In anticipation of Mathman's article of avoiding MUST's and CANT's - I decided to write this suppliment to back up his position a little.
..........................................................
I also submit quite frequently to RITAN and understand and abide by thier rules - I think I know why their rules are what they are and I definately respect that - but sometimes I think it does keep the forum in "the box" a bit - but that's OK - that's why my out of the box thoughts I reserve for 5doves.
..........................................................
So here is what I want to submit in support of Mathman, some wisdom I gleaned from the writings of the historian Flavius Josepus - let me quote him a little and offer what we can glean from his historical account.
............................................................
Here is what he writes in his book ANTIQUITES OF THE JEWS Chapter VII verse 2. (excerpt) ...Ezekiel also foretold in Babylon what calamities were coming upon the people, which, when he heard, he sent accounts of them unto Jerusalem; but Zedekiah did not believe thier prophecies, for the reason following: - It happened that the two prophets agreed with one another in what they said as in all other things, that the city should be taken captive; but Ezekiel disagreed with him (Jeremiah), and said, that Zedekiah should not see Babylon; while Jeremiah said to him, that the king of Babylon should carry him away thither in bonds; and because they did not both say the same thing as to this circumstance, he believed what they both appeared to agree in, and condemned them as not speaking truth therein......(end excerpt)
.......................................................
What Josephus is referring to is Jeremiah ch 32:4 and 34:3 where Jeremiah prophesies that Zedekiah will SEE the king of Babylon and speak to him face to face and will GO to Babylon - yet Josephus also referances Ezekiel 12:13 where Ezekiel prophesies that Zedekiah will NOT SEE Babylon
........................................................
Now it seems the two prophets disagreed- one seems to indicate that Zedekiah will see Babylon and go there, while the other indicates he will not see Babylon - so Zedekiah disregarded them both and and basically called them liars - as Josephus said - he DISBELIEVED what they appeared to AGREE in, and CONDEMNED them as NOT speaking TRUTH
..............................................
How many brothers or sisters will DISBELIEVE and CONDEMN another brother or sister becuase they agree with you on most prophecy but don't necessarily agree on the length of the Tribulation, the timing of the Rapture, the identity of the Antichrist or False Prophet, etc, etc. ad infinitum!
..............................................
The amzing thing is while God's prophets sometimes SEEM to disagree - HE has a way of weaving ALL of His prophecies together like a tapestry! Lets see how it panned out in Zedekiah's time again, as recorded by Josephus ANTIQUITIES OF THE JEWS Chapter VIII verse 2. (excerpt) ....And when he (Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) had used these words to Zedekiah, he commanded his sons and freinds to be slain, while Zedekiah and the rest of the captains looked on; after which he put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him, and carried him to Babylon. And these things happened to him, as Jeremiah and Ezekiel had foretold to him, that he should be caught, and brought before the king of Babylon, and should speak to him face to face, and should see him with his own eyes: and thus far did Jeremiah prophesy. But he was also made blind, and brought to Babylon, but did not see it, according to the prediction of Ezekiel. (verse 3.) We have said thus much, because it was sufficent to shew the nature of God to such as are ignorant of it, that it is various, and acts many different ways, and that all events happen after a regular manner, in thier proper season, and that it foretells what must come to pass. It is also sufficiant to shew the ignorance and incredulity of man, whereby they are not permitted to foresee anything that is future, and are, without any guard, exposed to calamities, so that it is impossible for them to avoid the experience of those calamities.. (end excerpt)
....................................................
Friends, brothers and sisters, it is indeed important to test all things and compare against the one Truth which is scripture - but it is JUST as important to not DISREGARD or CONDEMN another brother or sister just because thier idea or viewpoint does not align with YOUR particular understanding or interpretation of scripture!
...........................
Lets learn our lesson from this example of Zedekiah in Josephus! Clearly our Master is delayed and I seem to remember us teaching us (Luke 12:45) that while we are waiting we should not be engaged in beating up on our fellow servants - he who has ears to hear, let him hear!
.................................
The one thing I KNOW for CERTAIN about prophecy is that I KNOW hardly ANYTHING for CERTAIN! God has not rejected Israel and Yeshua WILL return - apart from that I will let HIM fulfill HIS prophecies as HE sees fit and not just as I have been taught or understand it!
....................................
I respect alternate ideas such as often proposed by Ron Reese, Gerry Almond or Mathman and think that we should never disregard or despise another's idea or interpretation just becuase it doesn't fit in our preconceived box - like Zedekiah, we could be wrong!...................Thank you for taking the time to read all of this, I know it is hard and does not format well from my mobile phone...........Maranatha!
...........Baruch HaBa BShem YHVH!........
Remnant Navi