(March 22, 2016 at 1:01 pm)Won2blv Wrote: **sorry this was longer than intended. Its not an argument to prove anything. Just some stuff rolling around in my head**
I ponder over some of the end of times prophecies. As a JW we didn't believe in the Rapture or that this earth will be destroyed but rather that we would eventually possess the earth ultimately after this "worlds system" is destroyed. I have already have discussed how global warming is something I view as bringing a demise onto humans, god or no god. Also, there is a prophecy in Revelation that alludes to religion being ultimately destroyed by the worlds governments. Maybe, I don't buy that religion will be destroyed by the governments but you can see a growing discord and resentment that could easily turn to anger and rage.
Those are not the main things I want to talk about. If you have any comments on them I'd love it! The bible prophecy I am hoping to get feedback on is found in Daniel 2. As I am sure you all know, it speaks of a vast human statue made of different metals and materials that was seen in a dream by Nebuchadnezzar. Basically, it represents kingdoms of the earth. And at the end, a stone is cut from a mountain and hits the statue at its feet and destroys it. The scripture that I have thought a lot about is the make up of those feet and what they represent. This is what the verse says, 42 And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom will be partly strong and partly fragile. 43 Just as you saw iron mixed with soft clay, they will be mixed with the people; but they will not stick together, one to the other, just as iron does not mix with clay. (JW's teach that the feet represent the US)
As I have been transitioning to atheism I have been getting more politically involved. What I have been seeing is how the system is becoming more and more broken. You just look at what is going on in the US right now. The 2 main parties have never been more at odds. But you're also seeing a rise in fringe candidates like Trump. But many commenters have pointed out how these supporters are usually low-information voters. Meaning, they have just as much voting power as anyone, but they aren't well informed. Those verses resonate with me for a number of reasons. The US is still the strongest nation in the world. But it is also very fragile. Our economy was almost decimated by an ardent desire to refuse to pay National debts, the middle class is disappearing, and the threat of climate change could cause trillions of dollars of damage. But what are people most concerned with? Planned parenthood. Gun rights. Those damn illegals taking our tomato picking jobs! (sarcasm intended) Democracy seems like the greatest form of government, but its weaknesses are showing through now. Even the founders of the US intended on a very select voting class. Doesn't it seem like the rise of the internet has created a rush of knowledge and information, But the levees have broken and the misinformation and duplicity has become more rampant? I know this doesn't prove anything. The statue in that account represents human rulership. And up to that point in history, human rulership would have been dominated by powerful kings and generals. So, when I read at the end about the rulership being mixed with the people, or the common people as some translations put it, it strongly resonates with me. Anyway, thoughts?
oooOOO!!
Fun!!
The Statue in Daniel 2 is something I have studied with some really smart guys in the past. Here is what they said it means:
The Head of Gold repersented Neb's empire. It was the pinnacle/most perfect world dominating empire (for various reasons) The meads and persions, followed the Babylonian empire,(silver) then the Greeks were the bronze portion and the Romans could only be 'Iron.' Now the mix of Iron and clay represents an rome like empire, but (the clay) meaning weak and or unstable.
In truth the European Union pretty well follows the same Land span Rome held in europe. The 'foot print is close to being the same, and no one can say that the EU is as stable as Rome was.
The rock hurled at the feet of this statue repersents some sort of disaster that will completly obliterate Man's last empire.
Like you pointed out the end times will have banished all religion. I think this is going to be an mix of disinterested/luke warm followers and the extremeist. In that if you will not accept a luke warm version of your religion of choice you will be deemed radical and 'punished.'
That makes the whole mark of the beast thing more plausible. Accept this weak doctrine, get a hand stamp and you can do business/have a job. If not you starve.
