aChristian, after reading your posts, I fear that you have wisely left the Watchtower behind, but have substituted another fundamentalist group for it.
Everthing in the Bible is open to interpretation. When translated, many thoughts lost their original meaning. That is how we ended up with so many Bible versions and religions.
There is nothing that can "gain" us salvation, that is free and by grace. Yes, works are also necessary, but what works? Going door to door? Arguing everyone else into the ground that you are right and they are wrong? Does it not take work to show love sometimes?
I believe God's Kingdom to be real and certainly hope that I make it there. I would like to see everyone make it there. But, as far as I am concerned, arguing over the identity of the archangel is not going to get anyone there. Belief in the trinity is a different matter, but that is for another discussion. All the arguments do nothing more than befuddle the importance of Jesus' words at John 13:34,35.
Of what real importance is it as to who Michael is? Neitehr of us actually know, we are going on our own reasoning. That it differs should not amount to anything. But, to argue and start disliking, or even hating each other, removes the love that Jesus spoke of, doesn't it?
What you are seeing is why I have lost all use of religion. Especially the fundamentalist groups. I grew up in the Assembly of God (Pentecostal, basically, to those who don't realize it) and they are near as bad as the JWs. God gave all of us powers of reason. It is up to us to use them and to apply them. But, knowing the identity of an archangel just has little real affect on my day to day life. So, we are going to have to agree to disagree on his identity.
But, I prefer to keep loving my fellow man and treat them properly, regardless of beliefs.
If God's Spirit is filling a Kingdom Hall, how is it that Satan can manuever the ones within that Kingdom Hall at the same time?
