Where Is America In The Last Days ?

This is an interesting topic. I tread cautiously when it comes to delving into the multi-layered meanings of Prophecy. To be honest, a lot of it is way over my head. I trust the Lord will reveal all that I am required to know, when I need to know. And, of course, eventually He will reveal all to me.

I do have a question, though. In Ezekiel 39:8-10, it says, "8 Surely it is coming, and it shall be done," says the Lord God. "This is the day of which I have spoken. 9 "Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and bucklers, the bows and arrows, the javelins and spears; and they will make fires with them for seven years. 10 They will not take wood from the field nor cut down any from the forests, because they will make fires with the weapons; and they will plunder those who plundered them, and pillage those who pillaged them," says the Lord God."
We all know that all modern day weapons and 'sheilds' are made of metal. What kind of modern day weapons burn like wood?

Just curious.


John

Tanks and other mechanical vehicles with fuel seem to burn quite readily. But I doubt if any of them would burn for a week let alone seven years.

Originally posted by TheBear
We all know that all modern day weapons and 'sheilds' are made of metal. What kind of modern day weapons burn like wood?
John [/B]

Click to expand...

Right. I considered the fuels burning in things like tanks, aircraft, ground vehicles and even ships. They burn real good. But, I can't equate any of them to, "...the bows and arrows, the javelins and spears".

John

Originally posted by TheBear
...In Ezekiel 39:8-10...9 ...and they will make fires with them for seven years. ...

Click to expand...

This doesn't say that the materials will constantly burn for 7 years, but rather they will make fires with them for 7 years. This could be done very easily if used intermittently when it gets cold....I would say that they would burn through 7 winters, but I don't think it gets that cold in Isreal, so maybe to cook meals with I don't know I'm just 16, but that's my take on things

Again, what would be the modern day equivalent to, "...the bows and arrows, the javelins and spears"?

John

If a person 3000 years ago saw the military weapons we have now, that would be how he would describe them.

Modern day equivalents? Missiles, rockets, machine guns, rifles etc..

Did you know that the Main Battle Tank of Israel is called Merkava which is the Hebrew word for "Chariot".

Originally posted by TheBear
Again, what would be the modern day equivalent to, "...the bows and arrows, the javelins and spears"?

John

Click to expand...

This all seems like far fetched speculation, to me.

John

I personally have a different take on the "rapture".

Since Jesus told us it would be as the days of Noah, I feel it will be more of a shield or protection from destruction while destruction is going on around us.

When you think of Noah...he got in the boat and road through the flood protected. The Lord then set Noah down on a purged earth.

Also when you think of Lot...The Lord actually pulled Lot and his family from the destruction by hand. He let them go to a protected place while Sodom was destroyed. They were protected and then went on about their business on earth.

I personally have found that the Lord takes us through the fires and trials and does not pull us completely out of them. We also learn from these things while still relying on the Lord's protective hand.

If what I believe is correct, while destruction is going on around me I will continue to pay my bills and drive my car( to the best of my ability according to circumstance). You won't see me disapear and leave this earth until the Lord calls me home.

This is my belief...and while I will respect yours rollin..I believe we need to set forth different understandings to allow others to make their own decisions.


Love in Christ

Rolling thunder I too believe it will be an economic crash that makes America useless in the world. Very nice posting in detail. I believe we may be "the merchants of Tarshish" mentioned in Revelation. BUt I think the scripture says, "No one will know the day or the hour" of the rapture because we WILL know the year. We know the Bible says that the rapture occurs at the last trumpet. Rev. 11:15 is the sounding of the last trumpet. Therefore, those things mentioned before Rev.11:15 must happen first. When those things happen we will know the year it is.

interesting

Thank you Rolling Thunder for the welcome. Even though I am a big Moulin Rouge fan & own the dvd, (lol), I am American. I think Tarshish may be Europe & U.S.A. is a "merchant of Tarshish" or her "young Cub". WE have archeology to prove trade occurred back then with America. Everyone on this site is so smart. I love it so far.

Originally posted by rollinTHUNDER


Noah got taken in, Lot got taken out, and we're gonna be taken up.

Noah couldn't go to heaven yet, because he had to repopulate the earth. Lot got removed from destruction, because God promised Abraham He wouldn't judge the righteous with the wicked. And that leaves the rapture of the Church, that will meet the Lord in the air.

Click to expand...

I base my understanding of the term "rapture".

1- Paul also used this same word when speaking about his conversion experience 14 years before...
2 Co 12:2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago--whether in the body
I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows--such a
man was caught up to the third heaven.

Since Paul used "caught up" refering to his conversion experience I am not sure we have Paul's understanding of the word completely.

2- Jesus, Himself does speak of "conversion" and also "born again". I can not find where Jesus speaks of being "caught up".

KIng's kid, What Paul is referring to is a vision he had. See Acts 22:17....."I was in a trance". (written about A.D. 61) Then he wrote 2 Cor. about 54 A.D. This is 13 or 14 yrs difference. Paul is saying he doens't know whether he had a spiritual vision (was in a trance), or if he really was in the 3rd heaven as flesh. Only God knows for sure he says. I don not find Jesus using the word "caught up" either. But in Matthew 24 Jesus describes the rapture & uses the word "gather' among others.

I see what you rollin and you Debbie are saying also.

I agree that we should pray to escape and also that we will be protected.

I am just not sure it will be in the way everyone says it will be...a catching up in the air.

I just believe it will be more of a shield or protection.

I do respect your ideas on the subject.

Love ya guys in Christ!