Originally posted by Doc Tinker
One thing I like to speculate on, about Noah's Flood, is what society must have been like during the age. According to the Bible, God was disgusted with the way man was acting, so he decided to wipe out everything and start over...
I also believe that there was some kind of technology, at the time, that Noah used to get all that done...
The thing is, after Christs ascention, we entered what is called "The Grace Age". This is a point in time, where Christ is building a place for the Believers in Heaven, and the only sin that will keep you away from Christ, is the sin of rejecting him. A believers commandment is to go and tell all the nations about him. Christ will not return untill all have heard about him. Anybody can be with him forever. The Period of Judgement will begin at the point in time that I believe wil be the "rapture". Now, some people believe in pre-trribulation, mid-tribulation, or post-tribulation. personally, I believe in a pre-tribulation rapture.
Christ warns us of signs that we will see when the "end times" are nearing.
Israel must become a nation again,, which happened, I believe, in the '40's
The Middle East will rise up into greater power.
Man will be able to do anything heputs his mind to, and will be able to do wonders never seen before. (like computers, and machines)
Man will be very wicked, and will not think bad of sodomy, or immoral doings.
Man will be lovers of themselves, more than lovers of God.
Now, if yall are much versed in the Disciples behavior, you know Peter the Disciple was a person alot of people could relate to. When Christ ascended,, He stayed on the mount of Olives, waiting for Christ to return! Well, I don't remember who came back down,, I want to say the Holy Spirit, but I am not positive. When he came down, he told Peter to go, and spread the word (the great commandment) of What Christ has done, and that he will be returning soon. The disciples went out, and while spreading the word, patiently waited for Christs returning. Not everything is on our timetable! It's been 2,000 years, and he isn't back yet,, but, at any moment, he may be. All of the prophecies, and all people must hear about his word. (For those of you wondering,, even the people in remote regions that will never be reached by person will see God in his creation, and if they choose to believe we got here on our own, then he has made his choice)
(whew, that was a rant)
Anyway,, I believe the rapture is still a little ways off, but not too far. These events concerning the middle east are interesting to watch, as these are the same people talked about in the bible in the days of Noah, and the 12 tribes of Israel (crossing of the red sea, promised land, etc. ). It's mainly, so-and-so's sons fighting with so-and-so's sons. A battle for land, and power. When the middle East unites,, it will be a strong power, and I believe they will stop at nothing to make a one world government,, which is, one of the prophecies in the Book of Revelation for the tribulation. I'm always weary of movements for one world government, and world peace. It's only one step closer to the end.
I don't think the rapture/tribulation is an event set to happen at a certain time, but more of an event set to happen under certain circumstances. So if the 75% of the world goes up in flames (or bomb, or whatever you favorite weapon of mass destruction may be), and we all repent, and turn back to God,,, revival and all , like the early '20's, then I think "the end" will be delayed.
It is interesting to see prophecies being fulfilled, and these are way above my head, so it would be best if you actually talk to a pastor who has a doctorate.
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The technology? I think more of a miracle, and God's intervention. I remember hearing (not studying) that God gave the animals some near natural instinct to come towards the boat.
I think he only need a male and female of each kind. So, one male, and one female spider will repopulate all the different kind of spiders, as well as one male, and one female dog, will produce all the breeds of dogs. It's interesting to wonder what race Noah's family was. We all came through his family heritage/line. I'm white, and I know a few people who are blacker'n black. It's hard for me to imagine that we both came through Noah.
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Two flood stories? That's odd. I dont' recall learning about a second story in the books I have read. Of course I only studied about the North American thoughts and beliefs. Not worldwide.
Maybe the same story is getting mixed up a little?
It rained for 40 days and 40 nights, and then Noah and the ark stayed afloat for 150 more days (I think that's the number) untill the boat hit ground, and then another peroid of time until they could actually leave the boat.
God commanded Noah to take 2, one male, one female, of the unclean animals, and 7 of the clean animals (I might have the clean/unclean part reversed) He wanted the extra animals to be used as sacrifices for their sins (Christ had not yet gone to the cross, and this was the way to attone for your sins since the days of Adam/Eve)
(Do you know why Noah's sons couldn't play cards while on the boat? ... Because Noah kept sitting on the deck
)
I guess I got on a rant again,, as you may have noticed,, It really is a miracle (no pun intended) that I did make it through English Class.
Merrick Cummings Jr
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