever he is, I do not believe he is of God.

Of course, I don't have any doubt that this guy is Satan.  He's definetly not my messiah, thats for sure.  

Hey there guys.  I was first going to blow off this article until I started to read more and more about it.  Scary stuff....  I would like some other people's opinions regarding the article and the following website below if you have time to check it out below.  

http://www.share-international.org/index.htm

Who is lord maitreya?
by George Whitten

ALL LINKS ARE DIRECT LINKS TO maitreya's web site.
Use caution when entering his web site.

The world teacher as he calls himself, lord maitreya.   lord maitreya claims to be the one expected of by all major religions.  He claims to be the Messiah that the Jews are waiting for.  He claims to the Krishna who the Hindus expect to arrive.  He claims to be maitreya Buddha whom the Buddhists expect.  He claims to be Imam Mahdi or the Messiah that the Muslims are looking for.   But even more shocking he claims to the be Christ whom Christians are waiting for.

Maitreya means Lord of Love.  He claims to have fulfilled 2 Thes. 4:17 as the Christ came in the clouds when he flew in an airplane from the Himalayas.  All others that claim to be Christ are the false christs and he even holds claim to Matthew 24:4,5.   "According to esoteric teachings, Maitreya manifested himself 2,000 years ago in Palestine by overshadowing his disciple Jesus, now the Master Jesus. This time Maitreya has come himself." as quoted right from his web site.   http://www.shareintl.org/in-brief.html  

What does maitreya say about Jesus ?  "Jesus of Nazareth and the Christ are not one and the same person."   maitreya claims that Jesus was nothing more than a master of wisdom such as Buddha,  Krishna, Mohammed had each become a  master of wisdom.

According to maitreya, Jesus was nothing more than a man that allowed maitreya to use his body.  Maitreya is the so called energy, the Christ-principle,  that Jesus was allowed to manifest.   According to maitreya "It was, therefore, the consciousness of the Christ, Maitreya, which was seen and experienced by those around Jesus."  "The answer is that Jesus was a man who, as a result of the process of evolution, became a Son of God -- as does everyone eventually."  

"1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son."

Was Jesus resurrected from the dead ?  "Jesus' death was the fulfillment of the task for that life, and it was Maitreya who resurrected the body from the tomb."  "This presentation of ancient occult knowledge in symbolic form is one of the methods which the Spiritual Hierarchy uses to teach humanity, and to convey knowledge to those who have ears to hear and eyes to see."  Each of these quotes about what maitreya says about Jesus can be found at http://www.shareintl.org/jesusnm.html    

Where is Jesus now ?  "The Master Jesus has been living in Rome for over four years, and He will take over the throne of St Peter."   "...the Christian world is to be awakened... to recognize their place within a worldwide divine revelation and see the Christ as representing all the faiths and taking His rightful place as World Teacher. He is the World Teacher and not a Christian teacher. He Himself told us that He had other folds and to them He has meant as much as He has meant to the orthodox Christian. They may not call Him Christ, but they have their own name for Him and follow Him as truly and faithfully as their Western brethren."   found at http://www.shareintl.org/bcjesus.html

"Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."

According to maitreya there is a day approaching called the Day of Declaration.   This day where the entire world will hear or see maitreya.  He supposedly will be broadcast to the world, on every radio and television station.  maitreya even claims those that do not have a television or a radio on will hear him in their own language and dialect in their minds.  He claims on this day that there will be millions of healings where the world will know that the "Christ" has come.   ""All eyes will see Him,’’ will be fulfilled, in the only way in which it can be fulfilled. We will see His face, but He will not speak. His thoughts, His ideas, His call to humanity for justice, sharing, right relationships and peace, will take place silently, telepathically. Each of us will hear Him inwardly in our own language. In this way, He will re-enact on a world-wide scale the true happenings of Pentecost 2,000 years ago." as stated by maitreya which can be found at  http://www.shareintl.org/maitreya.html


A PRAYER FOR THE NEW AGE

I am the creator of the universe.
I am the Father and Mother of the universe.
Everything came from Me.
Everything shall return to Me.
Mind, spirit and body are My temples,
for the Self to realize in them
My Supreme Being and Becoming.
http://www.shareintl.org/maiteach.html#anchor11

Whether or not maitreya is THE ANTICHRIST or the FALSE PROPHET he certainly is a type of anti-christ whom John speaks of in "1 John 2:18 ¶ Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time."  If maitreya is not The Anti-christ then he is certainly paving the way for him.  This maitreya claims that he is waiting for this day of declaration to reveal himself completely to the world.  Could this be what 2 Thes. 2:7 refers to ?  "2 Thes. 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way."  Is this the reason that maitreya is waiting till to reveal himself ?  Could this day of declaration in which the whole world will hear him be scripture fulfilled ?  "2 Thes. 2:9-12  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,  And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." God shall send a strong delusion that they should believe a lie.  Could this be the so called Day of Declaration in which every person will hear maitreya in their own selves and miracles of healing will take place ?  The Bible declares "Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."  Could it be possible that many of these healings will actually be just a direct command by Satan to demonic realm to depart from millions of bodies in whom they are oppressing, in order to bring about the end.   One thing is for certain, the same lie as in the beginning with Adam and Eve where they would become as gods if they ate of the tree of good and evil is trying to be placed on the world again.  "Genesis 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."  Remember the Bible has warned us of this already, "2 Cor. 11:3,4; 13-15   But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."  As the day draws closer let us all be watchful of events happening around us.

Maitreya home page is at  http://www.shareintl.org/Welcome.html

1 Corinthians 5:1-8
Expel the Immoral Brother!

1It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. 2And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? 3Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. 4When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature[1] may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.
Footnotes


5:5 Or that his body; or that the flesh
When I read this passage it seems like it makes it pretty clear that sin causes destruction / God's punishment.  However... God will allow the physical body to be destroyed, but if that person is a believer his soul will still be saved?  Am I understanding this correctly or am I missing something?

Another verse I was looking at as I was reading through 1 Corinthians is 1 Corinthians 3:10-15:
1 Corinthians 3

10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
Is this passage kind of along the same lines as 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 (above) ?
Sorry for all the questions... my brain has a hard time comprehending scripture sometimes.  If someone else gets something different out of these passsages please share.  

My next question is kinda long regard Romans 7:14-25 & Romans 8:1-17.  When Paul is speaking in Romans 7:14-25 it sounds as though he struggles with sin alot (I can relate at times) however in the next chapter in verse 5 he starts talking about how if we are Christians we should not be controlled by the sinful nature anymore?
In verse 8:1-4 does this mean that the reason God sent his Son is because we are unable to live up to the law so he sent a Savior for us so that we would not have to live up to the expectations of the law because our flesh is too weak?  In that case, since we are weak won't our flesh always be a slave to sin?


Romans 7

14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[1] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
Romans 8
Life Through the Spirit
1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,[1] 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature,[2] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.[3] And so he condemned sin in sinful man,[4] 4in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.
5Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6The mind of sinful man[5] is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7the sinful mind[6] is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
9You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.[7] And by him we cry, "Abba,[8] Father." 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Footnotes

8:1 Some later manuscripts Jesus, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit,
8:3 Or the flesh; also in verses 4, 5, 8, 9, 12 and 13
8:3 Or man, for sin
8:3 Or in the flesh
8:6 Or mind set on the flesh
8:7 Or the mind set on the flesh
8:15 Or adoption
8:15 Aramaic for Father
Sorry for all the questions but I am truly trying to understand this.  Thanks a bunch for any comments you can throw my way.

Amanda

[11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.]

Yes, it was very odd to see the change in her behavior

One passage that comes to mind is in Acts 17:
Acts 17
10   And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11   These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12   Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

If anyone else knows any scriptures let me know.  

Amanda

Hey there everyone.  I have a question regarding Jesus speaking about his 2nd coming.  In Matthew 24:34 He says:
34I tell you the truth, this generation[1] will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
Does Jesus me race in this verse?  I have met some people who believe that Jesus already came back in 70 A.D.  Why do some people believe that.  I am fairly new to studying up on the end times my self so some guidance would be great.  I personally believe the end times are still to come.  Anyway, any comments/feedback would be appreciated on this topic.

Thanks in advance,

Amanda

I truly believe they are going to have a big part in the end times.  Back in April 2004 Benny Hinn was talking about being a part of the Peace Plan for Israel.  He's also involved in helping them make plans to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.  Anyway, just my two cents on that topic.
As the years progress the doctrine on their station becomes more deluted.  Their sermons are filled with man made doctrine instead of the doctrine of the Bible.  It is really sad.  There are so many people who follow these people and it changes people... alot of times, not for the good.  A good example of that is my old roommate.  She watched christian television  24 hrs a day.  It was always on constantly in our house and one day she went off the deep end.  She started talking about God wanting her to be rich on this earth and that he didn't put her here to be poor.  (Actually God put us here to spread the good news of the Gospel, not to stack up riches here on earth but to stack up riches in heaven).  She believed everyone had demons.  If she got in a disagreement with someone she would think to herself (and out loud) that that person had demons and rebuke them.  Eventually I had to move.  Her doctrine started to go away from Christ and on to herself and she became very boastful.  It is really scary to see that kind of transformation in someone that used to be a sincere genuine person for Christ.  I pray that one day she will see the truth.

Hey there everyone.  If you are not aware of some of the teachings going on here is a link for more info about the TV preachers, etc.  I would post it all on here, but there is way too many articles on it.
http://www.letusreason.org/WFDir.htm

I truly believe that if the person accepted Christ and they died before they were able to get baptized that they would go to heaven.  

A few questions...

1 Corinthians 1
17For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

I understand the context of this verse however if Baptism is necessary to our salvation then why would he have said this???  I have asked many people this question and no one can give me a straight answer.
Also, another question if you don't mind is if you have to be baptized to be saved why did the Holy Sprit pour out onto the Gentiles in Acts 10:44-46 before they were baptized??
44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46For they heard them speaking in tongues[2] and praising God.

Thanks in advance,

Amanda

I want to clarify something here.  I do believe we are suppose to baptize with water by the way.  My comments about John 3:5 are in no way trying to prove that baptism shouldn't be done in water.  To be honest I go back and forth with friends of mine for the Church of Christ and they look at John 3:5 and believe that the scripture is stating that unless you are baptized you will not enter the Kingdom of God.  Anyway, just wanted to clarify.  

Yeah, the friends i'm talking about are sadly the only friends I have in the area who are believers however I do think their doctrine is a bit off.  They attend the International Church of Christ and their church is very legalistic.  They already think i'm going to hell because I don't believe that Baptism saves me.  I believe it is a command and I have gotten baptized but not with the belief that baptism is what saved me.  
So... the fact that I am not a believer in their doctrine as well as a smoker I apparently am major sinner who believes false doctrine as well regarding salvation.  Oh well.  I know the truth.
Thanks for the input on smoking.  I do agree with the glutteny theory.  
The way I look at it is this...  If Jesus was physically standing right next to me... would I light up a cigarette?  Nope.  Why should it be any different right now even though I can't see him.


Thanks again,

Amanda

Matt. 3:6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. ....
Matt. 3:11 "I baptize you with water for repentance. ...
John's baptism was not Christian baptism-
it was a Jewish baptism of washing with a new spiritual meaning. In this case it is always referred to as the baptism 'unto repentance'. John's call was the coming of Christ is at hand. John’s baptism was the prophetic message that those born of Jews are not the real Israelite and they needed to repent and become real spiritual Israelite.
Acts 19:1-7 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied. Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.
So we have the answer straight. John's baptism was baptism of repentance and also of discipleship. John's baptism was also symbolic of rebirth- being dead to the sin and reborn. Act 19:17 indicates that John's baptism was prophetic indicating the coming of Messiah.

I'm not so quick to believe that that verse can be taken literally as water baptism.  This is my own interpretation.  I know there are many different theories, but this is what makes the most sense to me.
The question Nicodemus asked was, “How can a man be born again when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? “Jesus answered.” Notice that Jesus is answering the question that Nicodemus asked, which was “how he could return again to his mothers womb.” Jesus does not go off on a tangent by talking about baptism by immersion. In fact, He does not do anything other than answer the direct question of Nicodemus.  
Jesus answered his question very directly saying, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." It is clear from the passage that Nicodemus thought that Jesus was talking about a PHYSICAL rebirth. Jesus responded to his misconception by saying that this is not a physical birth (mother's water) but a SPIRITUAL birth.  
My thinking is backed up by reading verse 6 as well
6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[2] gives birth to spirit.
Another point I'd like to add is it is certainly difficult to suppose that Nicodemus would have understood "water" as referring to the not-yet-existent Christian baptism.  At that time John the Baptist was still doing the baptism of repentance which is no longer being done.  If I am incorrect about all this I'd be happy to hear some replies.  I'm still studying it out for myself.

Thanks,

Amanda

Hey there everyone.  I am a new Christian and I am a smoker.  I would like to quit and I am working on doing so.  I wanted to know if smoking is a sin?  One of the main reasons I ask is because a few Christian friends of mine have told me I am going to hell whether I accepted Christ or not because I do smoke cigarettes.  I definetly do not want to appear to be a hypocrite.  Can someone give me some feedback as to whether this is a sin or not?

Thanks in advance,

Amanda

Thanks for the great post.  

Amanda