The Rope Illustration that makes you think....

JoChris

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Mar 15, 2017
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Check it out and tell me what you think, really short 2 and a half minute video...

One strength: a good clip to start people thinking about "what if..."

A small degree of agnosticism is the absolute minimum needed for people to search for further information.

(Just an observation from an ex-library worker.) Major weakness: People who decide to search for information tend to take the route of easiest and fastest access. After all don't companies pay Google for first page results? The website does not give direct access to its material without having to use Messenger to sign on as well!
 

Camidria

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One strength: a good clip to start people thinking about "what if..."

A small degree of agnosticism is the absolute minimum needed for people to search for further information.

(Just an observation from an ex-library worker.) Major weakness: People who decide to search for information tend to take the route of easiest and fastest access. After all don't companies pay Google for first page results? The website does not give direct access to its material without having to use Messenger to sign on as well!
Yeah, you are right about the website. I love this illustration though - and I hope that it will make people think, my heart breaks for people!
 

saki

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I thought it was excellent! Don’t live for the red part of the rope!!!
...words to live by...
...the graphics kinda remind me of one of Dennis Prager's (excellent) short vids... which typically distill a complex issue into a short, easily digested format.... https://www.prageru.com/

... but in any event.... I'll just let the Apostle Paul speak... (again)... nothing more that I can add.....

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ... but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ;)
1 Corinthians 1:18
 

Lisa

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How come?
I didn’t like the premise that this life doesn’t matter at all and that we should only think about eternity...I don’t believe that’s true. Beyond knowing we will live forever, we really don’t understand what that really entails and it does sound different...the little we know.. so for me it’s hard to imagine living for an eternity I don’t know. Why give us life on earth here if it doesn’t matter at all? Again that’s a lame theory.

Talking about living with God...well I already live with God, the Holy Spirit made His home in my heart. Can I really get closer to God then? Ya I will see Him face to face and maybe people need that, but if He’s already as close as your heart..do you?

Plus I can’t really stand where the man starts to get emotional trying to manipulate people with emotion, that’s lame. Haha, I guess I could say I dislike this video completely.
 
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Robin

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I didn’t like the premise that this life doesn’t matter at all and that we should only think about eternity...I don’t believe that’s true. Beyond knowing we will live forever, we really don’t understand what that really entails and it does sound different...the little we know.. so for me it’s hard to imagine living for an eternity I don’t know. Why give us life on earth here if it doesn’t matter at all? Again that’s a lame theory.

Talking about living with God...well I already live with God, the Holy Spirit made His home in my heart. Can I really get closer to God then? Ya I will see Him face to face and maybe people need that, but if He’s already as close as your heart..do you?

Plus I can’t really stand where the man starts to get emotional trying to manipulate people with emotion, that’s lame. Haha, I guess I could say I dislike this video completely.
2 Corinthians 5:1
"For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

Psalm 103:15-16
"As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer."

1 Corinthians 7:29-31
“What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not;those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.”

Colossians 3:1-2
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.“


Its not that this life doesn't matter at all. What we do here, like the man in the video said, determines our existence in the age to come. But this life is not what God intended for us overall. This world is a far cry from Eden and while some of us may be comfortable and have been blessed with the lot we were given (and there's nothing wrong with enjoying those blessings), the suffering and pain of MILLIONS can't be ignored. I imagine that an eternity with our Creator will be such a state of fulfilment, happiness and joy knowing we are having fellowship the way we were meant to fellowship, that every good thing on earth given as a mere foretoken would pale in comparison.
 

Robin

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People did this make you think or not?
Yes, it did. Especially at where I am at this point in my life . . . I'll be 22 in a few months and I used to be very fixated on the here and now of coming crossroad decisions. This is also the age of YOLO narcissism where we're constantly being told to be selfish and live for that instant gratification. It's not saying that life on Earth doesn't matter or that one should just not care about our experiences but I tend to be a lot more at peace knowing that no matter the stresses and pressures we face here, all it takes to recentre is to look up and ahead. Really put things in perspective @Camidria, thank you very much for sharing. :)
 

Lisa

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2 Corinthians 5:1
"For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

Psalm 103:15-16
"As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer."

1 Corinthians 7:29-31
“What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not;those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.”

Colossians 3:1-2
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.“


Its not that this life doesn't matter at all. What we do here, like the man in the video said, determines our existence in the age to come. But this life is not what God intended for us overall. This world is a far cry from Eden and while some of us may be comfortable and have been blessed with the lot we were given (and there's nothing wrong with enjoying those blessings), the suffering and pain of MILLIONS can't be ignored. I imagine that an eternity with our Creator will be such a state of fulfilment, happiness and joy knowing we are having fellowship the way we were meant to fellowship, that every good thing on earth given as a mere foretoken would pale in comparison.
Are you saying that works is what determines our future? When that’s not the truth according to scripture. The other thing with the video is nothing was mentioned about the gospel...how to choose eternity with God which isn’t helpful to non Christians watching.
God told Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply and we are told
Ecclesiastes‬ ‭2:24‬ ‭
There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God.
‭‭I think of all your waiting for is a painless life you’re missing out in what learning we have here on the earth. Trusting in God in faith without sight is a huge deal. Adam and Eve saw God, walked with Him, talked with Him and still disobeyed Him...it’s a deeper relationship to have faith without sight. To trust in the God you don’t see and watch as your faith is rewarded as He answers your prayers and proves He is. If there were no point to us being here still, we wouldn’t be, God’s tests, the bad things that happen to us...the good and the bad are all good for us and all can have meaning as God tells us that He brings good from the bad. Let’s not discount our walking by faith not sight as meaningless.
 

Camidria

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736
I didn’t like the premise that this life doesn’t matter at all and that we should only think about eternity...I don’t believe that’s true. Beyond knowing we will live forever, we really don’t understand what that really entails and it does sound different...the little we know.. so for me it’s hard to imagine living for an eternity I don’t know. Why give us life on earth here if it doesn’t matter at all? Again that’s a lame theory.

Talking about living with God...well I already live with God, the Holy Spirit made His home in my heart. Can I really get closer to God then? Ya I will see Him face to face and maybe people need that, but if He’s already as close as your heart..do you?

Plus I can’t really stand where the man starts to get emotional trying to manipulate people with emotion, that’s lame. Haha, I guess I could say I dislike this video completely.
I feel the same as the person in the video, people treat me like I am nuts when I do not want to partake in worldly things. The problem is the unbeliever thinks only about this life, they believe that is all there is and so a massive orgy in their life is in order. Or they put off accepting Jesus into their lives. The video makes people think how important it is to live life everyday as if it is your last, to accept Him.
 

Lisa

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I feel the same as the person in the video, people treat me like I am nuts when I do not want to partake in worldly things. The problem is the unbeliever thinks only about this life, they believe that is all there is and so a massive orgy in their life is in order. Or they put off accepting Jesus into their lives. The video makes people think how important it is to live life everyday as if it is your last, to accept Him.
The problem with that video is it doesn’t show how to get to eternity with God....I didn’t see the same things in the video as you.
 

Camidria

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The problem with that video is it doesn’t show how to get to eternity with God....I didn’t see the same things in the video as you.
Ok I understand, well if a atheist watches it, they would just discard the message of the video I believe if it was too long or contained how to get saved. A lot of what I saw was implied :)
 

Lisa

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Ok I understand, well if a atheist watches it, they would just discard the message of the video I believe if it was too long or contained how to get saved. A lot of what I saw was implied :)
Well that’s the weird part..who’s the audience? Is it non Christians? Then where is the most important part..how do they get saved? If it’s Christians, we already know about God and salvation but why tell us that this life doesn’t matter when it does..I just don’t get it.

Edit: we know how to get saved...do non Christians if they aren’t told?
 
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Lisa

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Also...who wants God or eternity with Him?
Romans‬ ‭3:11‬ ‭
THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD.​
‭‭‬‬
That video says this life is no good and you only want the next life with God but doesn’t tell you how to get that life or why you would even want it. Why is this life no good? It left out anything pertinent for the non believer to understand about why they would want God or even an eternity with Him...

Edit: I’m not yelling the verse...it’s all caps in my Bible.
 

Robin

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Are you saying that works is what determines our future? When that’s not the truth according to scripture. The other thing with the video is nothing was mentioned about the gospel...how to choose eternity with God which isn’t helpful to non Christians watching.
God told Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply and we are told
Ecclesiastes‬ ‭2:24‬ ‭​

There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God.​

‭‭I think of all your waiting for is a painless life you’re missing out in what learning we have here on the earth. Trusting in God in faith without sight is a huge deal. Adam and Eve saw God, walked with Him, talked with Him and still disobeyed Him...it’s a deeper relationship to have faith without sight. To trust in the God you don’t see and watch as your faith is rewarded as He answers your prayers and proves He is. If there were no point to us being here still, we wouldn’t be, God’s tests, the bad things that happen to us...the good and the bad are all good for us and all can have meaning as God tells us that He brings good from the bad. Let’s not discount our walking by faith not sight as meaningless.
Works can't earn salvation but the bible does speak about our works getting tested and rewarded according to their measure. So yes, they matter. It's through our works (more so than words) that we produce fruit of the spirit and show more than tell others about the Good News of Christ. You don't think the video is a good starting point for someone to dig deeper? Approaches to sharing the gospel isn't always rushing straight in. Sometimes people are easier to reach if you take the subtle approach, appeal to them on their level and prompt a curiosity about the gospel first. Sometimes faith encounters are deeper when people themselves are the ones to seek it out as opposed to it all being laid out in front of them from the get-go. It can mean more that way.

I think you're missing what I'm saying here. I didn't say there was no point to us being here and neither did the video. I think the point of all of the evil and darkness in the world is for God to truly allow us the ability to exercise our free will by choosing Him after living through our own alternatives to His ordinances. We can choose Him knowing with all conviction and certainty that His is the best way. Adam and Eve (and even the angels who fell) didn't have that certainty. We will. But our focus should not lie in this world. We can enjoy our lives, yes, but remember we're called to be in this world, not of this world. It's not a call to asceticism but a reminder that our end goal, our hope, is in the Kingdom of Heaven because then and only then can man finally be reunited with God in all fullness. Which, even if you disagree, I think will be infinitely and indescribably superior to walking by faith alone. After all, what do you think we're walking towards?
 
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