durangout
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Posts posted by durangout
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Several years ago I became interested in ancient calendar while studying the Dead Sea Scrolls. Anciently calendars were very important and involved much more than just the date. Ancient calendars were used to determine who would officiate as a priest in the temple. For example the date Zechariah was to be in the holy of the temple was determined by the ancient Hebrew calendar. The significance of the birth of John the Baptist as well as the Messiah was coded into the ancient Hebrew calendar. So are many other things that come from the ancient Hebrew calendar - such as the six gates to heaven through which the sun passes twice each year. Though there were solar events tied to the calendar there were also lunar events as well.
One of the most important events of the ancient Hebrew calendar was the beginning of the New Year. This was also part of determining passover and other critical religious holy celebrations. The first day of the new year was always a Sunday. It was believed that this day had to correspond with the first or beginning of creation. But the first day was determined the the first Sunday following the first new moon following the vernal equinox. This method is still employed today to determine both passover and Easter. Easter is interesting because it draws upon a number of ancient pagan calendars. But the Hebrew calendar required that two expert witnesses must testify before a judge that they had observed the new moon as well as the vernal equinox. Once the witnesses were made fires would be lit on hill sides on a Saturday night to signal or give the sign that the next day (Sunday) would begin the new year. Until the sign (fire on a hill) was given the celebrations of the new year - that included a special feast - could not occur.
There were problem when storms would move in at the end of the calendar year and obstruct the view of the moon and sun preventing the observations necessary. So there was a saying concerning the Hebrew calendar when the question was asked when the feast of the new year would be. The answer was in essence similar to a current saying of heaven only knows. This is not that the sighs could not be observed but just that it was believed that G-d was in control of such thing and that G-d would bring such things about according to his plan - which may not always be understood by mankind. Now as I was saying when storm brought clouds that would hide the sun and moon there was another saying that no man knew the hour or the day that the sign would be given - not even that angles of heaven but G-d only. But this saying is translated literally in scripture even though Jesus was quoting a familiar ancient saying. This is because the ancient experts were smart enough to figure out well in advance when the new year should be - but still could not testify until the proper events were observed.
It is my understand from studying ancient calendars that the true prophets of G-d as well as many of his saints will know and understand when the time draws near. I believe they will know the hour and the day from understanding the prophesies and the signs that always testify of G-d and his workings. That it is a misinterpretation of an ancient familiar saying that has confused many in not realizing that G-d does indeed reveal his works and plans to man in advance. But sadly man is blinded by many things in the world that confuse the things of G-d.
I have said before that I am convinced that many will be surprised by how soon Jesus will come again. As saints of the last days we should understand that the time is drawing near. Not because I am saying these things but because of the many signs that are being fulfilled. I am very sure that I personally will know the hour and the day at least 3 days before he come again. And my saying 3 days should be a most interesting clue to anyone that reads the prophesies concerning the last days before Jesus appears again and shows himself as the king of his covenant peoples.
First, to answer the OP: Yes; w/o a doubt He knows the exact time when he will return. IMO it is byond reason to think that the Creator of the universe and the Author of our salvation would not know such a thing.
OK; now onto a couple of quesitons about your post Traveler:
- You are correct, of course, when you state that "no man knoweth the day nor the hour..." is a figure of speach and is not be taken literally. There are many such examples in the scriptures in which an idiom or figure of speach is taken literally and the true meaning is missed. For example, Eve was created from Adam's rib--not litearlly but the idiom / expression teaches the idea that they were equals. There are many other examples but so I don't derail the thread I'll skip other examples. A question however is I thought that it was the Feast of the Trumpets that was announced by the the witnesses that you desccribed above not the New Year as you seem to indicate. Maybe I misunderstood you? Thanks for any calrificaiton.
- My second quesiton is about your statement that you will know exactly 3 days before He returns. Are you referring to the event described in Rev 11?
Thanks.
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Hi Guys:
I'm new to the forum so I hope you don't mind if I jump right in and add my $0.02...
First, if something is included in the scriptures (i.e. timing of the the 2nd Coming w/ it's acompanying signs) , we have both the responsibility and the ability to understand it.
Second. I don't for a minute think that The Savior didn't know exactly when He was going to return as many belive b/c of a literal interpretation of the scripture "no man knoweth, no not the angles in heaven nor The Son". I think the meaning is pretty close to what Traveler said previously in the thread. It was a way to answer the question w/o answering the question--DIRECTLY.
Third, I agree that it really doesn't matter when it is just that we're ready when it happens.
Fourth, It was John's mission to provide the most comprehensive version of the last days. His is obviously the most complete and an angel told Nephi as much (1 NE 14: 20-28). So, if you want to understand the last days, The Revelation must be the focus of your studies.
and
Finally FWIW here's my take of when we currently are in the timeline of the end times (I have a pretty good ppt page that visualizes this but unfortunately I couldn't upload it so I'll just summerize below). Basically the 7th Seal has opend and we're in the 1/2 Hour of Silence right now.
- The sign for the 6th Seal has long come and gone. See JST Rev 6:14
- The 7th Seal opend 6 Apr 2000 IMO b/c it was exactly 6000 yrs since Adam entered mortality; there was an unprecidented planetary alignment between Saturn, Venus and Earth (Saturn repesent The Father, Venus represents The Son); the Palmyra Temple was dedicated on this day and it was 1 Nisan of the Hebrew calendar (i.e the 1st day of the 7th month or in other words the begining of the 7th time period) and a holy day in and of itself.
- GBH gave his 7 yrs of plenty 7 yrs of famine prophesy in 10 '01 conference and also gave the talk "Living in the Fullness of Tiimes"--both are absolute must reads.
The 7 years of famine will end in 2015. 2016 I would expect to be a momentous year. During that year there will be a US presidential election as well as a Juliblee year in the Hebrew calendar (The 6 Day war was fought during the last Jubilee year). It is possible that the Tribulation period spoken of in The Revelation will start in 2016 but most likely will start in 2021 as that will be about 21 years after the opening of the 7th Seal.
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anyone seen these Justa Stoves?
Yes. I've built somthing like it from a 5 gal paint can. The "rocket stoves" work quite well and are very efficient with wood. In the experiments I did with the one I built, 2 lbs of wood gave off flame for about 40 mins. The coals of course lasted much longer.
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I have just completed building what you asked about in your post. How I came to the conclusion to build this was something like this: As I thought about food storage more and more, I realized that the most common food that can be made from "the basics" was bread. There is only 1 way to make real bread and that is in an oven and there will be no electric ovens during TEOTWAWKI. I researched many different ways and considered various options. I also consider the fuel needed. during one of my internet searches I came across the wood fired brick oven and realized that was my answer for a couple of reasons.
To make along story short, I am super happy with my decison to build it. I have made the most incrdible pizzas with it as well as roast chicken--really better than any restaurant you've ever had. there is somthing about the way it cooks that there is nothing really like it. I'm going to start experimenting with bread next.
Anyway, I figure that in the case of TEOTWAWKI, I have a profession: village baker. If nothing happens, I will be able to enjoy great entertaining and unique meals.
Please let me konw what other quesitons you have but the web site I got my plans from was fornobrovo.com. I suggest you spending some time on that site regardless. If you are considering it, I would say you will be 110% happy with it. I know I am.
Does Christ know the exact time when He will return?
in LDS Gospel Discussion
Posted
Yes; that's what Traveler referred to.
Personally that chapter in Rev I have found to be the most enegmatic chapter of the entire book. The more I study it, the less I think it means what was inferred in the post that brought it up. That meaning I understand is the predominate interpretation, nevertheless there is much more to it than that.
Here is a list of verses that give additional direct insight to that chapter:
Great City” = Rev 17:18, 14:8
1 Cor 6:19
Eph 2: 19-22
1 Peter 2: 5-6
Zech 4:1-14
Isa 51:19-21, 52 (2Ne 8:17-25)
Ezk 37
3 Ne 21:24-26
Isa 11:11-13
Jacob 5 / Rom 11
Jer 11:16
Isa 44:1-4
Orson Hyde Dedicatory Prayer
Rev 1:12
D&C 77:15
Dan 12: 5-7
Isa 19:18-22
Dan 12:2
It's quite a puzzle. I have all the pieces but just haven't put it all together yet.