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To: wmfights
Would you include Saudia Arabia in that group?

Hmmm... was Saudi Arabia a nation at the time of Christ? Nope.

How many times have kingdoms come and gone in the past 2000 years? How many borders have changed? How many nation states have been broken up, split, combined, overrun, politically fallen, etc... in the past 300 years?

What does "all nations" or "the whole world" mean when used in Scripture? Does it mean every tribe/people group/political nation state/whatever at the time of Christ, now, or in the future?

Could it be that having to include the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in that group (which would have been impossible 300 years ago) is a construct of a fairly young eschatological system?

I understand your view of islam as a creation of man's sin nature with no outside influence.

I didn't say that. But, Satan cannot make it start nor make it stick around. It's the sinfulness of those dedicated to the false religion that started it and keep it going.

Also, my understanding in the amillenial thinking is that Christianity continues to grow until the entire Earth is Christian.You're thinking post-mil. Even us optimistic amils don't go quite so far as saying that the entire earth will be Christian. This is sort of the point of divide between amils and post mils. Us optimistic amils believe Christianity will constantly grow (as evidenced by actual numbers between 2000 years ago and today). Most Post-mils expect a worldwide church centered government or governments. Amil doesn't expect as much, thus we've been labeled pessimists even when we aren't as pessimistic as some of other amil counterparts that expect ebbs and tides in the number of Christians and the social influence of Christ worldwide until the end.

Looking at the demographic trends I can't help but say Christianity is not growing.

Well, by pure numbers, there are alot more people on the earth every time it's estimated than there were the previous estimate. It would make only good sense that as the Gospel is spread the actual number of Christians grows. As for demographics, consider the difference between a true Christian and those who claim to be Christian. There is no good way to know the actual number of the elect because we don't have the ability to read the hearts of men. But, as the actual population grows and as we approach the end, it's my belief that the number (not percentage) is growing.
382 posted on 05/22/2009 9:24:02 PM PDT by raynearhood ("Naysayers for Jesus" - Charter Member)
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To: raynearhood
WM: I understand your view of islam as a creation of man's sin nature with no outside influence.

R:I didn't say that. But, Satan cannot make it start nor make it stick around. It's the sinfulness of those dedicated to the false religion that started it and keep it going.

How does a bound Satan influence it, or cause mohamed to fall into a trance and recite "satanic" verses?

421 posted on 05/23/2009 10:36:05 AM PDT by wmfights (If you want change support SenateConservatives.com)
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To: raynearhood
Us optimistic amils believe Christianity will constantly grow (as evidenced by actual numbers between 2000 years ago and today).

I follow your ebb and flow point and I agree that there really is no way to identify the actual number of Christians because only God knows. However, I think your optimism is really misplaced because of your belief that Satan is bound. I've never seen any Scripture that would lead me to believe Satan was bound at the cross or at Pentecost.

In Amillenialism has all prophecy been fulfilled? If not what's left.

Also, Amillenial theology seems to empower any church that claims to be Christ's sole representative on Earth. If the millenial kingdom has begun and Christ is reigning from heaven with his "special" representatives on Earth carrying out His will why give us the New Testament. Scripture stands in the way.

424 posted on 05/23/2009 10:51:11 AM PDT by wmfights (If you want change support SenateConservatives.com)
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