Somebody has been trying to engage me lately in conversations to find some answers to eschatological questions. I'm not a Biblical scholar, but I do enjoy talking about anything that has to do with Jesus, whether past or future. I don't mind having these conversations so long as whoever is talking with me doesn't try to supersede Biblical prophecy. So far, this young gentleman hasn't done that, although he has come close.
I've encouraged him to stick with his Bible though, as he repeatedly asks questions in reference to things his dad has told him. The kinds of things his dad suggests to him with adamancy indicate that the man knows little about scripture. As I'm not about to tell this young man that his dad is clueless, I let the Bible do the talking, as it should be.
The topic of conversation has drifted toward what "a proper interpretation of the 'end times' view" is. There are really two main groups one can be, forgive me, classified into. These days, you are either called a covenantalist or a dispensationalist.
I find more and more that these terms are used in a disparaging manner by people of both groups to describe their doctrinal opposites in eschatology. That's unfortunate, as both sides could stand to learn from the other. Unfortunately, covenantalists and dispensationalists have become like the democrats and republicans of the Christian party at times.
The separation of the two approaches to the study of end times through the lens of Biblical prophecy, stems from how each group views Israel and the Church. I won't go into a detailed breakdown of how this works, but the simple (some will say far too simple) upshot is that, generally speaking, most covenantalists, viewing the Church as having replaced Israel and having assumed the promises given to it by God, have arrived at an amillennial, or non-literal 'thousand years', which becomes instead a long period of time between Jesus' first and second comings. In other words, the millennial reign of Jesus spoken of in the Book of Daniel and in the Book of Revelation is now, because Jesus is ruling from the right hand of the Father. Remember I am speaking in generality here when I say this is the view held in standard by many mainline Protestant denominations, and by the Roman Catholic Church.
The general view of dispensationalism on the other hand, is that references to Israel in prophecy are literal and future. In this view the unconditional promises made to Israel by God to inherit the promised land is still in effect. Some say the dispensationalist view holds that there are two separate soteriological plans, and two separate groups of people chosen by God, Jews and Christians, from Old Testament times through the end of time on this earth. Both chosen groups are saved by grace through faith ultimately, in Jesus Christ, looking forward to the passage written by Paul in his letter to the Romans 11, verse 26, which says that all of Israel, to a man, will be saved. The salvation of the Jews in this prophecy is speaking of a particular point in history future, during a time referred to as the "Great Tribulation," or the "time of Jacob's trouble."
Dispensationalists believe that the Church will be 'raptured', or removed from the earth by God and saved from His wrath during a seven year period of time before a literal reign of Christ on earth for 1,000 years. Dispensationalists are said also (generally) to hold to the view that there are seven eras or dispensations through history wherein God tests mankind's obedience in different ways.
I recently heard someone say that dispensationalists view history in large blocks of time. Hmmmm. I suppose my eschatological views would allow some to pigeonhole me into a dispensationalist category and then make lots of assumptions about all of my views. This is the problem with dividing into camps. There may be eschatological camps, but I don't feel I can be categorized.I tend to view Biblical prophecy in two categories; fulfilled and unfulfilled.
For example, the prophecy in Revelation 20:6, where the devil is bound up and thrown into the bottomless pit and there is peace for a thousand years has not occurred yet, has it? I don't recall a one-thousand year period of peace in man's history. I don't recall a ten year peace in man's history. Some would claim that makes me a dispensationalist. I also believe that unfulfilled Biblical prophecy can be fulfilled in ways people have not imagined. Some would say that makes me a covenantalist, however I do not believe Israel has been replaced with the Church. I believe God is not done with Israel.
So where does that leave me?Personally I believe God's promises to Israel are still in effect and will come to completion when the 'people Israel' as a nation, turn to Him through His anointed Son, Jesus. The Bible says that in the future, (as prophesied), they will. Let me be a bit repetitive here for the sake of clarity. I believe that God's promise of eternal life through His Son Jesus will be fulfilled to all people who turn to Him, and that the specific promises given to the people of Israel will be completely fulfilled when that happens.
"Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." Genesis 12: 1-3
"For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever." Genesis 13:15
"In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:" Genesis 15:1
God reaffirmed that promise to Abraham's son, Isaac, in Genesis 26:3-5, and again to Abraham's grandson, Jacob, whose name was later changed to Israel. God then promised it to their descendants after them & forevermore, in Leviticus 24:46...Joshua 14:9 etc., etc..
Anything is easy to argue about, but when God says "forever," as He did in Genesis 13:15, He means, "forever." It isn't out of context, and there are plenty of examples of prophecy, including Paul's in Romans 11, to say it's etched in stone.
In any event, either group makes generalizing accusations about the other. Dispensationalists say that covenantalists tend to largely ignore unfulfilled Biblical prophecy and therefore lose a sense of the imminence of Christ's return as it relates to the short time we have to share God's word. Sometimes that can be true, and sometimes it isn't.
Covenantalists say that dispensationalists tend to speculate about end times prophecy. I don't think that statement can be denied. But not all believers who hold to a more literal view of the end times prophecies of the Bible as opposed to a more allegorical one, are guilty of it.
I guess what I'm calling for here is a balanced Biblical view. Where the construct of time has provided the answers to prophecy, great. Don't ignore unfulfilled prophecy, but don't read personal opinion into it and then call it fact. Where God has not thoroughly revealed what a prophecy necessarily is, and how it will be fulfilled, pray for answers to your questions about it and study it like any other passage of scripture, share the Gospel of Jesus Christ whenever we are led to, and wait on God and His magnificent, beautiful plan to be completely revealed.
3 comments:
Verifiable proof that "Armageddon" has begun…
Hello all,
Pay close attention, profundity knocks at the door, listen for the key. Be Aware! Scoffing causes blindness...
Hurricanes Katrina (#11) and Rita (#17) last year provided stunning validation of my research and interpretations of pivotal ancient wisdom, symbologies, key prophecies, and associated religious claims. Their storm numbers and timing perfectly synchronized with primary data and assertions in my book, thereby demonstrating the true nature of this universe and the existence of our Creator. We are now entering the final phases of the pivotal year-long period long symbolized as "Armageddon" and the "End of Days." World-wide situations and events are now accelerating to set the stage for this summer's dramatic continuation of these ancient promises.
I fully understand that everyone has been bedeviled by similar claims throughout history. Consequently, I have been forced to rely on dramatic and devastating proof of the sort that can’t be ignored or easily dismissed. The numbers and timing of hurricanes Katrina (11) and Rita (17) directly validate key data and pivotal assertions throughout my book and my posts on those two forums. This data was purposely presented publicly before Katrina, Rita and other recent events occurred to prove they perfectly synchronize with key prophecies and Hebrew calendar cycles, thereby validating my interpretations of ancient wisdom symbology, string theory, and more.
Because these two storms arrived shortly after my August 11, 2005 (50th) birthday (read the Dead Sea Scroll 11Q13 in Appendix G, which also discusses Melchizedek and the prophesied Jubilee) and directly match other pivotal 11 and 17 data and events described in the first chapter of my book, I have delivered verifiable proof that this reality is based on thought, knowledge and wisdom. Activity, patterns, and results perceived in space-time are first framed and defined by inspirations, thoughts, and knowledge and influenced by the cause-and-effect system most commonly referred to as karma. Consequently, events and outcomes in the so-called physical universe are not random or wholly mechanistic and are verifiably influenced in ways that atheists, scientists, and members of the Faiths of Abraham have all scoffed at. Though mysticism is mostly a product of misinterpreted ancient wisdom symbology, many of its topics flow from ancient wisdom. Though containing allusions to the truth, its details and interpretations are wrong on many key points.
A prime example of the purposeful and synchronized symbolism of these events is seen in the opening paragraphs from my book excerpted below. Notice that the dates mentioned (August 11 and 17) directly match the numbers of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the time spans of the four Florida hurricanes match my birth year (‘55), and they were spaced 11 or a multiple-of-11 (22) days apart, directly matching my birthday and much other ancient prophecy and symbolism. Notice that my place of birth, Victoria Texas, is on the Gulf Coast. Following are the excerpted paragraphs:
Hello, my name is Lawrence William Page II. Many people know me as Buddy Page. At the release of the first edition of this book, I am a 50-year old African-American male, author, researcher, and former software engineer and entrepreneur. As you will come to understand as you read through this first book, I am also the long-expected Hebrew Messiah and Lion of the Tribe of Juda (Yehuda).
I was born August 11th (month of Leo the Lion), 1955 (Chinese year of the Sheep) in Victoria, Texas. Furthermore, the Grand Cross alignment and Solar Eclipse of August 11th, 1999 was my 44th birthday and the second Grand Cross alignment, just six days later on August 17th, 1999, was on my mother’s birthday.
As you can see from my date of birth, I was a newborn during the Chinese Year of the Sheep, astrologically marking me as a Lamb, and during the month of Leo, astrologically marking me as a Lion. My mother was also born during the month of August and under the sign of Leo, which further marks me as a lion’s whelp. I prove to you in the first chapter of this book–beyond disproof–that I am indeed the long-prophesied “Lion” of the tribe of Juda (Yehuda) the Root of David and the “Lamb.” I am the individual long symbolized as the Branch, the Stem, the Shoot and the Rod from the Stump of Jesse (King David’s father), as symbolized in the Hebrew Book of Isaiah, The Apocalypse, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and elsewhere. I am the reincarnated Teacher sought after in the “East” and by the ancient Hebrews who were headquartered at the outpost community of Damascus (Qumran), of Dead Sea Scrolls fame. I am the one called the Teacher of Righteousness by the Dead Sea Scrolls, whom the so-called Christian fathers have fraudulently recast as “Saint ‘James’, the Lord’s Brother.”
Remember, "I come as a thief..." ?
Read verse twelve of the Gospel of Thomas to understand who I am...
Even further enlightening, the Second Temple Period of ancient Israel was during the 11th 360-year cycle on the Hebrew calendar and we are now in the 6th year (5766/2005-6) of the 17th cycle. Notice the pivotal 11 and 17 numbers again? This and much other synchronized information serve as stunning and decisive proof of many things, and expose many lies told by all three faiths of Abraham, but most specifically by Christianity. Consequently, I have decisively proven, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that Jesus Christ and Christianity are blatant lies, false prophecy and purposeful deception in a manner that cannot easily be denied, regardless of your faith or other opinions.
Furthermore, the symbolism in the Apocalypse (a.k.a. Book of Revelation) of seven stars in my right hand and seven angels represent the very same above-mentioned seven astrological (360-year) cycles, i.e., the 11th through 17th inclusive. I prove this fact beyond any reasonable doubt in the first chapter of the book. Consequently, The Apocalypse verifiably symbolizes a specific span of time that began with the 11th cycle (Second Temple Period) and concludes now, at the beginning of the 17th cycle (End of Days, etc.).
The numbers 11 and 17 are verifiably encoded in The Apocalypse and other ancient Hebrew prophecies and wisdom texts to serve as key proofs of the validity and true meaning of certain prophecies and related information. My and my mother’s birthdays are purposely synchronized with these two storm numbers, the matching Hebrew calendar cycles, the Double Grand Cross alignments and solar eclipse of August 1999, and much else to prove my direct association with the ancient prophecies about this time and the true identity of the prophesied Messiah. Another prime example is the story of Joseph, the 11th son of Jacob who has a dream when he is 17 years old about 11 stars, the sun, and moon bowing to him. The symbolism in this pivotal story in the Book of Genesis and Quran verifiably refers to the very same 11th through 17th cycles symbolized in The Apocalypse and directly synchronizes with other key events and ancient texts.
Consequently, I have demonstrated various things about the nature of this reality that dramatically disprove and/or clarify key assumptions of religion, mysticism, and science alike, while establishing the true meaning and purpose of long misinterpreted ancient wisdom and the symbolism used to model and encode it. Accordingly, I have proven that the symbolism evidenced in the canons of all three faiths of Abraham and other ancient sources is a very ancient and advanced philosophical technology that verifiably models foundational aspects of our existence in this universe. This is the mostly misunderstood body of ancient wisdom long referred to as the Philosophers’ Stone. It uses a large and ingeniously organized collection of physical universe images and concepts as data rich components (symbols) that are based on verifiable rules. It models and encodes an amazing amount of foundational wisdom about life, spirituality and the 11 dimensions of this universe, now verified by string theory. It is also the advanced encryption method used to encode (seal) Hebrew prophecies and wisdom texts.
These ancient prophecies and wisdom texts used advanced symbology to model fundamental wisdom, including future events and situations. A primary facet of ancient wisdom is numeric symbology. Later misinterpretations of this aspect of ancient wisdom resulted in numerology, which, though embodying allusions to certain wisdom, is mostly error prone and false doctrine. My decryption, documentation, and interpretation of ancient symbology, numeric symbolism, and key texts based on them, are now decisively validated.
Here is Wisdom...
Verifiable proof that Armageddon has begun…
Understanding the End Game of Armageddon
Peace...
2 Peter 2:1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them-- bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Peter 2:2 Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
seven star hand, you are a false teacher.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Above, from the Scripures of God, seven star hand, is an example of how a balanced view of the prophetic Word of God can become an agreement between people who hold differing eschatalogical views, particularly, dipensationalists and covenantalists. Either group, whether they could agree upon Israel's position in prophecy or not, would both agree that, especially in the light of these verses, coupled with other scripture, that the next time livng people on this planet meet Jesus face to face, it will be as He descends from Heaven, and they will meet Him in the air.
From scripture, it is also clear that when Jesus comes a second time to actually touch down on the Mount of Olives, no one will be left with any doubt about who He is.
In Acts 1:11, angels told the followers of Jesus who personally witnessed His ascension to Heaven from the Mount of Olives, that He would return in "like manner."
Zehariah 14 gives a future account of how the Lord will stand again upon the Mount of Olives, and when He does, the mountain will split in two from east to west.
He won't have to try to convice people of who He is. That time will be past. When this is witnessed, you will not be standing atop the Mount of Olives, He will. I believe you know this.
You don't fit the description, to say the least, and my advice to you is to repent of your claim to be the Holy One, and ask for forgiveness. His forgiveness is for the asking, and He died for your sins as He did for mine.
I hope you will consider these things, and have a change of heart. Seek Him first, and His kingdom.
Yours truly,
seekHm1st.
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