Hi Darren,
Revelations speaks of the destruction of all these countries starting with the U.S. How can all this just be metaphores and symblos. Certain things have to happen literaly in order to bring about mankinds belief in God. Like I said mankind will have to be brought down past his knees befor he truns to God to help him up.
The destruction that is spoken of is talking about the spiritual destruction of the carnal flesh, just like the Elect are going through now. Look at this e-mail.
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,1884.0.html ------
"Destruction" has absolutely nothing to do with someone not being saved. In fact, "destruction" is an absolute PRE-REQUISITE to being saved. Jesus came SPECIFICALLY for the purpose of saving those who are "destroyed."
The words: "destrouction," "perish" and "lost" all come from the very same ONE Greek word: "apollumi." In Matt. 10:28 where Jesus says to "fear Him Who is able to DESTROY both soul and body..." the word for destroy is "apollumi." In Matt. 18:24 where Jesus says that His Father is not will any any of these little ones should PERISH..." the word for perish is "apollumi." In Matt. 15:24 where Jesus says that He was send to the LOST sheep of the house of Israel only" the word for lost is "apollumi." Dstruction, perish, and lost, all come from the same one Greek word "apollumi."
Now then, with that said, what did Jesus say concerning all those who are "apollumi?" Here is what He said: "For the Son of man is come to SAVE that which is APOLLUMI [lost]" (Matt. 18:11).
-------------------------------------------------------------
If you are wondering how Jesus could bring people to their knees, Jesus Christ will not be literally beating people into submission with His rod of iron (which is also a symbol).
Look what it says in Ezekiel how people will respond just at the sight of Him.
Eze 21:5 That
all flesh may know that I the LORD have drawn forth my sword out of his sheath: it shall not return any more.
v. 6 Sigh therefore, thou son of man, with the breaking of thy loins; and with bitterness sigh before their eyes.
v. 7 And it shall be, when they say unto thee, Wherefore sighest thou? that thou shalt answer, For the tidings; because it cometh:
and every heart shall melt, and
all hands shall be feeble, and
every spirit shall faint, and
all knees shall be weak as water: behold, it cometh, and shall be brought to pass, saith the Lord GOD.
Look at what Ray says in this email, especially the last part.
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,3212.0.html------Listen carefully: This "war in heaven" is NOT LITERAL; it does not take place
in OUTER SPACE; it does not happen IN THE THRONE ROOM OF GOD; it does
not take place chronologically AFTER the wonder of a woman in Rev. 12:1, but BEFORE
the beast comes up out of the sea in 13:1; it does not interpret itself within its own verse; it
is explained by OTHER Scripture; it is a SYMBOL; and it is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which is the "spirit of prophecy"(19:10) and therefore is the "WORDS OF SPIRIT" of Jesus (John 6:63) for which we also need a SECOND WITNESS, etc., etc., etc.
If Revelation is a literal account of the events to happen in chronological order, then read a book by Hal Lindsey or Paul Crouch and you will understand the Book of Revelation--surely I josh!
----------------------------------------------------------
mercy, peace and love
Kat