It is my opinion that the Book of Daniel is the Book referred to in Revelations which was sealed with seven seals...(Dan 12:9 KJV) "And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." It is the only Book that was sealed. And Jesus is the one who was/is able to unseal it, apparently a little at a time.

I understand that calendars were made and changed over the centuries, but today many computers have been changed by going back in time to 1971 or '72.

I would love to get your input on this. In context the chapter seems to be talking about the BEAST SYSTEM in which we live.

(Dan 7:25 KJV) "And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time."

Been wondering about this since Ross Perot came up with the idea in 1999. Not saying he is the one spoken of as in "he shall speak great words..."

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2000

Answers

I am answering this post and I want to make it clear that I have no personal bones to pick with Mark. But Mark, do you not see it as entirely pompous arrogance to look at a text like Revelation or Daniel and impose its fulfillment upon us? Pre-millenialism by and large is the most arrogant of all hermeneutics - it violently ignores the past lives of great men and women of the faith to whom these texts were delivered and says that the large thrust of it is applicable to us contemporary folk. I know I am not answering your question, but to be honest, I can't, because I don't ignore the past. If we would do more teaching on the history of the faith and church in our churches - I think premillenialism would go by the wayside because it thrives on ignorance of history.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2000

Michael,

I certainly didn't mean to cause such a violent reaction. Lighten up a little.

It is clear to me that we know very little about the Bible. I do know that all these things have been written for us because that is what the Bible says. Since Jesus, these are the end time.

The Bible interprets itself and there is only one sealed Book in the Bible and that is Daniel and Jesus is the one to unseal it. In my incredibly humble opinion.

(1 Cor 10:11 KJV) "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."

(1 Cor 10:12 KJV) "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."

Pre, post, ah! I don't follow all that stuff. I attempt to understand and it takes the help of inspired Christians to do so.

(1 Cor 14:29 KJV) "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge."

(1 Cor 14:30 KJV) "If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace."

(1 Cor 14:31 KJV) "For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted."

In context it appears to be a reference to the final situation!

I am not attempting to say "Thus sayeth the Lord." The Lord's Book says it but that doesn't mean anything to anyone until it is understood.

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2000

Mark, I have thought for many years that the book sealed in Daniel is indeed the book of revelation. For many reasons. However, the only ones that I have seen to historically fulfill Dan 7:25 was the religious rullers or leaders of fleshly Israel. They even tried to give false conclusions about the resurrection of Christ which many of them still believe to this day. Although I have come to the conclusion that there are NO Jewish people left on the face of the earth. Either Socially, Racially, Relgiously, etc. If you are interested in my reasons for this I would honestly be happy to share them with you. Not sure I want to open this can of worms at this point as many are not ready to follow it through to its logical conclusion. Catcha later. Bro. Jack

-- Anonymous, January 30, 2000

Jack,

I'll have to take the Word of God as to wether there are any Jews or Israel in existance today. There are many references to that affect and the entire Kingdom of God is about that fact...(Jer 33:25 KJV) "Thus saith the LORD; If my covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth;"

(Jer 33:26 KJV) "Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them."

(Acts 1:6 KJV) "When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?"

(Acts 1:7 KJV) "And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power."

The Kingdom is to be restored to Israel, not the Jews. The Jews were disqualified by Jesus' words...(Mat 21:43 KJV) "Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof."

Regarding opening a "can of worms" most preachers are afraid to do so for fear of...??? One preacher said to me, "We don't want to start any controversy." As if the Kingdom of God was anything but controversial. The Jews killed Jesus over the idea.

The search for the Kingdom of God is like the FOREST FOR THE TREES SYNDROM. It has been in the growing/building process but noone can see it.

(Mat 13:31 KJV) "Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:"

(Mat 13:32 KJV) "Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof."

mustard seed=Kingdom seed

field=world

greatest among herbs=Great Nation

birds of the air=foreign people coming to Israel/The Kingdom to enjoy the fruits of the Kingdom and some, tares, to destroy.

Climb up to the highest hill you can find in your area and then look around you. It is amazing to see.

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2000

Mark,

I have 2 ideas for you to consider:

1) Concerning "The Beast" - I think it incomprehensible to consider any computer or machine to be the Beast of the Bible. I have often referred to my PC as a "beast" (& many other things) while working on it, but it ain't ever gonna take over the world, because I know where the plug is. What does the entirety of the Bible focus on? - God, Christ, Their Words & Commandments, and People. God doesn't care about the little "Technological Terrors" that we have created because they are insignificant compared to Him and His power. So it would seem completely illogical to think God would prophesy about a computer which does not even concern Him.

2) Let me suggest an alternate key for the symbols used in your exegesis of Matt. 13:31-32 -

mustard seed = Kingdom seed. Note that mustard seeds are extremely tiny and do not normally grow into large plants.

field = world

herbs = nations of the World

birds of the air = evil influences and people. I use this definition of the birds because, throughout the Bible, birds are always used in a negative context - except for pigeons & doves. Birds of prey, ravens, etc were declared unclean & were to be avoided.

Using this key, this parable could be translated thusly:

The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took & sowed in his field: when grown, this kingdom grew abnormally large and became as the largest of the Nations of the World so that even evil men and their ideas began to lodge in it.

Kind of a radical interpretation, isn't it? But did such ever happen in the History of the Church?

It was called the Middle Ages (i.e. the Dark Ages). When the Church grew so large & dominant that even the Kings of Europe had to bow down to the Pope and beg his permission to administer their own kingdom.

Michael, you are absolutely correct about History. We should never interpret prophecy or parable without considering the historical aspects that may apply.

Today, most people consider "history" to have begun on the day of their birth and interpret everything accordingly. We must never forget that "history" began with God & through God, after all it is "HIStory".

-- Anonymous, January 31, 2000

Mark Wisniewski,

I didn't mean to imply that computers are the Beast, However they are a tool of the System. The economic religious/system is the Beast. If you read Daniel you find that Nebuchadnezzer set up the Beast System with all the thieving Bureacracies. That is why it is called Babylon the Great.

The mustard seed parable regards the Kingdom and not the evil church ((Mat 7:22 KJV) "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?"

(Mat 7:23 KJV) "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.")

(Mat 13:31 KJV) "Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:"

Jesus was quoting from...(Ezek 17:22 KJV) "Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it upon an high mountain and eminent:"

(Ezek 17:23 KJV) "In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell."

A picture of the Kingdom of God.

-- Anonymous, February 01, 2000