Racheal59
December 14th, 2007, 06:08 AM
Peter’s Prophecy
by Britt Gillette
Almost 2,000 years ago, the apostle Peter prophesied that in the last days scoffers would appear, arguing against the possibility of Christ’s return. The very argument he said they would use is today one of the most common among skeptics:
“Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, ‘What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.’” 2 Peter 3:3-4 (NLT)
In addition to ignoring Christ’s own promise to return, this argument is built upon a faulty premise: that “from before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.” Is this really true?
In light of bible prophecy, simple observation would argue otherwise.
Things Continue Just As They Have For Nearly 2,000 Years
Just as the apostle Peter prophesied nearly 2,000 years ago, this is the most common argument put forth by the non-believing public. They argue that same signs of Christ’s return have appeared to previous generations – all of whom believed Jesus would return in their lifetime. But is this true? In making this argument, such people regard their proclamation that “everything has remained just the same since Jesus left” as some sort of self-evident truth. And, as we all know, things are pretty much the same now as they were in the first century. Right?
Does anyone really believe this? Or do they simply delude themselves into believing it?
This is such an absurd position that, in order to argue it, one must believe the following events are normal and not unprecedented as history would otherwise suggest:
1) The Gathering of the Jews in Israel
Numerous biblical prophecies foretold of the re-gathering of Israel as a nation. Approximately 2,700 years ago, God revealed to the prophet Ezekiel a “Valley of Dry Bones” (Ezekiel Chapter 37). God spoke of these bones (the Jews) gathered together and covered with flesh and muscles (re-gathered from the nations) with life being breathed into them (a dead nation brought to life once again).
“Then he said to me, ‘Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel. They are saying, ‘We have become old, dry bones – all hope is gone.’ Now give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel. When this happens, O my people, you will know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 37:11-13 (NLT)
Beginning in the late 19th Century, the birth of the Zionist movement culminated in the gradual emigration of Jews from all over the world to resettle the land of Israel. Each decade the number of returning Jews increased, until finally the nation of Israel came to life once again in 1948.
The claim that “everything has remained the same” since Christ first appeared doesn’t account for the nation of Israel. In 1948, Ezekiel’s prophecy was fulfilled right before the eyes of bible prophecy skeptics, and the world hasn’t been the same since.
2) Israel Becomes a Nation in a Single Day
http://www.raptureready.com/featured/gillette/bg27.html
This will explain the division of Israel to you. Read up on this and many prophecies on this website.
by Britt Gillette
Almost 2,000 years ago, the apostle Peter prophesied that in the last days scoffers would appear, arguing against the possibility of Christ’s return. The very argument he said they would use is today one of the most common among skeptics:
“Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, ‘What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.’” 2 Peter 3:3-4 (NLT)
In addition to ignoring Christ’s own promise to return, this argument is built upon a faulty premise: that “from before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.” Is this really true?
In light of bible prophecy, simple observation would argue otherwise.
Things Continue Just As They Have For Nearly 2,000 Years
Just as the apostle Peter prophesied nearly 2,000 years ago, this is the most common argument put forth by the non-believing public. They argue that same signs of Christ’s return have appeared to previous generations – all of whom believed Jesus would return in their lifetime. But is this true? In making this argument, such people regard their proclamation that “everything has remained just the same since Jesus left” as some sort of self-evident truth. And, as we all know, things are pretty much the same now as they were in the first century. Right?
Does anyone really believe this? Or do they simply delude themselves into believing it?
This is such an absurd position that, in order to argue it, one must believe the following events are normal and not unprecedented as history would otherwise suggest:
1) The Gathering of the Jews in Israel
Numerous biblical prophecies foretold of the re-gathering of Israel as a nation. Approximately 2,700 years ago, God revealed to the prophet Ezekiel a “Valley of Dry Bones” (Ezekiel Chapter 37). God spoke of these bones (the Jews) gathered together and covered with flesh and muscles (re-gathered from the nations) with life being breathed into them (a dead nation brought to life once again).
“Then he said to me, ‘Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel. They are saying, ‘We have become old, dry bones – all hope is gone.’ Now give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel. When this happens, O my people, you will know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 37:11-13 (NLT)
Beginning in the late 19th Century, the birth of the Zionist movement culminated in the gradual emigration of Jews from all over the world to resettle the land of Israel. Each decade the number of returning Jews increased, until finally the nation of Israel came to life once again in 1948.
The claim that “everything has remained the same” since Christ first appeared doesn’t account for the nation of Israel. In 1948, Ezekiel’s prophecy was fulfilled right before the eyes of bible prophecy skeptics, and the world hasn’t been the same since.
2) Israel Becomes a Nation in a Single Day
http://www.raptureready.com/featured/gillette/bg27.html
This will explain the division of Israel to you. Read up on this and many prophecies on this website.