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End Time Prophecies
Wanda:
Not to undermine the purpose of this thread, because much of it has been beneficial, but I thought this might also be of benefit, at least to ponder.
Jesus warned His disciples that when the Roman army arrived, those in Judea should flee to the mountains and "let him who is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those with nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be." (Matt. 24:17-21).
Try as I have to apply this to a future time, it just does not fit. I think overlooking the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the sheer magnitude of the event, as well as it's great significance to God and the people he was forsaking, is a stumbling block in understanding.
From my own long held beliefs, in associating much of Matt 24 with the end of this age, presented many scriptural conflicts. A turning point for me was reading War of the Jews by Flavius Josephus. Considering I've never been interested in pouring over any history books in my life, I'll take reading that body of work as being God inspired.
IMO the destruction of Jerusalem was such a notable event that the disciples could only think of it happening in connection with the second coming of Christ. That destruction would be like the end of the world to these people, and rightfully so. Reading about it , I'm convinced it was by far the worst event regarding any war man has engaged in. An atomic bomb would be more merciful.
Wanda:
A few additional thoughts, and I'll go back to my corner.
Josephus said, if those days had not been shortened there would not have been a Jew left alive, sound familiar? Everytime I see Matt 24:22 posted I wonder how can it apply to both the destruction of Jerusalem and end times. I can't find any scriptural duality.
Considering the deciples didn't fully comprehend Jesus impending death or his resurrection at this point in time, makes me question how much importance Jesus placed on explaining his second coming to them at that time. They would have been far more interested in the coming destruction of Jerusalem, that would occur in their generation. A generation that would be alive to see these things come to pass. Is this perhaps another sign, meant for the generation Jesus was speaking to at that time, but out of confusion we're applying it to a future generation? Just something to consider.
It's only natural to identify with our specific time in history, just as the people of past generations would have done.
AwesomeSavior:
Wanda, it would be nice if you are correct in the assumption that Matthew 24 was only limited to the destruction of Jerusalem, but I have my doubts.
Going back to the same verses, were there earthquakes in diverse places when the Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D.?
Had the gospel been preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations?
Did they see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory?
Were all the elect gathered from the four winds of heaven at the great sound of a trumpet?
Had many already come in his name saying He was the Christ, and had deceived many?
Are we assuming that the end of this eon is going to be a peaceful one rather than a tumultuous one?
For me, there are too many verses listed in that chapter that have a later literal fulfillment application, in addition to what has happened in 70 A.D.
ZekeSr:
--- Quote from: Wanda on July 10, 2019, 07:27:58 PM ---Not to undermine the purpose of this thread, because much of it has been beneficial, but I thought this might also be of benefit, at least to ponder.
Jesus warned His disciples that when the Roman army arrived, those in Judea should flee to the mountains and "let him who is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those with nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be." (Matt. 24:17-21).
Try as I have to apply this to a future time, it just does not fit. I think overlooking the coming destruction of Jerusalem and the sheer magnitude of the event, as well as it's great significance to God and the people he was forsaking, is a stumbling block in understanding.
From my own long held beliefs, in associating much of Matt 24 with the end of this age, presented many scriptural conflicts. A turning point for me was reading War of the Jews by Flavius Josephus. Considering I've never been interested in pouring over any history books in my life, I'll take reading that body of work as being God inspired.
IMO the destruction of Jerusalem was such a notable event that the disciples could only think of it happening in connection with the second coming of Christ. That destruction would be like the end of the world to these people, and rightfully so. Reading about it , I'm convinced it was by far the worst event regarding any war man has engaged in. An atomic bomb would be more merciful.
--- End quote ---
--- Quote from: Wanda on July 11, 2019, 01:30:11 AM ---A few additional thoughts, and I'll go back to my corner.
Josephus said, if those days had not been shortened there would not have been a Jew left alive, sound familiar? Everytime I see Matt 24:22 posted I wonder how can it apply to both the destruction of Jerusalem and end times. I can't find any scriptural duality.
Considering the deciples didn't fully comprehend Jesus impending death or his resurrection at this point in time, makes me question how much importance Jesus placed on explaining his second coming to them at that time. They would have been far more interested in the coming destruction of Jerusalem, that would occur in their generation. A generation that would be alive to see these things come to pass. Is this perhaps another sign, meant for the generation Jesus was speaking to at that time, but out of confusion we're applying it to a future generation? Just something to consider.
It's only natural to identify with our specific time in history, just as the people of past generations would have done.
--- End quote ---
Wanda,
I think it is easy to overlook that in Mat 24:1 And Jesus went out and departed from the temple. And His disciples came to Him to show Him the buildings of the temple.
Mat 24:2 And Jesus said to them, Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, There shall not be left here one stone on another that shall not be thrown down. Jesus is predicting the destruction of the temple.
But in Mat 24:3 And as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? AND what shall be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the world? They are asking Him three distinct questions--the destruction of the temple, the sign of His coming, and the end of the age-- to which, it appears to me, He gives overlapping answers.
I have a lot of thoughts on this subject which I don't think I am qualified to discuss at this time.
Mike
Dennis Vogel:
Just thinking out loud.
Rev 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
So there are two methods to receive the mark.
Rev 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Rev 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
So, you have to have the mark (on your right hand or on your forehead), or the name of the beast, or the number of his name, to buy and sell. Any one of the three.
As I understand it a blockchain currency like Bitcoin uses cryptographic keys which are numbers.
Here Mike Maloney talks about Facebook and their Libra blockchain digital currency. Have a look if this interests you.
https://youtu.be/nkU8fdQv8E4
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