I've spent a good deal of my life reading what Jesus says, what Daniel says, what Paul says, and what John says. I tend to believe there will be a Great Tribulation, but I don't hold to some of the die hard statements on when the rapture will take place. It seems to be left intentionally blank, but historically and Biblically the Church has never been spared persecution, so I feel "pretrib" rapture tends to be something that exists because of pampered theologians that have not experienced real persecution. I also feel mid trib, (strict mid trib) is just an arbitrary interpretation without clear support.

When it comes down to it, the church cannot experience God's wrath. The blood of the Lamb was spilled for that already.

In a time of upheaval, the death and persecution of Christians, I don't believe things will be anything like the movies, I'm not sure we will be missed, and if we are it will just be to solidify the power of the antichrist.

Honestly, I think "thou shalt not commit adultery" on smarties takes the win. I'm not sure if an affair has ever been stopped by candy with Bible verses on it, if so I'll take that back.

I've never seen it, but it has to exist. Someone in the world has to have Leviticus 19:28 tattooed on them somewhere. That would definitely be right up there with anti adultery candy.

thanks for asking, I am still limping, but much better thanks to advice from CandySteele.

I have never left church early, in fact I'm there long after everyone else. I'm holy like that. Also, it's my job to lock the doors and set the alarm.

I have had many folks walk otu while I'm preaching. At first it bothered me, but then I realized the ones that leave will leave at the same time every Sunday. 11:50. A couple I know do so because they have to get to work, and a couple I know do so because ... well lets not go there.

I've also done a billion embarrassing things in church, since I spend so much time there it's bound to happen. Just yesterday I was asked to demonstrate "rejoice" before the service. I read Philippians 4:4 and talked about sporting events, then I put the mic down and reenacted the crowd reaction to seeing their team pull off the last second win. One the first leap/scream I felt something very painful in my calf, but I went on for another 10-20 seconds jumping and screaming. Then I talked for a minute about rejoicing in church "and there was much rejoicing (unenthusiastic) 'yay'" and tried to walk off the platform without limping too obviously.

Apparently you should stretch before rejoicing after you turn 30.

I think I would mostly agree with it, though as you said "glorifies" is a debatable term. This is why I closed my original comment with this statement "How can we hope to stand firm in our faith when out inner thoughts are filled with the ungodly?" I have intentionally read books I knew were "ungodly" because I felt it was important to know what they said, other religious books, philosophy works that tear down God, and even fictional books that set out to destroy the Christian world view in a very intentional way. I have watched offensive documentaries, and even listened to music I feel is clearly glorifying the ungodly, to know what is happening.

This is inherently different than filling myself with the ungodly. Even in that, I do not believe these things can destroy out salvation, they are powerful but not nearly that powerful, instead they weaken us like a non lethal poison might.

Again I say, how can we hope to stand firm if our inner thoughts are filled with the ungodly? (Ephesians 6:10-20)

I think I would agree that "ungodly" is a great definition of filth.

I think we probably agree more than not on this. Chances are good that most of your music collection would not offend me in any way, unless you listen to rap or country, then I would be offended in the sense that I just don't care for that style on a personal level.

I partially agree. For example, when I said "metallica" I wasn't intending to use that as an example of evil music, but of music that I haven't listened to in a long time, which is still within me. I think their music is among the best of their genre.

I also believe there are a great many folks who feel they should only listen to Christian music, I am not among them. I congratulate them, but I'm not there. I believe there are many examples of music I don't listen to that are acceptable in a general sense, but maybe not for me.

Still, there are absolutes and we corrupt ourselves. Yes, grace is a powerful thing and we are free to be able to listen to such as we want, even if it is outright and overtly evil. However, we are much strengthened by abstaining from the corrupting influences where possible.

A great, though aging, example is "I kissed a girl" by Katy Perry. This song was wildly popular when it came out. As a youth pastor I try to keep up with popular music and I began hearing my students make a lot of references to this song. A LOT of references. They were often surprised when I picked up on them, and possibly shocked when I would talk to them about the song and what it glorifies. Never did I tell them they can't listen to it. I led them down the road, pointing to truth and letting them make their own decision.

This is a pretty mild song compared to many out there, but it is very catchy and had my students talking about girl girl relationships in quasi coded references for a good long time. The only good part is that it gave me an opportunity for teaching with my students.

many words are subjective in our culture, but those things are not so subjective in the Bible. The Bible is pretty clear on the correct context for sex, what constitutes violence, how we should approach money, and pretty much every subject that might fall under this.

Yes some might try to add to it. Some may, for example, say the Song of Solomon is "filth" because it addresses sex, but it does so within the confines of the Biblical boundaries and using wisdom to teach.

That's the problem, we all try to do what we think is right in our own eyes, but do we really ask God what eh thinks is right? Read Psalms 119. It paints a magnificent picture of the Law as something which should be sought and cherished. Culturally I think we see the Law as something to be discarded since we are now free, or something to be twisted into a bludgeon so we can beat others down. In Christ we should desire to please God, not try to see just how much we can get away with by arguing that I am free to watch porn because I think it is beautiful, not filth. (not saying this is your argument, I'm just following the "subjective" argument to the logical end if there are no boundaries)

I agree, there are plenty of things that are not Christian which I feel fall within the purview of this verse. I read many books that are not Christian, but which I would say are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. There are many non-Christian bands that fit this bill too. Certainly there is a world of Art outside the strict Christian venue which would fall under this verse.

There is also a ton of filth that we fill ourselves with every day. Filth that has real power. Honestly I believe music to be among the most powerful influences because of its lasting power, the fact that we get songs stuck in our heads for hours on end. I'd much rather it be something extolling Christ, or at least something pure, than something glorifying destructive behavior such as violence or sex outside the God given boundaries.