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I'm always hearing people who believe that the Bible should be taken literally say that it's an accurate description of an historical event or an exact description of something that will happen in the future. I'd like you to tell me if you believe that both of these passages should be taken literally and if not why are you being inconsistent.
Revelation 12:3 And another portent appeared in heaven; behold a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems upon his heads. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven, and cast them to the earth.
Genesis 2:21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh; and the rib which the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.
I don't believe either of these passages to be factual events. Whoever wrote the one about a third of the stars being cast to the earth obviously didn't know that these stars are suns like the one the earth revolves around but they're extremely far away. I find the story of the rib to be equally far fetched but many people believe it. So my question to Biblical literalists is do you believe that both passages should be taken literally and if not what is your reasoning?
I think that Revelation was John's way of explaining what he believed was to be the end of the world, though I think he believed it was to happen very soon, not two thousand years down the road. Either way, the stars falling, and a dragon being involved are merely symbolism. But, if we do just a little research, we soon find that many, if not most, people throughout time and different cultures had, and have, their own version. The Mayans believed the world would end in 2012! The Hopi also have their version of how the world will end. Each person, and/or group of people will have their own truth, as to what would, or will, bring about the end of the world, and I'm not convinced that any one of them, including the Christian one, has anymore merit than the others.
As to the Genesis version of creation, since I do believe in a Creator, I see no reason why this method could not have been chosen. It makes as much sense, to me, as believing we evolved from tiny one-celled creatures, over millions of years. Again, though, there are many versions of creation, with all the many different peoples in the world, and each one is truth to those who have been taught it, and choose to believe it. I believe in a Creator, but I'm not overly worried about how it was done. I don't care whether evolution was used in the process, or whether it was instantaneous, as most creation stories tell us. I think the more important thing is that we are here.
We can argue 'til the cows come home, about how we came about, but I think it's more important about where we are going. If we don't get more concerned about the wars we put ourselves through, the diseases we must fight, the people we must feed, and taking better care of this little marble we live on, then it's pretty much a moot point as to how we came into being, or who did it! For that matter, the world doesn't have to be destroyed by God, as many Christians believe. Why go to all that trouble, when He can sit back and watch us do it ourselves? (Ahem, jumping down off of my soapbox, now.).
I've also heard people state that the dragon is supposed to represent the European Union but of course the EU has added new member nations and the numbers don't add up. It's clearly just a modern idea that's become popularized by ministers and people selling books. To be honest I think the author of Revelations was just someone with a very active imagination who had a knack for storytelling. I really don't expect to look out my window someday and see a gigantic red dragon with seven heads swooping down from outer space. Revelations is truly one of the strangest books in the Bible.
I've also heard people state that the dragon is supposed to represent the European Union but of course the EU has added new member nations and the numbers don't add up. It's clearly just a modern idea that's become popularized by ministers and people selling books. To be honest I think the author of Revelations was just someone with a very active imagination who had a knack for storytelling. I really don't expect to look out my window someday and see a gigantic red dragon with seven heads swooping down from outer space. Revelations is truly one of the strangest books in the Bible.
The ten nation European Union will come into being during the time of the Anti Christ, what you see today is a rather fluid group of nations that will remain that way until he takes control. The author of the Book of Revelation is supported by many other prophecies that have been written throught out the entire Bible. John wrote the Book of Revelation, yet it was God who authored it. And only God could of known and understood the order of the prophecies of the entire Bible. Often people come here and talk as if the Book of Revelation is the only Book in the Bible that predicts the future. (Far from it.) Much of the Book of Revelation is supported by many other Books found in the Bible. The Bible tells us that the natural man will not understand the things of the spirit, because they are spirtually discearned. That is the reason the Bible leaves so many question in the minds of unbelievers. Unless you have a relationship with Christ, the Bible and God's salvation will always be a mystery to you. Jesus once said, ''the blind will lead the blind and they will both fall in the pit'', that's what I see here so often. One non believer trying to tell another non believer about the errors of the Bible. Sometimes I just have to shake my head.
The ten nation European Union will come into being during the time of the Anti Christ, what you see today is a rather fluid group of nations that will remain that way until he takes control. The author of the Book of Revelation is supported by many other prophecies that have been written throught out the entire Bible. John wrote the Book of Revelation, yet it was God who authored it. And only God could of known and understood the order of the prophecies of the entire Bible. Often people come here and talk as if the Book of Revelation is the only Book in the Bible that predicts the future. (Far from it.) Much of the Book of Revelation is supported by many other Books found in the Bible. The Bible tells us that the natural man will not understand the things of the spirit, because they are spirtually discearned. That is the reason the Bible leaves so many question in the minds of unbelievers. Unless you have a relationship with Christ, the Bible and God's salvation will always be a mystery to you. Jesus once said, ''the blind will lead the blind and they will both fall in the pit'', that's what I see here so often. One non believer trying to tell another non believer about the errors of the Bible. Sometimes I just have to shake my head.
i feel the same way about those who constantly take the Bible verbatum and put it on posts. it's the same people repeating the same words and feels as if they are clubbing me over the head over and over again.
it's as if people are wearing blinders but are convinced they are the ONLY ones who can see....
The ten nation European Union will come into being during the time of the Anti Christ
Right now there's 27 members of the EU and the number is likely to get larger not smaller. The Bible doesn't mention the European Union in any passage that is stated clearly enough that it couldn't be confused with anything else. People are always trying to match up events that are happening during their lifetime to vague passages in the Bible. They've been doing it since the book was written. As I said before this is a modern interpretation that fits in with modern events and in a century they'll be saying it means something completely different that fits in with what's happening then.
Right now there's 27 members of the EU and the number is likely to get larger not smaller. The Bible doesn't mention the European Union in any passage that is stated clearly enough that it couldn't be confused with anything else. People are always trying to match up events that are happening during their lifetime to vague passages in the Bible. They've been doing it since the book was written. As I said before this is a modern interpretation that fits in with modern events and in a century they'll be saying it means something completely different that fits in with what's happening then.
As well the prophecy states that they are 10 kings that have not yet received their kingdom.
Much of the confusion of modern Revelation interpretation has been promoted by the false Rapture profiteers of Left Behind.
Right now there's 27 members of the EU and the number is likely to get larger not smaller. The Bible doesn't mention the European Union in any passage that is stated clearly enough that it couldn't be confused with anything else. People are always trying to match up events that are happening during their lifetime to vague passages in the Bible. They've been doing it since the book was written. As I said before this is a modern interpretation that fits in with modern events and in a century they'll be saying it means something completely different that fits in with what's happening then.
The numbers of the Union have changed, however even today the fulfledged members of the union only number ten. And the Bible states that near the end of time there will be 10 nations that will give their full power willingly to one man. The prophecies are not as vague as you believe, and the Bible indicates that there will be a revived Roman Empire in the time of the end. This can be seen in Daniels vision of the four kingdoms found in the Old Testament. Even the symbol in the Bible that speaks of the harlot riding on a beast is now depicted on the European Unions parliament building in Brussels, Belgium. Also, there is only one time in history when such a union could exist, and that would be the time when the Jews had returned from a world wide exile, and were in control or Israel, and Jerusalem. And during the time when Israel was the focus of world attention. And of course, this event has only occured in our generation, and at no other time in past world history. Also the Bible tells us that the last great battle on earth will be for the control of Jerusalem. Also, the union could only exist when the nations of the East could raise up an army of 200 million men. When the Book of Revelation was written, I doubt that there were even that many people on earth, let alone a single army. Only by ignoring the details of Scriptures can you draw your conclusions. Also, the union would exist at a time when we would see a powerful nation that would be able to take on both Israel and America through it's military power. This nation would be located both to the north of America, and to the north of Israel. And this nation would support Islamic countries that sought to destroy Israel. This nation is where Gog and MaGog once existed, and this area is now known today as Russia. According to the Book Ezekiel, it tells Israel that in the last days their enemy will be to their utter most north, if you draw a vertical line north of Jerusalem, it will perfectly intersect Moscow, which is to their utter most north, and is a nation that has supported a great number of Israels enemies.
The numbers of the Union have changed, however even today the fulfledged members of the union only number ten. And the Bible states that near the end of time there will be 10 nations that will give their full power willingly to one man. The prophecies are not as vague as you believe, and the Bible indicates that there will be a revived Roman Empire in the time of the end. This can be seen in Daniels vision of the four kingdoms found in the Old Testament. Even the symbol in the Bible that speaks of the harlot riding on a beast is now depicted on the European Unions parliament building in Brussels, Belgium. Also, there is only one time in history when such a union could exist, and that would be the time when the Jews had returned from a world wide exile, and were in control or Israel, and Jerusalem. And during the time when Israel was the focus of world attention. And of course, this event has only occured in our generation, and at no other time in past world history. Also the Bible tells us that the last great battle on earth will be for the control of Jerusalem. Also, the union could only exist when the nations of the East could raise up an army of 200 million men. When the Book of Revelation was written, I doubt that there were even that many people on earth, let alone a single army. Only by ignoring the details of Scriptures can you draw your conclusions. Also, the union would exist at a time when we would see a powerful nation that would be able to take on both Israel and America through it's military power. This nation would be located both to the north of America, and to the north of Israel. And this nation would support Islamic countries that sought to destroy Israel. This nation is where Gog and MaGog once existed, and this area is now known today as Russia. According to the Book Ezekiel, it tells Israel that in the last days their enemy will be to their utter most north, if you draw a vertical line north of Jerusalem, it will perfectly intersect Moscow, which is to their utter most north, and is a nation that has supported a great number of Israels enemies.
Do you have any reference to there being only ten, this post says there are over 25 of them, all permanent.
There are a number of nations that are involved in the union, but only 10 nations are in the WEU. France Germany Italy United Kingdom Spain Belgium Greece Netherlands Portugal Luxembourg.
Associate member countries number 6. Poland Turkey Czech Republic Hungary Norway Iceland.
The observer countries number 5. Aaustria Sweden Denmark Finland Ireland.
Associate partner countries number 7. Estonia Latvia Lithuania Bulgaria Slovenia Slovakia Romania.
Only the WEU nations have been instrument of progress in the European construction process, only the WEU nations have the politico-military legacy is recognised by those involved in the elaboration of a Common European Security and Defence Policy (CESDP) for the European Union. And the modified Brussels Treaty retains its political potential for as long as it remains in force.
As stated in Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under Participating states.
The Western European Union has 10 member countries, 6 associate members countries, 5 observer countries and 7 associate partners countries. ON JUNE 14, 2001, SOLANA STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FORESEEABLE REASON TO CHANGE THE STATUS OF THE NON MEMBER COUNTRIES IN THE ORGANISATION.
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The Hopi also have their version of how the world will end. Each person, and/or group of people will have their own truth, as to what would, or will, bring about the end of the world, and I'm not convinced that any one of them, including the Christian one, has anymore merit than the others.
(Ahem, jumping down off of my soapbox, now.
).
