Challenges to Prophetic Thinking

[Gregory Matthews]

The following raises ques5tions:

 

https://spectrummagazine.org/sabbath-school/2019/sealed-people-god

The following is one example of a challenge:

NOTE:  It should be noted that the phrase "Vicarius Filii Dei' has long been discredited as being on the clothing of the Pope.

Quote

The Number 666 and Vicarious Filii Dei (Revelation 13:18)

Employing gematria (by which numerical values are assigned to particular letters of an alphabet), Uriah Smith, in his 1867 book Thoughts on Revelation, declared that the Pope’s title, “Vicarius Filii Dei” (“Vicar of the Son of God”), added up to 666, the number of the beast of Revelation 13. Citing the testimony of a Miss Emmons to an unnamed Mrs. A (quoted in an earlier article titled “The Reformation” in 1832), Smith assured readers that the words “Vicarius Filii Dei” were spelled out in jeweled letters on the Pope’s “miter or crown.” This is problematic because Latin was not used in Revelation; no such miter or crown (they are not the same headgear) has ever been found; that title is NOT the official title of the Pope; and 666 applies exclusively to the time of the end, NOT before. Furthermore, Ellen White never refers to that title to interpret 666. Ranko Stefanovic in Plain Revelation sees 666 as “Babylon’s number” applicable to all rebellious human systems.

 

[JoeMo]

The issues raised in the article confirm that my opinions on eschatology are just that - opinions only.  I am trying my best to not denigrate anyones reasonable opinions.  I won't cross certain lines, like considering that Michael Pence may be the Michael of Daniel 12.

[phkrause]

It just amaze's me how many of these guys are coming out of the wood work!! That alone should tell us something, Satan has his minions out to help confuse many!! So far have not heard anything that will take me away from the Bible and Gods messenger!!

[JoeMo]

On 2/13/2019 at 11:26 AM, The Wanderer said:

The article Gregory cited IS indeed just opinions; but that doesnt mean that thats all prophecy is. Unless the dude who wrote said article speaks for us and thinks for us. . Im pretty sure "prophecy" is much more than "opinion," as even just one verse can tell us

I never said prophecy was just an opinion.  To clarify, my interpretation of unfulfilled prophecy is just my opinion.  Yours is the same - just your opinion.  It's quite easy to see prophecy that's already been fulfilled (like the OT prophecies about Jesus first coming to earth 2,000 years ago); but placing a certain explicit identity on who is the beast/harlot/ false prophet/antichrist; or setting a date for the return of Christ is simply speculation until it happens.  The "dude" is free to express his opinions just as you are free to express yours.  Just because you don't agree with his opinion doesn't make him an apostate.

17 hours ago, The Wanderer said:

anything that does NOT tell His story in the hearts and lives of His people, is NOT Christian, and is NOT Biblical, no matter how many scriptures are quoted.

Wow.  that's quite a judgement call.

[JoeMo]

3 minutes ago, The Wanderer said:

really?  How so?

Saying anything interpretations that does not tell of Jesus is NOT Christian and NOT biblical.  Quite the generalization.  For example, in the Book of Esther, God is not mentioned even once.  Since it doesn't focus on Jesus, should it be removed from the Bible?

[Lone Ranger]

On ‎2‎/‎13‎/‎2019 at 11:26 AM, The Wanderer said:

We have just been served with "pablum,"  from a writer bent on "private interpretation."

So for clarity, what exactly constitutes a "private interpretation?"