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Bible Prophecy
The belief by some Christians that verses from the Bible foretell events that actually take place in the future
1,003 Questions
Did Lazarus die again after his resurrection?
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead:-
Joh 11:43-48 KJV And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. (v.44) And [Lazarus] that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. (v.45) Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. (v.46) But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. (v.47) Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. (v.48) If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
Jesus then went to a city called Ephraim with His disciples:-
Joh 11:53-57 KJV Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him [Jesus] to death. (v.54) Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.(v.55) And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. (v.56) Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast? (v.57) Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him [Net Bible: "arrest him"].
The NET Bible Notes on John 11:54 place Ephraim about 19-24 km Northeast of Jerusalem:-
There is no certain identification of the location to which Jesus withdrew in response to the decision of the Jewish authorities. Many have suggested the present town of Et-Taiyibeh, ...If so, this would be 12-15 mi (19-24 km) northeast of Jerusalem.
Lazarus may have tried to go back to his "normal" life again, but his life-direction and priorities had now changed. Jesus and the 12 Disciples then returned from Ephraim to Bethany, but there were many more disciples in addition to the 12 main ones, and by this time Lazarus was (understandably!) one of them:-
Joh 12:1-2 KJV Then Jesus six days before the passover [ie to be held in Jerusalem] [they] came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. (v.2) There they made him [Jesus] a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
As Lazarus was walking proof of Jesus' miracle-working ability, the Pharisees wanted to kill him as well:-
Joh 12:9-11 KJV Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. (v.10) But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; (v.11)Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
Secular records may show what happened to Lazarus and where he went, but the Bible has no furthur record of Lazarus.
What is left in the Book of Revelation that has not happened?
The "Revelation of Jesus Christ" is related in John's vision as a "parable," which Jesus intends for the general public to "not understand."
"This is why I speak to them in parables: 'Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand..." (Matt.13:13).
Jesus clearly intends His Revelation to be understood only by "His servants":
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God [the Father] gave Him to show His servants what must soon take place..." (Rev.1:1 NIV).
Therefore, this parable of Christ isn't meant for most people to understand [nor do they]:
"...The disciples came to Him and asked, 'Why do you speak to the people in parables?' He replied, 'The knowledge of the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven has been given to you, but not to them..." (Matt.13:10-11 NIV).
"But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For I tell you the Truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it." (verses 16-17)
Yet, even Jesus' disciples had to come to Him, privately [out of ear-shot of the multitudes], to have Him explain the parables to them -- because THEY didn't understand them, either!
"Then He left the crowd and went into the [His] house. His disciples came to Him and said, 'Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.'" (verse 36)
Then -- in private... in plain language -- Jesus "revealed" to "His servants" the meanings of the symbols of the parables.
"...The field is the world... the good seed stands for the sons of the Kingdom. the weeds are the sons of the evil one... the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age... the harvesters are angels..." (verses 38-39)
Thus, does the book of Revelation remain a mystery to the world, through its unbelief in Jesus Christ and its rejection of what He says.
Therefore... since the book of Revelation is a parable... we have to go to a place in the Bible where Jesus' disciples came to Him, "privately," to inquire of Him regarding these same "end time signs or events" that are shrouded in Revelation's meaning-hiding symbols. Because, there is only "one" end time.
And that place is found in Matthew 24: "...As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him PRIVATELY. 'Tell us,' they said, 'when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?'" (Matt.24:3 NIV)
It's in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21; where Jesus' servants will find His plain, straight forward explanation of the scroll [book] and "seven seals" of Revelation.
Like Revelation, Matthew, too, lists the signs "chronologically."
In Revelation, chapter 6, Jesus strips away "six" of the "seven" seals that prevent men from seeing what the future holds for the world.
The "sixth" seal is the last "chronological" symbol listed in Revelation's chapter 6 parable. This particuar seal isn't a whole lot different from Jesus' clear explanation of it, found in Matthew 24:29:
"...Immediately after the Tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken..." (Matt.24:29).
So, from Jesus' description in Matthew 24:4 through to verse 29 -- His clear explanation of "six of the seven chronological seals" of Revelation 6 are explained to His servants.
Chronologically, therefore, in Matthew's 30th verse, we read:
"And THEN shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven: and THEN shall ALL THE TRIBES OF THE EARTH MOURN, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven..." (Matt.24:30).
All the tribes of the earth have yet to see "the sun and the moon and the earth darkened... the powers of the heavens shaken... nor have they yet seen the Son of Man coming in the clouds."
So, we know that these global events have NOT happened yet, in the prophetic chronology between Matthew 24 and Revelation 6.
That means that Revelation's "seal 7" [which isn't covered or stripped away in chapter 6] represents the next chronological event in Matthew 24 -- verse 30-31 -- the return of Jesus Christ to the earth.
Therefore, we have to back up in Revelation 6, to see where the world stands in the chronology of the first six seals... to know and understand what hasn't happened yet... and to know what to expect, next.
The first four seals are the famous "four horsemen of the Apocalypse [Revelation]."
Jesus' explanation of them is described in Matthew 24:4-8: false Christianity [and religion], wars, famines, pestilences, diseases, earthquakes, etc." All the things that make up our daily life here on earth. To which He concludes:
"...All these are the beginning of sorrows." (verse 8)
Anyone who is conscious here on earth knows that these things have happened... they're happening now... they will continue to happen... and there is no stopping them.
But most people don't understand where they are leading. Jesus tells us that they are the "beginning of sorrows [woes, troubles, tribulation]." All these continuous "woes" on earth is "leading somewhere." They're all getting worse and growing in intensity and beyond man's ability to control or deal with them.
In other words -- the first four seals of Revelation 6 is leading to SEAL 5!!!
"For THEN shall be GREAT TRIBULATION, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be [again]. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake [the sake of Christ's servants] those days shall be shortened." (Matt.24:21-22).
So, so far, since the beginning of man's creation... the first four seals of Revelation "have been happening" -- over and over and over again... to the point where they are everyday, ordinary things in the world that we live with.
Therefore, what HASN'T happened yet of Revelation's seven seals, are three more signs: "seals 5. 6 and 7." The Great Tribulation, the darkening of the earth that will cut short the Great Tribulation to prevent it from ending all life on earth, which will mark the time of the imminent return of Jesus.
Jesus explains to His servants plainly, that the Great Tribulation will start out with a "global intolerance for the mere utterance of His Name."
"THEN shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of ALL NATIONS for MY NAME'S SAKE." (Matt.24:9)
This global intolerance of biblical teaching [morals, anti-abortion, Jesus' name used in public, etc] is starting to be felt in the world, even now.
Revelation's seal 5 is a direct shot at the Truth of God, and the world's coming intolerance of it. Like the blood of Righteous Abel... the shed blood of God's saints cries out for His vengeance. But, they are told to wait -- the shedding of the blood of saints is far from done. The Great Tribulation must produce more, and the last group of their slain fellowservants:
"...it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." (Revelation 6:11)
Seals 1, 2, 3 and 4 - The four horsemen of the Apocalypse has happened... is happening... and shall continue to happen. And shall build and increase the distress in the world to its breaking point. But:
Seal 5 * "Global intolerance" of the "name of Jesus Christ" [the Great Tribulation] is on the rise... but, hasn't happened, yet.
Seal 6 * The darkening of the earth and the shaking of the powers of the heavens, "immediately" after the Tribulation of those days" [Matt.24:29] hasn't happened, yet.
Seal 7 * And the "return of Jesus Christ" to the earth, following on the heels of the darkening of the earth... hasn't happened, yet. Answer The answer depends greatly on your particular eschatological Biblical view or belief. Chief future events include Jesus' return, the millennium, the last judgment, the final resurrection, and heaven and hell. Early Christianity was rooted in the paradoxical conviction that the last things had "already" occurred, even though they were "not yet" fully completed (1 Cor. 15:20). For the last century or so, different overall eschatological perspectives have usually been classified according to their viewpoints regarding the millennium.
Premillennialist believe Jesus will return before he establishes a millennial kingdowm on the earth.
Postmillennialists believe Christ will return after an earthly kingdom is established.
Amillennialists interpret all language about a final, earthly realm of peace in a spiritual manner and believe no historical period called the millennium does or ever will exist.
The Bible describes 5 major final events: Jesus' return, defeat of evil, resurrection, judgment, and renewal of the cosmos. Postmillennialists and amillennialists expect them to occur more or less together and to be preceded by a troubled time called the Great Tribulation (Mark 13:19) during which the antichrist will rule. They also anticipate a large scale conversion of Jews before the end.
Another Answer:
Wow, so many thoughts. The Book of Revelations opens with these words, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him TO SHOW unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass..." So Christ is the 'revealer' of these future events. The Book of Daniel is important to read in conjunction with Revealation to get a better picture. The 7 Seals are explained during Christ's Ministry by Him in Matthew 24.
Imagery, like all verses of the Bible, should LET THE BIBLE interpret itself. When one does this, they will soon discover that a 'woman' is a Church. The 'serpent or dragon' is the devil. The 'composite beast' John saw the woman riding is speaking of the 4 beast of Daniel 7. Riding on its back was this woman or Church meaning it is directing it - like the Greek myth of Europa riding Zeus (disguised as a bull) to explain it to the readers who knew Greek thought. If you take the time and get a couple of Commentaries or other study guides, you can get a much clearer picture of this once 'veiled' book. Oh, the child flees for 42 months and not a 1,000 years. I suggest a re-reading considering the above.
What threats might the exiles have faced upon returning to Jerusalem?
In the year 458ac, Ezra was authorized to travel to Jerusalem who had a decree from Xerxes who dialed with bringing back the Law of Moses. In the year 445 ac, Nehemiah had the order to construct the walls of the city. The problem was the Samaritans that did not want the change.
What did archangel Ezekiel do?
He was a prophet and a leader of the Jewish community in the land of Judah, before and during the First Destruction (some 2500 years ago), and for a brief period after that, in the Babylonian exile. He warned about the Destruction beforehand. See also the attached Related Link.
What is the last question asked in the book of Revelation?
The last time in the book of Revelation that uses a question mark (indicating a question) is in Revelation 17:7 KJV (King James Version):
"And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns."
But as indicated by others, there is also kind of a question in Revelation 18:18. In the KJV it doesn't have a question mark associated with it, but is it phrased as a question:
"And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!"
That is a good question... Why would all religions of the world follow the 7 headed beast and the false prophet (Satan as Anti-Christ), and not the two witnesses?
In order to answer your question, one must place themselves in proper perspective during the proper time frame.
If you asked that question in the New York Times, what would be the response you wold get today?
The majority of people in the world today, have never read biblical text, they are wholly ignorant of it.
There are basically 3 classes of understanding which effect your question
1) People either don't care (They have their life and they don't want it interrupted by anything)
2) People have accepted the answers provided by church systems. (Rapture, you will be gone so it does not matter, Revelation is secret and can not be understood , Mohamed was the great prophet not Christ, and Christ was not Immanuel as foretold by Isaiah (7:14), and other such nonsense as that)
3) Perhaps the worst are those who due to belief in Applied Dialectics (philosopha doctrine), have accepted the argument by the Young Hegelians (Feuerbach, Bauer, Sterner, Marx, Engels) that our Father and Christ do not exist. That they were just imagination brought forth by the Jews to control people.
All of this adds up to what our Father spoke through the prophet Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lackof knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law ofthy God, I will also forget thy children.
The answer to your question is thus simple:
People have allowed themselves to become ignorant of our Fathers word.
They are unaware of the two witnesses of Revelation 11 (Elijah and Moses)
They are unaware of Satan coming as the fake Jesus (anti-Christ) ... Revelation 9.
The ones that do attend church and bible study are lied to concerning a great Rapture which our Father speaks specifically against in Ezekiel 13.
13:20 Wherefore thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly.
All this adds up to a people without knowledge who will be easy prey for the locust army of Satan (Revelation 9).
Look at the scores of people (mostly philosopha) who support the US/European diplomatic deal with Iran (Persia), even through it will accomplish prophecy (Daniel 8). Its great you are focused .... Don't loose that focus..... Continue to grow in and learn our Fathers word, ignore the world and the proclamations of men especially the Philosopha, of whom Paul warned (Colossians 2).
Who ripped off Jesus's clothes until he was naked?
The soldiers of the governor, (Matthew27.27 to 35).
What did Ezekiel eat in his vision?
I don't see that he ate anything in his vision. He was required to eat a certain bread as an example.
This is from Ezekiel 4:9 "But as for you, take wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet and spelt, put them in one vessel and make them into bread for yourself; you shall eat it according to the number of the days that you lie on your side, three hundred and ninety days."
ANOTHER ANSWER:...
It was indeed the "scroll" that Ezekiel was made to eat. A scroll that is the Word of God, which the Bible compares to nourishing "BREAD!"
"...'The Scriptures say, ''People need more than bread for their Life; they MUST FEED ON EVERY WORD OF GOD.'' '" (Matt.4:4 NLT New Living Translation)
"The True Bread of God is the One who comes down from heaven and gives Life to the world... I AM the Bread of Life. No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry again. Those who believe in Me will never thirst. But you haven't believed in Me even though you have seen Me..." (John 6:33-36 NLT).
The Words of God can be "bitter" things to "chew on." And even harder yet to "swallow" for most people. "Digesting" them can churn up much bile within folks who don't believe God's Words [and sometimes even for those who do]. But they are intended for the rare few who stand humbly before God... to whom God's Word is "sweet as honey." People who hunger and thirst for God's Nourishment of Joy and Hope and the Promise of Eternal Life.
This is what Ezekiel was given "to eat." God fed him HIS WORDS, which were "sweet" to Ezekiel's humble mind and heart... but carried a message of which was "bitter" for him to deliver to his rebellious people.
"...when I ate it, it tasted as sweet as honey... Then He added, 'Son of man, let all My Words sink deep into your own heart first, Listen to them carefully for yourself... the Spirit lifted me up and took me away. I went in bitterness and turmoil, but the LORD's hold on me was strong..." (Ezek.3:3-14 NLT)
The Words Ezekiel had digested, and that he had to deliver to his people, were BITTER words of lamentation and woe over their suffering for their grievous sins [disobedience to God's laws - I John 3:4]. Their rebellious behavior was about to reap its inevitable end; destruction.
Ezekiel's book is a "prophecy" that extends all the way to the Day Jesus returns to earth with the Kingdom of God. Ezekiel digested words of warning to all people who call on God's name, to repent, and turn humbly back to Him. Ezekiel's book still warns God's people, today, to repent... for the human spiritual condition has not changed since the beginning, nor kept in step with man's leaping technological advances. Advances which mankind is increasingly hard-pressed to control.
And indeed was John, himself, given these same "bitter" words to pass on to the world in his recordings of the events that shall shake the world before Christ returns:
"So I took the little scroll from the hands of the angel, and I ate it! It was sweet in my mouth, but it made my stomach sour. Then he said to me, 'You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings." (Rev.10:10-11 NLT)
Matthew Henry comments on it this way:
"Most men feel pleasure in looking into future events, and all good men like to receive a Word from God. But when this book of prophecy [ John's and Ezekiel's and most, if not all, of the other prophets of God] was thoroughly digested by the apostle, the contents would be bitter; there were things so awful and terrible, such grievous persecutions of the people of God, such desolations in the earth, that the foresight and foreknowledge of them would be painful to his mind. Let us seek to be taught by Christ, and to obey His orders; daily meditating on His Word, that it may nourish our souls; and then declaring it according to our several stations. The sweetness of such contemplations will often be mingled with bitterness, while we compare the Scriptures with the state of the world and the church, or even with that of our own hearts." (Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary: REVELATION 10:8-11)
Ezekiel ate the "bitter-sweet Bread" of God -- His WORD.
Is there a prophecy in the Old Testament about the resurrection?
Ezekiel had an inspired dream (vision) of the resurrection in what is called today, chapter 37.
"The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones... He said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest... Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: and I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord." (Ezek.37:1-6)
"...Son of man, these bones are the whole House of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost... therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O My people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up out of your graves, and shall put My Spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: and ye shall know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord." (verses 11-14)
How did Jesus Christ become the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies?
Answer:
Jesus hasn't yet fulfilled the Old Testament covenant as described. He is still in the process of doing that. The covenant was a "marriage agreement" between Christ and Israel in which the "wife" (Israel), AGREED TO OBEY HER HUSBAND'S VOICE... and her Husband, who owns the whole universe promised to give her everything she wanted.
Remember the marriage vows of times past when the woman vowed to obey her husband-to-be?
Jesus' vow to Israel is: "...IF YE WILL OBEY MY VOICE indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: FOR ALL THE EARTH IS MINE: and ye shall be unto Me a Kingdom of priests, and an holy nation." (Ex.19:5-6)
Three days later, Jesus' voice BOOMED from Mount Sinai into the ears of Israel the Ten Commandments... the code of conduct He expected His "wife" to honor and obey. His law of love: love Him with all her heart, and love one another.
Many think today that Jesus fulfilled a "New Covenant," little suspecting that it is the same covenant as the "Old" one. The difference with the New Covenant, however, is that although it is perfect, it's still in the works.
"...Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a New Covenant with the HOUSE OF ISRAEL and with the HOUSE OF JUDAH..." (Heb.8:8).
Jesus has not yet saved the twelve tribes of Israel, so that He might complete the New Covenant with them. The Jews still do not accept Christ. But as Paul wrote:
"And so ALL ISRAEL SHALL BE SAVED (future tense): as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob." (Rom.11:26)
But it hasn't happened, yet, and they aren't yet "remarried." The Bridegroom hasn't returned!
A New Covenant is coming, but: "...not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in My covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord." (Heb.8:9)
"For this is the Covenant that I will make with the House of Israel AFTER THOSE DAYS, saith the Lord..." (notice, Israel shall just be "one unified house" and not the two separate houses of Israel and Judah after Christ the Bridegroom returns);
"I will PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MIND, and WRITE THEM IN THEIR HEARTS: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people." (Heb.8:10)
It's the Ten Commandments again, just like the first vow. Only written in soft hearts of flesh... not stone.
"...I will give them one heart, and I will put a New Spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh: that they may walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be My people, and I will be their God." (Ezek.11:19-20)
When that happens, the description of the Covenant shall have been fulfilled. The Kingdom of God shall be ruling on the earth... His obedient wife will be living under His roof... and they shall be a peculiar nation in the world ruling above all the nations of men. A Kingdom of Priests, teaching the nations God's way of living:
"...hast made us unto our God Kings and Priests: and WE SHALL REIGN ON THE EARTH." (Rev.5:10)
God is used as the definition of morality for many people. To be moral, one must "do as God does." Since sin is the violation of morality, God does not (and cannot) sin, because it would be the exact opposite of what he is.
What are the 23 Jewish messianic prophecies?
There are over 120 Messianic prophecies referenced in the Old Testament. Far too many to list here. They range from the Messiah being from the seed of woman (Gen. 3:15), of the tribe of Judah (Gen/ 49:10), declared to be the Son of God (Ps. 2:1-12), healing for the needy (Isa. 35:4-10), rejected by His people (Isa. 52:13-53:12), the Good Shepherd (Ezek. 34:23-24), scourged and spat upon (Isa. 50:6), Crucified with transgressors (Isa. 53:12), to His resurrection (Ps. 16:8-10). Most of these prophecies have an immediate application to their own situation and are also applicable to another context. An example of this would be the prediction that Christ is born of a virgin (Matt. 1:23) also had a fulfillment in Isaiah's day (Isa. 8:3). Some prophecies had only partial fulfilment that also foreshadow a final fulfillment. Typological interpretation shows how Old Testament events, persons, or things foreshadow the later Christian story.
What was the four beasts sitting around the throne?
No one can say.
It is purely allegorical. As per normal in religious texts no clear answers are given.
It is then left to the shamen of the religion to interpret them. The interpretations seldom agree.
The four beasts supposedly came from the ground and were supposedly kings too.
This is according to an hallucination that Daniel was having.
He was possibly using some other 'substances' that came from the ground to produce them.
Another humble answer:
The above opinion presumes that everyone is lost in disbelief... but there are some who believe in the inspired Word of God... who know and understand the Truth of it and what it says. And they can say with surety what the four beasts of Daniel's vision are. As per below:
The Bible interprets itself... and Daniel's vision of the four beasts is no exception.
"I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and MADE ME KNOW THE INTERPRETATION of the things.
"THESE GREAT BEASTS, which are four, ARE FOUR KINGS, WHICH SHALL RISE OUT OF THE EARTH." (Dan.7:15-17)
When Daniel dreamed his dream, these "four kings" were yet in the future.
History, however has revealed them to be the kings of the four major world ruling empires of men: Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome. [the combined systems of which that still rule on earth, today]
These are the same empires [governments] of which King Nebuchadnezzar dreamed in Daniel 2... only his vision was of the "metallic man" composed of the four metals of decreasing value from the head of gold to the feet of iron and clay.
And, as God and Daniel revealed to the king, regarding its interpretation: "...THOU ART THIS HEAD OF GOLD." (Dan.2:38)
The "king" of Babylon... the head of "gold," the most precious metal in the world... corresponds to the "lion," the king of beasts... of Daniel's dream.
Both dreams also end the same way -- with the destruction of them all... and with the establishment of God's Kingdom [Government] on the earth [as Jesus teaches us to pray: 'thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth'].
"But the saints of the Most High shall TAKE THE KINGDOM, and POSSESS THE KINGDOM FOR EVER, EVEN FOR EVER AND EVER." (Dan.7:18)
(compare with Dan.2): "...in the days of these kings SHALL THE GOD OF HEAVEN SET UP A KINGDOM, which SHALL NEVER BE DESTROYED... but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and IT SHALL STAND FOR EVER." (Dan.2:44)
Both, Daniel's "four beasts" and King Nebuchadnezzar's "metallic man" are "prophecies of the GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST" -- the GOOD NEWS OF THE COMING KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH." [see Mark 1:14-15]
Anyone who has lived on earth for any period of time and has suffered under the vile governments of man... if they look at it honestly... has to admit that the utter removal of man's governments from earth has to be THE BEST NEWS ANYONE COULD EVER HEAR.
Well... that's the message of the Bible -- that's the message of Jesus Christ -- and that's the message of Daniel's "four beasts."
Christian scholars understand theophany as an unambiguous manifestation of God, to man, where "unambiguous" indicates that the seer or seers are of no doubt that it is God revealing Himself to them. Some examples of these manifestations recorded in the Bible are:
-an angel appearing in human form (judges 13)
-a Flame in the burning bush (Exodus 3:2-6)
--fire/smoke/thunder on Mt Sinai (Exodus 19:18-20)
-small still voice to Elijah (1Kings 19:12)
-voice/light/blindness to Saul [Paul] on road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-8)
Theophanies still occur to some people today, often (but not always) to Christian-haters in anti-Christian countries , usually in the form of a vision of Jesus Christ as a glorified person (similar to a really vivid holographic image) . (Needless to say, there are no statistics available.)
What is the main message in Daniel chapter 8?
There are lots of messages, but perhaps the biggest one is God's control over history. The rise and fall of empires is in his hands, and the coming of Christ to reign over the Kingdom of God for ever is promised after the rise and fall of Babylonian, Median, Persian and Greek empires.
For people like Daniel, stuck in exile during the Babylonian empire, this would have given them an amazing long-term perspective on God's plans, and helped them to realise that even though life was tough at the time, God was still with them and still had plans for them.
Will the antichrist be a Jew or Gentile?
As much of the world knows, perhaps the most popular verse regarding Jesus Christ is John 3:16. This verse claims that God so LOVED the world that He sent Jesus Christ so that anyone who believed in *him* would not perish, but have everlasting life.
*the pronoun "him" here is not clear whether it represents belief in Jesus himself or in God in particular. As the thought within Christianity is generally that Jesus and the Father represent One God, there is really not a question but that the wisdom and Love of the Father was represented in the Christ. One may venture to go with "him" as representative of the Father without making a distinction also in light of Hebrews 11:6.
John 3:17 claims that our Creator did not send the Christ into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
Therefore, John 3:18 seems to imply that anyone who does not believe that Christ was sent by God to save the world would stand condemned - and thus carry the spirit of Antichrist - now please don't give up hope until you get to the end of this answer.
This concept of a lack of faith in the absolute Power of the Saving Grace of God to Save our world is carried forward in II Thessalonians 2:4 in that the second coming of this Prince of Peace (the Christ) is being held back by the "son of perdition" or destruction who opposes and exalts himself against every so called god or object of worship - thus, the spirit of antichrist would be any religion that set itself up in favoritism or partiality - two concepts constantly challenged in Biblical literature.
Revelation 13:18 states his number is 666. Although this is constantly equated with some human being everyone seeks and fears in some coming future, we generally will find answers to Biblical questions within the Bible itself. Without much effort on today's internet, one will quickly find the number 666 coincides with Solomon's Temple and the pride of Israel which was consistently challenged by God the Father and Christ. In fact, Christ said he would tear down their temple and build a new one in three days. Indeed, it was that culture and that statement that had a lot to do with His death. (reference 666 to I Kings 10:14 and II Chronicles 9:13.)
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are leading players in the three demonic influences leading the world into battles in and around the area of Armageddon as reflected in Revelation 16:14, it would seem quite clear the Spirit of Anti-Christ is alive and well in all religious beliefs that claim you must be one of them and believe what they believe in order to be saved!
Now, don't just leave these houses of faith as they are still great places to worship our Father and celebrate His gift of salvation as we bear witness to the all encompassing Love of our common Creator whose very intelligence (witnessed in Proverbs 8:22-31) became flesh and dwelt among us, becoming our first born brother - and the new-born creation within whom we would all become one. He indeed did and will break down our dividing walls of hostility as noted in Ephesians 2.
However, as these religions are often found going to war to defend their beliefs without acknowledging the truth of John 3:16-18 which claim God sent the Christ into the world to save the whole world, not to condemn it - It would appear God did not make this such a complicated issue, man did as justification and provision too often leads to pride and prejudice. Thus, the human number.
The clearest verse of hope within the midst of this confusion just might be the often missed or avoided verse of Mark 3:28; "I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them." (NIV)
there are 2 beasts. The one that comes up from the sea is Rome and the one that comes up from the land is USA. You can find evidence of this in Revelations and Daniel
lolwut? the USA?
The beast from the sea is the anti-christ with seven heads and ten horns.
The beast from the land acts on behalf of the beast from the sea and makes the people create a statue in the first beast's image. The first beast then brings the image to life and through it speaks and kills all who do not worship the first beast. The image of the first beast is also referred to as the false prophet.
When did Jesus fulfill the law?
Jesus both "kept: the law and "fulfilled" prophecy. It's a twist on words but not meant to confuse. As a matter of fact, there may even be a verse or two that indicate Christ "fulfilled" the law. I tend to see it more like Jesus having "kept" the law and "fulfilled" prophecy. Christ came to serve as a sacrifice to bring salvation to all men and women. Mankind is guilty of sin and has not kept God's law. Jesus "kept" the law for us. And when we believe in Jesus we are credited as having kept the law through Christ's obedience. Jesus "fulfilled" prophecy. Throughout the Old Testament there are many, many prophesies regarding the coming Messiah. If anyone was to be this Messiah, He had to fulfill all of these prophecies. Simply put, Christ "fulfilled" the prophesies foretold throughout scripture. Christ had to be without sin in order to qualify as a sacrifice without blemish. To accomplish this He had to keep the Law in all its fulness. When one believes in Christ he/she is given the righteousness of Christ. In so doing, believers are counted as having kept the law through Christ.
Are human beings going to become extinct?
Nobody can tell if humans are going to become extinct or not. It all depends on circumstances that are not entirely predictable.
Another answer:
No. Bible prophecies reveal that Jesus Christ is coming back to prevent that, and to save the world.
Jesus, however, tells us that, in the time just ahead of us [the time of the end of God's plan and man's rule on the earth], mankind and all life on planet WOULD BECOME EXTINCT if He doesn't come back:
"For that will be a time of greater horror than anything the world has ever seen or will ever see again. In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, THE ENTIRE HUMAN RACE WILL BE DESTROYED. But it will be shortened for the sake of God's chosen ones." (Matt.24:21-22 NLTNew Living Translation)
Mark's chapter 13 account says: "In fact, unless THE LORD SHORTENS that time of calamity, the entire human race will be destroyed. But for the sake of His chosen ones He has shortened those days." (verse 20)
What does the last chapter of the King James Version Bible say?
The last chapter of the King James Bible version is the Book of Revelations Chapter 22. It talks about the features of the rivers of life which flows from the throne of God, the tree of life, and some unique features of Heaven such as; no sun light since God will be their light. It also issues a warning that Jesus is coming soon with a reward, and that those whose lives (robes) are not stained (sin) will enter the city (Heaven). It is more of a summary of the Gospel that Jesus is coming soon.
What is one of the Major Bible Prophecies?
There are many prophecies in the Bible. But one of the major ones is found in Revelation 13. In this chapter we find two beasts. A beast that rises out of the sea and a beast that rises out of the earth.
Now Daniel 7 tells us that a beast in Bible prophecy is a kingdom. So these two beasts of Revelation 13 are 2 kingdoms that play a major role in end time events.
These two kingdoms setup the image of the beast and enforce the mark of the beast. This is the most important Bible prophecy for our day because Revelation 14 tells us that anyone who takes the mark of the beast will receive the full wrath of God. So it is important to find out who these two beasts of Revelation 13 are and what the mark of the beast is.
Why do Christians believe in Heaven and Hell?
I do not think that I am allowed to alter the question, so I suggest that that it might read "Why do some people believe in heaven and hell?". The original seems to say that all did at one time believe.
Now to answer as best I can. Because all men have been given the spirit of Christ, that is to know right from wrong. Also because Christ and Satan teach contrary to one another, one representing the blessings of heaven, the other representing that state He is in, that of unhappiness or Hell. Both places do exist, the one to ever lasting happiness, the other to ever lasting misery. The wise person believes that both are real, and they will be subject to either one.
Jewish AnswerWe don't believe in the existence of either heaven or hell. Judaism barely spends any time discussing what may or may not happen when we die, in fact, there's barely any mention of this subject in the Tanach (Jewish Bible) at all.
There are some loose theories of what might happen though:
* When we die, our souls are cleansed of any wrongdoings. This is done by our accounting of every action done in life. It's believed that this process takes no longer than 12 months but most people don't do enough bad in life to warrant it taking a full 12 months.
* Our souls return to HaShem to wait for the world to come.
* Our souls may be reincarnated into different people so that we have additional chances to work to become closer to HaShem.
* Those souls that choose to be truly evil in life, cannot survive the process of cleansing and cease to exist.
