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So what's with all the weird stuff

Goatee

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You are in one of those crowds now buddy!
 
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jgr

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You're certainly right; it certainly is literal. Regarding earthquakes, here's the proof:


In the writings of the first century historian Tacitus we read a description of the conditions in A.D. 51 in Rome: "This year witnessed many prodigies signs or omens... including repeated earthquakes." Josephus accounts that an earthquake in Judea was such a magnitude that "the constitution of the universe was confounded for the destruction of men."

He also wrote wrote that earthquakes were "a common calamity", and indicated that God Himself had brought them about for a special purpose. Then there is the book of Acts that records "a great earthquake that shook the foundations of the prison house" (Acts 16:26). There were earthquakes in Crete, Smyrna, Miletus, Chios, Samos, Laodicea, Hierapolis, Colosse, Campania, Rome, and Judea. Paul started churches at Colosse and Hierapolis. However, these two cities, along with Laodicea, suffered a great earthquake in approximately A.D. 61. Laodicea was rebuilt soon after the earthquake, but Colosse and Hierapolis were not.

The earthquake at the latter place was so destructive, that the emperor, in order to relieve the distresses of the inhabitants, remitted its tribute for five years. Both these earthquakes are recorded by Tacitus. There was one also, in the same reign in Crete. This is mentioned by Philostratus, in his Life of Apollonius, who says, that 'there were others at Smyrna, Miletus, Chios, and Samos ; in all which places Jews had settled.' In the reign of Nero there was an earthquake at Laodicea. Tacitus records this also.

It is likewise mentioned by Eusebius and Orosius, who add that Hieropolis and Colose, as well as Laodicea, were overthrown by an earthquake. There was also one in Campania in this reign (of this both Tacitus and Seneca speak) and another at Rome in the reign of Galba, recorded by Suetonius ; to all which may be added those which happened on that dreadful night. When the Idumeans were excluded from Jerusalem, a short time before the siege commenced. "A heavy storm (says Josephus) burst on them during the night violent winds arose, accompanied with the most excessive rains, with constant lightnings, most tremendous thunderings, and with dreadful roarings of earthquakes. It seemed (continues he) as if the system of the world had been confounded for the destruction of mankind and one might well conjecture that these were signs of no common events."


Appreciation to Terry Cropper
 
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Goatee

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As if you can logically show us how it all happened in AD &0.

Explanations have been given. Info available. You want to believe that Jesus didnt succeed and other things are yet to happen!

Jesus conquered all. I put my faith and belief in Jesus.

He said these things would happen in the Apostles generation. They did.
 
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tdidymas

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Context, dear friend, context.

So when do you say that the 'fig tree' budded?
"Fig tree" does not refer to the nation, if this is where you are coming from. "Fig tree" in this context is a parable, which doesn't refer to anything physical or literal. As a person observes a budding fig tree (that they can anticipate the time when the fruit is ripe for eating), so also as that generation saw all the signs, they could anticipate the time of the judgment of Israel, which was prophesied in this context. It also references the defilement of the temple in preparation for its destruction also prophesied. Sun and moon darkened and stars falling are symbolic statements of judgment on the nation, as these terms are used in the prophets. Also, Son of Man coming on the clouds is a phrase from Daniel 7:13 in the perspective of God's throne room in heaven, where Christ is given dominion.

The bottom line is, "this generation" in the Bible always refers to the generation alive when the text was written. Historically, there have always been cult groups that claimed "this generation" meant "the current generation," but they were all wrong. Can you learn from the mistakes of others?
TD
 
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tdidymas

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My Bible (KJV) states very clearly that they were looking at the temple when Jesus said that. What Bible are you reading?
TD
 
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jgr

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You say they happened in the apostles generation, Jesus said it happens to the generation that sees all those things take place.
Flavius Josephus was an eyewitness in that generation.

Wars of the Jews, Book VII, Chapter VIII
And I cannot but wish that we had all died before we had seen that holy city demolished by the hands of our enemies, or the foundations of our holy temple dug up after so profane a manner.
 
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Goatee

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You say they happened in the apostles generation, Jesus said it happens to the generation that sees all those things take place.

Matthew 24:34
34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all these things take place.

Jesus did not say 'this' generation approx 2,000 years from now!
 
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tdidymas

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Incredible!!
shew him the buildings of the temple
Can you read plain text? I know you can, it's just that you can't understand it because of your extremely strong bias.
TD
 
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parousia70

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So the Fig tree (and all trees) budding are just trees budding then... Not Israel becoming a nation again.

I agree.
 
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tdidymas

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You should look carefully at verse 1b:
to shew him the buildings of the temple
I keep trying to point this out to you, but apparently you haven't paid attention yet.

1. They are going out from the temple,
2. The disciples point out the majesty of the buildings of the temple,
3. Jesus says "see all this?" (while looking at the temple structure, or even pointing to it)
4. "There shall not be one stone left on top of another"

The context of this passage determines what they were doing, what they were talking about, and where they were at the time.

Blindness to what the text actually states is very common. It has happened to me in the past. Frustration about such blindness has motivated me to open my eyes to what the text actually says, and to start questioning what I have been taught about it. Yet it never ceases to amaze me about how blind people can be to what the plain text says. It's easy to accept what some charismatic leader claims a passage means, and then read that meaning into the text without paying attention to what the text actually says; it's a common problem.
TD
 
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keras

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"Fig tree" does not refer to the nation,
Actually it does refer to Judah, the Jewish people. Its an allegory for them, used several times in the Bible. Jeremiah 24:5-7, Habakkuk 3:17, [Israel is the vine, Isaiah 5:7a] Matthew 21:19
We know that Matthew 24:32-34 is a prophecy about Judah and their becoming a nation again because we have seen it happen. Undoubtedly God had a hand in their establishment and survival.
So it is only those who want to avoid any nasty or dramatic things happening them, who deny the truth of 'our generation', being the one that will 'see it all'.
 
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Goatee

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I have read your posts and it is clear you are getting it all wrong buddy. The jigsaw you are trying to assemble has the pieces all mixed up the wrong way!
 
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