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Did it ever occur to you guys that biblical prophecy was written as a warning of things to avoid, if possible -- not a decree to obediently implement?

"An inspired declaration of Divine will and purpose" is how a definition reads in the dictionary I have handy. I think a more accurate definition is one I've seen a few times -- "Prophecy is history written in advance."

At any rate I do not regard prophecy as "marching orders." When God says something will happen, or more so, says He will do something Himself, I don't regard that as a commission to try to make it happen or try to do it for Him. Though clearly, some do, even to the point of trying to bring in the prophesied Millenial kingdom of Jesus Christ themselves, having "interpreted" prophecy regarding it to mean a spiritual return rather than a physical return of Jesus, or even just to mean an admirable vision of extended world peace (which of course, if man attempts to bring in, means war).

The bottom line is that if the Bible is the word of the Almighty, then what is prophesied will come to pass. Period. Meaning it's just as futile to try to prevent it as it is to stand on a beach and shout at the tide not to come in. And that was the point of my reply.

"...if the Bible is the word of the Almighty, then what is prophesied will come to pass. Period. Meaning it's just as futile to try to prevent it as it is to stand on a beach and shout at the tide not to come in..."

Didn't work for Canute, did it? I confess to also hoping that the onrushing tide includes a double helping of Grace and divine mercy. Because there are just as many folks out there with the belief that the Koran is the 'word of the Almighty'. And that Jesus is coming back shoulder to shoulder and arm in arm with Moe Hammid.

Things could get very ugly, as they say in the movies, just before the Good Guys come charging over the hill and avert the slaughter of the innocents, a scant few moments before the credits start to roll and the Final Curtain descends...

The question is, are those Hollywood kind of production values really respected and maintained in the Larger Universe?

I know I believe one thing, that Moe Hammid was the original, pioneering puppet master/cult-supreme-leader. The first to take a free ride on the back of the Judeo-Christian tradition. All the others that have come along afterward, the L. Ron Hubbards and all the rest, should be paying him royalties. ...And maybe they will, in the First Circle.

I just want to get a better understanding of what you're saying. In your most recent post, you seem to take the reasonable position that it's useless to try to either inhibit or expedite prophecy from being fulfilled - that it will happen when it happens and nothing mere mortals might do will have much of an effect either way. In light of that, I have trouble understanding the point of your #18, where you suggested that the author of this piece was trying to prevent prophecy from happening. By my reading of the article, the most that he seemed to want to prevent was certain individuals from attempting to do what you yourself said is impossible - prematurely induce prophecy - and in the process of that futile attempt, causing a lot of needless death and suffering. Wouldn't you agree?