I found this while doing some research on "The Passion":

"Among the pro Mel Gibson's movie, The Passion of The Christ advocates, comes the inevitable comments like, "God can use anything".

While it is true that God can use anything and anybody, because He is God and able to accomplish things well beyond our understanding, the issue isn't at all about what God can or cannot use to accomplish His most perfect will.

The issue is....Can Christians use and embrace anything, including another gospel and another Jesus, which are lies, in order to share the Truth of Jesus Christ?"

Here is the rest of the article:

http://www.seekgod.ca/gibsonadvocates.htm

That was a very thoughtful and balanced article you posted the link for IMHO. I noticed the inaccuracies in the movie, but wasn't bothered by them as they did line up with the rest of scripture to a degree, and I remember the line of scripture that says that books would fill the world describing the "other things" Jesus did. So we are left with either the Spirit that gives life to the very things we say and do, knowing the scripture, or the dead letter of scripture which the Pharisees were pleased to cram down people's throats.
I feel that Mel Gibson took a major risk of losing millions of dollars on this movie but ended up heroically being God's servant by sticking to the truth and the Spirit of scripture. We are left to judge whether his film was of the God's Spirit or not. The Word alive in Mel produced the film, and it was his "passion" to risk it all to make it as a witness to the verse. in Isaiah that says that no son of man has ever been as marred as Jesus was.
I hope Mel uses that 300 million the movie has made at the ticket office wisely for the Lord's work, as his movie broke all records and is still playing at the local theater in my community. To whom much is given, much is required.

John 21:25  And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

Isaiah 52:14  As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

Several good witnesses to the truth already given. Here's another and one with a little more info. on what we will be like. I agree, also that we haven't come close to perceiving what God has for us in eternity, without time.  

2 Corinthians 5:8  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

1 John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

1 Corinthians 2:9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

I pray that I love God in truth and not just with lip service, but the evidence mounts against me as live goes on. Living a dedicated life to God, and denying oneself is not easy - especially for one born with spots and wrinkle.

MATT. 7:21 It is NOT those who say to me "Lord, Lord" who will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the person who DOES the will of my Father in heaven.

MATT. 25:31-45 When the Son of Man comes in his glory....He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.....Then he will say to those on his left,'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil & his angels. FOR I WAS HUNGRY & YOU GAVE ME NOTHING TO EAT, I WAS THIRSTY & YOU GAVE ME NOTHING TO DRINK, I WAS A STRANGER & YOU DID NOT INVITE ME IN, I NEEDED CLOTHES AND YOU DID NOT CLOTHE ME, I WAS SICK AND IN PRISON, AND YOU DID-- NOT LOOK AFTER ME.". "Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."

I JOHN 3:16-19 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can. the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with ACTIONS and TRUTH. This then is how we KNOW that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us.

Interesting thoughts. I also did a look up of first born and found some surprising things to add to meditation:

Jeremiah 31:9  They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Micah 6:7  Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?

Exodus 4:22  And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:

Colossians 1:15  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

Hebrews 12:23  To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

The first born receive the double portion, the spirit. Speaking to Israel, Ephraim (the Church) by the prophet:

Ezekiel 37:14  And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.

I have to chuckle at this. I even remember the lead guitar plyers name, I think - Mick Box? That weird dragon on the first album cover was pretty cool. I drew it on my wall in black light paint. That shows you where I was at when I was about 18 years old.  

Well, I have to hang my head in shame, sometimes, when I see the lip service done in the Lord's name without the significant works that should follow such faith as we claim. Our lives are letters written to the world and read by all men. They see our walk and what is supposed to be our love one for another.

2 Corinthians 3:2  Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
3  Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

1. If you're too open-minded, your brains will fall out.
2. Don't worry about what people think; they don't do it very often.
3. Going to a church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
4. It isn't the jeans that make your behind look fat.
5. Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
6. My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.
7. Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
8. It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.
9. For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.
10. If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.
11. Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.
12. A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel good.
13. Eat well, stay fit, die anyway. (Just remember how lucky you were to get a free trip around the sun.)
14. Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it.
15. No man has ever been shot while doing the dishes.
16. A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.
17. Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places.
18. Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.
19. Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.
20. There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.

The online Bible is a good one too, and probably even larger than the E-Sword. I have both because each has properties that are nice. The online Bible has the benefit of user modules that are created and submitted by the users.
Here's a couple of links:

http://www.onlinebible.net/

http://www.ccel.org/olb/

http://www.ccel.org/olb/tolbss/components/books/books.htm

A physical manifestation is possible, but I think that the angels will see the mark or seal of the Holy Spirit that is on Christians and the mark that is of the beast is similar - unseen in the physical but seen in the spiritual.

"Tell those that are rich in this world's goods not to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God who richly gives us ALL things to emjoy."

aw

Amen

James 5:3  Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

We are in agreement, Petro. These days certainly reflect the words of prophecy and the harlot woman decked out in wealthy apparel, riding the scarlet beast in Revelations - she, being the phoney and mostly visible church. She rides in wealth with all the trappings of the enemy, representing those that would feed from the flock and lead others into the great deceptions of the last days when the flesh and covetousness would be the object of the enemies appeal through false prophets - having a form of godliness, but denying the power of it.

2 Peter 2:3 ¶  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

18  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

Perilous days, indeed. They shall be as Timothy said:

2 Timothy 3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

That sounds like a great idea AW, and all the elders of the Church might see if there might be a way for the body to be more aware of needs within the body.
I was always a little let down when I would witness loads of money gathered for a passing evangelist or a singer and know people were walking away without rent or electric bills due. I know that there may be some to take advantage, and the Bible does say that if a person doen't work, they don't eat, but that doen't cover the ones that work hard, but are just weaker in the ability to cover themselves at certain times along the journey. That's where a helping hand could be an event that people remember for a lifetime, and produce thanksgiving and praise towards God. Even those that misuse may remember a time when they received charity and then have that be a turning point in life, their own day of visitation.

Proverbs 31:8-9 Speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitue. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

1 Peter 2:12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2)

One type of "burden" is the type that we should take to the Lord in prayer. There are some "burdens" that are just too heavy for one person and we are exhorted to help that person.

The "Law of Christ" is, of course, the Law of Love. (2 John 5)

Are most of our churches and individuals FULFILLING the Lord's law?

Perhaps I am in need of some teaching in this area?

aw

This exact thing has been a burden on my heart, as of late. I have charasmatic friends that need financial help, but struggle with the WOF message, thinking that there is something wrong with their faith if they have needs. They are actually too proud to ask or let their needs be known, and I think that there really is no activity encouraged in the Church to find the needs within the Church and then pool together the funds to meet them. Think how satisfying it would be to help the needs of a dear brother or sister in your own Church if everyone would get together and chip in towards a need. It would be a blessing, and if everyone would give as they were able, then all could participate and be blessed. No one seems to lead in that direction, though, and most of the time I hear "give more to me and God will give back" instead of finding and helping within one's own Church as a practical Christianity.
Sometimes I see Churches gather large sums of money to pay a guest speaker or missionary while members of their own congregations suffer, not being able to pay their electic bills or rent. No one encourages these needs or burdens to be brought forward and born by the rest of the body in love. Are we fulfilling the law of Christ when this is done, as AW stated? What a blessing and witness we would be if the body would recognize and encourage, strengthening its own body by meeting the needs of its own particular congregation and checking up on and knowing the health of itself. The entire chapter of 1 Corinthians speaks to the body and of ministering to that member of the body that lacks, as all the body suffers if one part suffers.

1 Cor.12:24  For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25  That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26  And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.


I JOHN 3:16-19 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can. the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with ACTIONS and TRUTH. This then is how we KNOW that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us.

LUKE 6:31 If you love those who love you, what thanks can you expect? For even sinners do that Much. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount. INSTEAD ... love your enemies & do good, & lend without any hope of return.

I"ve always wondered though who is the "man of lawlessness" that the bible talks about?

It seems that God's truths come in layers - past, present, future, always. The beast is here, yet there may be a particular person come as a representative of satan in the end times who will be seen by all. As there are two witnesses to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in this world today - Jews and Christians - there may also come two witnesses that are slain in Jerusalem before the whole world. We watch people slain in Jerusalem nearly everday on out televisions. Which ones will be God's servants according to the scriptures? These things are happening so quickly, will we even be aware of them when they happen? Some believe in a spectacular rapture of the church where all will see and be astounded, but I think that this will not happen and things will be much more subtle and spiritually discerned - my opinion.

Anyone remember when Ben Haden was on TV? He would preach about the difficult things with great wisdom, in my opinion. His web-site has messages for Windows media and real player.
 He was my favorite. When I see the appeal to people to buy faith or give to get, I am reminded of scripture In 2 Peter:

2:2  And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 ¶  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.


2:18  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.