Our Noah's Ark
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Re: Our Noah's Ark
I am also a Christian. I have spent a good chunk of time studying scripture. I have a vastly different view of Revelation and biblical prophecy than the author of this post.
I believe that the revelation John received actually meant something to the churches he was writing to, instead of being a letter that was inpossible to decode until the present. The purpose of the Revelation was never to provide us with a textbook of prophecy that allows us to decode the future like a crystal ball. Instead it's purpose is to encourage the church to be vigilent at all times, throughout history, in remaining faithful to Jesus Christ, and not seduced by the riches, violence, and seductions of this world.
In that sense the beast in chapter 13 represents any power structure in the world that sets itself up in the place of God and uses its authority for evil gain whether it be the Roman Empire, the British Empire, our own government and heck at times in history, even the church. Rather than a complicated speculative formula the message is simple: Don't ally yourself with the oppressors, the greedy, the immoral people throughout history. Their power and wealth is fleeting.
I personally believe prophecy in the vein of this author's post has proven very dangerous. It fosters fear-mongering and racism. There are far too many people getting rich selling books which speculate that the Arabs or the Chinese are evil nations that ally with the beast against God's people, the Israelites, or Barack Obama as the Anti-Christ. As far as I'm concerned that kind of speculation is a bunch of hogwash and clearly reveal our biases. It's too easy to demonize our enemies. The Bible is clear, all people and nations are beloved children of the creator God. Peoples from every tribe, tongues, and nation will be part of God's new creation.
I do agree with Michael777 in one regard. Revelation does teach us that time is short. We need to make the most of the time we've been given, and the best place to be is on the side of good.
Peace
I believe that the revelation John received actually meant something to the churches he was writing to, instead of being a letter that was inpossible to decode until the present. The purpose of the Revelation was never to provide us with a textbook of prophecy that allows us to decode the future like a crystal ball. Instead it's purpose is to encourage the church to be vigilent at all times, throughout history, in remaining faithful to Jesus Christ, and not seduced by the riches, violence, and seductions of this world.
In that sense the beast in chapter 13 represents any power structure in the world that sets itself up in the place of God and uses its authority for evil gain whether it be the Roman Empire, the British Empire, our own government and heck at times in history, even the church. Rather than a complicated speculative formula the message is simple: Don't ally yourself with the oppressors, the greedy, the immoral people throughout history. Their power and wealth is fleeting.
I personally believe prophecy in the vein of this author's post has proven very dangerous. It fosters fear-mongering and racism. There are far too many people getting rich selling books which speculate that the Arabs or the Chinese are evil nations that ally with the beast against God's people, the Israelites, or Barack Obama as the Anti-Christ. As far as I'm concerned that kind of speculation is a bunch of hogwash and clearly reveal our biases. It's too easy to demonize our enemies. The Bible is clear, all people and nations are beloved children of the creator God. Peoples from every tribe, tongues, and nation will be part of God's new creation.
I do agree with Michael777 in one regard. Revelation does teach us that time is short. We need to make the most of the time we've been given, and the best place to be is on the side of good.
Peace
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- Lord of the Board
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Re: Our Noah's Ark
I'm going to quote myself here because it speaks to what you said also. You may have a different interpretation, but it is still well in line with Mikey's. Hoping and praying for global genocide, what you call 'the rapture', is sick.
Mr Danksworth wrote:You do not even realize that most christian biblical scholars have determined that the Revelation was written for the early christian community living in the Roman Empire. All of the BS about "the beast with 7 heads and 10 horns" was written as an allegory/polemic for Caesar Nero and Rome; the "666/616" spells out the full name of the emperor using numerology of the hebrew alphabet.
Nothing on the Internet is so serious it can't be laughed at, and nothing is as laughable as people who think otherwise.
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- The Pilgrim
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Re: Our Noah's Ark
I guess we will see what happens in the year 2300 A.D. ... if they figure out how to extend our lives 200 years.whatisupcastanet wrote:According to the hebrew calender it is the year 5769 so their is few years before #6000. http://www.science.co.il/Jewish-Holidays.asp?s=5769
Keep up your work anyway.
"No one has the right to apologize for something they did not do, and no one has the right to accept an apology if the wrong was not done to them."
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- Douglas Murray
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Re: Our Noah's Ark
I've done some pruning again. Let's keep this on topic please.
"Every dollar you spend is a vote for what you believe in."
"My country is the world, and my religion is to do good."
"My country is the world, and my religion is to do good."
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- Lord of the Board
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Re: Our Noah's Ark
Looks like Mikey is on to bigger and badder forums. Goodbye internet crazy guy, without people like you, the internet would be a boring wasteland of facts and reason. Good luck in your endeavors.
Nothing on the Internet is so serious it can't be laughed at, and nothing is as laughable as people who think otherwise.
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- Lord of the Board
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Re: Our Noah's Ark
Mr Danksworth wrote:Looks like Mikey is on to bigger and badder forums. Goodbye internet crazy guy, without people like you, the internet would be a boring wasteland of facts and reason. Good luck in your endeavors.
Me thinks there be a :lurkieloos: in this parts. :dyinglaughing: