Two Questions for Bible Scholars

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by renee819

I made a mistake on the above Post. This won’t be after Armageddon, but before.

Who will be here?
The Church will have gone in the First Resurrection.
The Israelites that saw the nail prints in Jesus hands, and recognized him, at the Resurrection, will be in the Wilderness.

Who is left?----Those worshiping the Beast.
Thru the One World Religion, the world will be completely turned over to Paganism. The Beast will completely destroy her, (Babylon) but many will keep their Pagan ways

With all due respect, this is a reading of the issue through the lenses of dispensationalism. Personally I find that concept of prophetic teaching to be lacking with many holes. I disagree strongly with dispensationalism, but I know what it is like to have only known that concept, for I was a dispensationalist at one time. Suffice it to say there are other concepts which consider all the scriptures that deal with the issue in what I consider a more biblically faithful manner.

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

I will post the last part of it, and highlight the part that I don't understand.

Isaiah 66:16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.

17They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.18For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

19And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.

20And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.

21And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.

22For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

23And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.

24And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

What is the significance of the phrase "they that sanctify themselves and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abominations, and the mouse, shall be consumed together." ?

All thoughts, opinions, and scripture backed references welcomed. Thanks!

Isaiah is speaking of those who practice the Canaanite religion and who despise the Law of YHVH: sanctifying and purifying oneself in the gardens behind [a]tree in the midst [of the garden] refers to the worship of Ashtaroth, which was conducted in groves or gardens around a tree or 'pole' (as in Maypole...). They eat swine flesh (unclean meat forbidden to God's people) and other unclean things. The prophet says they will be destroyed. these are people who were Covenanted with God yet who practice pagan religions and have committed apostacy against the Covenant (whether secretly or publicly). They are also those who are not covenanted and who practice the abominations typical of heathens.

God will purify His people and remove the tares.