What is wrong with this picture? There are a few verses in the bible that speak of an earthly kingdom with an earthly king that comes into judgment by God but later is restored. This is what the text says and this is all that it says.
To infer more is to ask for trouble, confusion, and disharmony of the whole of scripture.
What verses am I referring to? (Dan 4:1-37). Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the tree.
The writer gives us the meaning of the dream and only mentions an earthly kingdom. No mention of a celestial kingdom. Why does Daniel not say that the dream also speaks of a celestial kingdom? Because it is NOT what the dream means. Then there is the interpretations of times and half times, which refers to years. One time equals one year.
Every time the bible mentions times as a measure of time, it means a year.
If I’m not mistaken there are 8 verses that refer to times as a measurement of time. 7 in Daniel, namely Dan 3:19, 4:16, 4:23, 4:25, 4:32, 7:25, 12:7 and Rev12:7. All meaning one year equal to one time.
I would warn against manipulating the scriptures to fit our own theology, namely to fit a date that has no support in scripture.
Blessings
Daniel chapter 4 "Dishonest interpretati...
by 2bfound 2 Replies latest watchtower bible
-
2bfound
-
jayhawk1
Exactly my thoughts
Quote:
I would warn against manipulating the scriptures to fit our own theology, namely to fit a date that has no support in scripture.I have always thought the bible should speak for itself. All commentary should be speculation only. If the any religion wants to comment, they should not say this is the truth. Whenever I talk about the scripture I always say this is my opinion. Like in Daniel, my opinion is most if not all of his dreams don't apply to us today. Some applied to Jesus, like the Kingdom. As far as the Earth is concerned, Jesus came here to set up the Kingdom, and then went to heaven to rule in the Celistial Kingdom. Just my opinion only. I don't get worked up over dates, that is where Jehovah's Witnesses make their biggest mistake.
"Hand me that whiskey, I need to consult the spirit."-J.F. Rutherford
-
2bfound
Jhawk,
Yes in many respects Daniel is a book that applied to that particular time, then you also have many prophetic properties that parallel the book of revelation and do apply to us today.
The scriptures are clear and are not written in code or for private interpretation(2pet 1:20-21). The bible is written in a language that is simple to understand, hard to follow, and life giving if and that is a big if, you receive(John 1:12). But as scripture says, we can know what is truth (1John 2:27).
As to unfufilled prophecies? Deut 18:22.
Dates, advents I think scripture is clear, and no need to go beyond that. All eye shall see Him coming (Lk 21:27, Mrk 13:26, Zech 12:10, Rev 1:7).
Jhawk, I think that you might agree that scripture is in fact clear.
Blessings