GOODNEWS LETTER
Number 360 February 23, 2011
THINKING ON PROPHECY
"And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days...These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth...And when they have finished their testimony, the beast...shall make war with them...and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and a half...," Revelation 11: 3, 4, 7 & 8.
INTERPRETING PROPHECY has always been intriguing to me. When I first started out, I was told that no one knew how the two witnesses could be seen by all the people and tongues and nations; that is, until the advent of television.
Interpreting prophecy is a hit-and-miss thing for most of us. I thought that Jesus would be here by now. Didn't you? With that said, other words bring difficulty. "The great city," for instance; especially, when it is called, "Sodom and Egypt" (Rev. 11:7).
But, the word "spiritually" may provide the answer. Isaiah 1:10 uses like-words. "Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom, give ear to the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah." The nation was not spiritual in Isaiah's day, and, as Revelation 11:7 records, Israel had gone back to that time. Spiritually, she is in the same spiritual shape as Sodom.
Today, the world can see so much more by other means than just television, of course. And, when I think about how many tools available to the nations, I'm amazed. Sure, it's a silly question but, 'Is there any youngster that doesn't own a phone?' With their heads down and eyes glued, the kids are so possessed with them that everyone wants to film something or someone. On the other side, it's just as amazing! Everyone wants to see what others record!
So, I remain amazed as the world checks out their phones every few seconds. Yet, isn't this amassing of minds how it has to be for the world to see the two witnesses of God lying in the street? Everyone will want to view the scene, certainly. They send presents, rejoicing.
Thats what the scenes of the Middle East reminded me of during the Egyptian riots. I'm beginning to understand what's going on, prophectically speaking. People want to be connected - to someone, somewhere, all the time. It's communication of the masses, for the masses and by the masses.
In fact, connection is so strong that, when we interpret prophecy, we see that the nations need to have communication with the other nations. Without question, the nations SEE, and, they need to see - they have to see. They must know what's going on, everywhere. And, through all the electronic tools that's out there, they see and they know. Thus, all around the world, people are connecting with other people. Nation with nation, tongues with tongues. It's instant and, it's in color.
Please excuse me for a moment while I check out my room, right now. I have to stop typing to see if there's a camera phone pointed on me. I don't think so; but, 'if I show up on "You Tube...'
Intrepreting prophecy won't be found on Google; or, any of the mentioned electronic connnecting methods, however. Truth comes only by and through the Word of God, the Bible. Therefore, without the Word of God, we can't even begin to see what this is all about. And, while we intrepret verses in light of current events, the current communication phenomenon adds to our thinking. Clearly, the more that the nations get connected, the more interpretation we shall have available to us. We need to be studious, my Brethren.
With the Word of God opened up and the scenes that are currently escalating all over the world; especially, in the Middle East, makes it clear that man is going to come together. There are shouts of democratic rule everywhere. As man strives to be connected together and be as independent as possible, my mind goes to the Tower of Babel of Genesis 11. "Let us" was in one big voice.
Again, man wants to find safety by building a city - one that connects them. Nations think that it will bring happiness. Then, light of Revelation 11 prophesy, whatever joy they do get will be short lived and, in the end, death. It was God, not man that correctly said, "Let us..." (Gen 1:26).
When we look at the vast amount of communication skills and the tools available to mankind, it sure looks like a revolution is on....And, it makes me think that prophesy is at the door, about to begin. Yes! The man of sin is near.
Necessary financial consideration will have to come into play. Oil will place a great part in how things go; but, notice the messages of these current movements. They are against the regimes that they once followed. The nations and tongues have something more to see until they get their peace. So, Tweeter, Facebook, internet and other means of "in touch" media tools are a big part of the Arab uprising currently and, without question, shall continue to connect people together - all over the world.