Hello again,
I was hoping someone got a chance to review those videos. The "blood moons" information was addressed by pastor Mark Biltz of Tacoma, WA in 2008.
It sounds reasonable to me, but I would love to hear someone else's opinion, especially of those who study and know the word of God.
Thanks!
Lyuba
Hi Lyubashka. Sorry to have taken so long looking. While we believe we may well be in what Daniel referred to as the "time of the end", we are in the Isaac Newton and Matthew Henry camp in regard to using prophecy as if it were intended for us to predict the future. If you take a closer look you may notice that virtually the entirety of this forum deals with
fulfilled prophecy (as does Skolfield's book), rather than guesswork theology.
"The folly of interpreters has been to foretell times and things by this prophecy [Revelation], as if God designed to make them prophets.
By this rashness they have not only exposed themselves, but brought the prophecy also into contempt. The design of God was much otherwise. He gave this and the prophecies of the Old Testament, not to gratify men's curiosities by enabling them to foreknow things, but that after they were fulfilled they might be interpreted by the event, and his own providence, not the interpreters', be then manifested thereby to the world. For the event of things predicted many ages before will then be a convincing argument that the world is governed by Providence." - Sir Isaac Newton
We don't have to remember very far back to "88 reasons Jesus is coming in 1988". Without having read it I'm going to hazard a guess that there was no small amount of citing natural disasters as proof in that book as well.
Here's how Matthew Henry expressed it:
"VI. That this prophecy of those times, though sealed up now, would be of great use to those that should live then, v. 4.
Daniel must now shut up the words and seal the book because the time would be long ere these things would be accomplished: and it was some comfort that the Jewish nation, though, in the infancy of their return from Babylon, while they were few and weak, they met with obstructions in their work, were not persecuted for their religion till a long time after, when they had grown to some strength and maturity.
He must seal the book because it would not be understood, and therefore would not be regarded, till the things contained in it were accomplished; but he must keep it safely, as a treasure of great value, laid up for the ages to come, to whom it would be of great service; for many shall then run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Then this hidden treasure shall be opened, and many shall search into it, and dig for the knowledge of it, as for silver. They shall run to and fro, to enquire out copies of it, shall collate them, and see that they be true and authentic. They shall read it over and over, shall meditate upon it, and run it over in their minds; discurrent—they shall discourse of it, and talk it over among themselves, and compare notes about it, if by any means they may sift out the meaning of it; and thus knowledge shall be increased. By consulting this prophecy on this occasion they shall be led to search other scriptures, which shall contribute much to their advancement in useful knowledge; for then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord, Hos. 6:3.
Those that would have their knowledge increased must take pains, must not sit still in slothfulness and bare wishes but run to and fro, must make use of all the means of knowledge and improve all opportunities of getting their mistakes rectified, their doubts resolved, and their acquaintance with the things of God improved, to know more and to know better what they do know. And let us here see reason to hope that, 1. Those things of God which are now dark and obscure will hereafter be made clear, and easy to be understood.
Truth is the daughter of time. Scripture prophecies will be expounded by the accomplishment of them; therefore they are given, and for that explication they are reserved. Therefore they are told us before, that, when they do come to pass, we may believe. 2. Those things of God which are despised and neglected, and thrown by as useless, shall be brought into reputation, shall be found to be of great service, and be brought into request; for divine revelation, however slighted for a time, shall be magnified and made honourable, and, above all, in the judgment of the great day, when the books shall be opened, and that book among the rest."
