gnomonist

___________________________________ Jesus will not come unawares to those who know the times and seasons as Paul wrote to other believers. He only comes as a thief in the night to those who do not believe because they do not know the times and seasons. In the end times, the beast will change the times, and indeed this has already happened as our calendar got messed up. Then when a fellow like me comes along and points this out to other Christians, I'm oftentimes seen as a kook. But we've been so Gentilized over the years we think that what we now know is normal and something that is of the Lord, but it is not. I know exactly what time he will come on any given year. I know not what year, but I know when he will come during any given year, based on the feasts. He won't come tonight, so you can rest well if you feel you still need to repent. We have about a month yet if it's this year. Nobody knows the hour or the day monthe or year.. not even the angels:: Matthew 24:36-44 – But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels in heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Fro as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then two shall be in the field: one shall be taken, the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore, be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. ________________________________________ So let me get this straight. Nobody knows when he's coming. You don't know when he's coming. Like in the days of Noah, they were eating and drinking and they knew nothing until the flood came. Does that include Noah, or was he already on board? Or to put it another way, you're telling us all you may miss the boat so-to-speak? Really now. If I'm going to make such a claim as I did, don't you think I am already aware of this scripture? If it was this simple to disprove what I said, then I would not know my bible well, would I? I mentioned this before somewhere else. In their culture, what Jesus stated would be clearly associated with the feast of Trumpets. Unlike all the other festivals, only this one nobody knew when it would have started. They had to watch for a new lunar crescent. But they knew when it was about to be seen. Someone (e.g. a Gentile) would not know that, or maybe would not use such a calendar, so like any Gentile they are eating and drinking and making merry when it comes as a surprise. But, as Paul stated: But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. But everyone and their brother is so wrapped up in their Lents, and Halloweens, and Christmases (Daniel 7:25, Galatians 4:10-11) and disregard the prophetic feasts of the Lord, that yes, the Lord will come as a thief to them, while those who dutifully follow their meanings are told "you are not under the Law" and somehow view these "set times" of the Lord with disdain.

___________________________________ Jesus will not come unawares to those who know the times and seasons as Paul wrote to other believers. He only comes as a thief in the night to those who do not believe because they do not know the times and seasons. In the end times, the beast will change the times, and indeed this has already happened as our calendar got messed up. Then when a fellow like me comes along and points this out to other Christians, I'm oftentimes seen as a kook. But we've been so Gentilized over the years we think that what we now know is normal and something that is of the Lord, but it is not. I know exactly what time he will come on any given year. I know not what year, but I know when he will come during any given year, based on the feasts. He won't come tonight, so you can rest well if you feel you still need to repent. We have about a month yet if it's this year.

Interesting points you brought up. Usually we don't think of Jesus speaking in poems, but he surely did when we consider he always spoke in parables -- a similar idea. This is a prime example of this method being lost in the text during translation. Another thing we are aware that is lost are the idioms. Some expressions Jesus used makes no sense in this culture,and to take them literally will have disastrous effects on one's understanding. This also sheds light on how a lot of what he said was remembered and recorded to what we have today. If he spoke in parables and poems, this would make it easier to remember, like a jingle.

______________________________ I'm from eastern Pa and we grow a garden, too. Actually my wife does, I just help with the prep and put up the fence around it every year, but she has the green thumb while I take care of the pool water. This year we don't have the variety, nor as much as you do, but we grow "salad vegetables" mainly lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers, onions, and zucchini, and also some other vine stuff. No melons this year, but some gourds. We have modest blueberry bushes behind it that still need some time to grow bigger and produce more, and the land itself yields lots of wild blackberries (I have several acres). Out of curiosity, how large is your garden? You sound like you're really into gardening with all those things you grow! Out here in the country we used to have a 50 x 50 foot or greater, large enough to once grow corn as well, but it got to be too much (not to mention the groundhogs were tearing it apart) so we went down to more like 30 x 25, with a little more than 100 feet in fencing perimeter. I use bright orange snow fencing. Nevertheless, there's still enough tomatoes to feed my wife's large family!

IMO just man playing God again and telling us how to eat. Natural is best. Processed foods are bad and now this.... Just eat grass-fed cattle. It's Kosher and God made it. And no.... Saturated fats in such cattle and cholesterol ARE NOT bad for you, despite the fact that the medical/pharmaceutical world/ Michele Obamama and others try to tell you otherwise with their false and filthy doctrine. Then they make stuff like this and think they can outdo God. incredible (the arrogance, that is)

1. To answer the first question "does it glorify God. A lot of the true horror movies that I watch do in fact glorify the power of God. The ones I really like are ones that are based on true stories. In those types of movies a person of God is called in to help fight the evil. I went to see "The Conjuring" a few weeks ago. It is based on a true story. The man and wife couple who were called in to help the family rid their house of demon said to one another when they began to loss faith "this is why God brought us together". For most of these movies (the ones that I like anyway) in the end, it shows that only the power of God can save them. 2. Does it have a good lesson to teach you? Yes! These movies have taught me that it is so easy to let something in. To open the door to the dark side. I have never play around with a Ouija board or tried to contact the dead. I have seen too many of these movies to know that that is how a door can be open. _____________________________________ I went to see this same movie today. Yes, it is based on a true story, and I respect the Warrens and their assessment of paranormal situations, but in reality I came out of that movie snickering. That's because Hollywood always has to embellish everything -- that's the point to make it interesting and entertaining, not fully factual. While IMO we are debating each others views on horror movies, just remember, it's just entertainment and it's NOT real. It's probably more of a sin to squander one's time watching such stuff repeatedly than for the content to be damaging. What the horror movies do is what any movie does.... lines the pockets of those who produce them in exchange for your entertainment.

______________________________ The article stated: _______________________________ "to avoid conflict". Yeah, that's the PC thing to do today, especially to stop the assaulting reprisals of those who don't think the Jews have a historical right to Jerusalem. Never mind the truth. It's not only in archaeological science (so-called) but also other fields such as medical science have become very political, and are what I call "consensus science", i.e. the majority vote determines truth. In the olden days, true scientists stood out and were subject to ridicule for stating the truth. Even today, I noticed that if I bring up a point that doesn't have countless authorities to back me up (and maybe one or two lone persons came up with the idea), then it's deemed false. So even the general population (including many Christians) are duped into the idea that "majority must be right" and truth is not determined by the facts, but a consensus of the interpretation of those facts, which are usually preconceived by the prevailing ideology.

I did not get a bad feeling about that article, as the analysis of Generation Y seemed favorable in that they want substance in their spirituality, not gimmicks. This is the same opinion I have of them as they are not bad kids at all, and I like that generation more than the previous ones. If the church is trying to be "cool" yet, that is "so yesteryear". They were trying that back in my teenage years almost 40 years ago. I don't want this to stir up my generational war passions again ranting about the self-absorbed baby boomers and the detached and lost gen x'ers in favor of gen y. However, it does puzzle me where this generation got their serious sense of reality. They are the most sane generation I know of. I just hope they can find the right path. They are good kids, really. The author is correct. The church has to get back to the right path and teaching, and avoid the gimmicks to attract people. Jesus never attracted people or gave altar calls. he said, "Follow me." If someone can't figure out what Jesus is about in 5 minutes (provided they are given correct information about him), then I say don't waste one's time. Teach to someone who will listen. But the problem is that this became a massive soul-winning campaign, when in fact, it's God that does the calling at his time, and not before. We're so bent on converts that they become twice a child of hell in the end.

My answers appear in bold red: I think I made my case. It's a free country and people can believe what they want, but I don't think I need to discuss this any further (nor do I feel like it) as it will just become redundant. But there's plenty of prophecies about Jesus Christ, we don't have to feel the least bit threatened if some biblical promises to the monarchy fit someone else, and that God chose those to hold that office until Christ comes again for the sake of his servant David. After all, he said it was "for all generations". If there's no throne now on this earth, then being interrupted ceases to become eternal, which is the basic, intrinsic factor of the covenant to begin with.

__________________________ Again, an Ad hominem attack. You're claiming that Karaites "are wrong", so therefore you won't listen, even if their calendar is correct. And whether they are right or wrong is not the subject of what we are talking about. We're talking about an observational calendar. So, tell me, just what calendar do you think is correct, and who has it? I've been quite open and compromising so far, and I've been plenty agreeable, and no matter what you seem to be dissatisfied. So now I'm calling you out and you now have to demonstrate you know something about time and the calendar, otherwise, you are in a glass house throwing stones at everyone. Saying that Karaites are wrong is hardly an ad hominem attack. It is looking at the Mosaic law and their idea of the Mosaic law in diaspora, and comparing the two. Karaites are a very very small group of Jewish people who diverge from the over all majority, and disagree with the standard authority. They have developed their own traditions, and in some areas do go along with Rabbinics to fit into the community. Actually, Karaite Judaism has picked up a very large group of Christians who are fascinated by Karaite Judaism and follow along with things that are extremely questionable. There are probably more Christians who read and like some things in Karaite Judaism then there are actual Karaite Jews. I already gave a rough overview of what scripture says about setting the beginning of months, days, etc. No set calendar matches the commands. And the Mosaic law is a complete unit. One can not pick and choose half laws to follow. ____________________________ OK, then let's revisit what you claim the bible says about the start of the months, because I am not really clear that you did state anything specific. There's two ways to start it: Calculate or observe. Which do you say is biblically correct? And.... what do the Karaite Jews do to start it? I'll wait for your answer.

22 Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar, and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will plant it upon an high mountain and eminent : 23 In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell . 24 And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish : I the LORD have spoken and have done it. Where do you get "daughter" out of this? _____________________________ Read my previous posts point #1. That tells why. And, this family's genealogy is not that of Jesus, so it can't be him. We can debate all day who this is, and I'm open to different ideas, but we can say for certain it's not Jesus.

My answers to your points in red:

Possible to get the Scripture reference to what you say here in purple? If certain Scriptures are not important why is the entire Bible considered inspired? For example... What if the following passages didn't have the red sections in them? John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Belief in Christ means eternal life according to the complete verse of John 3:16. Romans 8:26-27 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Understanding that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us in accordance with the will of God is key. God isn't a genie granting wishes. God is the master of the universe, restoring humanity to Himself, and holy beyond measure. Thoughts? God bless, GE _________________________________ I was being sarcastic. I knew that would draw attention. Of course ALL scripture is inspired, including the parts about Zedekiah's daughters. But I'm not the one ignoring them; they must be mentioned for a reason. And the Lord promised King David an eternal, uninterrupted throne "for all generations" with the sun and moon as witness (Ps 89) The bible speaks of the genealogy of the royal lineage being perpetuated in one of these daughters in Ezekiel 17, specifically verses 22-24. Ezekiel 17:22-24 22 Thus says the Lord God: “I myself will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and will set it out. I will break off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I myself will plant it on a high and lofty mountain. 23 On the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches and produce fruit and become a noble cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest. 24 And all the trees of the field shall know that I am the Lord; I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it.”

Would you post the Scriptures, please? _______________________________________ Jeremiah 41:10 10 Then Ishmael took captive all the rest of the people who were in Mizpah, the king's daughters and all the people who were left at Mizpah, whom Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, had committed to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam. Ishmael the son of Nethaniah took them captive and set out to cross over to the Ammonites. Jeremiah 43:6 6 the men, the women, the children, the princesses, and every person whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan; also Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch the son of Neriah.

OK, what links Te Tephni to Zedekiah? Did Zedekiah have a daughter who was smuggled away to Ireland or something? __________________________________ Yes, Zedekiah had at least two daughters, and the bible clearly mentions them being with Jeremiah's party. But then again, maybe this was mentioned for a scribe's exercise, or to add color to the so-called scriptures for an interesting story. After all, not everything mentioned in the bible has the least bit of importance. I think certain scriptures can just be edited out; they're not important.

________________________________ You say there are foods that are Kosher that are unhealthy. Would you care to list them? And by Kosher, we have to understand there were not processed foods in the bible days. I'm thinking about the bible here. So tell me, give me examples of what is Kosher that I should not eat that were around in biblical times.

_______________________ Well, as of the interpretation, hindsight is 20/20. I mean, we won't deny now, what has happened historically as there were physical as well as spiritual (which means they can come from Gentiles) descendents, do we? The bible is replete with contrasting earth/heaven themes. Adam is dust/ angels and messengers are stars in Revelation. So because of this contrast you believe that somehow this points to the English royalty being descendents of David? Hum... Possible to re-explain this line or reasoning? God bless, GE _____________________________________ No, not at all. The conversation shifted to this. I think the answer to your question is in of the some other posts that I've mentioned about the monarchy. Please read everything instead of selective choosing. They are quotes in the bible, and I have no reason to feel I have to "defend" anything since God said it. The proof of the burden is on you if I'm wrong. Otherwise, I stand by what I say. That's what I believe. You don't have to believe it if you don't want, so I am not obligated to answer.

__________________________ Again, an Ad hominem attack. You're claiming that Karaites "are wrong", so therefore you won't listen, even if their calendar is correct. And whether they are right or wrong is not the subject of what we are talking about. We're talking about an observational calendar. So, tell me, just what calendar do you think is correct, and who has it? I've been quite open and compromising so far, and I've been plenty agreeable, and no matter what you seem to be dissatisfied. So now I'm calling you out and you now have to demonstrate you know something about time and the calendar, otherwise, you are in a glass house throwing stones at everyone.

______________________________________ And again I agree. Not debating that whatsoever. The torah calendar makes us ready to watch for the sighting. But the sighting confirms it and reigns supreme. If God decides to make a little haze that day, then we know he expects us to delay it another day. No computer program can predict that. If those at the torah calendar do not agree, then that's their error. But I'm not one to throw out the baby with the bath water. The fact is that programs like that can emulate the motion of the moon very well, despite their beliefs. It's not what they believe --- it's their data that I'm excited about. Ok, I am not the least bit excited, and actually believe it leads to sin, and serious error. Their put down of Hillel, claim to accuracy, and claim to authority is extremely troubling. There is much more they miss which if their intention is to make the Mosaic law possible, they are actually violating the Mosaic law by what they are doing. ________________________________ Again, it's the data I'm excited about, not their doctrine. You may not be into stuff like that as much as I am. But I find it easy to look at their calculations, and then know when the next month begins, so I know when to watch. But again, I use the Karaite sightings to confirm it. You seem to have difficulty in separating the data from the doctrine, and come to the conclusion if they are wrong, then so is the data (or at least what they are doing with it). This is a veiled Ad hominem attack position. But the truth is, before I even knew about the Torah Calendar, I'd do the same thing myself with my computer and generate the timing of the new moon, so that I knew when to expect it. Then, the Karaites would view it and confirm it. The torahcalendar site just made my computer work easier. That's all. I don't agree with everything they say. I just use their data. And it's good data. Also, I don't know what Hillel has to do with all this. The calculated calendar is the last thing I use.

It's better for the Christian to stay Kosher. At this juncture in my Christian walk, I won't make it a "salvation issue" like some do considering that certain meats fall into the category of ceremonial (foreshadowing) type Law according to some Christians as opposed to moral categories such as the 10 commandments, thou shalt not kill, commit adultery, etc which are still valid. Nevertheless, pragmatically speaking, it's probably healthier for you if we look beyond the symbolism as what you eat is analogous to your physical body as what you nourish yourself spiritually by what you read and listen to. Kosher is not really that difficult. The only meats most Christians eat forbidden in Torah is pork and shellfish (and maybe the blood is not drained out right of Kosher meats). The other non-Kosher foods are things I hope we don't eat such as spiders, bats, rats and so forth. Fruits and vegetables are Kosher and as such really are not pronounced that way as "Kosher". Strictly speaking, Kosher is addressing meats and animal products. So most non-meat products in your supermarket already has that circles U or K stamped on it. I think the health nuts and medical establishment frankly are far more strict, and yet nobody minds following a their super-Kosher standard for their "health". In addition a lot of the dietary advice out there is false doctrine. Examples of which is pronouncing such foods as salt, saturated fats, and cholesterol as "bad" to be either avoided or cut back at all costs, until a person is eating bland, cardboard oatmeal instead of steak and eggs for breakfast and wonder they why they keel over just as fast (if not sooner) than the guy who enjoys himself. You'll hear me gripe about that on health forums, but that's really another topic.

______________________________________ And again I agree. Not debating that whatsoever. The torah calendar makes us ready to watch for the sighting. But the sighting confirms it and reigns supreme. If God decides to make a little haze that day, then we know he expects us to delay it another day. No computer program can predict that. If those at the torah calendar do not agree, then that's their error. But I'm not one to throw out the baby with the bath water. The fact is that programs like that can emulate the motion of the moon very well, despite their beliefs. It's not what they believe --- it's their data that I'm excited about.

______________________________ I have a small group of Christian friends who have clique-like behavior, but the definition of the word implies a form of exclusiveness which we are not. And that is (sad to say) we are more into bible studies than the rest in our church are. We wished more would join us. However, these are all women and I'm the only guy. I'm mid-50's and they are slightly older in their early 60's, although this is not the first time I tended to hang out with that age group all thru my life, as this may be a generational thing, I don't know. Like in most settings (including forums), I'm the group clown, perhaps like the younger brother, and I am also a little more on the fringe of the group I.e. slightly less dedicated. They have weekly bible studies in their home which I can't always attend due to the time, but the same group of people hold their class at our church and I'm always there. I think it's a time thing. I rather study at night since the evening is my favorite part of the day, they are more morning ladies.

____________________________________ You are my younger son's age (also born in 1990). You are nowhere near a generation x, my young friend. You are as generation Y as they come. Consider that a compliment coming from this (somewhat) ol' guy. Like I said, it's really one of the few generations I really like. I don't think much of the others, including my own. There's generation Z yet (those born year 2000 or later) but the oldest one is just 13 years old and the rest are now kids mostly in elementary school. I have yet to see what they will be like since they are only developing now.

As a Gen Xer, I have to tweak your description here a bit. Kurt Cobain and Beavis and Butthead came to the scene in our latter years. My generation had a delusion and party attitude. We grew up with M-TV, "material girl" Madonna, Michael Jackson, The Breakfast Club, and the like. ___________________________ It depends. A Kurt Cobain head-banger was about 16 years of age in 1992 as they were rocking their heads to "Teen Spirit". That was 21 years ago making them 37 years old (average) today. Technically, a teen is anywhere from 13 to 19, so a head banger is 34-40 years old today. The older "Breakfast Club" and "Madonna" gen x'ers were in high school in the mid 80's, which would make them in their mid-40's today. A gen x-er in this country is anyone born between the years of about 1964-1980. The earliest and oldest gen Y person is about 33 today max, and some say the oldest is 31, which although they would remember Kurt Cobain were just kids too young to be in that video. I'm about Madonna's age, and she never acted her age when she was younger, so I would place her in the older gen x category even though she is technically a boomer. And I've seen some x'ers, two which I work with, are quite unique that I like, almost as if they could fit into my generation even though I normally don't have a high opinion of that generation. People are individuals, and although the masses tend to follow their own generational herd, there's always few that stick out and are either older or younger than their time.

Have you studied the 1920's or 1930's in the U.S. ? God bless, GE __________________________________________ Yes, I'm somewhat familiar, so I don't want to make it sound like it started with the boomers, but I meant to say it came to fruition with them. A lot of this ideology in the American government had its roots about 100 years ago. And if you want to get into Illuminati theories, even before. Here's two good articles about generations. One is about 4-generation cycles: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strauss-Howe_generational_theory And here is the list of generations: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_generations#List_of_generations I'm not big into sociology as I am the other interests I have listed, but I still find it interesting.