Was PROPHECY fulfilled in a logical manner?
Take Noah's Day.
Was it logical that Jehovah said to Noah to build an Ark and that it was going to flood over the whole surface of the earth? Remember, it had never rained before! And remember, Noah had never built boats before. According to Genesis 5:32 it says, "After Noah reached 500 years of age, he became father to Shem, Ham and Japheth." All 3 sons helped him build the Ark, so they must have been over 20years old. Maybe even 40-50years old. Genesis 6:14 says, "Make for yourself an ark . . ." Genesis 7:11 says, "In the 600th year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the 17th day of the month, on that day all the springs of the vast watery deep burst open and the floodgates of the heavens were opened." So simple math has it that Noah spent about 50years +/- building this huge boat.
Was it logical that there would be a major flood so that, despite building this huge boat, Noah also had to preach to his neighbors and warn them? 2Peter2:5 says, " . . . but kept Noah, a preacher of righteousness safe with 7 others when he brought a flood upon a world of ungodly people." So yes, not only did Noah build this huge boat, but he also took certain days off to warn his neighbors of the impending flood. As history would have it that since there had never been rain, nor had anybody built a boat like the one Noah built and never so far inland from the ocean or nearby sea and even if there was a body of water close by, how would he move this boat? It must have weighed so many mega-tons.
After loading up all the animals and food supplies, was it logical that Noah & his son's would be able to close the ramp/door to the boat? Remember the ramp was built strong enough to carry elephants and other large animals. Not only was it heavy, they didn't have any form of hydraulics to assist them in closing the ramp/door. Genesis 7:16 says, ". . . After that, Jehovah shut the door behind him."
Jonah was delivered to Ninevah
Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies, then you flee to the mountains.
Jesus would be impaled but there would be no broken bones.
Exodus from Egypt
Ressurection from the dead!
Even though we have been given signs as to the approximate generation that Jehovah would put an end to this system, and even though we have clues surrounding the events that would take place, the chronology of events so that we could come as close as possible to figuring out this timing, we still don't know more than what the prophecy's tell us. So with all the available data, does it seem logical that these remaining signs would take place in any logical sequence so that we can confidently say when this end would come? Yet to be fulfilled:
1) Babylon the Great (the world empire of false religion) is destroyed - Revelation
2) The announcement of Peace and Security by an authorized Governmental agency - 1Thessolonians5:3 says "Whenever it is that they are saying, 'Peace and security!' then sudden destruction is to be instantly on them, . . . and they will by no means escape."
3) There will be an all out attack on Jehovahs people. At this point, it is discovered that Jehovah's people are still worshiping their God. And it becomes an all out attack on them. This is what the Bible refers to as The Battle of Armageddon. At Revelateion 16:16 it says, "And they gathered them together to the place that is called in Hebrew Armageddon."
Jehovah steps in to save his people. He says at 2Chronicles 20:17 "You will not need to fight this battle. Take your position, stand still, and see the salvation of Jehovah in your behalf. . . . Tomorrow go out against them, and Jehovah will be with you." Since this battle of Armageddon is a battle between Jehovah and His kingdom and Satan and his demons, humans will not be involved. They may initially be involved during the Great Tribulation, but not during the battle. It is currently my understanding that 2Chronicles 20 pre-figures in part this battle of Armageddon.
Saturday, January 4, 2020
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Biblical Kings of the Earth Identified
In the Bible, various kings were identified in the Book of Daniel that play a significant part in knowing how close we are to the end of times as we now know it.
Daniel 2:37- You, O king, the king of kings, you to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the might, and the strength and the dignity,
38 and into whose hand he has given, wherever the sons of mankind are dwelling, the beasts of the field and the winged creatures of the heavens, and whom he has made ruler over all of them, you yourself are the head of gold.
39 “And after you there will rise another kingdom inferior to you; and another kingdom, a third one, of copper, that will rule over the whole earth.
40 “And as for the fourth kingdom, it will prove to be strong like iron. Forasmuch as iron is crushing and grinding everything else, so, like iron that shatters, it will crush and shatter even all these.
41 “And whereas you beheld the feet and the toes to be partly of molded clay of a potter and partly of iron, the kingdom itself will prove to be divided, but somewhat of the hardness of iron will prove to be in it, forasmuch as you beheld the iron mixed with moist clay.
42 And as for the toes of the feet being partly of iron and partly of molded clay, the kingdom will partly prove to be strong and will partly prove to be fragile.
43 Whereas you beheld iron mixed with moist clay, they will come to be mixed with the offspring of mankind; but they will not prove to be sticking together, this one to that one, just as iron is not mixing with molded clay.
44 “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite;
45 forasmuch as you beheld that out of the mountain a stone was cut not by hands, and [that] it crushed the iron, the copper, the molded clay, the silver and the gold. The grand God himself has made known to the king what is to occur after this. And the dream is reliable, and the interpretation of it is trustworthy.”
46 At that time King Neb·u·chad·nez′zar himself fell down upon his face, and to Daniel he paid homage, and he said to offer even a present and incense to him.
47 The king was answering Daniel and saying: “Truly the God of YOU men is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a Revealer of secrets, because you were able to reveal this secret.”
48 Consequently the king made Daniel someone great, and many big gifts he gave to him, and he made him the ruler over all the jurisdictional district of Babylon and the chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.
49 And Daniel, for his part, made a request of the king, and he appointed over the administration of the jurisdictional district of Babylon Sha′drach, Me′shach and A·bed′ne·go, but Daniel was in the court of the king.
Revelation 17:9-11 says, “Here is where the intelligence that has wisdom comes in: The seven heads mean seven mountains, where the woman sits on top. 10 And there are seven kings: five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet arrived, but when he does arrive he must remain a short while. 11 And the wild beast that was but is not, it is also itself an eighth [king], but springs from the seven, and it goes off into destruction.
In the bible, Mountains are identified as governments. Hills are identified as smaller governments such as cities, states etc.
These historical kings are not all of the kings of their empires that have ruled over the course of history, but they are the only kings described in the Book of Daniel that have significance to the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. It is critical to identify them in knowing where we stand in the understanding of this prophecy. So far all eight kings that have been identified are:
1st King - Egypt - 3150B.C.E. - 30B.C.E. (Others say it was about 2650 B.C.E. to 2150 B.C.E.)
2nd King - Assyria - 900 B.C.E. to 600 B.C.E.
3rd King - Babylon - 626 B.C.E. to 539 B.C.E. (only 87 years)
4th King - Medo Persia - Around 550 B.C.E. - Around 350 B,C,E,
5th King - Greece - Unknown 800 B,C.E.? (But since other world powers were in place according to world history, Greece must have only ruled from . . .) 350 B.C.E. to 146 B.C.E.
6th King - Rome - (The legendary starting of Rome was 753 B.C.E.) 212 B.C.E. to 565 C.E. (The Romans conquer Saguntum from the Carthaginians in 212 B.C.E.) (With the death of Justinian I after 38 years ruling the Roman Empire.)
7th King - Anglo-American dual world power. America & Great Britain - Britain came on the world scene in 1707 later joined by America around 1898. They (America & Great Britain) became a dual world power since then.
8th King - Initially, The League of Nations (began January 10, 1920) replaced by The United Nations (UN) on October 24, 1945.
The Kingdom that will crush all these kings is identified in Daniel 2:44. It is the same kingdom that Jesus prayed for in Matthew 6:9 to rule over earth as it does in the heavens.
These are the list of WORLD POWERS OF DANIEL’S PROPHECY
The immense image (Daniel 2:31-45)
1. EGYPT
2. ASSYRIA
3. BABYLONIA during 607 B.C.E. – 632 B.C.E.
4. MEDO-PERSIA during 525 B.C.E. - 539 B.C.E.
5. GREECE from 331 B.C.E.
6. ROME from 30 B.C.E.
7. ANGLO-AMERICAN DUAL WORLD POWER from 1763 C.E. (some say 1898) to present.
For a look into all the Dynasties of the world, see the next post entitled, "World Dynasty's in order of their appearance"
Daniel 2:37- You, O king, the king of kings, you to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the might, and the strength and the dignity,
38 and into whose hand he has given, wherever the sons of mankind are dwelling, the beasts of the field and the winged creatures of the heavens, and whom he has made ruler over all of them, you yourself are the head of gold.
39 “And after you there will rise another kingdom inferior to you; and another kingdom, a third one, of copper, that will rule over the whole earth.
40 “And as for the fourth kingdom, it will prove to be strong like iron. Forasmuch as iron is crushing and grinding everything else, so, like iron that shatters, it will crush and shatter even all these.
41 “And whereas you beheld the feet and the toes to be partly of molded clay of a potter and partly of iron, the kingdom itself will prove to be divided, but somewhat of the hardness of iron will prove to be in it, forasmuch as you beheld the iron mixed with moist clay.
42 And as for the toes of the feet being partly of iron and partly of molded clay, the kingdom will partly prove to be strong and will partly prove to be fragile.
43 Whereas you beheld iron mixed with moist clay, they will come to be mixed with the offspring of mankind; but they will not prove to be sticking together, this one to that one, just as iron is not mixing with molded clay.
44 “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite;
45 forasmuch as you beheld that out of the mountain a stone was cut not by hands, and [that] it crushed the iron, the copper, the molded clay, the silver and the gold. The grand God himself has made known to the king what is to occur after this. And the dream is reliable, and the interpretation of it is trustworthy.”
46 At that time King Neb·u·chad·nez′zar himself fell down upon his face, and to Daniel he paid homage, and he said to offer even a present and incense to him.
47 The king was answering Daniel and saying: “Truly the God of YOU men is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a Revealer of secrets, because you were able to reveal this secret.”
48 Consequently the king made Daniel someone great, and many big gifts he gave to him, and he made him the ruler over all the jurisdictional district of Babylon and the chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.
49 And Daniel, for his part, made a request of the king, and he appointed over the administration of the jurisdictional district of Babylon Sha′drach, Me′shach and A·bed′ne·go, but Daniel was in the court of the king.
Revelation 17:9-11 says, “Here is where the intelligence that has wisdom comes in: The seven heads mean seven mountains, where the woman sits on top. 10 And there are seven kings: five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet arrived, but when he does arrive he must remain a short while. 11 And the wild beast that was but is not, it is also itself an eighth [king], but springs from the seven, and it goes off into destruction.
In the bible, Mountains are identified as governments. Hills are identified as smaller governments such as cities, states etc.
These historical kings are not all of the kings of their empires that have ruled over the course of history, but they are the only kings described in the Book of Daniel that have significance to the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. It is critical to identify them in knowing where we stand in the understanding of this prophecy. So far all eight kings that have been identified are:
1st King - Egypt - 3150B.C.E. - 30B.C.E. (Others say it was about 2650 B.C.E. to 2150 B.C.E.)
2nd King - Assyria - 900 B.C.E. to 600 B.C.E.
3rd King - Babylon - 626 B.C.E. to 539 B.C.E. (only 87 years)
4th King - Medo Persia - Around 550 B.C.E. - Around 350 B,C,E,
5th King - Greece - Unknown 800 B,C.E.? (But since other world powers were in place according to world history, Greece must have only ruled from . . .) 350 B.C.E. to 146 B.C.E.
6th King - Rome - (The legendary starting of Rome was 753 B.C.E.) 212 B.C.E. to 565 C.E. (The Romans conquer Saguntum from the Carthaginians in 212 B.C.E.) (With the death of Justinian I after 38 years ruling the Roman Empire.)
7th King - Anglo-American dual world power. America & Great Britain - Britain came on the world scene in 1707 later joined by America around 1898. They (America & Great Britain) became a dual world power since then.
8th King - Initially, The League of Nations (began January 10, 1920) replaced by The United Nations (UN) on October 24, 1945.
The Kingdom that will crush all these kings is identified in Daniel 2:44. It is the same kingdom that Jesus prayed for in Matthew 6:9 to rule over earth as it does in the heavens.
These are the list of WORLD POWERS OF DANIEL’S PROPHECY
The immense image (Daniel 2:31-45)
1. EGYPT
2. ASSYRIA
3. BABYLONIA during 607 B.C.E. – 632 B.C.E.
4. MEDO-PERSIA during 525 B.C.E. - 539 B.C.E.
5. GREECE from 331 B.C.E.
6. ROME from 30 B.C.E.
7. ANGLO-AMERICAN DUAL WORLD POWER from 1763 C.E. (some say 1898) to present.
For a look into all the Dynasties of the world, see the next post entitled, "World Dynasty's in order of their appearance"
Friday, June 22, 2012
World Dynasty's in order of their appearance
Based on the information I have researched, this is a list of all the Empires that have had an affect on human history. In the coming months, I intend to list the years that they were in power as well as a little about their dynasty's an the affect they had on humanity while they were in power.
1. Sumer and Akkad
2. Elam
3. Hurrian kingdoms
4. Assyria
5. Hittite Empire
6. Median Empire 625-550BCE
7. Achaemenid Empire 559-330BCE
8. Parthian Empire
9. Sassanid Empire
10. Ancient Africa
11. Ancient Egypt
12. Kush
13. Aksumite Empire
14. Greek powers 800BCE – 146BCE
15. Athens 480BCE – 404BCE
16. Sparta
17. Macedonia
18. Hellenistic Kingdoms
19. Seleucid Empire
20. Ptolemaic Egypt
21. Carthage
22. Ancient India
23. Nanda Empire
24. Maurya Empire
25. Sunga Empire
26. Satavahana Empire
27. Gupta Empire
28. Pāla Empire
29. Ancient China
30. Qin Dynasty
31. Han Dynasty 206 BC – AD 220
32. Xiongnu
33. Roman Empire 27BCE –
34. Hunnic Empire 370-454AD
35. Medieval Powers 476-1492AD
36. Medieval Middle and Near East –
37. Byzantine Empire 330 – 1453AD
38. Medieval Turkic Empires – Göktürk
39. Uyghur Khaganate 8th century
40. Great Seljuk Empire 1040–1154 AD
41. Arab Caliphates 632 – 1258 AD
42. Rashidun Caliphate
43. Umayyad Caliphate
44. Abbasid Caliphate
45. Al-Andalus 711-1492
46. Fatimid Caliphate 909-1171
47. Ayyubid Sultanate 1171–1246
48. Bahri Mamluks Empire 1250–1380
49. Bulgaria 800s - 1000s
50. Serbia 1346–1402
51. Georgia 1184–1225
52. Ghaznavid Empire 960s – 998
53. Timurid Empire 1370–1526
54. Medieval China and Far East region
55. Tang Dynasty 630s - 800s
56. Song Dynasty 990s - 1080s
57. Mongol Empire 1206 - 1370s
58. Yuan Dynasty 1271–1368
59. Ming Dynasty 1370s - 1550s
60. Medieval Europe
61. Frankish Empire 790s - 840s
62. Kingdom of Germany and after
63. Medieval Kingdom of Hungary 1000-1526
64. Jagiellon Dynasty 1386–1572
65. Norman Empire 1017–1154
66. Papacy 756 – 1870
67. Kingdom of Sicily 1059–1250
68. Republic of Genoa 1099–1380
69. Medieval Venetial Republic 1204–1489
70. Capetian Kingdom of France 987–1453
71. Angevin Empire 1154–1453
72. Kingdoms of Aragon 1340s - 1480s
73. Kingdom of Castile 1230–1480
74. Kalmar Union 1397–1523
75. Medieval Africa
76. Mali Empire 1300-1450
77. Ethopian Empire 1137 – 1975
78. Medieval India
79. Chalukya Empire 543–753
80. Rashtrakuta Empire 753–982
81. Pala Empire 750–1174
82. Chola Empire 985-1200
83. Medieval Southeast Asia
84. Khmer Empire 802-1431
85. Srivijaya
86. American Pre-Columbain Empires
87. Maya Civilization 2000 BC to 250 AD
88. Inca Empire 1438 to 1533
89. Aztec Empire
90. Modern Powers – Early Modern Powers
91. France 1450s – 1815
92. Modern Venetian Republic 1489–1718
93. Qing Empire 1660s - 1700s
94. Persian Safavid Empire 1550s - 1700s
95. Dutch Republic 1581–1795
96. Early British Empire 1600–1815
97. Mughal Empire 1526 – 1857
98. Early Ottoman Empire 1400s – 1815
99. Poland – Lithuania 1569–1795
100. Portugal 1415 – 1815
101. Prussia
102. Early Spanish Empire 1492-1815
103. Sweden 1638–1663 and later 1784-1878.
104. Moscovian Empire and After 1400-1815
105. Maratha Empire 1674–1820
106. High modern historical powers 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries
107. Persian Qajar Empire 1794-1925
108. The Netherlands 1815–1949
109. France 1815–1956
110. Late British Empire 1815–1956
111. Late Spanish Empire 1815–1898
112. Austrian Empire (Austria-Hungary) 1867–1918 and 1815–1867
113. Prussia and after 1815–1871 and 1871–1945
114. Late Ottoman Empire 1815–1918
115. Russian Empire and after 1815–1917 and 1917–1991
116. Italian Empire 1895–1945
117. Empire of Japan 1895–1945
118. United States (America) 1848-Present - And to be a bit more accurate this World Power could be named the Anglo 118-American Dual World Power America & 110-Great Brittain.
And somewhere around the early 1920's The League of Nations followed by its successor The United Nations.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_powers
Here's a few supporting charts:
1. Are Bible prophecies Specific
1. Are Bible prophecies specific?
Only Almighty God can foresee the future in detail. (Amos 3:7) For example, since early times, he foretold the arival of someone called the Messiah, or Christ. The Messiah would be a descendant of the faithful man Abraham. He would be a ruler who would make it possible for obedient humans to regain the blessing of perfect life free of disease. (Genesis 22:18, Isaiah 53:4-5) This Promised One was to come from Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)
Jesus proved to be the Messiah. Over seven centuries in advance, the Bible foretold that the Messiah would be born of a virgin and would be despised. He would give his life for the sins of many and he would be buried with the rich. (Isaiah 7:14, 53:3,9 & 12) The Bible also proclaimed, over five centuries in advance, that he would enter Jerusalem on a donkey and that he would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. Every detail came true. (Zechariah 9:9 & 11:12)
Peace and Security
1Thessalonians 5:2 says, "For YOU yourselves know quite well that Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. 3 Whenever it is that they are saying: “Peace and security!” then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pang of distress upon a pregnant woman; and they will by no means escape. 4 But YOU, brothers, YOU are not in darkness, so that that day should overtake YOU as it would thieves"
Only Almighty God can foresee the future in detail. (Amos 3:7) For example, since early times, he foretold the arival of someone called the Messiah, or Christ. The Messiah would be a descendant of the faithful man Abraham. He would be a ruler who would make it possible for obedient humans to regain the blessing of perfect life free of disease. (Genesis 22:18, Isaiah 53:4-5) This Promised One was to come from Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)
Jesus proved to be the Messiah. Over seven centuries in advance, the Bible foretold that the Messiah would be born of a virgin and would be despised. He would give his life for the sins of many and he would be buried with the rich. (Isaiah 7:14, 53:3,9 & 12) The Bible also proclaimed, over five centuries in advance, that he would enter Jerusalem on a donkey and that he would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. Every detail came true. (Zechariah 9:9 & 11:12)
Peace and Security
1Thessalonians 5:2 says, "For YOU yourselves know quite well that Jehovah’s day is coming exactly as a thief in the night. 3 Whenever it is that they are saying: “Peace and security!” then sudden destruction is to be instantly upon them just as the pang of distress upon a pregnant woman; and they will by no means escape. 4 But YOU, brothers, YOU are not in darkness, so that that day should overtake YOU as it would thieves"
2. Does God predict names & dates?
2. Does God predict dates? or better yet, does he reveal to us the names & dates he has pre-planned?
As with most prophecies, He gives clues as to the timing of their fulfillment, allowing those interested to look for the answer instead of just telling us the answer. For example, when asked of Jesus by his disciples on the Mount of Olives, Jesus stated at Matthew 24:3, "Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?" The answer Jesus gave to them is found in part at Matthew 24:4-14. The entire Bible hinges on the fulfillment of this prophecy since it leads us to understand the full purpose of Gods intended direction for the earth. Jehovah could reveal that date or time period to anybody He chose, but instead, through Jesus, He has chosen to reveal it by using a "sign" (Matthew 24:3). This is clearly stated when Jesus stated at Matthew 24:36 where he says, "Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father." Jesus was then and is still now Jehovahs chief spokesman and representative. Jesus is known and referred to as Michael the Archangel (Jude 9) Take note that the word "sign" is singular it is not plural. There is one sign which identifies this time period.
Jesus arrival prophesied - Over five centuries in advance (500 years), the Bible prophesied the exact year of the Messiah's appearance. The time until his arrival was measured in weeks of years, meaning that each "week" was seven years long. There would be 7 plus 62 of such weeks, making a total of 69 weeks of years. That equals 483 years. When did that span of years begin? According to the Bible, the period began when God's servant Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem and began to rebuild the city. Persian history establishes the date as 455 B.C.E. (Nehemiah 2:1-5) Jesus was baptized as the Messiah 483 years later, in the year 29 C.E. exactly on time (Daniel 9:25)
Consider the Account of Noah's Day - The Genesis account reveals that Jehovah did not have the ark built and then decide when to bring the floodwaters, as if he needed to keep the timing of the start of the Flood flexible in case the construction project ran behind schedule. Rather, long before he said anything to Noah about building an ark, God fixed the time for the Flood to begin. How do we know that? The Bible tells us that Jehovah issued a decree in heaven. According to (Genesis 6:3) After that Jehovah said: “My spirit shall not act toward man indefinitely in that he is also flesh. Accordingly his days shall amount to a hundred and twenty years.” This is not a statement regarding the average human lifespan. It was a judicial decree in which Jehovah declared when he would act to cleans the earth of ungodliness. Since the Flood began in 2370BCE, we infer that God made this pronouncement about the coming Flood in the year of 2490BCE. At that time, Noah was 480 years old. (Genesis 7:6) "And Noah was six hundred years old when the deluge of waters occurred on the earth."
Some 20 years after the announcement to Noah to build the Ark, in the year 2470BCE, Noah's sons began to be born. (Genesis 5:32) "And Noah got to be five hundred years old. After that Noah became father to Shem, Ham and Ja'pheth." About 100 years remained before the Flood was to begin, but Jehovah had still not revealed to Noah the special role he would play in preserving the human family and the Ark had not yet begun to being built.
How long would God wait before he told Noah? Jehovah apparently waited decades before revealing to Noah what He was going to do. The Bible says that Noah's sons were already grown and married when God commanded Noah to build the ark. Jehovah tells Noah, "I do establish my convenant with you; and you must go into the ark, you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you" (Genesis 6:9-18) It is possible, therefore, that when Noah received the commission to build the ark, only 40-50 years remained before the Flood occurred. As the constructing the ark progressed, Noah and his family must have wondered how God would accomplish his purpose and when the Flood would begin. Yet, their lack of knowledge of these details did not stop them or slow them from getting the ark built. The Scriptural record states: (Genesis 6:22) "And Noah proceeded to do according to all that God had commanded him. He did just so." Seven days before the floodwaters fell, just enough time for Noah and his family to load the animals into the ark, Jehovah finally told Noah exactly when the Flood would begin. (Genesis 7:1-5) After that Jehovah said to Noah: “Go, you and all your household, into the ark, because you are the one I have seen to be righteous before me among this generation. 2 Of every clean beast you must take to yourself by sevens, the sire and its mate; and of every beast that is not clean just two, the sire and its mate; 3 also of the flying creatures of the heavens by sevens, male and female, to preserve offspring alive on the surface of the entire earth. 4 For in just seven days more I am making it rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and I will wipe every existing thing that I have made off the surface of the ground.” 5 And Noah proceeded to do according to all that Jehovah had commanded him. Jehovah was very specific in his keeping an accurate time table for here at (Genesis 7:11) he states: "In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on this day all the springs of the vast watery deep were broken open and the floodgates of the heavens were opened." The account of the Flood testifies to Jehovah's skill not ony as a Timekeeper but also as a Deliverer. Everything that Jehovah has purposed will take place at his appointed time, to the very day and hour.
As with most prophecies, He gives clues as to the timing of their fulfillment, allowing those interested to look for the answer instead of just telling us the answer. For example, when asked of Jesus by his disciples on the Mount of Olives, Jesus stated at Matthew 24:3, "Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?" The answer Jesus gave to them is found in part at Matthew 24:4-14. The entire Bible hinges on the fulfillment of this prophecy since it leads us to understand the full purpose of Gods intended direction for the earth. Jehovah could reveal that date or time period to anybody He chose, but instead, through Jesus, He has chosen to reveal it by using a "sign" (Matthew 24:3). This is clearly stated when Jesus stated at Matthew 24:36 where he says, "Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father." Jesus was then and is still now Jehovahs chief spokesman and representative. Jesus is known and referred to as Michael the Archangel (Jude 9) Take note that the word "sign" is singular it is not plural. There is one sign which identifies this time period.
Jesus arrival prophesied - Over five centuries in advance (500 years), the Bible prophesied the exact year of the Messiah's appearance. The time until his arrival was measured in weeks of years, meaning that each "week" was seven years long. There would be 7 plus 62 of such weeks, making a total of 69 weeks of years. That equals 483 years. When did that span of years begin? According to the Bible, the period began when God's servant Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem and began to rebuild the city. Persian history establishes the date as 455 B.C.E. (Nehemiah 2:1-5) Jesus was baptized as the Messiah 483 years later, in the year 29 C.E. exactly on time (Daniel 9:25)
Consider the Account of Noah's Day - The Genesis account reveals that Jehovah did not have the ark built and then decide when to bring the floodwaters, as if he needed to keep the timing of the start of the Flood flexible in case the construction project ran behind schedule. Rather, long before he said anything to Noah about building an ark, God fixed the time for the Flood to begin. How do we know that? The Bible tells us that Jehovah issued a decree in heaven. According to (Genesis 6:3) After that Jehovah said: “My spirit shall not act toward man indefinitely in that he is also flesh. Accordingly his days shall amount to a hundred and twenty years.” This is not a statement regarding the average human lifespan. It was a judicial decree in which Jehovah declared when he would act to cleans the earth of ungodliness. Since the Flood began in 2370BCE, we infer that God made this pronouncement about the coming Flood in the year of 2490BCE. At that time, Noah was 480 years old. (Genesis 7:6) "And Noah was six hundred years old when the deluge of waters occurred on the earth."
Some 20 years after the announcement to Noah to build the Ark, in the year 2470BCE, Noah's sons began to be born. (Genesis 5:32) "And Noah got to be five hundred years old. After that Noah became father to Shem, Ham and Ja'pheth." About 100 years remained before the Flood was to begin, but Jehovah had still not revealed to Noah the special role he would play in preserving the human family and the Ark had not yet begun to being built.
How long would God wait before he told Noah? Jehovah apparently waited decades before revealing to Noah what He was going to do. The Bible says that Noah's sons were already grown and married when God commanded Noah to build the ark. Jehovah tells Noah, "I do establish my convenant with you; and you must go into the ark, you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you" (Genesis 6:9-18) It is possible, therefore, that when Noah received the commission to build the ark, only 40-50 years remained before the Flood occurred. As the constructing the ark progressed, Noah and his family must have wondered how God would accomplish his purpose and when the Flood would begin. Yet, their lack of knowledge of these details did not stop them or slow them from getting the ark built. The Scriptural record states: (Genesis 6:22) "And Noah proceeded to do according to all that God had commanded him. He did just so." Seven days before the floodwaters fell, just enough time for Noah and his family to load the animals into the ark, Jehovah finally told Noah exactly when the Flood would begin. (Genesis 7:1-5) After that Jehovah said to Noah: “Go, you and all your household, into the ark, because you are the one I have seen to be righteous before me among this generation. 2 Of every clean beast you must take to yourself by sevens, the sire and its mate; and of every beast that is not clean just two, the sire and its mate; 3 also of the flying creatures of the heavens by sevens, male and female, to preserve offspring alive on the surface of the entire earth. 4 For in just seven days more I am making it rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and I will wipe every existing thing that I have made off the surface of the ground.” 5 And Noah proceeded to do according to all that Jehovah had commanded him. Jehovah was very specific in his keeping an accurate time table for here at (Genesis 7:11) he states: "In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on this day all the springs of the vast watery deep were broken open and the floodgates of the heavens were opened." The account of the Flood testifies to Jehovah's skill not ony as a Timekeeper but also as a Deliverer. Everything that Jehovah has purposed will take place at his appointed time, to the very day and hour.
3. Are Bible prophecies coming true now?
3. Are Bible prophecies coming true now?
Jesus prophesied momentous events for our time. His prophecy mentions the good news of God's kingdom, which will bring worldwide relief to people who love Him. The Kingdom will bring an end to the entire wicked system of things in which we live. (Matthew 24:14 & 21-22)
Bible prophecies describe in detail the concluding period of the present system of things. The Bible revealed that in contrast with what might be expected in an age of progress, people would be ruining the earth. Revelation 11:18 says, "But the nations became wrathful, and your own wrath came, and the appointed time for the dead to be judged, and to give [their] reward to your slaves the prophets and to the holy ones and to those fearing your name, the small and the great, and to bring to ruin those ruining the earth.” Distress caused by wars, food shortages, earthquakes and disease epidemics would incdrease. (Luke 21:11) Moral standards would collapse. In these difficult times, Jesus' followers would preach the good news of God's Kingdom in all nations. (Matthew 24:3, 7-8, & 2Timothy 3:1-5)
Jesus prophesied momentous events for our time. His prophecy mentions the good news of God's kingdom, which will bring worldwide relief to people who love Him. The Kingdom will bring an end to the entire wicked system of things in which we live. (Matthew 24:14 & 21-22)
Bible prophecies describe in detail the concluding period of the present system of things. The Bible revealed that in contrast with what might be expected in an age of progress, people would be ruining the earth. Revelation 11:18 says, "But the nations became wrathful, and your own wrath came, and the appointed time for the dead to be judged, and to give [their] reward to your slaves the prophets and to the holy ones and to those fearing your name, the small and the great, and to bring to ruin those ruining the earth.” Distress caused by wars, food shortages, earthquakes and disease epidemics would incdrease. (Luke 21:11) Moral standards would collapse. In these difficult times, Jesus' followers would preach the good news of God's Kingdom in all nations. (Matthew 24:3, 7-8, & 2Timothy 3:1-5)
4. What is the future for mankind?
4. What will be mankind's future?
Almighty God has good things in store for faithful mankind. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, along with his chosen ones, will rule over the earth from heaven. They make up the Kingdom government which will rule for a thousand years. (Matthew 6:9, Daniel 2:44) The dead will be raised and will have the opportunity of being judged worthy of everlasting life. Furthermore, the kingdom will cure everyone then living. Sickness and death will be no more. (Revelation 5:10, 20:6&12, 21:4-5 Isaiah 65:17-25) The following is just a list of a few scriptures that might lead you to believe that there is a hope for mankind, well . . . at least for those that learn to love Jehovah.
(Psalm 37:10, 11) "And just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more; And you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be. 11 But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, And they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace."
(Psalm 37:29) "The righteous themselves will possess the earth, And they will reside forever upon it."
(Isaiah 65:17-25) “For here I am creating new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be called to mind, neither will they come up into the heart. 18 But exult, YOU people, and be joyful forever in what I am creating. For here I am creating Jerusalem a cause for joyfulness and her people a cause for exultation. 19 And I will be joyful in Jerusalem and exult in my people; and no more will there be heard in her the sound of weeping or the sound of a plaintive cry.” 20 “No more will there come to be a suckling a few days old from that place, neither an old man that does not fulfill his days; for one will die as a mere boy, although a hundred years of age; and as for the sinner, although a hundred years of age he will have evil called down upon him. 21 And they will certainly build houses and have occupancy; and they will certainly plant vineyards and eat [their] fruitage. 22 They will not build and someone else have occupancy; they will not plant and someone else do the eating. For like the days of a tree will the days of my people be; and the work of their own hands my chosen ones will use to the full. 23 They will not toil for nothing, nor will they bring to birth for disturbance; because they are the offspring made up of the blessed ones of Jehovah, and their descendants with them. 24 And it will actually occur that before they call out I myself shall answer; while they are yet speaking, I myself shall hear. 25 “The wolf and the lamb themselves will feed as one, and the lion will eat straw just like the bull; and as for the serpent, his food will be dust. They will do no harm nor cause any ruin in all my holy mountain,” Jehovah has said.
(Isaiah 66:22) “For just as the new heavens and the new earth that I am making are standing before me,” is the utterance of Jehovah, “so the offspring of YOU people and the name of YOU people will keep standing.”
(Revelation 21:1-4) And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. 2 I saw also the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. 4 And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”
Almighty God has good things in store for faithful mankind. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, along with his chosen ones, will rule over the earth from heaven. They make up the Kingdom government which will rule for a thousand years. (Matthew 6:9, Daniel 2:44) The dead will be raised and will have the opportunity of being judged worthy of everlasting life. Furthermore, the kingdom will cure everyone then living. Sickness and death will be no more. (Revelation 5:10, 20:6&12, 21:4-5 Isaiah 65:17-25) The following is just a list of a few scriptures that might lead you to believe that there is a hope for mankind, well . . . at least for those that learn to love Jehovah.
(Psalm 37:10, 11) "And just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more; And you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be. 11 But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, And they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace."
(Psalm 37:29) "The righteous themselves will possess the earth, And they will reside forever upon it."
(Isaiah 65:17-25) “For here I am creating new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be called to mind, neither will they come up into the heart. 18 But exult, YOU people, and be joyful forever in what I am creating. For here I am creating Jerusalem a cause for joyfulness and her people a cause for exultation. 19 And I will be joyful in Jerusalem and exult in my people; and no more will there be heard in her the sound of weeping or the sound of a plaintive cry.” 20 “No more will there come to be a suckling a few days old from that place, neither an old man that does not fulfill his days; for one will die as a mere boy, although a hundred years of age; and as for the sinner, although a hundred years of age he will have evil called down upon him. 21 And they will certainly build houses and have occupancy; and they will certainly plant vineyards and eat [their] fruitage. 22 They will not build and someone else have occupancy; they will not plant and someone else do the eating. For like the days of a tree will the days of my people be; and the work of their own hands my chosen ones will use to the full. 23 They will not toil for nothing, nor will they bring to birth for disturbance; because they are the offspring made up of the blessed ones of Jehovah, and their descendants with them. 24 And it will actually occur that before they call out I myself shall answer; while they are yet speaking, I myself shall hear. 25 “The wolf and the lamb themselves will feed as one, and the lion will eat straw just like the bull; and as for the serpent, his food will be dust. They will do no harm nor cause any ruin in all my holy mountain,” Jehovah has said.
(Isaiah 66:22) “For just as the new heavens and the new earth that I am making are standing before me,” is the utterance of Jehovah, “so the offspring of YOU people and the name of YOU people will keep standing.”
(Revelation 21:1-4) And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. 2 I saw also the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. 4 And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”
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