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Andrew |
Date: Wednesday, 13.02.2019, 17:37 |
Post # 1 |
Group: Administrators
Posts: 697
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In Scripture there is an image of the earth as the habitat of carnal believers. On this figurative planet there is a place for different nations, not in the sense of nations on the political map of the world, but in the sense of their spiritual identity.
For example, the Egyptians. These spiritual-earthly people who are very religious. They are very superstitious and they have many prohibitions for everyday life. They imagine God as Pharaoh, a despot at the top of the priestly pyramid of power. You can easily find such people in Orthodoxy.
Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt [your] confusion.
(Isaiah 30:1-3)
The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence [come] the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the houlders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people [that] shall not profit [them.]
For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength [is] to sit still.
Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:
(Isaiah 30:6-8)
Now the Egyptians [are] men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. <...>
(Isaiah 31:3)
Yes, the echo of this theme is heard in the symphony of Revelation ("Sodom and Egypt"), and in the prophecy of Zechariah also about the same "Egyptians" who celebrate the pagan Christmas of the unknown person, instead of Sukkoth, which is the true birthday of the Name "Jesus".
Or Assyrians, conquerors. They, like all inhabitants of the earth, are religious, but they have a different religiosity, more worldly.
We also know about the pride of Moab. The great arrogance of some believers who consider themselves elected. For example, this can be found in some Pentecostal people.
We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart.
(Jeremiah 48:29)
But each of these "peoples" has its place on the spiritual map of the earth. Sometimes, though, they may attack Israel, but this is not at all necessary. The Egyptians, for example, live their separate lives. On the contrary, sometimes we, the Israelis, fleeing from some calamity, try to find refuge in increased religiosity, which Isaiah warned us against.
When we read about Gog from the land of Magog, the main thing for us is the invasion of the conqueror, who is trying to seize the Land of the Covenant.
This clearly indicates the Christian religion. Islam is kept apart, Muslims do not claim that they are "children of God." On the contrary, the Quran claims that God does not have and never had children, and Jesus was created as Adam.
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Andrew |
Date: Wednesday, 13.02.2019, 17:44 |
Post # 2 |
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Group: Administrators
Posts: 697
Status: Offline
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These pictures, prophecies about various nations, can be viewed as a continuation of the allegorical picture of the creation of the world in Genesis.
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