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Good Morning, Everyone! :hibye: Daily Scriptural Text for Thursday, February 8, 2007:

20 "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that its desolation has come near."--Luke 21:20, Holman Christian Standard Bible.

Complementary Scriptures:

The Meaning of the Woman and of the Beast

7 Then the angel said to me, "Why are you astounded? I will tell you the secret meaning of the woman and of the beast, with the seven heads and the 10 horns, that carries her. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss and go to destruction. Those who live on the earth whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will be astounded when they see the beast that was, and is not, and will be present [again].

9 "Here is the mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated. 10 They are also seven kings: five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he comes, he must remain for a little while. 11 The beast that was and is not, is himself the eighth, yet is of the seven and goes to destruction. 12 The 10 horns you saw are 10 kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they will receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. 13 These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast. 14 These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings. Those with him are called and elect and faithful."

15 He also said to me, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute was seated, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. 16 The 10 horns you saw, and the beast, will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, devour her flesh, and burn her up with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His plan by having one purpose, and to give their kingdom to the beast until God's words are accomplished."
--Revelation 17:7-17, ibid.
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My comment: Preterism (Full and/or Partial). Eschatology. Interpolation. Extrapolation. Interpretation. (And, Interpretum-ation???) :D These are among the reasons there is so much confusion, -- so many different schools of thought, -- concerning Jesus prophecy delivered on the Mount of Olives (sometimes referred to as the Olivet Prophecy), during his final days on earth as a human.

Of course, we all know that it helps to overlay Matthew, chapters 24 and 25, with Mark, chapter 13, with Luke, chapter 21, in order to pick up all of the nuances which may be contained in one gospel, while not mentioned in another. Also, we recognize that Jesus spoke about these very same matters elsewhere, too. For example:

43 "For the days will come on you when your enemies will build an embankment against you, surround you, and hem you in on every side. 44 They will crush you and your children within you to the ground, and they will not leave one stone on another in you, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation."--Luke 19:43, 44, ibid.

The comments found in Examining the Scriptures Daily for this morning relate first-century Jerusalem/Judaism to modern-day "Christendom." :dontknow: You remember how it works, right? ;)

Bad Israel = Christendom.
Good Israel = The "Spiritual Paradise" of Watchtower Religion. :confused: :readthis: :redface:

There can be no successful refutation of the fact that these very events mentioned in our Scriptural text for today (as well as Luke 19:43, 44, and elsewhere) did take place in 70 CE. This is well documented by numerous historians, including the respected Josephus; himself a Jew, which would make this extremely painful history for him to record. It is a matter of interpretation of the Scriptures for a person to say (as I will now say) that this event in 70 CE marked the compelling evidence for all of the world to see that God was no longer dealing exclusively with (or, through) the Israelite nation. The way had been formally and officially opened some 33+ years earlier, in 36 CE, when the apostle Peter, acting in accord with  the Roman centurion Cornelius having been "instructed by a holy angel" to send for Peter (Acts 10:22, ibid.), was directed to the home of Cornelius and his household. They became the first uncircumcised Gentiles to be baptized as Christians and receive the free gift of the holy spirit (though not in that order). (Acts, chapter 10.) It had been prophesied by Daniel that the special covenant relationship enjoyed by Israel would be extended for three and a half years after "Messiah" was cut off at their very hands.

27 And he shall enter into a strong and firm covenant with the many for one week [seven years]. And in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and offering to cease [for the remaining three and one-half years]; and upon the wing or pinnacle of abominations [shall come] one who makes desolate, until the full determined end is poured out on the desolator.--Daniel 9:27, The Amplified Bible. (See verses 24-27 for context).

It is also indisputable that the Bible speaks of a new (and, true) "Israel of God."

16 Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule [who discipline themselves and regulate their lives by this principle], even upon the [true] Israel of God!--Galatians 6:16, ibid.

As we await the coming, arrival, and presence (pa-rou-si'as) of our precious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we are still somewhat looking through a hazy metal mirror (1 Corinthians 13:9, 10, 12), as to the complete, final, and full understanding of all of these matters of prophecy, aren't we? And, you know what? That's OK! Because, ...

Prophecy is only fully understood ... after it is fulfilled.

Have A Thoughtful Thursday, Everybody! :thinking:
May We All PRAY For Added Understanding! :ok:

Much LOVE to ALL! :love: isomam