PGFRACING

Biblical Studies - Answering Hard To Understand Scriptures & ?'s

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Bible Questions

I recently thought of seven questions that could be considered interesting or that a lot of people would like to know the answer to. A friend of mine, Andrew, gave his response to the questions with idea if someone had asked him in passing or a brief meeting in public or out of the blue; like walking down the street how he might answer in a short response to the questions. Keep in mind there are different answers to these same questions by different people and we should strive for truth whatever that may be.

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Create or Evolve

This debate often centers on conflicting views regarding the interpretation of religious texts and the validity of scientific findings, highlighting tensions between faith-based beliefs and beliefs of empirical evidence in understanding the natural world.

Creation vs. evolution is a longstanding debate between religious and scientific perspectives on the origins of life. Creationism posits that a divine being, typically the God of a particular religion, created the universe and all living things in their current form.

Evolutionary theory, supported by scientific evidence, proposes that life on Earth has evolved over billions of years through natural selection and genetic variation.

For me personally I find it interesting that the evolution theory stands a lot on the idea of things took a very long time, which that basis stands a lot on the fossil theory that these layers found in the earth of fossils show different ages that took a long time.

Strictly from a scientific point of view we are rarely presented with a different theory that shows actual examples of how these fossils could have been created in a short period, like the one year flood account of the Bible. You can see this scientific alternative view in the four part series, on YouTube, called "The Drama In The Rocks". I personally don't see science having a necessity to be opposed to creation as presented by some learning institutions.

Eternal Destination

Please visit this page on pgfracing if you'd like to see the rest of the ten part video series. Plus a bonus video.

Audience Relevance

For example Jesus said those next to him would see the Son of man coming in is kingdom not those in the future or after his generation. Many think that this generation means the generation they or we are living in. Therefore many have believed the Bible is talking about them or our generation. To the preterist; this mistake happens generation after generation.

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.”

(Matthew 16:27-28, KJV)

However, Jesus clarified it was those next to him who were meant by this generation. With this frame of mind we realize the Bible was written for our understanding not necessarily that all of it was written directly to us to experience. For example there is prophecy for Christ to be crucified, beaten and striped. We wouldn't say that was written to us to experience the exact prophecies that were for Christ directly. In the same way these prophecies were for the first century believers. We may and will suffer in many ways like Christ did or relate to these first century believers. We should take away or realize that His experiences are for us to relate to not that they are 100% directly for us to experience the same way.

In the Preterist view of biblical audience relevance, emphasis is placed on understanding the texts of the Bible within the context of the audience to whom they were originally addressed. Preterists argue that many passages in the Bible, particularly those concerning prophecy and eschatology, were primarily relevant to the audience living at the time the texts were written, rather than being exclusively about events in the distant future.

For example, Preterists interpret prophecies in books like Daniel, Matthew, and Revelation as having been fulfilled in the events of the first century AD, particularly surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. They believe that understanding the historical context and the audience's situation helps illuminate the meaning and significance of these prophecies.

Preterists argue that by understanding the audience relevance of biblical texts, modern readers can better grasp the intended message and application for the original recipients, rather than imposing interpretations based solely on contemporary circumstances. This approach emphasizes historical context, cultural background, and the author's original intent as crucial factors in interpreting biblical passages.

More to come Lord willing

Death Defeated

But now there is a veil covering all nations and people. This veil is called "death." But death will be destroyed forever. And the Lord GOD will wipe away every tear from every face. In the past, all of his people were sad, but God will take away that sadness from the earth. All of this will happen because the LORD said it would. At that time people will say, "Here is our God! He is the one we have been waiting for. He has come to save us. We have been waiting for our LORD. So we will rejoice and be happy when he saves us.

(Isaiah 25:7-9, ERV)

I'm not sure how to explain the above verses yet, however I'd like us to consider that Jesus said you don't have to worry about physical death. You should be concerned about the second death. So to say that death defeated means that physical death will be defeated makes no sense if Jesus said we don't even have to worry about it in the first place. Also since there is no marriage in eternity there is no birth. If no birth then there is no death again. These two indicators show me the death being talked about is not physical death. Hopefully I can convey my thoughts to writing so others can understand what "last enemy death defeated means". Thanks for your patience.

More to come Lord willing.

Preterism Intro

Full Preterism, also known as "consistent" or "hyper" Preterism, asserts that all biblical prophecies, including those concerning the second coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the judgment in Revelation, were fulfilled in the events of the first century, particularly with the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

Some, not all full preterist believe that Jesus' return occurred spiritually, not in a physical terrestrial or earthly sense. Majority if not all preterist to my knowledge believe that the first resurrection was a spiritual or celestial body resurrection, not earthly or terrestrial.

They see the destruction of Jerusalem as the culmination of biblical prophecy, marking the end of the old covenant age and the establishment of the new covenant era.

Full Preterism diverges from traditional Christian eschatology by contending that there is no future bodily resurrection or final judgment. Instead, they interpret these events as already having taken place in a spiritual and symbolic manner, bringing about the consummation of God's redemptive plan. Judgment is ongoing when one dies.

The Preterist perspective on Matthew 24 interprets the chapter as having been largely fulfilled in the events surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, rather than as a prophecy of events yet to come in the distant future. Here's a breakdown of how some Preterists understand Matthew 24:

In summary, from the Preterist perspective, Matthew 24 primarily concerns the events leading up to and including the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, rather than predicting events in the distant future. It is viewed as a prophecy fulfilled in the first century rather than awaiting fulfillment in the present or future. Some people interpret the idea of the "return of Christ" as the presence of Jesus in their lives or in the world through spiritual means, rather than a literal physical return. Others also believe that you are in "His presence" means literally when you leave earth and enter into the eternal spiritual realm, when you are a believer and their is no second coming or even that phrase used in the Bible.

Why We Resist Changing Our Views

Recently I've been losing a little moment or desire to even share anymore things I see in the Bible because many just don't want to discuss anything that opposes their views and instead of discussing them they try to get defensive with their questioning or find reasons quickly why they couldn't be true instead of approaching with an open mind. Here are some things to think about when learning something new...

It's often observed that we resist discussing or changing our views, even when presented with compelling information. Here are some reasons why:

Addressing these barriers often requires patience, empathy, and open-mindedness. Encouraging constructive dialogue and providing a supportive environment can help facilitate discussions and promote willingness to consider new perspectives.

If we practice some of these techniques and are more aware of why we maybe resisting info; I believe we will be better able to determine what is truth together! - Rob a.k.a PGFracing

What Is Truth

Below I'm putting together common believed information. Some of the information I would like to propose alternative thoughts and challenge some of these common beliefs. However am trying to find common ground of beliefs as most of this information I believed was reliable as well so as a basis of common ground I'd like to start with common beliefs and see if they can stand scrutiny.

“The first one to tell his case seems right. Then someone else comes forward and questions him.”

(Proverbs 18:17, NIrV)

To me this verse above can be applied to information we first come across seems right and everyone just agrees on it as truth because they aren't being challenged. However for some reason we don't like to be challenged. We go with what is easy and don't investigate how did they, the person before us who wrote this information, determine it was true. The challenge will be listed below the subject. Not everything will be challenged. This is meant hopefully to find common ground together.

Four Empires In Daniel

The book of Daniel mentions four significant empires:

  1. Babylonian Empire (626 BC - 539 BC)

    Known for its wealth and power, Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon ruled over ancient Mesopotamia, including Jerusalem, during Daniel's time.

  2. Medo-Persian Empire (539 BC - 330 BC)

    Conquering Babylon, Cyrus the Great established this empire, unifying Medes and Persians.

  3. Greek Empire (330 BC - 63 BC)

    Founded by Alexander the Great, this empire's conquests spread Hellenistic culture throughout the Mediterranean and Near East.

  4. Roman Empire (27 BC - AD 476)

    Known for its military might and expansive territory, Rome's rule marked a significant period in history, impacting Judea and early Christianity.

These empires play a significant role in biblical prophecy and historical context.

Roman Emperors & Their Reigns

Below we will see a list of emperors of the Bible that we might think on when it comes to Biblical Studies. Depending on our views we may even take this up to modern day politics and current empires. These are the ones I will be building documentation for discussion purposes on this particular page. I am open to all ideas for the most part.

  1. Julius Caesar: 49 BC - 44 BC
  2. Augustus (Octavian): 27 BC - AD 14
  3. Tiberius: AD 14 - AD 37
  4. Caligula (Gaius): AD 37 - AD 41
  5. Claudius: AD 41 - AD 54
  6. Nero: AD 54 - AD 68
  7. Galba: AD 68 - AD 69
  8. Otho: AD 69
  9. Vitellius: AD 69
  10. Vespasian: AD 69 - AD 79
  11. Titus: AD 79 - AD 81
  12. Domitian: AD 81 - AD 96
  13. Nerva: AD 96 - AD 98
  14. Trajan: AD 98 - AD 117
  15. Hadrian: AD 117 - AD 138

Challenge - 10 Emperors

Most biblical studies focus around ten emperors so we only look at the number ten. I hope to present why we might consider expanding our views. No information as of yet just letting you know I propose to challenge the idea that we must limit ourselves to ten. I will mainly be using scripture and may even cite the apocrypha as well. - Lord willing.

I've listed the fifteen above I'd like to look at and see why the Bible uses a ten count instead of fifteen.

In both the books of Daniel and Revelation, there are references to ten horns, though they are interpreted in different contexts.

Daniel 7: In Daniel's vision of four beasts, the fourth beast has ten horns. These horns are traditionally interpreted as representing ten kings or kingdoms that arise from this empire. However, the specific identification of these kingdoms can vary among different interpretations.

Revelation 17: In Revelation, the ten horns are associated with the beast that emerges from the sea. They are described as ten kings who receive authority as kings for a short period of time, aligning themselves with the beast. Again, the specific identities of these kings can be subject to various interpretations.

Both passages are highly symbolic, and interpretations can differ significantly depending on the theological framework and historical context used to understand them. Therefore, while the ten horns are mentioned in both books, their precise meanings and implications are interpreted different by many people. However we can't all be teaching the truth if we are very different in our teachings. I will attempt to put something on the table to considerable as hopefully a truth.

I thought about the horns. Then I saw another horn. It was a little one. It grew up among the other horns. Three of the first horns were pulled up by their roots to make room for it. The little horn had eyes like the eyes of a man. Its mouth was always bragging.

(Daniel 7:8, NIrV)

While this verse alone doesn't show that we can have more then 10. I would like us to think about the possibility that God does not see these three as being setup or honored in His eyes, therefore Biblically we would not count these three, meaning that opens the door for three different kings to be part of the 10 count. Meaning that if you want to absolutely count you'd be up to a possibility of thirteen kings now. I hope to bring some more evidence on why these three aren't counted in the ten count.

Destruction & Rebuilding Temple

The Second Temple in Jerusalem, also known as the "Rebuilt Temple" following the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BC, was completed around 516 BC. The reconstruction of the Second Temple was initiated by the decree of Cyrus the Great, the king of Persia, who allowed the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. Construction began under the leadership of Zerubbabel, a descendant of the Davidic line, and Joshua the high priest. However, due to various challenges and interruptions, including opposition from neighboring peoples, the construction of the Temple was delayed. The Temple's completion finally occurred during the reign of King Darius I of Persia. Darius I issued a decree reaffirming Cyrus's original decree and provided support for the completion of the Temple construction. The dedication of the Second Temple is recorded in the biblical book of Ezra, specifically in Ezra 6:15-18, which states that the Temple was finished and dedicated in the sixth year of Darius I's reign, around 516 BC.

The Challenge - Rebuilt Date

Bible says, that “and this house was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.” (Ezra 6:15) Most readers have been taught and assume that it means Darius I (522-486 BC).

However it is impossible: the same Ezra described, how neighboring nations interfered building process: “Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah, and made them afraid to build, and they bribed officials to frustrate their plan throughout the reign of King Cyrus of Persia and until the reign of King Darius of Persia. And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bishlam and Mithredath and Tabeel and the rest of their associates wrote to King Artaxerxes of Persia; the letter was written in Aramaic and translated. Rehum the royal deputy and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows" (Ezra 4:4-8)

Next (Ezra 4:9-22) is the full text of letter to the Artaxerxes and his answer, where he orders to cease construction. "Then when the copy of King Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum and the scribe Shimshai and their associates, they hurried to the Jews in Jerusalem and by force and power made them cease. At that time the work on the house of God in Jerusalem stopped and was discontinued until the second year of the reign of King Darius of Persia.” (Ezra 4:23-24) So, construction started during reign of Cyrus, but was stopped during reign of Artaxerxes, and resumed only at the time of Darius.

Now, let’s see the list of Persian Kings at that time:

  • Cyrus the Great 560–530 BC
  • Cambyses II 530–522 BC
  • Darius I 522–486 BC
  • Xerxes I 486–465 BC
  • Artaxerxes I 465–424 BC
  • Sogdianus 424–423 BC
  • Darius II 423–405 BC
  • Artaxerxes II 405–358 BC

So, there was no king before Darius I with the name Artaxerxes. Since the temple was finished during the reign of Darius which was AFTER Artaxerxes, it could be only the Darius II. It means that temple was finished not in 516, but in 417 BCE. - This modified excerpt is from Wikipedia.

The article is a little longer and even gives more scripture to think about on why Darius II is the better option and really only option that makes Biblical sense

Thank you, - Rob a.k.a PGFracing

I am learning as go along in life like anyone so please do your own investigation as well. I will do my best to present where I believe errors in thinking have lead us astray to the truth. I certainly can make errors as well, so please reach out on PGFracing Youtube Channel and leave a comment if you see something as strange, odd, doesn't make sene or just have a question or comment that might help us all know truth.

THE NUMBER 12

See Genesis 14:4 for the first mention of twelve.

One of the first mentions of "twelve" with in the Bible appears in the book of Genesis, specifically in Genesis 17:20, where God promises Abraham that his descendants will become a great nation. Here, "twelve princes" are mentioned as the future leaders of the nations that will descend from Abraham. However, if you're specifically referring to the "Twelve Tribes of Israel," the first mention of the number twelve in this context can be found in Genesis 35:22-26. This passage recounts the birth of Jacob's twelve sons, who later become the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel.

In Genesis 17:20, God promises Abraham that his descendants will become a great nation. The verse states: "As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation." The twelve princes mentioned here are the descendants of Ishmael, Abraham's son born to Hagar, Sarah's servant. These princes are considered the forefathers of the various tribes and peoples who descended from Ishmael. While the Bible does not list the names of these twelve princes in Genesis 17, later in Genesis 25:12-16, the names of Ishmael's twelve sons are provided: These twelve sons of Ishmael became the heads of tribes or groups associated with the territory inhabited by the Ishmaelites.

Nebaioth
Kedar
Adbeel
Mibsam
Mishma
Dumah
Massa
Hadad
Tema
Jetur
Naphish
Kedemah

The number 12 holds significant symbolism throughout the Bible, appearing numerous times in various contexts. Some significant mentions include:

  1. 12 Tribes of Israel

    The twelve sons of Jacob (also known as Israel) formed the twelve tribes of Israel, which became the foundation of the nation. (Genesis 49:28)

  2. 12 Patriarchs

    The descendants of Jacob's twelve sons are often referred to as the twelve patriarchs, symbolizing the leadership of the nation of Israel. (Acts 7:8)

  3. 12 Disciples

    Jesus chose twelve disciples to accompany him during his ministry, representing the establishment of his new covenant and the foundation of the Christian faith. (Matthew 10:1-4)

  4. 12 Baskets of Leftovers

    After Jesus miraculously fed the multitude with five loaves and two fish, twelve baskets of leftovers were collected, symbolizing abundance and provision. (Matthew 14:20)

  5. 12 Stars on Woman's Crown

    In Revelation, a woman clothed with the sun, representing the Church, wears a crown adorned with twelve stars, symbolizing the leadership and authority of God's people. (Revelation 12:1)

  6. 12 Foundations of New Jerusalem

    In the book of Revelation, the New Jerusalem, representing the ultimate fulfillment of God's kingdom, has twelve foundations, each inscribed with the name of one of the twelve apostles. (Revelation 21:14)

  7. 12 Gates of New Jerusalem

    Similarly, the New Jerusalem is described as having twelve gates, each named after one of the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing the inclusivity of God's kingdom. (Revelation 21:12)

These are just a few examples of the significance of the number twelve in the Bible. It often represents completeness, authority, and divine governance.

The twelve sons of Jacob, also known as the twelve tribes of Israel, in the order of their births according to the Book of Genesis in the Bible, are:

Reuben
Simeon
Levi
Judah
Dan
Naphtali
Gad
Asher
Issachar
Zebulun
Joseph
Benjamin

This makes me wonder if these are the 24 elders (Sons of Ishmael and Jacob) mentioned in Revelation? Or - The 12 sons of Jacob and the 12 disciples, possibly..? Or - Somebody else even possibly...?

Revelation Written When

Below we will see why many believe that Revelation was written during the reign of Domitian.

First, some background information to think about when reading the below:

Domitian, whose full name was Titus Flavius Caesar Domitianus Augustus, lived from AD 51 to AD 96. He was the younger son of the Roman Emperor Vespasian and the brother of Emperor Titus. Domitian ruled as Roman Emperor from AD 81 until his assassination in AD 96.

Irenaeus, also known as Saint Irenaeus, lived during the 2nd century AD. He was born around 130 AD and died around 202 AD. He was a prominent early Christian theologian and bishop of Lugdunum (modern-day Lyon, France). Irenaeus is best known for his writings against heresies, particularly his work "Against Heresies," in which he refuted Gnostic teachings and defended orthodox Christian doctrine.

Irenaeus, in his work "Against Heresies," specifically in Book 5, Chapter 30, makes a passing reference to John in connection with Domitian. The exact statement attributed to Irenaeus is as follows:

"But if it were necessary to proclaim his name, it would have been declared by him who saw the revelation. For it was seen not long ago, but almost in our own generation, at the close of Domitian's reign."

This passage is often interpreted to suggest that John, the author of the Book of Revelation, was alive during the reign of Domitian. It implies that John was the one who witnessed the revelation mentioned in the Book of Revelation. However, it's important to note that Irenaeus doesn't provide extensive details about John's activities during Domitian's reign, and the interpretation of this passage has been a subject of debate among scholars.

As far as I know this is the only evidence most cite to indicate that Revelation was written in the mid 90's not the 60's. That is th year 0090AD or 0060AD, not like 1990s' or 1960's for those who are learning historical dates.

Let's write that phrase above in a little easier to understand possibilities. Option one "it" is referring to The Book of Revelation or option two that same greek word can mean "He" referring to John.

  1. Option 1

    "But if it were necessary to proclaim John's name, it would have been declared by John who saw the revelation. For "The Book Of Revelation" was seen not long ago, but almost in our own generation, at the close of Domitian's reign."

  2. Option 2

    "But if it were necessary to proclaim John's name, it would have been declared by John who saw the revelation. For he was seen not long ago, but almost in our own generation, at the close of Domitian's reign."

Let's think about this for a moment if he meant The Book of Revelation was almost in our (Irenaeus's) generation it really doesn't make much sense because the Revelation was already there in both generations. However if he is referring to John and that he almost lived to our generation; that line of thinking or phrase, to me makes a little more sense.

Also the fact that Revelation has writings referencing a standing Temple. If it was written in 95AD after the destruction of the Temple it would be strange for Jesus to tell John to measure something that doesn't exist. With this in mind I believe Revelation was written in the 60's.

In the Greek text of "Against Heresies" by Irenaeus, the phrase "it was seen not long ago" is translated from the Greek words "οὐ πολλῷ πρότερον ὤφθη." Here's a breakdown of these words:

Not Found In The Bible

Recently a bible study partner mentioned these phrases are never mention in the Bible.

  1. Second Coming
  2. Final Judgment

I did a little research on Bible Hub and found one translation did have final judgment, however all other english translations to my knowledge do not promote the idea of a final judgment.

I did not find any english translations that utilize the phrase "second coming".

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