Dennis1209

The topic of "signs" is interesting to discuss. The Jews always required a sign from God to be believed and accepted, whereas we receive it by faith. I hope I refrain from getting long-winded again; the following is my thought process. I think this is the ultimate sign: Matthew 24:3 (KJV) And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? Isaiah chapters 42 and 45 have a great deal to say about the heavens, as do Job 9:9, 38:31-32, and Amos 5:8. Psalm 19:1 (KJV) A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. [Heavens – celestial bodies (2nd heaven), Firmament – sky (atmosphere-first heaven). I cannot prove it, but I suspect the heavens once told the story of creation, the Gospel message, or both, and was perverted by the influence of the devil. Throughout antiquity, the constellations, stars, and planets became worshipped instead of the One True Living God. Today, as well as in the past, people consult their horoscopes. It is interesting to note Nancy Regan's use of horoscopes in directing President Ronald Regan's daily political affairs and activities. 2 Chronicles 33:6 (KJV) And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. [Emphasis added] Witchcraft ~ sorcery, magic - H. kāšap, G. mageuō. The Bible mentions several zodiacal constellations and signs, Pleiades, Orion, Arcturus, and Mazzaroth. Genesis 2:4 (KJV) These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, I believe we can call a "sign" an advanced warning, a caution, or something that is about to occur prophetically. Luke 21:26 (KJV) Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. The powers of heaven being shaken indicate that whatever this is, is coming from above the earth. Revelation 6:13 and other scriptures reveal that an asteroid(s) will impact the world. Today, if scientific astronomy can detect, project, and calculate the potential impact of a celestial body, could we consider that a biblical sign? Suppose NASA and governments knew with relative certainty of an impending impact. Would they wait until they could hide it no longer, to prevent chaos, rioting, economic collapse, civil disorder, and other similar consequences? I am not aping Chicken Little here, but, for numerous reasons not going into detail, I find the asteroid Apophis fascinating, perhaps a prophetic sign. I am not dogmatic on any of this, but I am watching as scripture unfolds in our time.

In response, a long read: Genesis 1:14 (KJV) And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: [emphasis added]. Consider the biblical law of order and first mention. It is said that prophetic scripture can only be fully understood after its fulfillment. I maintain that the Book of Revelation is written in chronological order, with parenthetical chapters inserted, and that Revelation 12:1-2 is one of these parenthetical chapters. Over a dozen biblical prophecies were fulfilled from the founding of Israel in one day (May 14, 1948), and the conclusion of Israel's Six-Day War in 1967. Israel, in general, and Jerusalem, in particular, are God’s prophetic time clock. We have witnessed (this generation) Israel's struggles and God’s hand of protection since the diaspora to the present. Matthew 24:34 (KJV) Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Are the things Jesus gave a heads up on aligning and coming to pass now at breakneck speed? Since October 7, 2023, tensions and aggression have continued to escalate. We now see the alignments and players never before mentioned in Ezekiel 38-39, Isaiah 17, and Jeremiah 49, along with their triggers. Anyway, back to the original O.P. Rather than give my thoughts in my own words, I am going to quote a couple of others' commentaries, which I believe are correct, with a few insertions of my own. Possibly related to signs stated in Genesis 1:14, and the nearness of the coming Tribulation. It is crucial to observe that Joseph’s prophetic dream came to pass during the famine of the region, with Jacob and his sons bowing and giving obeisance to Joseph (Gen. 37:5-11). How Joseph’s two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, fit into the Twelve Tribes is interesting and telling. Revelation Chapters 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 are Parenthetical Chapter 12:1-17 is parenthetical: This chapter gives an overview of the entire Bible and prophecies. NOTE: Revelation 12:2-14:20 is the third account of the Tribulation. There is no mention here of any part of the seven-sealed book of judgments. The chronological narrative has been set aside for an overview of the reasons behind this great struggle. The principal characters and their relationship to each other are all presented in a figure. How do we know this is a figure when former events are not? Because previously fulfilled Scripture establishes a pattern of literal fulfillment. We are never left to our own imagination. We need no further personal revelation because the revelation of Scripture is complete. Jacob is the sun. Rachel is the moon (maybe, or Bilhah). The twelve tribes of Israel are the twelve stars (Gen. 37:9-10). The woman with child, travailing in birth, is Israel (Mic 5:3). In v. 6 we will see why it is not Mary. The Church is never called a woman, rather, a bride, a wife, a virgin (2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 21:9).1 1 Michael Pearl, The Book of Revelation, pg. 45 The sign is “a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.” The question here is, “Who does the sun-clothed woman represent?” ISRAEL The sun is Jacob The moon probably BILHAH Jacob’s first wife Twelve stars are Joseph and his eleven brothers The identifying marks of the woman are the sun, moon, and stars. These belong to Israel as seen in Joseph’s dream: “And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me. And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?” (Gen. 37:9–10). Old Jacob interpreted the sun, moon, and stars to mean himself, Rachel, and Joseph’s brothers. And they did bow down before Joseph before things were over with (although Rachel had died by that time). The woman is a sign in heaven, although her career is here in earth. She is not a literal woman; she is a symbol. The career of the woman corresponds to that of Israel, for it is Israel that gave birth to Christ, who is the Child. At Christmastime we all use Isaiah 9:6 and other verses concerning the birth of Christ. This verse does concern the birth of Christ, but it does not concern us at all; rather, it concerns the nation Israel. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). Who is referred to here when Isaiah says, “Unto us”? The church? No; it’s the nation Israel. It is quite obvious that Isaiah is speaking to the nation Israel, and he is speaking not relative to a Savior but to a Governor, a Ruler, a King, One who was to come and rule over them. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” It is interesting that as a child He was born in His humanity; but as a Son from eternity, He was given. “And the government shall be upon his shoulder”—we are not talking now about the Savior but about the One who is coming as King. We will see that happen in the Book of Revelation. “And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” There will not be any peace until He comes. When the rulers of this world say, “… Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them …” (1 Thess. 5:3). The writer to the Hebrews says, “For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda …” (Heb. 7:14). Paul writes in Romans: “Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen” (Rom. 9:4–5). Paul is talking about Israel. He begins by asking the question: “Who are Israelites?” The answer just happens to be: “And of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came.” The woman at the well was accurate when she identified the Lord Jesus as a Jew: “… How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? …” (John 4:9, italics mine). We read in Micah 5:2–3: “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler of Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.” Notice that He will be born in Bethlehem, but He comes out of eternity. “Travailing in birth” is a figure associated with Israel: “Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children” (Isa. 66:7–8). [Dennis note: Israel was born in a single day, May 14, 1948, by declaration of the United Nations]. Israel will go through the Great Tribulation after Christ was born in Bethlehem—“before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child,” meaning Christ. Therefore, we identify the woman as the nation Israel. No one woman who has ever lived, including the virgin mary, fits into this. It is the nation Israel and certainly not the church of all ages. If we just keep our bearings here and not lose our heads, we know that this is the Great Tribulation period and that the church has already gone to heaven. This woman is not the church of all ages. “Being tormented.” Certainly Israel has suffered satanic anti–Semitism from the time of the birth of Christ to the present, in fact, even since before that day, because Satan knew that Christ would come from this nation. 1 1 McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Prophecy (Revelation 6-13) (electronic ed., Vol. 59, pp. 145–148). Thomas Nelson. A. The Woman. Some students want us to believe that this is Mary, the mother of our Lord, but vv. 6 and 13–17 make this impossible. Genesis 37:9 indicates that the woman represents the nation of Israel. Verse 5 informs us that the woman gives birth to Christ, and this symbolism points again to Israel (Rom. 1:3; 9:4–5). In the OT, Israel is pictured as a woman and mother (Isa. 54:5; Jer. 3:6–10). The woman is in travail, and the Child that is born is Christ (v. 5 with Ps. 2:9; Micah 5:2–3; Rev. 19:14ff). There is a gap of at least thirty-three years between the first and second sentences in v. 5, and between vv. 5 and 6 we have the entire church age. B. The Dragon. This is Satan (v. 9); and the heads, horns, and crowns refer us to 13:1 and 17:3, where the Beast (Antichrist) is described. Please keep in mind that the Beast is present from the outset as the leader of the federated nations of Europe, but he will not openly be revealed as Satan’s “superman” until the middle of the Tribulation period. Verse 4 relates to Isa. 14:12ff, when Satan revolted against God and drew some of the angels down with him. See Job 38:7 and Jude 6. Satan has always been a murderer (John 8:44), and now he seeks to destroy Christ. During OT days, Satan did all he could to keep the Savior from being born; when Jesus was born, Satan tried to kill Him (Matt. 2:16ff). During His earthly life, Christ was attacked by Satan in various ways, culminating in the cross. Satan also attacks the Jews. The 144,000 will be protected because they are sealed by God, but the other Jews will also be cared for by God. Perhaps the “they” in v. 6 refers to the Gentiles who care for the Jews at that time (Matt. 25:31–46).1 1 Wiersbe, Warren W. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992. Print.

For brevity, I will not cite my examples and suspicions, but I believe our smartphones are listening to us, given the numerous coincidences that support this claim. AI is now creeping in and expanding in every aspect of our lives, including smart appliances and personal assistants. I do not doubt that AI will play a significant role in the end times. Individual smartphones are a significant tool in solving crime, constantly tracking your every movement unless the power source is removed. Our government has acknowledged that falling behind in the advancement of AI technology is a primary national security concern. I understand that AI is being consulted and experimented with in battlefield decisions, defense, and attacks, and it probably played a role in the bunker-buster attack in Iran. I believe we witnessed a recent, primitive prelude to some technology that many have missed. How many high-ranking terrorist heads were taken off by Israel via smartphone? Revelation 13:14 (KJV) And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. [emphasis added] It seems men and our technology create the image of the beast. Has anyone noticed the life-like images and voices popping up on YouTube and other places? The following public video is years old of primitive AI technology; imagine what DARPA programs have advanced to today: We Talked To Sophia — The AI Robot That Once Said It Would 'Destroy Humans' Could this man-made technological wonder of the image of the beast be a projection of holograms, AI, robotics, nanotechnology, and demonic possession? Who would have ever thunk of such a thing decades ago? If the above does not raise our spidey senses and raise the hair on the back of the neck, look at the incredible advancements with robotic dogs, birds, and insects (mini drones) that could easily be adapted as assassins. These things are no longer conspiracy theories or wild imagination; they are not coming; they are here now. This generation can now envision how the Two Witnesses and other prophetic events will be viewed in real-time with live streaming.

For approval please:

I do not have any special prophetic insight. I examine today’s technology, which has never been seen, and apply it to how the “beast system” can be realized. To get the MOB requires allegiance and worship of the Beast, selling one's soul. The “beast system” structure is in place and being implemented at present (i.e., Agenda 2030, a cashless society, etc.). One brief example: How long ago was it that people wondered how the Two Witnesses could be viewed in real time globally, and send presents around the world rapidly, celebrating their demise? Today, that is a no-brainer: FedEx next-day or same-day delivery, billions of smartphones, live streaming, and more.

The pericope of Isaiah 28:15 could be, “They made their bed, now they will have to lie in it,” or God’s cornerstone rejected by Judah’s leaders. Interpretation of Isaiah 28:15 is all over the place, with both historical and modern-day scholars and theologians. As you mentioned, most commentaries connect it with history, specifically an alliance and broken agreement for protection, where Egypt failed to come to Judah’s aid as promised. However, I hold the minority view, which is connected to Daniel 9:27 and is yet to be fulfilled, a shadow and dual prophecy. If my view is somewhat accurate, it has particular prophetic relevance for today, given the recent and escalating events since October 7, 2023. Israel has yet to call upon the name of the Lord for deliverance and protection. Today, Israel is isolated and surrounded by an inner and outer ring of hostile nations (a cup of trembling) hell-bent on her annihilation, to remember Israel no more with a fragile peace treaty with Egypt and Jordan that could collapse on a dime. Israel is not dependent on the Lord but the US for the Iron Dome, technology, military equipment, manufacturing, weapons, assistance, and support. In a sense, we are the historical Egypt. I suspect the event that transpired yesterday will unleash and lead to unfulfilled prophetic events in the not-too-distant future. There is an intriguing prophecy in Jeremiah 49 about Elam, which, although not yet historically fulfilled, foretells a humanitarian crisis that evokes images of radioactive fallout. Elam today encompasses 1/6 of S.W. Iran, enclosed by a mountain range. I am surprised that in yesterday’s attack, Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility was not targeted, and it may be a part of future attacks as promised with bunker-buster weaponry. That area is also the most active and hazardous seismic zone on the planet. Zechariah 12:3 (KJV) And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. Ezekiel 38:15-16 (KJV) And thou shalt come from thy place out of the north parts, thou, and many people with thee, all of them riding upon horses, a great company, and a mighty army: 16 And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes. All means all, including the US. If we suppose we still exist. Trump, an ardent supporter and friend of Israel, is the most hated and despised president in the US. History. They are doing everything possible to remove him from office via impeachment or a body bag. Nonetheless, God’s plan and will will be realized according to His perfect timing. Regardless of prophetic exegesis and timing, I think we can agree that strategic alliances, pacts, geopolitical alignments, and events have unfolded on the pages of God’s word, both before and after May 14, 1948. Because of the Abraham Accords, we can even see why Saudi Arabia, UAE, and perhaps Kuwait are bystanders in the Gog-Magog invasion and question the invasion.

Consider this: I am going to step out on a limb here and postulate a logical scenario. Israel will have no choice but to sign a covenant with death and hell for its very survival. Isaiah 28:15 (KJV) Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: Given the lateness of the prophetic hour, I suspect the players are established and set in concrete, following the biblical narrative to the tee. That be what we see today, the United Nations, NATO, and the Warsaw Pact. To me, it does not sound like the entire world submits and follows the Antichrist. There is much opposition against him and plenty of war, A/C goes forward to conquer. He is a brilliant military strategist and no doubt has a proven track record, a man with a plan. His demonic, mesmerizing eloquence skills will make Hitler look and sound like a babbler. I do not see dictatorships like Russia, China, North Korea, etc. in lockstep. I take it he is probably associated with the European Union. It seems logical to conclude that he rises through the political-military ranks, perhaps achieving the Secretary General of the U.N., European Union President, or both. The goal and objective of U.N. Agenda 2021 and 2030, as established at present, is global control and submission, under the guise of climate change and global sustainability. These suspicions are unfolding at breakneck speed. I believe this generation will be the one to witness it.

No. I did not say nor imply the beast is here on Earth yet. However, since you brought it up, given all the biblical end-time indicators, I suspect he is, but I do not know that for a fact.

Ai is touted as the new electricity, in other words, indispensable and part of everyday life. AI is being implemented, refined, and expanded everywhere, taking away good paying blue-collar jobs, Amazon making the latest significant switch. The Bible implies commercialism and consumerism are on steroids during the end times. I envision two distinct Mystery Babylon’s, commercial Babylon, and spiritual Babylon. It is almost undisputed one man will be controlling commerce and all buying and selling, the Antichrist. An Army of people or any algorithm can not approve or disapprove instant approval or disapproval of goods or services. I envision the damnable mark of the beast as a type of religious social credit score, you are either connected into the system, or not. There will not be legal cash or fiat paper tender for any transactions. We see the implementation of a global cashless world as we speak, everyone is reduced to digital ones and zeroes. The Beast system has developed right before our eyes, in this generation. I have been Chicken Little on AI for many years, and more pieces of the sky are falling by the day.

The reference to crickets chirping is an American idiom for silence and inactivity. A good topic that no one had yet participated in. Before I comment on the topic at hand, I would like to ask if you could create another thread for discussion about your unique country from a biblical perspective. Your thoughts on how and when (i.e., Noah's flood, Pangea, etc.) would be appreciated. Australia is so diverse in its animals and indigenous people, not found anywhere else in the world. There are so many species of deadly and venomous snakes, spiders, kangaroos, platypus, echidna, wombats, emu, dingo, Tasmanian devil, etc. I am not aware of any fossil records or evidence of them on any other continent. Now, back to our regularly scheduled program: Granted, I omitted specific promises that pertain to Israel's promised land grant, boundaries specified in the Bible, multiplying as the sand of the sea, etc. Nonetheless, Jews and Gentiles will share the inheritance of Christ. Now, the city that will come down from heaven, I take as the New Jerusalem: John 14:2 (KJV) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. Revelation 21:2 (KJV) And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I am not adamant about this, but it seems only he that overcometh (Rev. 21:7) will inherit the kingdom and their new eternal home. Revelation 21:12-14 (KJV) And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Our faith is built upon a Rock, our foundation (Jesus); all others are sinking sand; it is our foundation. The twelve foundations of the holy city are built upon the twelve who spread the Good News throughout the known world. I suspect the gates represent the twelve tribes of God's chosen people and the Law. The foundation is built upon the Gospel of Christ. Admittedly, I have wrestled with whether our eternal home will be in the Third heaven, or on earth, in the New Jerusalem. Again, I am not dogmatic in my view, but God's original plan for mankind will be realized in eternity. In that, man was created out of the dust of the earth, on the earth, to tend and take dominion of the world. Therefore, I surmise Earth will be our eternal home. The Lord mentions the universe almost as an afterthought, His handiwork for His glory. Little is mentioned about the universe and its purpose; it is all Earth-centered. Imagine the dozens of physics that must come together proportionally and precisely for all life to be sustained and thrive (ocean tides, percent of oxygen, Co2 and other gasses, ozone and magnetic canopies reducing radiation, the precise position of the moon and sun, our location in the galaxy, the ecology system interacting together, the blessing and miracle of reproduction and birth, our recycling hydrology and earth, and dozens of other examples earth is a special place created for man. The Earth will not be annihilated; it will be refurbished and cleansed by fervent heat and fit for our eternal occupation, as I view it. 2 Peter 3:10 (KJV) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Touche – Quid Pro Quo 😊

Interesting topic, Marilyn. I am surprised at the cricket chirping, LOL. There are different types of inheritances: permanent, temporary, full, partial, restricted, limited, omitted, etc. My thoughts on biblical inheritance are as follows: Ephesians 1:14 (KJV) Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. In short, we can call it a blessing, being with Christ for all eternity, an unmerited favor. The process involves justification, sanctification, and glorification, sharing all things in Christ and being grafted into the promises given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as well as the Kingdom age. Is it an inheritance earned? I like how the LTW defines an inheritance (a partial copy/paste): συγκληρονόμος (synklēronomos). adj. coheir. A person who shares in an inheritance with someone else. This word is used in the nt to describe multiple people who inherit together the blessings of a relationship with God. Temporal inheritances in the Bible are usually disproportionally divided in favor of a particular heir, usually the oldest son, but, judging from sources contemporaneous with the nt, the concept and practice of coheirs was generally familiar in the nt world. In Romans 8:17, Paul calls Christians coheirs (synklēronomos) with Christ. Ephesians 3:6 states that Gentiles are joint heirs (synklēronomos) with the Jews of God’s promise. Hebrews 11:9 joins together Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as coheirs (synklēronomos). First Peter 3:7 describes husbands and wives as joint heirs (synklēronomos).[1] [1] John W. Herbst, “Inheritance,” in Lexham Theological Wordbook, ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).

If I sat down and thought about it, I could name a dozen events where a segment of society jumped to conclusions before all the facts were established. As mentioned, it is more crucial than ever to consider where we glean our information from. Journalism, facts, and objective reporting is a rare commodity these days. Sensationalism, spin, half-truths, bias, propaganda, and hatred are the liberal agenda, perverting and lying to shape public opinion and emotions for votes and an agenda. Look at our replacement generation; they have not been educated but indoctrinated by drinking the grape Kool-Aid. Since the Vietnam era campus draft dodgers and protestors, many of these people have made a concerted effort to infiltrate politics, education, news media, and Hollywood. There are so many today who think and act on hate, bias, and raw emotion, have lost critical thinking and reasoning, and have lost any semblance of morals and values. How much longer before our grade school children hold school protests and riots? Tell a big enough lie long enough, and people will start to believe it. ~J.G.

The apostle Paul was unique: Paul compared himself to other apostles in various ways, often emphasizing his unique position and experiences. He defended his apostleship through the miracles he performed, which were considered signs of apostolic ministry. He referred to himself as "one born at the wrong time," suggesting an abnormal manner of becoming an apostle, which he saw as proof of his apostleship. 1 Corinthians 15:8 (KJV) And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. He included himself among a wider group of apostles beyond the Twelve, mentioning his experience of seeing the risen Christ after the ascension. I believe Paul was personally mentored by Jesus Himself at or around Mount Sinai (Jebal Musa) for three years. Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. We assume this sojourn in Arabia, lasting as long as three years (1:18), probably started shortly after Paul’s conversion in about the year A.D. 32 (Jesus was crucified and raised from the dead at about the year A.D. 30, and a number of events occurred in the early Christian church between that time and Paul’s conversion).[1] Galatians 1:17-18 (KJV) Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. Paul was the only one given the honor and privilege to reveal essential mysteries about the church, the Rapture, and the Resurrection. Paul’s writings have been obfuscated by the father of lies through other religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam (72 virgins, other ways to heaven, etc.). Today, humanity has an aversion and hatred of absolutes, and where our morals and values originate. The mantra and character today are that we are our own gods. The earth dwellers today choose darkness over truth. Paul was given to the Gentiles. Galatians 2:7-8 (KJV) But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; 8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) [1] W. Harold Mare, New Testament Background Commentary: A New Dictionary of Words, Phrases and Situations in Bible Order (Ross-shire, UK: Mentor, 2004), 291.

Hi Ya, I suppose our doctrines vary on a few points. I would also like to add @AdHoc to the conversation, he has been as quiet as a church mouse lately. Let’s talk about Hell as you mentioned, better translated hades. Acts 2:27 (KJV) Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. We remember the conversation between Abraham (Abraham’s bosom), a place of comfort, and the rich man, a place of torment, separated by a great divide. This is not a parable, most agree a parable never uses real people. Therefore, there were, or still are two sides of Hades. Many contend, as I do, the comfort side was cleaned out at Christ’s resurrection. Matthew 27:52-53 (KJV) And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Ecclesiastes 12:7 (KJV) Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. The apostle Paul mentioned a change in where as souls and spirit reside from the resurrection of Christ. Thus, in the Christian era, Abraham’s bosom is bypassed 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (KJV) Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Now let us talk about Hades, not to be confused with the Lake of Fire. An analogy of Hades would be a jail, where the accused are confined and held awaiting their trial, hearing, conviction, and punishment. Note: Satan, the Antichrist, and False Prophet have already been condemned without a trial. The Lake of Fire is the prison sentence, the second death penalty, for all of eternity. With that thought, how does God’s omnipresence factor in? I propose that in these areas, God’s omnipresence is vacated; after all, what is Hell? Hell, and the Lake of Fire by definition, are the absence of God, no communication or possibility of prayer, continual pain and torment, zero blessings, and no hope, redemption, or second chances. However, I will not disagree with you, God’s omnipresence is everywhere, all the time. All the commentaries I read state that God’s omnipresence is even in Hell. Perhaps I should reconsider my hermeneutics.

Hi Marilyn, Thank you for your response. I am enjoying the comparison of our biblical views and examining your interpretation, as my perspective might be flawed, and I am seldom adamant on secondary issues (iron sharpens iron). In my previous post(s), I used the words' heaven' and 'kingdom' rather loosely. I think it would go a long way to define "what makes Heaven, Heaven." Rather than render my definition like I usually do, I am going to quote a combination of Adrian Rogers, C.H. Spurgeon, and Joseph Exell, excellent and well-known theologians, and scholars. What makes Heaven truly Heaven is not primarily its physical attributes but rather the presence of God and Jesus Christ. Being with Christ is "the glory of heaven" and "the magnetism of heaven". Heaven's greatest joy is being in the company of Christ, "Heaven without Christ would be but an empty place." Heaven is characterized by the perfect fulfillment of God's will. In Heaven, God's will is done voluntarily, consciously, totally, joyously, universally, and uninterruptedly. This perfect obedience and alignment with God's will is what creates the heavenly state. Additionally, Heaven is described as a place of close, uninterrupted fellowship with God, contrasting with the limited and intermittent experiences of God's presence that believers have on earth. It's worth noting that while some articles mention physical descriptions of Heaven from biblical sources, such as "streets made out of gold" or "vessels for the storage of rainwater," these are not presented as the essence of what makes Heaven, Heaven. From the above, and my thoughts, where Jesus physically is, on His throne, rules, and reigns, that is a description of Heaven, Heaven coming to earth. Do you agree or disagree with the definition of Heaven presented? From the book, 'Dennis-Second Opinions,' Chapter One, How Do You Eat an Elephant? One bite at a time. 😊 I would like to discuss the rest of the views we are talking about after I get your view of what defines the first and third Heaven.