Posted on 10/12/2005 10:13:11 AM PDT by SirLinksalot
Pat Robertson's wrong
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Posted: October 12, 2005 1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Gary DeMar © 2005 WorldNetDaily.com
Pat Robertson is making predictions again. He's reading the Bible through current events rather than letting the Bible speak for itself.
In Matthew 24:7, Jesus says that "in various places there will be famines and earthquakes." He says nothing about an increase in their number or intensity. Luke writes, "There will be great earthquakes" (Luke 21:11). Jesus wasn't describing events that would precede the end of our time. Rather, He was describing signs that led up to the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70 that would take place before that first-century generation passed away (Matt. 24:33–34).
Like famines (Acts 11:28), "great earthquakes" are part of the biblical historical record. Two earthquakes are mentioned in Matthew – when Jesus was crucified (27:54) and when the angel came down to roll the stone away from the tomb where Jesus was buried (28:2). This second earthquake is said to have been "severe." Acts records "a great earthquake" that shook "the foundations of the prison house" (16:26).
Secular writers describing the period support the biblical record: "And as to earthquakes, many are mentioned by writers during a period just previous to A.D. 70. There were earthquakes in Crete, Smyrna, Miletus, Chios, Samos, Laodicea, Hierapolis, Colosse, Campania, Rome, and Judea. It is interesting to note that the city of Pompeii was much damaged by an earthquake occurring on Feb. 5, A.D. 63."
The number of earthquakes that were recorded during that first-century generation is staggering given the shortness of the time period. Josephus describes an earthquake in Judea of such magnitude "that the constitution of the universe was confounded for the destruction of men," the same language that is being used to describe this most recent earthquake. He goes on to write that this earthquake was "no common" calamity, indicating that God Himself had brought it about for a special purpose.
Another commentator writes: "Perhaps no period in the world's history has ever been so marked by these convulsions as that which intervenes between the Crucifixion and the destruction of Jerusalem." Since the generation between A.D. 30 and 70 is past, there is no reason to attach prophetic significance to earthquakes in our day as a fulfillment of Matthew 24:7 or Luke 21:11. They are not signs of the nearness of Jesus' return in our generation. They were a prelude to the coming of Jesus in judgment upon Jerusalem in the generation of the apostles.
Then there's the record of recent history. On June 15, 1896, the Sanriku tsunami struck Japan without warning. A wave estimated at more than 70 feet high hit a crowd gathered to celebrate a religious festival, killing more than 26,000 people. On Nov. 1, 1755, the great Lisbon earthquake generated a wave up to 20-feet high that struck coastal Portugal, Spain and Morocco. With an estimated population of 275,000, Lisbon was, in 1755, one of the largest cities in Europe. It was one of the most destructive and deadly earthquakes in history, killing over 100,000 people. The quake was followed by a tsunami and fire, resulting in the near total destruction of Lisbon.
Today's reported earthquakes are not unique, as proven by a thorough study of the Bible and the historical record outside the Bible. The greatest student of earthquakes was a Frenchman, Count F. Montessus de Ballore. From 1885 to 1922 he devoted his time to studying and cataloging earthquakes and came to an astonishing conclusion. He cataloged 171,434 earthquakes from the earliest historic times! The manuscript is stored in the library of the Geographical Society in Paris, where it occupies 26 meters (over 84 feet) of bookshelves.
As much as we might want to believe that we are the "Rapture Generation," there is no statistical or biblical evidence to support such a contention.
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Gary DeMar is president of American Vision and the author more than 20 books. His latest book is "Myths, Lies, & Half-Truths: How Misreading the Bible Neutralizes Christians ".
Good. Maybe they'll shut down that idiot newspaper and Joe Farah will be without a job.
Good riddance.
Patwa Robertson has said some crazy things.
I suspect Pat Robertson wants the world to end before the IRS gets a good look at his books.
Do you know why California has more earthquakes? The Bible says that there would be earthquakes in divers places and California has more dives than any other place.
I never heard of this guy but this sounds like my kind of book. Anyone here read it?
"Newspaper eschatology will embarass you if you're not careful."
A prophet should stand behind his work. If God tells him that something will happen and then it doesn't the prophet should be put to death. That would cut down a great deal on false prophesies.
Problem is that earthquakes are nothing new and can be understood through simple plate technonics. Hey in Pakistan/India the plate is moving north and smashing into the plate in Asia. There should be no surprise in this area just like there should be no surprise in earthquakes along the western Canadian/United States coast and it is expected. If housing was properly constructed the death rate from earthquakes would significantly reduce. That was the problem in this area.
Pat Robertson is like these idiots out there screaming that global warming is the source of these supposedly suddenly devasting hurricanes. Even Matt Drudge was smart enough to show that in Barbara Streisand's lifetime there has been many strong hurricanes and of course NOAA has been good in explaining the hurricane cycles with these storms and how the "loop current" works.
All these bozos say it wrong. IT IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD...IT'LL BE THE END TO THE WORLD SYSTEM, AS WE KNOW IT.
But being in the "Rapture Generation" gets converts and viewers, and therefore cash. And Robertson might need the cash for his next deal with an opressive, murderous regime.
***Why Pat Robertson is wrong...***
You just now figured it out? I had Robertson, Swaggert, Baker, Tilton and others pegged years ago.
If you know your Bible and bible doctrine you can sit and listen to a preacher talk for 5 minutes and know if he is on the up and up or not.
Of course, it takes years of learning and a break from legalism to do it.
Now, if I could just get it through my wife and mother-in-law's heads.
Fruitcakes. The whole lot of em.
It's amazing how shallow WND has become. No THIS. Sigh.
The fact that the Jews had their onw homeland in 1948 starkly changed scoffing at prophecy. THAT was a major milestone that has NEVER happened before and why these days are different. It is stated in the Bible that, THAT generation would see His second coming. Check out the parable of the Fig Tree. Israel is the "Fig Tree". It is defined in an earlier book in the Bible.
Matt. 24:32-44
[32] Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
[33] So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
[34] Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
[35] Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
[36] But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
[37] But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
[38] For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
[39] And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
[40] Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
[41] Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
[42] Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
[43] But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
[44] Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Just a few excerpts from Bible based site that is NOT replacement theology as the posted article is.
The "Birth Pangs" Intensify--Markell
--> Posted to Jans_Articles for August, 2005
August 30, 2005 – The “Birth Pangs” Intensify
Most people know that birth pangs intensify and become more frequent as the baby is about to be born. Some translations call this “the beginning of sorrows.” And that is exactly what is happening around the world. News’ stories suggest Hurricane Katrina was “a once in a lifetime” event. How many times in the last five years have we heard that something, usually a disaster, was “of Biblical proportions? Check out my “Signs in Nature” category to verify this, at the Web site.
Hurricane Katrina is America’s tsunami though you might not know that unless you’re watching Fox News. What you won’t hear anywhere is that this week New Orleans was to observe “Southern Decadence Day with 100,000 homosexuals gathering there to commit unspeakable acts in public. Previous events were photographed and sent to the mayor and police officials but they did not care. They had their own lust: The $100,000,000 the event brings in.
Gambling casinos took a hit on the coast as this is where the eye of the storm hit.
And as America forced Israelis out of parts of their land, hurricane Katrina was building in the Atlantic. A Fox reporter said, “It must be an emotional experience (for Americans) to walk away from their homes and not ever live in them again.” Same with those forced out in Israel. Israeli homes are being demolished as Gulf Coast homes are demolished.
This was America’s greatest “evacuation.” Now we have “refugees”. Israelis were evacuated and many are refugees living in tents and refugee centers, thanks to America. The Israeli uprooting will affect their entire economy in that some of their finest produce which was exported is now left behind. America’s economy could face a steep recession as oil processing refineries were damaged. Plan to see price increases within days. Will this bring our economy down? Major industries will be affected from food delivery, jet fuel, travel, insurance, and so much more with the “ripple effect” of skyrocketing gas prices.
Luke 21 talks about “the sea and the waves roaring” and “men’s hearts failing them for fear.” We must not stop there. It goes on to say, “When these things begin to happen, look up and know your redemption draws nigh. As Hal Lindsey and I shared the same platform in 2004, we both said, “He is at the door.” The “birth pangs” can’t get much more intense.
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Everyone has a mantra today. Mine is this: You cannot understand world events without the proper interpretation of Bible prophecy. It’s as simple as that.
http://www.olivetreeviews.org/articles/Jans_Articles.shtml
This doesn't mention that tragedy in Kashmir ... 20-30,000 dead ... .
Here's another one:
Apostasy in the Church & the End Times--Reagan
--> Posted to Prophecy for September, 2005
The Bible clearly prophesies that the Church of the end times will be characterized by apostasy. Paul said that the Antichrist will not be revealed until "the apostasy comes first" (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Jesus prophesied that "many will fall away" and "most people’s love will grow cold" (Matthew 24:10, 12).
In the book of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3, the Apostle John records seven letters of Jesus to seven churches in the area of modern day Turkey. Among other things, these letters present a panoramic prophetic survey of the Church in history. The last of the churches mentioned, the one that represents the Church of the end times, is the church at Laodicea. It is pictured as a church that is neither hot (healing) nor cold (refreshing), but rather is lukewarm or tepid (Revelation 3:15-16). In short, it is a church that is apathetic. Jesus also pictures it as a worldly church enamored with its wealth (Revelation 3:17). The Lord is so dissatisfied with this church that He declares, "Because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:16).
This sure sounds like churches of today - complete with homosexuals in the pulpit - something the Bible singles out as an "abomination." NEVER before has that happened.
I could go on and on. When I see replacement theory posted as the topic of the thread, I'm suprised. This was defeated LONG AGO.
All these reponses and NOT one demonstrate how Gary DeMar's
escatology is any more right than Pat Robertson. I suspect
there will be about ten foolish virgins wanting to buy oil
when they realize the bride groom is coming and they have none in their lamps -having believed all prophecy ended
with the destruction of the Temple AD 70. But the famine of the end times is not one of food--but of the Word of God--
and there be plenty of evidence in America alone that that
book --the foundation of our Christian Faith is most often
not read-and certainly not obeyed.( two key components of
the term "belief" if I am not mistaken.
I think that Biblical end of the world predictions are a lot of superstitious nonsense.
My Bible tells me this too:
Isa.45:17
[17] But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world WITHOUT end.
Eph.3:21
[21] Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world WITHOUT end. Amen.
No man knows the hour. We must always be ready like the wise virgins with their lamps. Pat Robertson just continues his foolish utterances that just play into the stereotype of Christians that liberals try to propound.
***But being in the "Rapture Generation" gets converts and viewers, ***
That is because they fail to understand the parable of the fig tree. They see it as the rebirth of Israel and run with it. It is NOT!
Christ gives people signs to look for, then tells them how they look for signs of trees turning green to tell when spring is near and that the signs he gave them before this would be signs of the end times. The same in other verses when he told them how they decern the sky for weather changes yet they could not decern the signs of the times.
The fig tree signifys NOTHING.
But try to get that through people's heads....
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