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As it was in the day of Noah.
lilitalienboi16:
Don't forget though what Ray said about literal prophecy too. Specifically that Isaiah is for a future time.
http://bible-truths.com/towers.htm -----------------------------Ray says;
Over the years I have been asked many times whether or not I thought the end of this world was near and the coming of our Lord was at hand? This question is usually asked with reference to some recent happening in the world, such as a war or rumor of wars, bad weather, famine, a new potential disease epidemic, some huge earthquake, volcano, hurricane, or a tsunami. These events are general, and have been with us for thousands of years. So my answer was always pretty much the same: "No, I do not believe that the end of the world is near, but certainly "…now our salvation is nearer than when we believed" (Rom.13:11). But that all changed on "September 11, 2001." This to me was not a "general" catastrophic happening as has been witnessed time and again, but this was a very specific catastrophe unlike anything before it.
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"Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God" (Ecc. 5:19).
"Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all" (I Chron. 29:12).
"But you shall remember the Lord your God for it is HE that gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore unto your fathers, as it is this day" (Deut. 8:18).
Since it is God Who empowers nations to get wealth, just who did God empower the most? The wealthiest nation on earth must figure into this declaration of God.
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But this paper is not just about American prosperity, but also its responsibility toward God for that prosperity, as God also provided a disclaimer in the next verse showing the consequences should we turn from God:
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"And it shall be, if you do at all forget the Lord your God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that YOU SHALL SURELY PERISH" (Deut. 8:18-19).
"And it shall come to pass, if you shall hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord your God, to observe and to do all His commandments which I command you this day, that the Lord your God will set you on high ABOVE ALL NATIONS OF THE EARTH.
And all these blessings shall come on you, and overtake you, if you shall hearken unto the voice of the lord your God. Blessed shall you be IN THE CITY…" (Deut. 28:1-3).
Israel was NEVER "...on high above all nations of the earth!"
So, if ancient Israel, historic Israel, and today's State of Israel, was not and is not, "above all nations of the earth," then who is above all?
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America is, and New York City is the "center" of this Nations great power and wealth. Manhattan Island truly is The Island At The Center Of The World, and here is how it started:
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ISAIAH 30:8 PUTS THIS PROPHECY WAY BEYOND HIS DAY
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"Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever" (Isa. 30:8).
"…and it shall come to be for the day hereafter, For the future, till the eon" (Concordant Literal Old Testament).
"…That it may serve for a latter day, For futurity, unto times age-abiding" (Rotherham’s Amplified Bible).
"…And it is for a latter day, for a witness unto the age" (Young’s Literal Translation).
Now then, it is easily seen that the above three versions include all the words, in the proper sequence, and with the proper translations. Young’s translation of "lod" (future), into "a witness," is a little weak, but certainly far more accurate than the King James family of Bibles which is "for EVER."
Here’s the simple truth of this phrase: This prophecy is principally for a "future day and time until or unto an age to come." This is speaking of a period of TRANSITION from one age to another age! What may appear to be a phrase that many would think to be hazy and ambiguous, is in reality quite precise.
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Isaiah does mark this period when this occurs as the day of great slaughter. Ray calls it a transition period from this age to the next. There may not be a "great tribulation" and a literal "Great slaughter" of humanity but we are told to watch so that the day does not overtake us as a thief. Perhaps the elect will be able to decipher the times though the rest of the christian world will be looking for some anti christ to sit on a literal throne in jerusalem to no avail. Then when that day comes it will be as a snare upon them and the world because they completely miss understood. I think its possible... By the grace of God I pray His spirit reveal to us with certainty. I just can't shake ray's certainty or dismiss it so easily as nothing but I also am not 100% sure currently either way. Maybe we have entered that "transition period" as ray called it and that day of Christ's return is much nearer than it ever has been before.
God bless,
Alex
lurquer:
What he said.
Plus, seems like scripture really hints at a "Great Slaughter".. wouldn't be a new thing anyway, just do a search on that phrase on E-sword or something,
Kat:
Hi Alex, though the return of Christ will be abrupt, a transition period for sure will be in order for the elect and the world. First He will attend to His elect, their flesh will instantaneously be changed to spirit (1Cor 15:52), then those elect still living will rise up and join the resurrected elect to finally meet Christ, right there in the air where He has presented Himself to the world. I would think this is the elect 'transition,' and the "marriage supper," they will join with Christ, be united and become one with God.
Rev 19:6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!
v. 7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready."
v. 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
v. 9 Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' " And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God."
Now I don't think the transition period for the rest of the world will not be so easy, they won't have a clue as to what is happening. The terrifying heavenly display will now descend right down to the earth.
Rev 21:1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
v. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
v. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
What happens immediately? Well it was revealed in Revelation...
Rev 19:11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
v. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
v. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
v. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
v. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
v. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Now I don't see this as a violent takeover, not at all. Christ can subdue the nations by His voice alone... remember when He came down to Mount Sinai and spoke the commandments to the people, they were terrified.
Exo 20:18 Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off.
v. 19 Then they said to Moses, "You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die."
Whatever Christ will do at His return one thing is for sure, He will finally bring peace from wars, crime and corruption, the curses put on Adam and Eve and the Serpent can be removed. Though at first it will probably be a tense peace. But God will be much more than just an Avenger to the world.
Rev 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
Here is an interesting parable Alex, where Christ does tell us we can know when He will return, if we understand the parable.
Mat 24:32 "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch (is this Christ? Zec 3:8) has already become tender and puts forth leaves (is this elect?, Rev 22:2), you know that summer is near.
v. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!
v. 34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.
If this Branch is Christ, how does He begin to put forth leaves/elect when His return is "near"? Well where are all the elect down through the centuries since the Apostles? We don't know, they seem as though they were hidden from view. But the elect certainly are not hidden now... what do you think?
mercy, peace and love
Kat
lurquer:
Kat, I don't see it as a "violent takeover" either. I think Christ's return will put an END to the slaughter. It has already been happening prior to His unveiling.
Every age has ended with blood. The age of Eden, the age of Noah, the age of the kingdom of Israel, the age of Judah and Jerusalem (70 AD).. All (great) slaughters. The end of all the ages is up next. I'd like your view to be correct, but again, I just don't know how to square all the imagery of destruction and death seen by the prophets regarding the end of this age with your proposed peaceful, bloodless transition...
"Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left."
And what is your understanding then of "Tophet"?
Joel:
God blinded Saul, burned the murderous evil spirit out of him, and made him as accepting, and willing as a baby lamb in one fell sweep. And also gave him a new name, how great is that?
Nothing is to hard for THE LORD!
Joel
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