Should Christians be allowed to Drive Cars or Fly Planes?

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

Blume .... I'm studying the first part of Revelation 8.

How would a preterist interpret this passage?

Revelation 8

1And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.


2And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.


3And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.


4And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.


5And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.




How is this viewed in your interpretation? Why the 1/2 hour of silence? What can you tell me of the golden altar?

Hey bro.,

The silence is about just PERFECT for the time it takes for the high priest to make atonement in the most holy place.

The Seven trumpets, incense and altar picture is temple imagery.

There is CURSING in chapter 8 and BLESSING in Chapter 14, showing the same pattern of the two mountains, Gerizim and Ebal, under Mosaic law when curses and blessings were issued. Coals of the altar being thrown down show cursing.

These trumpets herald doom for Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is called the harlot due to Ezekiel's 16's reference, and being the city where the Lord was crucified in Rev 11:8.

As Babylon was God's arch enemy, Jerusalem had rejected Christ and became the church's worst enemy. As similar to Babylon, Jerusalem was also similar to Jericho. Seven trumpets were used to bring down the walls of Jericho during Israel's march into the Promised land. Seven trumpets are used in Rev 8 as well.

We do know silence preceded the blowing of seven trumpets in Jericho.

One writer wrote:

“Slowly the incensing priest and his assistants ascended the steps to the Holy Place, preceded by the two priests who had formerly dressed the altar and the candlestick, and who now removed the vessels they had left behind, and, worshipping, withdrew. Next, one of the assistants reverently spread the coals on the golden altar; the other arranged the incense; and then the chief officiating priest was left alone within the Holy Place, to await the signal of the president before burniing the incense. It was probably while thus expectant that the angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias [Luke 1:8-11]. As the president gave the word of cGmmand, which marked that ‘the time of incense had come,’ ‘the whole multi- tude of the people without’ withdrew from the inner court, and fell down before the Lord, spreading their hands2 in silent prayer.

“It is this most solemn period, when throughout the vast Temple buildings deep silence rested on the worshiping multitude, while within the sanctuary itself the priest laid the incense on the golden altar, and the cloud of ‘odours’ [5:8] rose up before the Lord, which serves as the image of heavenly things in this description.”s

It's neat that the fire to burn spoil from a conquered enemy was made as an offering to God, taking the fire from the altar in order to burn the offering. And here the fire from the altar is thrown down to the world.

God is judging Jerusalem after hearing the prayers of the saints.

There's much more,... But for starters.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Berkeley

This saddens me.

It was awesome to me! Oughta try it!

[berkeley]

Originally Posted by mfblume

It was awesome to me! Oughta try it!

don't start that stuff with me... lol

[Brother Price]

If I go by way of the grave, I want to be ready. If I am caught up to meet Him, the same. It is all about being ready, not knowing the time, nor when the trib takes place or has taken place.

[RevDWW]

If you are left after the Lord catches away those that are looking for His appearing, you have bigger problems then run away trains, planes and automobiles!

1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 18 (KJV)
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Originally Posted by Revelationist

Should Christians be allowed to drive cars, fly planes or do other critical things? I mean, if the Rapture takes place, look at all the problems that will be caused. Shouldn't we as Christians and having love for people, would we not want to spare the world of all the deaths that we will cause when the Rapture takes place? How do you vote?

oy vey

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Revelationist

Should Christians be allowed to drive cars, fly planes or do other critical things? I mean, if the Rapture takes place, look at all the problems that will be caused. Shouldn't we as Christians and having love for people, would we not want to spare the world of all the deaths that we will cause when the Rapture takes place? How do you vote?

Wait a second....scenerio and theory....

Rapture, the time God removes his people from the earth before final judgements are poured out...that is correct isn't it? Ok....if so what difference does it make what problems it would cause? In fact it seems it would play into the purpose of God and judgement on the earth for all the Christians to suddenly disappear. If there is any salvation afterwards and people still on earth need a wake up call planes and cars becoming suddenly driver/pilotless would be a good one

[Scott Hutchinson]

I just want to be ready and exchange my mortal body for an immortal one.

[Cindy]

Some people's thoughts scare me.
But to answer this poll, I think that we need to keep living the same way we live everyday, in preparation to be caught up to meet Jesus in the air. What happens to those left behind is in God's hand not ours. No matter what kind of job we have or that we drive a car or fly a plane or just be sitting in a recliner. Or praying or singing or shouting or dancing.

[TK Burk]

Originally Posted by BrotherEastman

A preterist is someone who believes the rapture will take place before the tribulation takes place. I only say I'm a preterist to cover all bases, although I'm not really sure. I probably lean more to the idea that the rapture will take place before God's wrath is poured out, which in reality is mid-trib, but I say pre-trib in reference to God's wrath. I hope that helps. LOL!

You must be thinking of something else because what you posted is not preterism. Look at these:

Preterism is a variant of Christian eschatology which holds that some or all of the biblical prophecies concerning the Last Days (or End Times) refer to events which actually happened in the first century after Christ's birth. The term preterism comes from the Latin praeter, meaning "past". Adherents of Preterism are known as Preterists. --Wikipedia

"Preterist" means past in fulfillment, and "Futurist" means future in fulfillment. Preterist basically means the opposite of Futurist. Futurists believe most end-time prophecies (especially the big three major ones - Parousia, Resurrection, and Judgment) are yet to be fulfilled. Preterists believe that most or all of Bible Prophecy (especially the big three events) has already been fulfilled in Christ and the on-going expansion of His Kingdom. Most Futurists do not really believe Christ has been successful yet in fully establishing His kingdom. --International Preterist Assoc.