Thank you very much for your response. You certainly have a wonderful way of communicating your thoughts… very nice! I appreciate the time and consideration you have given during this exercise. Best wishes always and I hope to continue reading more of your thoughts and opinions in this site, Charlie 

Hello Montana Marv, Rather than not believe the Word to John, that what he is about to be shown in subsequent chapters of Revelation, regards the hereafter (after the 1st century AD), I on the other hand believe the scripture (Revelation 4:1) as truth. As such, I then realize that the events in Revelation 12, where the woman is enduring travail for 3.5 times/1260 days, is in regards to the great tribulation period the saints will experience during the beasts reign. The man child I therefore reason to be the saints who will no longer place their faith in both the Lord and Mammon. The saints will then have no other gods/loves before the Lord, and will not worship the things his hands make.

I respect your studies and I respect your decision to reject current majority explanations. You have seen my style. If you browse back you will see that I followed the wording, grammar and logical implications. I have been studying the Bible since summer 1982 and I find no reason to change that style. It is clear that I will reach a different conclusion to you. Prophecy is there to transfer information about events and the test is history (Deut.18:22). Daniel predicts the future for the following gentile Empires and is written in their language of the day - Aramaic. Daniel also predicts the future of "Daniel's People" and some events have no record in history. They are written in Hebrew and because the Book is sealed, they will remain a mystery until God reveals. I have enjoyed the exchange of ideas we have had, but am not prepared to deviate from the first line of grammar and the prohibition in 2nd Peter 1:20. There is much "Symbolism" in prophecy, but the fulfillment is always a coherent and literal fulfillment. I know that I have much to still learn, but Daniel, the way the majority of scholars since the Reformation, and especially the last 200 years, have explained it, is my choice (with small changes which every student has). I think men like G.H. Pember and Sir Robert Anderson, were faithful to what was written. If my God has clouded the issue and those who stuck to the wording and grammar are blinded, I bow to that as well. If the Bible says "Thou shalt not murder", I take it like that, precisely. I find no "symbolic meaning" and will not apply any allegory to so plain a statement. If the scriptures under study are obscure, I interpret using only the Bible and nature (2nd Pet.1.20, Rom.1:18-22). May we both arrive at that great and fateful day having seen what Jehovah wanted us to see. And may Jehovah bless your efforts.

What is the purpose of a BOW? What does it do or launch? [addressed below] Persia (Iran 1935-Muslim) and the Medes history relating to Israel is very interesting. Cyrus and Darius were very favorable to Israel, as was the last Shaw of Iran. In my biblical interpretation, I surmise Iran’s near future is bleak, but its national future is bright. Elam, one-sixth of modern-day SW Iran, will suffer a tremendous humanitarian crisis and flee for their lives. This area is where most of Iran’s nuclear facilities and storage are located (Bushehr area). If I were to gander a guess, the description sounds like nuclear fallout to me, and they will flee to every nation on earth. As we see for the first time, instead of Iran using their proxies to attack Israel, they directly sent missiles and drones themselves. If Israel is serious about “Never Again,” they will have to eventually deal with the head of the snake instead of the symptoms. Whether the Lord Himself sends an earthquake or the IDF attacks Elam, it will become desolate. Then, there is the Ezekiel 38-39 invasion, where Persia is a central player. Not only are 5/6 of Iran’s invading force going to be obliterated, but the Lord will also deal with their home country. I suspect these two events are going to crush Allah and Islam. According to all reputable reports I have seen, Iranian citizens are receiving visions and dreams, and many are turning to Christianity under the penalty of death. 35         Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, The chief of their might. 36         And upon Elam will I bring the four winds From the four quarters of heaven, And will scatter them toward all those winds; And there shall be no nation Whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come. 37         For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, And before them that seek their life: And I will bring evil upon them, Even my fierce anger, saith the Lord; And I will send the sword after them, Till I have consumed them: 38         And I will set my throne in Elam, And will destroy from thence the king and the princes, Saith the Lord. 39         But it shall come to pass xin the latter days, That I will bring again the captivity of Elam, Saith the Lord. “And I will set my throne in Elam.” (Persia-Iran) We know Jesus’s throne will be in Jerusalem, so what does this mean? I take it Iran will become followers of Christ, a Christian nation, casting off Allah, the false god. What do you think? In light of October 7, 2023, and the escalations, could we say Jerusalem is becoming a cup of trembling? I do not think this declared war will be protracted (cease-fire), to allow Israel’s enemies time to rearm, supply, and strategize.    With all these global public protests in support of the barbarians HAMAS, 95% of UN Resolutions against Israel, and so on, are we seeing the world rapidly turning against Israel? And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. (Genesis 12:3) The Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He did not rescind this promise.  

Yes to all the above . . . that is what has kept me in the fellowship flock I've been in for 25 years!  (that and the Lord keeps affirming in me that He has me where He wants me) Baa Baa Baa Baa Baa we're lambs -- we're in His hands!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZKeBdYgD90