Open Challenge To Flat Earthers Worldwide

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FEZZILLA

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If you don't have time to read the information that I have given you... I must assume that you have not taken the time to do sufficient research at all.

Of the content in the post that I have made, that you are referring to, two are not videos, they are written commentaries on the subject that you are opening here.

One is a video that systematically disassembles your view.

I refuse to post the entire commentary. I refuse to type out all of the concepts, points and proofs, which you have requested in your OP.

If you post an open challenge... It's kinda rude to refuse posts that defeat you.

Do you want someone to sit across from you and feed you by spoon? You have arms and hands... feed yourself.
Site all information here and make each verse visible to this forum. If you just want to brawl I will ignore you. There are no videos in this debate. You may cite from information from those videos, but I will not be viewing a single video in this debate because this debate must be supported by authoritative sources and documented here. So no video debates.
 
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FEZZILLA

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I am glad for you that your saints agree with you.

I am just as glad that Moses, David, Isaiah, Jesus, John, Paul, etc.. that i am in agreement with them that God's creation is in direct opposition to sciences description of God's creation.
In which science does not even acknowledge God of the Complete Hebrew Bible (Old&New) as creator.
My Saints? Aren't they your Saints, too? Did not Paul give good mention to Clement of Rome in Philippians 4:3? Does your "Protestant" church reject 2000 years of the Christian priesthood?

2 Thessalonians 2:15,

"Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle" (KJV).

But you say to abandon the Apostolic tradition?

1 Timothy 4:16 further says:

"Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you."

But you say to ignore doctrine and make up destructive lies?


Hebrews 13:17

"Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. Let them do this with joy and not complaining, for that would not be profitable to you."

1 Peter 5:5

Likewise you younger ones, submit yourselves to the elders. Yes, all of you be submissive one to another and clothe yourselves with humility, because

“God resists the proud,
but gives grace to the humble.”



1 Timothy 5:17

"Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine."

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

"We ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who labor among you, and are appointed over you in the Lord, and instruct you. 13 Esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves."

But you say not to obey our leaders but to rise up against 2000 years of sound doctrine?


 
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Zetetica

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I have been told that if I debated the Biblical shape of the earth with a "flat earth Christian" I would be completely and most utterly destroyed and degutted. So I am offering a worldwide open challenge to all flat earthers to come to this prestigious forum and prove their case and make it official here. A major victory on this forum is a huge victory on google. You can help make this debate happen by getting those flat earth experts off of youtube and bring them here where the debate counts. I only have a couple of simple rules: this debate deals with the Biblical view and not a debate from the perspective of modern science. So I will only discuss the Biblical view. Also, since flat earthers claim to be "Christians" then they must use Christian sources and not silly atheist opinions. I would also invite all these flat earth professors and the most highly educated and scholarly among them. So lets get these flat earth Bible scholars on this forum and make the results official.

Lets put these FE Bible scholars to the test ;)
Aren't there enough FE threads on this forum? Wasn't that last one, where you claimed the Bible, proved Earth a globe, enough for you? You didn't prove such a thing in that post, though you did prove there that you are incredibly biased and read the Bible through the lens of man's understandings.

Furthermore, I'm not a "Flat Earth Christian", I'm a Christian who questions the shape of the world and leans and relies on scripture to calm any personal confusion and doubt on a variety of matters.
 
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Zetetica

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Some flat earthers claim you cannot be saved if you believe the Bible teaches globe earth. But we're getting ahead of ourselves here. Lets see how many of these flat earth Grandmaster Bible scholars show up. They say they love to debate and will debate absolutely anybody and totally dominate the debate. So let us wait and see if their convictions are strong enough to come here and debate the topic. ;)
I've never met an FE who declares that FE is a salvational issue.
 
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RDKirk

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These verse's describe nothing similar to what science speaks of, about God's creation. The only solution is to make the Bible into a metaphorical soup.
Where the individual person gets to decide, on how the Bible is understood. Which is not supported by the Bible itself.
“When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literal meaning unless the facts of the immediate context, studied in the light of related passages and axiomatic and fundamental truths, indicate clearly otherwise.”
(Dr.Cooper)
Otherwise unless the Bible gives reason to not take the Bible in literal statements and not because of science, etc... Then the Bible should be taken in a literal wording/reading.

Genesis 1, Joshua 10;12-15, Habakkuk 3:11, Psalms 19:1,2,3,4,5,6, Psalms 136:6, Isaiah 38:7,8, Isaiah 42:5, Isaiah 44:24, Matthew 4:8, Matthew 24:29, Mark 13:25, 1 Corinthians 15:40, Philippians 2:10, Revelation 8:10, Revelation 9:1, Revelation 20:9

Many more verses can be posted but this is enough for any person who is looking for the truth about God's creation.

And the shape of God's creation is not a eternal life issue. There is only one object that is a eternal life issue and that is do you or will you look to the promised Messiah of The Old Testament prophecies who is reveled in the New Testament as Jesus, for the gift of His eternal life to anyone who will trust,believe,have faith in Jesus for the gift of His Eternal Life.

But none of those verses say the earth is flat.
 
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RDKirk

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I've never met an FE who declares that FE is a salvational issue.

What they say is:

The Bible teachers the earth is flat.

You can't be saved unless you believe everything the bible says.
 
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RDKirk

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Debatable but none teach a spinning globe Earth either.

Nor should it be expected to.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Scripture never claims to be a textbook of astronomy or geology. Scripture claims for itself the revelation of what righteousness is and how to pursue it.

Rather:

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.


The information about creation is to gained from observing creation itself.
 
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d taylor

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But none of those verses say the earth is flat.
Did you read what i wrote, did i say that these verses say the earth is flat.

I will repeat what i said was that the Bible describes a completely different creation than what science is tell people.

If you do not believe that look up the verses words used in these verses are: spread out, breadth of the earth, sun and moon standing still, sun, moon and stars being different in glory, the moon is a created light, the sun is a created light, the stars are created lights, the sun returns 10 degrees, the sun, moon and stars place in the raqia between two bodies of water the same place where birds fly. stars falling to earth, on and on and on
I did not list these verses but The Messiah's star lead the wise men to The Messiah and not only did the star lead them there the star stood over where The Messiah was.
 
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FEZZILLA

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Debatable but none teach a spinning globe Earth either.
The Spinning Globe Post.

Job 38:14, The Rotation of the earth

“It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment” (KJV)

Other Translations:

“It is turned as clay to fashion, and all stand up as a garment” (1599 Geneva Bible).

“It is turned like clay by the seal,
and it stands out as a garment” (MEV)


“It turneth itself as clay of a seal And they station themselves as clothed” (YLT).

"It shall be turned as clay to the seal; and they shall stand as clothing" (1876 Julia Smith Bible).
__________________________________________________________________
Bible Commentaries

So it [the earth] is turning in a full rotation facing the dayspring (v.12). Henry Morris hammers this one down very well in his classic work The Remarkable Record of Job, p.40,

"Job suggests not only that the earth was suspended in space but also that it rotates about its north-projecting axis. “Hast thou commanded the morning since they days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; That it might take hold of the ends of the earth; that the wicked might be shaken out of it? It is turned as clay to the seal; they stand out as a garment” (Job 38:12-14). Though figurative language, this reflects a true physical process. God is pictured as taking hold of the two ends of the earth’s axis and turning it as if it were a clay cylinder receiving an impression from a seal. The seal toward which the earth is turned, however, is not a metallic pattern. Rather, it is the “dayspring,” evidently the sun fixed in its place.”

The Henry Morris Study Bible,

“38:14 turned. This figurative expression refers to God’s initiation of the earth’s rotation and the day-night cycle. Each night, like a rotating clay cylinder exposing the impressions of the seal, the earth turns to the sun (or “dayspring”), exposing the wicked and their works of the night.”

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Bible Commentary, Vol.2,

“14. Explaining the first clause of v.13, as v.15 does the second clause. As the plastic clay represents the various figures impressed on it by a seal, so the earth, which in the dark was void of all form, when illuminated by the day-spring, presents a variety of forms, hills, valleys, etc. “Turned” (‘turns itself’,’ Hebrew) alludes to the rolling cylinder seal, from one to three inches long, such as is found in Babylon, which leaves the impression on the soft plastic clay, as it is turned about: so the morning light rolling on over the earth. Rich (‘On the Ruins of Babylon’) in Barnes, says, ‘The cuneiform writing of these cylinder seals is reversed, or written from right to left, whereas every other cuneiform writing is to be read from left to right. This can only be accounted for by supposing that they were intended to roll impressions.’ they stand--the forms of beauty unfolded by the dawn stand forth as a garment in which the earth is clad.”

The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 1885 Edition

“38:12-15. God’s control of the earth also includes the daily sequence of dawn and darkness. The dawn causes the wicked, who are active at night (cf. 24:14-17; John 3:19), to hide. It is as if the morning light were shaking them out of a blanket (Job 38:13), causing them to be broken in their power (upraised arm, v. 15; cf. 40:9). As the sun comes up the earth’s contours become evident and the wicked no longer have darkness, which they call their light, in which to work. Since Job had nothing to do with establishing or controlling this aspect of Creation how could he question God’s doings now?”

The language of Job 38:12-15 is deeply figurative but the rotation of the earth can be clearly seen as well as the sun’s stationary position in the solar system, making this passage stand out as a garment of light to those who seek the depth of truth which turns in it’s revolution out of the darkness. This passage also helps interpret Job 26:10 “the boundary of light and darkness.”

*Note: figurative language is used to capture a deeper spiritual meaning.
_____________________________________________________________________
Early Church Fathers on the Rotation of the Earth.

† St.Ambrose (337-397 A.D.)

The following quotations come from 4th century St.Ambrose from his work called the "Hexameron", from The Fathers Of The Church series translated by John J. Savage.

“Consequently, the year, too, has the stamp of a world coming to birth, as the splendor of the springtime shines forth all the more clearly because of the winter’s ice and darkness now past. The shape of the circles of years to come has been given form by the first dawn of the world” (p.12).

The circle of years. That sounds like a spinning globe to me. But he may also be speaking about the circle of years pertaining to the earth's orbit around the sun.

This next quotation from St.Ambrose is long but necessary for this subject. Here Ambrose defines what immovable earth means while also quoting from a Psalm in which the earth is moving! Ambrose is explaining how the earth abides by the laws ordained for it by God, that it will not fall down (since it is suspended in space, Job 26:7). The earth will not float away. It is a fixed sphere and will not move from its ordained laws.

“How the disposition of the earth therefore depends upon the power of God, you may learn also where it is written: ‘He looketh upon the earth and maketh it tremble,’ and elsewhere: ‘One again I move the earth.’ Therefore, the earth remains immovable not by its balances, but is moved frequently by the nod and free will of God, as Job, too, says: ‘The Lord shaketh it from its foundations, and the pillars thereof tremble.’ And elsewhere: ‘Hell is naked before him and there is no covering for death. He stretched out the north over the empty space and hangeth the earth upon nothing. He bindeth up the waters in his clouds. The pillars of heaven fled away and are in dread at his rebuke. By his power the seas are calmed, by his wisdom is struck down the sea-monster, and the gates of heaven fear him.’
By the will of God, therefore, the earth remains immovable. ‘The earth standeth for ever,’ according to Ecclesiastes, yet is moved and nods according to the will of God. It does not therefore continue to exist because based on its own foundation. It does not stay stable because based on its own props. The Lord established it by the support of His will, because ‘in his hand are all the ends of the earth.’ The simplicity of this faith is worth all the proffered proofs.
Let others hold approvingly that the earth never will fall, because it keeps its position in the midst of the world in accordance with nature. They maintain that it is from necessity that the earth remains in its place and is not inclined in another direction, as long as it does not move contrary to nature but in accordance with it. Let them take occasion to magnify the excellence of their divine Artist and eternal Craftsman. What artist is not indebted to Him? ‘Who gave to women the knowledge of weaving or the understanding of embroidery?’ However, I who am unable to comprehend the excellence of His majesty and His art do not entrust myself to theoretical weights and measures. Rather, I believe that all things depend on His will, which is the foundation of the universe and because of which the world endures up to the present” (pp.22-23).


“However, in the circular quality of a sphere these elements are confused and lose the impulse of their course, inasmuch as a sphere is turned around in its orb and hence the elements above change place with the elements beneath and vise-versa” (p.23).

The circular quality of a sphere [Strong’s H2328 - H2329]. This sphere is turned (Job 38:14). We can see how Ambrose is reading and interpreting Scripture.

The next citation from the Hexameron of St.Ambrose deals with how 4th century skeptics of the Bible claim that the earth cannot be a sphere because water could not remain on it.

“And first of all these interpreters wish to destroy the profound impressions which frequent reading of the Scriptures have made in our mind, maintaining that waters cannot exist above the heavens. That heavenly sphere, they say, is round, with the earth in the middle of it; hence, water cannot stay on that circular surface, from which it needs must flow easily away, falling from a higher to a lower position. For how, they say, can water remain on a sphere when the sphere itself revolves?” (p.52).

In the next quotation Ambrose begins the paragraph with “Scripture points out”, and then cites from Isa.40:22,

“And further on: ‘Who sitteth upon the globe of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as locusts, who stretcheth out the heavens as an arch?’ Who, then, ventures to put his knowledge in the same plane with that of God?” (p.231).

† Clement of Alexandria (150-215 A.D.)

Clement was a 2nd century church father. The following is taken from his writing called The Instructor, which I’m citing from the very last page of Book III entitled To The Paedagous:

“And when the seasons, in their circling course,
Winter and summer, spring and autumn, each
Should come, according to well-ordered plan;
Out of a confused heap who didst create
This ordered sphere, and from the shapeless mass
Of matter didst the universe adorn;--
Grant to me life, and be that life well spent,
Thy grace enjoying; let me act and speak
In all things as Thy Holy Scriptures teach”
(Ante-Nicene Christian Library, Vol.1).


And the Holy Scriptures taught Clement about the sphere of the earth and the circular course (rotation) of the 4 seasons. How do you get 4 seasons on a flat earth anyway?

† St.Clement of Rome (35 - 99 A.D.)

"20.The heavens revolve by His arrangement and are subject to Him in peace. 2 Day and night complete the revolution ordained by Him, and neither interferes in the least with the other." (Clement of Rome; Ancient Christian Writers, Vol.1: "Epistle to the Corinthians," Chapter 20:1-2, p.22).

Even back in the 1st century A.D., 2000 years ago, long before the modern era of science, Clement of Rome read about a spherical earth that rotated on its axis. What verse are the ancient Christian church fathers reading? I believe its all in the Book of Job, as verses like Job 26:10 and Job 38:14 indicate how the earth turns (rotates). Even Job 37:12 expresses with similarity how the weather patterns of the earth move all around the habitable globe.


Job 37:12 & H2015 הָפַךְ hâphak

Job 37:12 and 38:14 both use Strong's H2015 הָפַךְ hâphak.

Job 37:12 from the Vulgate says,

"quae lustrant per circuitum quocumque eas voluntas gubernantis duxerit ad omne quod praeceperit illis super faciem orbis terrarum"

The Latin words "orbis terrarum" are translated from H8398 תֵּבֵל têbêl which means "the habitable globe."

For Latin definition of orbis terrarum
https://www.wordhippo.com/what-is/t...Mb5_hbG_IL6cZNpP7haEJ69kiTOP-3AoJ3ICemG4dzzzI

Best English rendering for this particular verse,

"Being turned by his guidance to their doing all that he commanded them upon the face of the habitable globe of the earth" (Strong's H2015 הָפַךְ hâphak, H4524 מֵסַב mêçab, H8398 תֵּבֵל têbêl, H776 אֶרֶץ ʼerets -- 1876 Julia Smith Bible).

tierra-gira.gif
 
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patrick jane

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I have been told that if I debated the Biblical shape of the earth with a "flat earth Christian" I would be completely and most utterly destroyed and degutted. So I am offering a worldwide open challenge to all flat earthers to come to this prestigious forum and prove their case and make it official here. A major victory on this forum is a huge victory on google. You can help make this debate happen by getting those flat earth experts off of youtube and bring them here where the debate counts. I only have a couple of simple rules: this debate deals with the Biblical view and not a debate from the perspective of modern science. So I will only discuss the Biblical view. Also, since flat earthers claim to be "Christians" then they must use Christian sources and not silly atheist opinions. I would also invite all these flat earth professors and the most highly educated and scholarly among them. So lets get these flat earth Bible scholars on this forum and make the results official.

Lets put these FE Bible scholars to the test ;)
Psalms 19, Job 9, Job 26, Job 37, Job 38
 
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FEZZILLA

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Did you read what i wrote, did i say that these verses say the earth is flat.

I will repeat what i said was that the Bible describes a completely different creation than what science is tell people.

If you do not believe that look up the verses words used in these verses are: spread out, breadth of the earth, sun and moon standing still, sun, moon and stars being different in glory, the moon is a created light, the sun is a created light, the stars are created lights, the sun returns 10 degrees, the sun, moon and stars place in the raqia between two bodies of water the same place where birds fly. stars falling to earth, on and on and on
I did not list these verses but The Messiah's star lead the wise men to The Messiah and not only did the star lead them there the star stood over where The Messiah was.
Did I not answer your post? Do I have to copy-paste the post again? I fail to see why I should have to do that.
 
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patrick jane

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I have been told that if I debated the Biblical shape of the earth with a "flat earth Christian" I would be completely and most utterly destroyed and degutted. So I am offering a worldwide open challenge to all flat earthers to come to this prestigious forum and prove their case and make it official here. A major victory on this forum is a huge victory on google. You can help make this debate happen by getting those flat earth experts off of youtube and bring them here where the debate counts. I only have a couple of simple rules: this debate deals with the Biblical view and not a debate from the perspective of modern science. So I will only discuss the Biblical view. Also, since flat earthers claim to be "Christians" then they must use Christian sources and not silly atheist opinions. I would also invite all these flat earth professors and the most highly educated and scholarly among them. So lets get these flat earth Bible scholars on this forum and make the results official.

Lets put these FE Bible scholars to the test ;)
How does the sun and moon stop for about a whole day if earth is a moving globe?
 
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Zetetica

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The Spinning Globe Post.

Job 38:14, The Rotation of the earth

“It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment” (KJV)

Other Translations:

“It is turned as clay to fashion, and all stand up as a garment” (1599 Geneva Bible).

“It is turned like clay by the seal,
and it stands out as a garment” (MEV)


“It turneth itself as clay of a seal And they station themselves as clothed” (YLT).

"It shall be turned as clay to the seal; and they shall stand as clothing" (1876 Julia Smith Bible).
__________________________________________________________________
Bible Commentaries

So it [the earth] is turning in a full rotation facing the dayspring (v.12). Henry Morris hammers this one down very well in his classic work The Remarkable Record of Job, p.40,

"Job suggests not only that the earth was suspended in space but also that it rotates about its north-projecting axis. “Hast thou commanded the morning since they days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; That it might take hold of the ends of the earth; that the wicked might be shaken out of it? It is turned as clay to the seal; they stand out as a garment” (Job 38:12-14). Though figurative language, this reflects a true physical process. God is pictured as taking hold of the two ends of the earth’s axis and turning it as if it were a clay cylinder receiving an impression from a seal. The seal toward which the earth is turned, however, is not a metallic pattern. Rather, it is the “dayspring,” evidently the sun fixed in its place.”

The Henry Morris Study Bible,

“38:14 turned. This figurative expression refers to God’s initiation of the earth’s rotation and the day-night cycle. Each night, like a rotating clay cylinder exposing the impressions of the seal, the earth turns to the sun (or “dayspring”), exposing the wicked and their works of the night.”

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Bible Commentary, Vol.2,

“14. Explaining the first clause of v.13, as v.15 does the second clause. As the plastic clay represents the various figures impressed on it by a seal, so the earth, which in the dark was void of all form, when illuminated by the day-spring, presents a variety of forms, hills, valleys, etc. “Turned” (‘turns itself’,’ Hebrew) alludes to the rolling cylinder seal, from one to three inches long, such as is found in Babylon, which leaves the impression on the soft plastic clay, as it is turned about: so the morning light rolling on over the earth. Rich (‘On the Ruins of Babylon’) in Barnes, says, ‘The cuneiform writing of these cylinder seals is reversed, or written from right to left, whereas every other cuneiform writing is to be read from left to right. This can only be accounted for by supposing that they were intended to roll impressions.’ they stand--the forms of beauty unfolded by the dawn stand forth as a garment in which the earth is clad.”

The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 1885 Edition

“38:12-15. God’s control of the earth also includes the daily sequence of dawn and darkness. The dawn causes the wicked, who are active at night (cf. 24:14-17; John 3:19), to hide. It is as if the morning light were shaking them out of a blanket (Job 38:13), causing them to be broken in their power (upraised arm, v. 15; cf. 40:9). As the sun comes up the earth’s contours become evident and the wicked no longer have darkness, which they call their light, in which to work. Since Job had nothing to do with establishing or controlling this aspect of Creation how could he question God’s doings now?”

The language of Job 38:12-15 is deeply figurative but the rotation of the earth can be clearly seen as well as the sun’s stationary position in the solar system, making this passage stand out as a garment of light to those who seek the depth of truth which turns in it’s revolution out of the darkness. This passage also helps interpret Job 26:10 “the boundary of light and darkness.”

*Note: figurative language is used to capture a deeper spiritual meaning.
_____________________________________________________________________
Early Church Fathers on the Rotation of the Earth.

† St.Ambrose (337-397 A.D.)

The following quotations come from 4th century St.Ambrose from his work called the "Hexameron", from The Fathers Of The Church series translated by John J. Savage.

“Consequently, the year, too, has the stamp of a world coming to birth, as the splendor of the springtime shines forth all the more clearly because of the winter’s ice and darkness now past. The shape of the circles of years to come has been given form by the first dawn of the world” (p.12).

The circle of years. That sounds like a spinning globe to me. But he may also be speaking about the circle of years pertaining to the earth's orbit around the sun.

This next quotation from St.Ambrose is long but necessary for this subject. Here Ambrose defines what immovable earth means while also quoting from a Psalm in which the earth is moving! Ambrose is explaining how the earth abides by the laws ordained for it by God, that it will not fall down (since it is suspended in space, Job 26:7). The earth will not float away. It is a fixed sphere and will not move from its ordained laws.

“How the disposition of the earth therefore depends upon the power of God, you may learn also where it is written: ‘He looketh upon the earth and maketh it tremble,’ and elsewhere: ‘One again I move the earth.’ Therefore, the earth remains immovable not by its balances, but is moved frequently by the nod and free will of God, as Job, too, says: ‘The Lord shaketh it from its foundations, and the pillars thereof tremble.’ And elsewhere: ‘Hell is naked before him and there is no covering for death. He stretched out the north over the empty space and hangeth the earth upon nothing. He bindeth up the waters in his clouds. The pillars of heaven fled away and are in dread at his rebuke. By his power the seas are calmed, by his wisdom is struck down the sea-monster, and the gates of heaven fear him.’
By the will of God, therefore, the earth remains immovable. ‘The earth standeth for ever,’ according to Ecclesiastes, yet is moved and nods according to the will of God. It does not therefore continue to exist because based on its own foundation. It does not stay stable because based on its own props. The Lord established it by the support of His will, because ‘in his hand are all the ends of the earth.’ The simplicity of this faith is worth all the proffered proofs.
Let others hold approvingly that the earth never will fall, because it keeps its position in the midst of the world in accordance with nature. They maintain that it is from necessity that the earth remains in its place and is not inclined in another direction, as long as it does not move contrary to nature but in accordance with it. Let them take occasion to magnify the excellence of their divine Artist and eternal Craftsman. What artist is not indebted to Him? ‘Who gave to women the knowledge of weaving or the understanding of embroidery?’ However, I who am unable to comprehend the excellence of His majesty and His art do not entrust myself to theoretical weights and measures. Rather, I believe that all things depend on His will, which is the foundation of the universe and because of which the world endures up to the present” (pp.22-23).


“However, in the circular quality of a sphere these elements are confused and lose the impulse of their course, inasmuch as a sphere is turned around in its orb and hence the elements above change place with the elements beneath and vise-versa” (p.23).

The circular quality of a sphere [Strong’s H2328 - H2329]. This sphere is turned (Job 38:14). We can see how Ambrose is reading and interpreting Scripture.

The next citation from the Hexameron of St.Ambrose deals with how 4th century skeptics of the Bible claim that the earth cannot be a sphere because water could not remain on it.

“And first of all these interpreters wish to destroy the profound impressions which frequent reading of the Scriptures have made in our mind, maintaining that waters cannot exist above the heavens. That heavenly sphere, they say, is round, with the earth in the middle of it; hence, water cannot stay on that circular surface, from which it needs must flow easily away, falling from a higher to a lower position. For how, they say, can water remain on a sphere when the sphere itself revolves?” (p.52).

In the next quotation Ambrose begins the paragraph with “Scripture points out”, and then cites from Isa.40:22,

“And further on: ‘Who sitteth upon the globe of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as locusts, who stretcheth out the heavens as an arch?’ Who, then, ventures to put his knowledge in the same plane with that of God?” (p.231).

† Clement of Alexandria (150-215 A.D.)

Clement was a 2nd century church father. The following is taken from his writing called The Instructor, which I’m citing from the very last page of Book III entitled To The Paedagous:

“And when the seasons, in their circling course,
Winter and summer, spring and autumn, each
Should come, according to well-ordered plan;
Out of a confused heap who didst create
This ordered sphere, and from the shapeless mass
Of matter didst the universe adorn;--
Grant to me life, and be that life well spent,
Thy grace enjoying; let me act and speak
In all things as Thy Holy Scriptures teach”
(Ante-Nicene Christian Library, Vol.1).


And the Holy Scriptures taught Clement about the sphere of the earth and the circular course (rotation) of the 4 seasons. How do you get 4 seasons on a flat earth anyway?

† St.Clement of Rome (35 - 99 A.D.)

"20.The heavens revolve by His arrangement and are subject to Him in peace. 2 Day and night complete the revolution ordained by Him, and neither interferes in the least with the other." (Clement of Rome; Ancient Christian Writers, Vol.1: "Epistle to the Corinthians," Chapter 20:1-2, p.22).

Even back in the 1st century A.D., 2000 years ago, long before the modern era of science, Clement of Rome read about a spherical earth that rotated on its axis. What verse are the ancient Christian church fathers reading? I believe its all in the Book of Job, as verses like Job 26:10 and Job 38:14 indicate how the earth turns (rotates). Even Job 37:12 expresses with similarity how the weather patterns of the earth move all around the habitable globe.


Job 37:12 & H2015 הָפַךְ hâphak

Job 37:12 and 38:14 both use Strong's H2015 הָפַךְ hâphak.

Job 37:12 from the Vulgate says,

"quae lustrant per circuitum quocumque eas voluntas gubernantis duxerit ad omne quod praeceperit illis super faciem orbis terrarum"

The Latin words "orbis terrarum" are translated from H8398 תֵּבֵל têbêl which means "the habitable globe."

For Latin definition of orbis terrarum
https://www.wordhippo.com/what-is/t...Mb5_hbG_IL6cZNpP7haEJ69kiTOP-3AoJ3ICemG4dzzzI

Best English rendering for this particular verse,

"Being turned by his guidance to their doing all that he commanded them upon the face of the habitable globe of the earth" (Strong's H2015 הָפַךְ hâphak, H4524 מֵסַב mêçab, H8398 תֵּבֵל têbêl, H776 אֶרֶץ ʼerets -- 1876 Julia Smith Bible).

View attachment 251049
STOP spamming this. It’s false.
 
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Danielwright2311

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All you need to do to be saved is belive Jesus and his words as he said this him self.

But there is no scripture that proves the earth is flat, I know, I have read all the bible.

I have seen many other debate this and I laugh as they always twist scripture.

Like, here is a example.

To the ends of the earth.

you know there is a end to the earth when its round?

When you hit the ocean, thats a end of the earth, when you hit a mountain, that would have been considered a end to the earth.

Its a play on worlds, also it just a phrase we use to use and still some times do.

This is just one example, but there are many more to deal with. But they twist words around to prove something not relevant to being part of the kingdom of God.
 
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FEZZILLA

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What Is The Firmament?

Contents:
Introduction
1. Definitions.
2. Scripture Mentions More Than One Heaven.
3. Is There A Sky Made Out Of Metal?
4. St. John of Damascus (676 - 749 A.D) -- On The Heavens.
5. Isaiah 40:22
6. The Conclusion of the Matter
____________________________________________________________________
Introduction

There is no answering the flat earth movement without explaining what the firmament is. FE has made the firmament their main doctrine and use spurious information from the 20th century to promote their dubious interpretation of the Biblical firmament. Hence flat earthers, claiming to be Christians, use information from atheist sites like Wikipedia to twist what Christians have always believed in centuries long before trashing websites like Wikipedia and others began deliberately distorting what the Bible teaches. People simply need to understand that there are no qualified writers at Wikipedia and the site will not allow accurate information about Biblical teachings. Everything on Wikipedia must come from an atheist perspective on evolution theory and the Documentary Hypothesis which vaguely claims all region evolved and there is no God. So when I see "Christians" pushing well known atheist skepticism on the Bible, a clear warning sign sounds off.

The information contained here in this post comes from more reliable Christian sources, ancient and modern. The explanation of the firmament provided here is absolutely 100% accurate as well as authoritative. This presentation very strongly refutes the atheist assumptions made about the firmament so that flat earthers are out of excuses and flat out of arguments.

If you are a real Christian you will appreciate this information as it removes all doubt cast by flat earthers. Don't fall for any flat earth arguments nor let them get to you. Nothing they say is true and everything they say is a lie.
______________________________________________________________________

1. Definitions

The firmament has become an unhealthy obsession with flat earthers who simply are not interested in what the firmament actually means. So they have forcefully made up their own body of theology around the firmament which has become the beating heart of the flat earth movement. So here we will learn what the firmament is and why flat earthers are, once again, on the losing side of the debate.

The first mentioned of the firmament (H7549. רָקִיעַ râqîyaʻ), is found in Genesis 1:6 in the KJV, which says:

“And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. “

Before we go on any further we need to know the definition of “firmament”?

Firmament/Expanse from The New Strong's Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible:

"H7549. רָקִיעַ râqîyaʻ, raw-kee'-ah; from H7554; properly, an expanse, i.e. the firmament or (apparently) visible arch of the sky:—firmament.
(1) Raqiya means that which is fixed and steadfast, rather than that which is solid. (1a) The application to the heavenly bodies is simple and beautful: (b) they are not fickle and uncertain in their movements, but are regulated by a law that they cannot pass over. (2) It comes from raqa (7554) which means spread out. The firmament, then is that which is spread or stretched out--hence an expanse. Thus it is extended and fixed, or fixed space. (3) The interplanetary spaces are measured out by God, and though the stars are ever moving, they generally preserve fixed relative positions; their movements are not erratic, not in straight lines, but in orbits, and thus, though ever changing, they are always the same."


Flat earthers try to assign such a literal meaning to the firmament as to claim Genesis 1:8 is speaking about a solid, hard, metal dome that cannot ever be penetrated by anything--not anything coming from space to earth, or anything from the earth leaving for space. Flat earthers want us to literally believe the Bible is teaching us about a sky literally made out of metal or glass or some solid structure. But as you can see there is no dome. Though our Lord Jesus did say this about the fall of Lucifer:

“And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven” (Lk.10:18).

So Satan fell from heaven. But what is heaven? Is Jesus speaking about Strong’s H8064 שָׁמַיִם shâmayim or Strong’s G3772 οὐρανός ? Jesus is in fact speaking about Strong’s G3772 which is so surprisingly well defined that you will have no problem following it. Here is the Greek definition of οὐρανός, used in Luke 10:18 as “heaven,”

The New Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible,

“3772, οὐρανός [284x] ouranós, oo-ran-os'; perhaps from the same as G3735 (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity):—heaven [268x], air [10x], sky [5x], heavenly + 1537 [1x].
Ouranós, is used in the NT (1) of “the aerial heavens,” e.g., Mt.6:26; 8:20; Acts 10:12; 11:6 “air”; Jas.5:18; (2) “the sidereal” (i.e. the starry heavens), e.g., Mt.24:29, 35; Mk 13:25, 31; Heb 11:12, “sky”; Rev 6:14; 20:11; (3) they, (1) and (2), (3a) were created by the Son of God, Heb 1:10, as also (3b) by God the Father, Rev 10:6; (4) “the eternal dwelling place of God,” Mt 5:16; 12:50; Rev 3:12; 11:13; 16:11; 20:09. (5) From thence the Son of God descended to become incarnate, Jn 3:13; 6:38, 42. (6) He “passed through the heavens,” Eph 4:10, and was “made higher than the heavens,” Heb 7:26; (7) He “sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 1 Pet 1:12. (9) Since His ascension it is the sense of His present life and activity. e.g., Rom 8:34; Heb 9:24.
(10) From thence the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost, 1 Pet 1:12. (11) It is the abode of the angels, e.g., Mt 18:10; 22:30; cf. Rev 3:5. (12) Thither Paul was “caught up,” whether in the body or out of the body, he knew not, 2 Cor 12:2. (13) It is to be the eternal dwelling place of the saints in resurrection glory, 2 Cor 5:1. (14) From thence Christ will descend to the air (14a) to receive His saints at the Rapture, 1 Th 4:16; Phil 3:20, 21, and (14b) will subsequently come with His saints and with His holy angels at His second advent, Mt 24:30; 2 Th 1:17 (15) In the present life “heaven” is the region if the spiritual citizenship of believers, Phil 3:20 (16) The present “heavens,” with the earth. are to pass away, 2 Pet 3:10, “being on fire,” v 12 (see v 7); Rev 20:11, and (17) new “heavens” and earth are to be created, 2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1 with is Isa 65:17 (18) In Lk 15:18, 21, “heavens” is used, by metonymy, for God.”


So οὐρανός means heaven (singular, as sky) and heavens (plural, as in the heavens beyond the earthly sky). Eph 4:10 says how Jesus ascended beyond the heavens:

“He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.”

So Jesus left the earth while Lucifer entered it. This does not appear to be an impenetrable sky made of metal.

But is there more than one heaven/expanse?

Hebrew Definition of heaven/heavens defined in The New Strong's Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible:

"8064. [420x] Shamayin, shaw-mah'-yim; dual of an unused sing.
Shameh, shaw-mah'; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perb. alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve): -- heaven (39x), air [21x], astrologer + 1895 [1x].

Introduction: Sometimes it signifies the atmosphere immediately surrounding the earth, in which the fowls of the air fly. Sometimes it is used of the space in which the clouds are floating. In other places it refers to the vast expanse through which the starts are moving in their courses. It is opposed to sheowl (7585), the one being regarded as a place of exaltation, the other of degradation; the one being represented as the dwelling place of the Most High and the angels of God, the other as the abode of the dead. It includes all space that is not occupied by the terrestrial globe, and extends from the air we breathe and the winds we feel around us to the firmament or expanse that contains the innumerable stars. This is includes, and exceeds for where our intellect ceases to operate, and fails to find a limit to the extension of space, there faith comes in. And while before the eye of the body there is spread out an infinity of space, the possession of the super-material nature brings us into communion with a Being whose nature and condition cannot adequately be described by terms of locality or extension. The heavens and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him. The countless stars are not only known and numbered by Him, but are called into existence and fixed in their courses by His will and wisdom. Where He is, there the true heaven is; and the glories of the firmament faintly shadow forth the ineffable bliss that those must realize who are brought into relationship with Him.
(1) Shamayim is the usual for the sky and the realm of the sky (1a) birds fly (Duet.4:17). (1b) This area, high above the ground below the stars and heavenly bodies, is often a locus of visions (1 Chr. 21:16). (2) This word represents an area farther removed from the earth's surface (2a) from which come such things as (2a1) frost (Job 38:29), (2a2) snow (Is 55:10), (2a3) fire (Gen 19:24), (2a4) dust (Deut 28:24), (2a5) hail (Josh 10:11), and (a26) rain (Gen 8:2). (2b) This realm is God's storehouse; God is (3a) the dispenser of the stores and Lord of the realm (Deut 28:12). (2c) This meaning of shamayim occurs in Gen 1:7-8. (3) Shamayim also represents the realm in which the sun, moon, and stars are located (Gen 1:14). (4) The phrase "heaven and earth" may denote the entire creation (Gen 1:1). (5) Heaven is the dwelling place of God (Ps 2:4; Deut 4:39; 26:15). (5a) Another expression representing the dwelling place of God is "the highest heaven" [literally, the heaven of heavens] (Deut 10:14). (5b) This does not indicate height, but also an absolute--i.e., God's abode is a unique realm not to be identified with a physical creation. Syn.: 7834. See TWOT--2407a; BDB--1029c, 116a."

__________________________________________________________________
2. Scripture Mentions More Than One Heaven.

There are three heavens:

1. The Atmospheric Heaven - The First Heaven

Genesis 1:6-8,

“Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7 So God made the expanse and separated the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse. And it was so. 8 God called the expanse Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day. “

Genesis 6:7, “So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.”

Matt.6:4, “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

James 5:18, NKJV: “And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.”

James 5:18, MEV: “And he prayed again, and the sky gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit.”

Both NKJV and MEV both refer to the earthly heaven--the sky and atmosphere of the earth.

2. The Celestial Heaven - The Second Heaven

Gen.1:14-17,

“And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be signs to indicate seasons, and days, and years. 15 Let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth.” And it was so. 16 God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. 17 Then God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth,”

Deut.10:14: “Indeed, heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the earth with all that is in it.”

Nehemiah 9:6: “You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, The seas and all that is in them, And You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You.”

3. Heaven As The Home Of God - The Third Heaven

I Kings 8:27: “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? See, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less can this house that I have built?”

II Cor. 12:2, “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.”

As anyone can clearly read, there is more than one heaven.

47102749_596038980851334_6062214843585265664_n.jpg
 
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FEZZILLA

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3. Is There A Sky Made Out Of Metal?

Flat earthers always cite from Elihu’s narrative in Job 37:18,

“With Him, have you spread out the skies,
Strong as a cast metal mirror?" (NKJV)


Since Elihu's words are approved by God, it would be wise to see what is actually meant by a sky as strong as metal.

The early church fathers also described the firmament as strong and solid. St.Ambrose, a prominent 4th century church father, says this about the firmament:

“But there is something which needs our consideration: there is the question of another word for heaven, ‘firmament,’ and there emerges an aspect and condition of more solid character, to which is added the person of a co-operating agent. For it is written: ‘God divided the waters that were under the firmament from those that were above the firmament” (St.Ambrose, "Hexameron" The Fathers Of The Church series translated by John J. Savage, p.52).

St.Ambrose does not deny that God made the firmament of a solid nature. He, as well as some other church fathers, agree the firmament is solid, thereby supporting Elihu's narrative. None of the early church fathers were scientists, but they did understand word definitions very well. It should also be noted that Bishop Ambrose was overwhelmingly convinced that the Bible taught globe earth. He also believed that the heavens (i.e., space) was so large that we will never fully understand it. So the flat earth view that the firmament is flat is not supported by any ancient Christian leaders.

Strong’s H2389 חָזָק châzâq from the word “strong” used in Job 37:18,

“[56x] châzâq khaw-zawk’; from 2388; strong (usually in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent):--strong [26x], mighty [20x] sore [3x], stronger [2x], harder [1x], hottest [1x], impudent [1x], loud [1x], stiffhearted [1x].
châzâq as an adjective, means “strong; mighty; heavy; severe; firm; hard.” (1) First, the word means “firm” or “hard” in the sense that something is impenetrable. (1a) In Eze 3:8-9 the prophet’s face is compared to rock; (1b) God has made him determined to his task just as Israel is determined not to listen to him: “Behold, I have made they face [hard] against their faces, and thy forehead [hard] against their foreheads. As adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead. . . .” (1c) Job 37:18 uses chazaq of molten solidified metal. (2) Second, this word means “strong.” In its basic meaning it refers to physical strength. God’s hand (an anthropomorphism; cf. Deut 4:15, 19) as a symbol of His effecting His will among men is “strong”: “And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand” (Ex 3:19--the first biblical occurrence). (2a) This word modifies a noun, specifying that it is the opposite of weak, or unable to effect anything (Num 13:18). (2b) Isaiah speaks of God’s “sore and great and strong sword” (27:1). (2c) When Ezekiel wrote of “fat and strong” animals, he probably meant that they are well fed and healthy (34:16). (3) Third, chazaq meabs “heavy.” (3a) When applied to a battle or war, it describes the event(s) as severe (1 Sa 14:52). (3b) The word is also used to indicate (3b1) a severe sickness (1 Kin 17:17) and (3b2) famine (1 Kin 18:2).”


So Strong’s H2389 חָזָק châzâq is applied to anything that is firm, strong, such as the prophet’s face and forehead, and, the firmament (the atmosphere of earth). We can very clearly see that châzâq is an expression which simply means “strong” with a slight exaggeration of emphasis. For example: Was the prophet’s face literally a rock? Was the prophet’s forehead really harder than flint? These are mere comparisons of the strong character of the prophet. Likewise we know the firmament is strong, seemingly impenetrable. We can tell just from reading Elihu’s narrative that the firmness of the firmament was something discussed but its actual nature was uncertain to mankind until the 20th century. The proof is right there in Elihu’s narrative, once again, in Job 37:18. I’ll quote from some older translations predating the 20th century.

“Thou perhaps hast made the heavens with him, which are most strong, as if they were of molten brass” (Douay Rheims Bible).

“Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?” (KJV).

“Hast thou helped him to spreade oute the heauen, which is to loke vpon, as it were cast of cleare metall?” (1537 Matthew’s Bible).

“Hast thou helped him to spreade out the heauens which are strong and bright as a loking glasse” (1568 Bishop’s Bible).

So we have:

1. “which are most strong, as if they were of molten brass”
2. “which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?”
3. “which is to loke vpon, as it were cast of cleare metall?”
4. “which are strong and bright as a loking glasse”

Elihu is expressing the clarity and strength of the firmament in general relationship to God’s handiwork of creation (e.g. Psalm 19:1). We see many expressions in the Bible from a human perspective which attempt to describe something. In Exodus 24:9-10 the Israelites see God (or what God reveals of Himself) and give this description:

“Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:
And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.”


This is a similar description of the firmament but coming from a human perspective. What did not come from a strict human perspective is the actual account itself. The Israelites really did see God. But they gave their own description based on the knowledge and the vocabulary to express that knowledge. If you saw God you would likewise provide a description which you would draw from the best of your knowledge in the vocabulary of that knowledge. Likewise the firmament is written in Genesis and Jews and Christians are trying to describe what it means based on what is written about it. The account is genuine but attempts to understand it are never flawless. With that said, the early church fathers understood what the word meant but did not fully grasp its nature in relation to our knowledge of modern science.

Flavius Josephus (37-100 A.D. was a Jewish historian who wrote the Antiquity of the Jews in 70 A.D. He gives an account of the firmament without attempting to go into depth to explain it.

“After this, on the second day, he placed the heaven over the whole world, and separated it from the other parts; and he determined it should stand by itself. He also placed a crystalline [firmament] round it, and put it together in a manner agreeable to the earth, and fitted it for giving moisture and rain, and for affording the advantage of dews” (Antiquity 1:30).

Josephus knew God created the firmament but he also knows he doesn’t have the knowledge to explain it in great depth so he provides only what he knew about it.
__________________________________________________________________
4. St. John of Damascus (676 - 749 A.D) -- On The Heavens

St.John of Damascus lived in the late 7th century up through the mid 8th century. He gave us the first Christian writing about Islam, which he called them by the name “Ishmaelites” from where their leader descended. He described the Ishmaelites as being the forerunners of the Antichrist.
St.John was also an Eastern Church father; which, at this time in Christian history, there was no division between Eastern and Western Orthodoxy. There is still only one universal Christian Church at this point in time. He goes into greater depth in providing us the meaning of the heavens. He doesn’t deviate a bit from the Strong’s definition. Remember, you are not reading the words of a scientist. Nobody should expect any of these church fathers to know anything about science.

“Now, since Scripture speaks of ‘heaven,’ the ‘heaven of heaven,’ and the ‘heavens of heavens,’ and says that the blessed Paul was caught up to the ‘third heaven,’ we say that in the creation of the universe we consider as heavens that which the pagan philosophers, making the teachings of Moses their own, call a starless sphere. And again, God called heaven the ‘firmament,’ which He ordered to be made in the midst of the water and so arranged that it was separated from the midst of the water above the firmament and from the midst of that which is below the firmament. Instructed by sacred Scripture, the divine Basil says that its substance is subtle--like smoke, as it were. Others say that it is watery, because it was made in the midst of the waters. And others say that it was made from the four elements. Still others say that it is a fifth body and distinct from the four elements” (St.John of Damascus “The Orthodox Faith: Book II,” The Fathers Of The Church series translated by Frederic H. Chase, Jr, p.211).

There are three important things we can confirm here: (1) There is more than one heaven (2) the exact nature of the firmament was not fully understood and very well discussed. There was no dogmatic view concerning the exact nature of the firmament. But as for the spherical shape of the earth and its rotation, that had been very well understood from a simple reading and understanding of Hebrew words which even today are understood to mean a 3D circular earth--a globe. (3) Pagans did borrow from Moses (i.e., the Torah which is called the Books of Moses, who compiled the Torah of God).

St.John continues to explain the heavens from Scripture:

“So there is a heaven of heaven, which is the first heaven and is above the firmament. But now, because God also called the firmament ‘heaven,’ there are two heavens. However, it is customary for sacred Scripture to call the air heaven, too, because of its being seen above, as it says: ‘O all ye fowls of the heaven, bless the Lord,’ meaning the air, although the air is not heaven but the medium of passage for the fowls. Here we have the three heavens of which the divine Apostle spoke. Then, if you want to take the seven spheres as seven heavens, there will be nothing contrary to the Word of Truth. It is also customary in the Hebrew tongue to speak of heaven in the plural as ‘heavens.’ So, when Scripture meant to say ‘heaven of heaven,’ it said ‘heavens of heavens,’ which would mean precisely ‘heaven of heaven’--that which is over the firmament and the waters which are above the heavens, whether over the air and the firmament or over the seven spheres of the firmament, or over the firmament expressed in the plural as ‘heavens’ according to the Hebraic usage” (St.John of Damascus “The Orthodox Faith: Book II,” The Fathers Of The Church series translated by Frederic H. Chase, Jr, p.213).

What St.John of Damascus is saying is something we already read in the Strong’s Concordance. It would be easier just to accept the Hebrew definition from the Strong’s. But since there is so much squabble about the nature of the firmament, and liberal scholars (i.e., pseudo-scholars) are trying hard to redefine Hebrew words so as to get a Democrat elected in 2020, it forces Christians like me to reexplain what has already been explained in the Strong’s.

So a clear reading of St.John’s explanation proves that Gen.1:17 is God placing the sun, moon and stars in the heavens--the second heavens beyond our earthly firmament. In other words: Space!

The real problem is that too many people don’t realize that the KJV is outdated. Don’t get me wrong here, I’m not saying the KJV mistranslated Genesis chapter one. The people of the 17th century all understood that Gen.1:17 was God placing the sun, moon and stars in the heavens (i.e., the greater expanse of space). Though people here in the 21st century, in an age where illiteracy is the highest in centuries: there are words, expressions, even grammatical rules, that no longer carry the same meaning or grammatical rules of today’s 21st century English speaking people. This is why there are modern translations such as the MEV and NKJV. There is no difference in the meaning of verses in Genesis chapter one from the KJV, MEV, NKJV or RSV. The only thing that differs from the translations mentioned is the grammatical rules. There actually was not set standard of English back in the early 17th century. But today, we have set rules and we read literature and understand it from our modern grammar. So when people read:

“And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth” (Gen.1:17, KJV),


They are reading the 17th century grammar which means:

“Then God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth” (Gen.1:17, MEV).

Both translations mean the exact same thing as St.John of Damascus clearly pointed out.
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5. Isaiah 40:22

“It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in.”

This is a verse we have read and discussed multiple times. But many are asking: What is the tent? This tent is our atmosphere. And like a tent, it keeps us safe from solar flares and objects from space. Our planet was not poorly made. God knew what He was doing.
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6. The Conclusion of the Matter

So from all that is shared here about the firmament, how can we 21st century people understand it? The firmament/expanse of the earthly heaven is in no way like metal. Its much more solid than metal! This is true! Our earthly heaven is much more solid than iron or metal. This is scientifically proven, too. Indeed, when meteorites enter into our atmosphere what happens to them? They burn up! Yet are not meteorites a solid structure like large rocks we see on earth? Sure they are. And still they burn up into nothing. It takes a very large asteroid to make through the firmament to impact the earth.
But what about metal? Surely the firmament is much weaker than metal, right? Absolutely not! In 2003, space shuttle Columbia blow up reentering our atmosphere, killing all seven astronauts on board. The metal of the space shuttle was not stronger than the firmament. It takes a great deal of knowledge to leave earth and reenter the atmosphere of the planet. This knowledge of physics was not know until the 20th century. If all precautions are not properly carried out, a space shuttle meets the same fate as a meteorite. In order to be an astronaut, a person must have a great deal of knowledge in physics before they can ever pilot any space craft. So the firmament is solid, yet its just flexible enough to allow a smart astronaut to and from space.

Is the firmament clear like glass? Just look at the photo attached to this article and you’ll see its like looking through a window. Though if you throw a rock from a space shuttle to earth the rock will not break the glass-like window of the firmament, but will burn up in mere seconds, never hitting anyone on earth or damaging someone’s car. So in conclusion the firmament is solid, strong, capable of keeping the earth safe from cosmic threats that would have wiped us out long ago had our atmosphere not been created so...strong.
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FEZZILLA

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All you need to do to be saved is belive Jesus and his words as he said this him self.

But there is no scripture that proves the earth is flat, I know, I have read all the bible.

I have seen many other debate this and I laugh as they always twist scripture.

Like, here is a example.

To the ends of the earth.

you know there is a end to the earth when its round?

When you hit the ocean, thats a end of the earth, when you hit a mountain, that would have been considered a end to the earth.

Its a play on worlds, also it just a phrase we use to use and still some times do.

This is just one example, but there are many more to deal with. But they twist words around to prove something not relevant to being part of the kingdom of God.
Yeah the ends of the earth in Scripture means the far reaches of the earth and all its extremities. Astronauts also see the ends of the earth when they leave the earth's atmosphere and enter space.
 
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FEZZILLA

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STOP spamming this. It’s false.
So you are the word of God? I quoted from ancient witnesses like Clement of Rome who's name is written in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3). Your interpretation is not true in light of how the ancient Christians understood Scripture.
 
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