Book's Sequel Cites Explicit Evidence Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation

Good morning Seven -

I just realized, after re-reading the subject of this thread and post #101 from Ladyinred, that we haven't really discussed that.

I agree with her in that we will go through the tribulation, taking our examples from Noah, Daniel in the lion's den, the 3 Hebrew children in the fire, God's children wandering in the desert for 40 years. We will experience it but we will not be harmed - as long as we have His truth in our minds and do not follow Satan. This is Satan's tribulation I'm talking about, the 5 months of deceit and it is is great:

Mark 13:19 For in those days shall be affliction (tribulation), such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.

13:26 And THEN SHALL THEY SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING IN THE CLOUDS with great power and glory.

Always remember he is coming after us, God's children, Christians:

Rev.12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

If we were raptured this couldn't happen.

....Ping

Chapter 3 of Daniel is full of symbology about Satan. - what do you think?

Interpretation of symbolism in scripture has certain rules, established by scripture. You cannot have confidence in anything that I say but you must "prove all things; hold fast to that which is good."

How you "prove all things" is not simply defined anywhere, but over time you develop a system of doctrine, based on the sources that you believe to be the most reliable. For instance, I believe that the translation of scripture is very reliable.

It is much easier to tell when a particular interpretation does not fit than to tell if it does fit. If you find an apparent contradiction in your interpretation, you need to look for some explanation to make it "agree together." In takes only one contradiction to reject an interpretation, but it must agree with all of scripture to accept a given interpretation.

That said; consider the symbolism in Daniel 3. I will assume that you are looking at how it applies to the end times. I think that it important to distinguish between discipline and punishment. The former is for the future; the later is for the past. Discipline produces the peaceable fruit of righteousness for "what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?" God's judgment does not produce repentance; it is the goodness that leads to repentance. In Daniel 3, you have three children of God who are tried in the fire. The results are that the children of god are elevated and the powers that be are diminished. The king in this case, has put himself under the authority of the creator.

This is not what happens in the tribulation. The people act in defiance against God. They hide themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains. They rejoice when God's two prophets are slain. The tares do not become wheat, but are manifested as tares for all to see.

You say that the rapture doctrine it is dangerous, perhaps a trick from Satan.

The rapture doctrine comes from hundreds of passages in scripture. Each of the passages has some details that we have not considered and other details that we have not even noticed. Your doctrine is built, line upon line and precept upon precept. There are no shortcuts. The meat is reserved for those who are of full age, the babe will choke on it.

I believe that it is dangerous to think that the debate is over; we have a need to search the scriptures daily.

Seven

If you find an apparent contradiction in your interpretation, you need to look for some explanation to make it "agree together." In takes only one contradiction to reject an interpretation, but it must agree with all of scripture to accept a given interpretation.

That makes sense to me. I suppose a problem could be in how one interprets though. Say the passage about handling the poison of serpents (I don't have the exact quote). Some sects believe that means to literally handle snakes while I believe it means to be able to handle Satan's lies. Humans have such an ability to bend things their way. I suppose that is why the Bible is so interesting but it doesn't make it easier to understand, does it?

Your doctrine is built, line upon line and precept upon precept. There are no shortcuts. The meat is reserved for those who are of full age, the babe will choke on it.

I agree with that too Seven. But, we're coming at it with a different view. You see many lines that refer to rapture where I see many lines that warn us about deception in end times. I see the teaching of rapture as that deception.

I believe that it is dangerous to think that the debate is over; we have a need to search the scriptures daily.

I know the debate isn't over, perhaps never ends. The one between you and me may be reconciled but not the one between good and evil. I'll keep searching the scriptures too.

Seven, thank you for taking this time with me. I know I will never believe in rapture but there are many things I am learning from you and I appreciate that very much.

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