Opus 2026-350: Uncharted Revelation: Literally Figurative

The fifth seal was hiding the martyrs who had been “slain for the word of God.”  They are anxious to get out, as you would expect, but are given white robes and told there would be more to join them before the end came.  You might ask yourself how this relates to the tribulation and also how it relates to the final resurrections.  If you interpret Revelation literally you have issues.  Figuratively the world is your oyster.

The sixth seal initiates a series of earthquakes and falling stars.  For some reason the entire population of the earth goes to hide in caves because they are afraid of the Lamb.  I don’t know about you but the last place I would hide in an earthquake is in a cave.  

When I read this,

(Rev 6:12 KJV)  And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
(Rev 6:13 KJV)  And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

My mind goes to a friend who claims that God will never break His covenant with Israel.  As part of his arguement he quotes this,

(Jer 31:35 KJV)  Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:
(Jer 31:36 KJV)  If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.

It would seem to me that the events in the sixth seal would go a long way to fulfilling this impossible requirement.  I wonder if this would convince him that Israel has broken the status of chosen.

This is all very dramatic but I fail to understand what it has to do with us today.  Tomorrow will be too late.  For those who insist on taking Revelation literally it has always been too late.

homo unius libri

Opus 2026-246: Sounds of Authority

My journey begins as we were studying Jeremiah.  We were in chapter 31 and came across this verse.

Jeremiah 31:9 (KJV) They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

The theme in this section seemed to be God gathering His scattered people from around the world.  It could easily refer to something in the end times.  The discussion went down a road full of assumptions and concrete traditions that did not necessarily help us understand what the Bible was telling us.

Somehow the phrase “walk by the rivers of waters” was lifted out and it was suggested that this referred to the captives in Babylon.  Since the theme was gathering in, that was a plausible explanation.  The a resounding voice quoted something.

Psalm 137:1 (KJV) By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

The voice was deep and sure.  It spoke with authority.  Everyone looked wise and nodded his head.  At that point I was good with the concept even though Babylon was not mentioned in that section of Jeremiah and the language seemed similar.  (Later research showed that the word in Psalms was totally different than the one in Jeremiah.).  I was okay with the statement at that point but the voice of authority had to add one little point that soured his punch with me.

The Voice declared two things with great power.  He said that David was speaking prophetically and reflecting the return predicted by Jeremiah.  Wow.  What an insight.  It was spoken like you could take it to the bank without a deposit slip.

I have this problem.  I like to read the actual quote in context.  I was not doubting the voice of authority.  I was just confirming in my own mind what I was hearing.  When I read it for myself it has more staying power.

Alas.  The Psalm did not say David had written it.  One of the traps we fall into is assuming that common knowledge is true.  If you polled the population, those who did not ask “What is Psalms?” Or “Who is David?” would assume that David wrote Psalms and Solomon wrote Proverbs.  I was in that camp for years, until I started reading and thinking for myself.  One thing that comes clear when you read Psalms with your brain engaged is that David did not write all the Psalms.  How do I know?  Because the Bible says so.  I know that there are many people who would argue with me because their pastor said David wrote them.  Don’t argue with me, read what the Bible says.

To further complicate the issue, there are many Psalms that don’t say who wrote them.  Now in my way of thinking if most of the chapters have what newspapers call a “by line” then when there is no attribution we don’t make an assumption based on our wish list of absolutes.  If he had said, “It doesn’t say, but I think David wrote this.  If David wrote it then he was speaking prophetically”  I could have nodded with the rest of them.  Instead he was making an absolute declaration which I am sure fit in with his chart of the end times.  That I reject.

My point is, don’t accept voices of authority just because they have a deep, resonating sound supported by rock hard certainty.  Read for yourself.  Think for yourself.  Listen to the Holy Spirit yourself, because He will speak to you.  For me it also takes another step and makes me skeptical of anything else The Voice has to say, but that is just me.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-353: Heart Law

Prophecy drives me crazy.  Actually it is the people who think they have prophecy figured out that drive me up a wall.  They are so sure.  They are so confident.  They are like my son in law who is colorblind declaring to the world that he is wearing a gray shirt when his wife dressed him in pink.  It looks gray to him and that settles it.

One of the verses that is produced in this thinking is,

(Jer 31:33 KJV)  But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

The main point of contention is that I tend to see this as applying to the church as well as Israel but my Eschatology Sage insisted it is only to Israel.  The Prophet said it.  This is a new thing having a new heart.  How dare I apply it any other way.

Then I come across this as I am doing my regular read through Psalms,

Psalms 40:8 (KJV) I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

Pardon my awareness of history but David had been dead for a long time before Jeremiah started to share his prophecy.  I also checked that this Psalm says it is written by David.

Read in context.  This was originally a promise to Israel.  Let your context go gestalt and consider the witness of the entire Bible.  One of the aspects of prophecy that the gurus don’t like to admit is that prophecy can apply to more than one event.  Fortunately we live in a day when you can have personal access to the word of God whether you are a King James Only disciple or use the Living Bible.  You are not limited to what the priest, pastor, notes on the page, commentary or wife tell you.

Happy thinking.

homo unius libri

Opus 2025-080: The End of Israel?

People who are into eschatology love to quote these verses.

(Jer 31:35 KJV)  Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:
(Jer 31:36 KJV)  If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
(Jer 31:37 KJV)  Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.

It is vital to them to keep Israel in the game.  They reject any other thinking as “Replacement Theology” and say it as if that is heresy.  My friend also threw a couple of other big words at me that I was supposed to cringe at.  Meh.  Maybe it is heresy.  Maybe they are over reacting a bit.  Maybe they have a chart or graph that they want to sell.  They still act like this is the final word in regard to verse 36.

Challenge accepted.

In order for Israel to fall out of favor certain milestones need to be passed.  Keep in mind that these are all future.  It has nothing to do with Israel’s importance today.  This is a discussion of theory and the question of how God plans to work in history.

Notice,

(Rev 6:12 KJV)  And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

Evidently the sun is no longer giving light by day and the moon doesn’t seem to be much help either.

Keep reading,

(Rev 6:13 KJV)  And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
(Rev 8:12 KJV)  And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

Stars are falling.  In my level of astronomy they won’t be giving much light if they fall.  The prophecy enthusiasts also like to make much of the parable of the fig tree which seems to be having some serious problems here, but that is for another day.

As for the sea,

(Rev 21:1 KJV)  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
(Rev 21:23 KJV)  And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
(Rev 22:5 KJV)  And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

No more sea and it continues with reference to the sun and moon.  It is a great picture.  I like it.  The problem is it does not fit their narative so, guess what?  They ignore it and never quote these verses.

I find the last verse referred to in regard to measuring the heavens and penetrating the earth to be somewhat fulfilled also.  We have telescopes and theories that are measuring the universe.  We have mines and drilling going miles below the surface of the earth.

It would seem that there is a possibility that somewhere in the future Israel will cease to be the chosen nation.  Make sure that does not create any anti-semitism in your heart.  Jews are people and deserve the same courtesy and consideration you would give any other human being.

homo unius libri