The "World" in Prophecy

In Biblical prophecy, one of the first things you are confronted with is that some really bad things are going to happen that affect the people in the world prior to the return of Christ. Whether it's the mark of the beast, or the plagues or war.

Obviously, if you are in the world, then you would be impacted by these terrible things. And that makes doctrines such as the Rapture so attractive, because it gives us a reason to hope that we wont be in the world when these things take place.

But what does the Bible mean when it mentions the word "world"?

The answer all depends on where in the Bible you read it. We who speak English, only have the one word, but it can mean several different things to us. World can mean the Earth, a domain or a personal sphere of influence. Very much like the word universe.

For example, in Acts 15:18, the word world means the Earth.

(Acts 15:17-18)
Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

It's clear in the context of the verse that it means the Earth. Also, the actual Greek word used in the original manuscript for that phrase is aiōn which means: since the eternal past, the beginning of the age, by implication the Earth. (Strong's ref #G165)

And nobody doubts that interpretation since it fits so well in the context of the verse. But if we look at a couple other verses that use the word world, we'll see something completely different.

In Acts 17:6, 19:27 & 24:5 all use a completely different Greek word that we have translated as the world in our English Bibles.

(Acts 17:6)
And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also

(Acts 19:27)
So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

(Acts 24:5)
For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

The Greek word used in the original manuscript, in ALL 3 of those verses, is oikoumenē, which means: land, ie terrene part of the globe where people dwell, region, by implication the Roman empire. (Strong's ref #G3625)

The interpretation of the Roman empire being the "world" in this case makes sense in the context of each one of those verses. So we can see that, sometimes in the Bible,the world has a much more limited meaning than that of the whole planet.

But what does that have to do with Biblical prophecies, specifically the bad things mentioned in the book of Revelation?

Well, I'm glad you asked!

Back in the saddle again

Well...After a couple year hiatus I do believe it's time for me to saddle up and start blogging again. With all that is happening in the world right now, you can say without a doubt that the Bible is more up to date and relevant than your daily newspaper!

We see geopolitical events, astronomical events and social events all taking place RIGHT NOW that were predicted in the Bible thousands of years ago. These events were once upon a time thought of only in academic discussions of Biblical prophecy and only considered to be real for some future time far beyond our own lifetimes. But now we see undeniably that they are happening now!

I have been praying for God to lead me and direct me if I happened to be alive during this time. I ask for those things anyways as normal way of life, but I made a special point to ask for guidance if I saw Bible prophecy being fulfilled in front of my very eyes. I believe that writing about it is part of what I'm to do now.

So this blog will go through it's own rebirth of sorts and focus on world events from a prophetic point of view while always knowing that when the storm is past - there will be an unclouded day waiting for all of us who have faith in Jesus Christ.

I will be referencing and linking to writers who have done more research than I can do. But I will be putting selecting stories and events that highlight what I see as proof of Biblical prophecy being fulfilled, or that create an environment where it would be possible for it to be fulfilled.

I am no prophet. I am no expert. I am but a man of faith, an adopted child of God, who has been anxiously waiting for the return of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I hope that the things you find here increase your faith, excite you, and give you hope that his return is near!

(Matthew 24:32-34 KJV)
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.

Coexist? - With who?

We have all seen the bumper sticker that says "Coexist" using symbols from 7 different worldviews. They are displayed most often by people who have no allegiance to any of the worldviews shown on it. And the recent Boston Marathon bombing story featured a car with one on it that the terrorists hijacked to flee in.

While the people who display this sticker lecture everyone to be tolerant of each other, they themselves are most guilty of being intolerant of all views based on principles.

The "tolerant" people tell us Christians that we are to "turn the other cheek" as Jesus said, yet they themselves do not follow their own advice when they hurl insults at those who hold conservative views. After all, it's easier to tell others to do something that you don't have to do yourself.

And they conveniently forget that Jesus said that in regards to abuse and persecution, Jesus did not say that in regards to tolerance of sin.

God has always insisted that those who are to please him are to be separated from sin. He drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden after they sinned, and he instructed Israel to drive out of the land those who served other Gods.

(Deuteronomy 7:1-4)
1 When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;
2 And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:
3 Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.
4 For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.

Sunday Devotional - Desires

In today's society we have so many choices to make that cover all aspects of our lives. We can choose where to live, what to eat, what hobbies to pursue, and often what type of vocation we will spend our life working at.

Some of our choices are simple and don't affect us one way or the other, like picking spaghetti or lasagna from a menu for dinner. Others may have an huge impact on our lives, like in choosing to drive 100 mph or deciding that robbing a bank would be a good idea.

God knows we have choices and desires, and he has encouraged us to choose good things instead of bad things.

Way back in the Old Testament God told the Israelites to trust in him first, and then after that he would give them the desires of their hearts.

(Psalm 37:3-5)
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

When Jesus preached, so many of the things he said were just repetitions of what God had told Israel in The Old Testament. Jesus told us also to seek God first, then the earthly needs we have would be provided for.

(Matthew 6:31-33)
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.