Recently there was a conversational dialog going on regarding whether or not there is a place of safety. There are some within the Church of God that no longer believe that it exists or that some will be taken there to be protected from the tribulation that is coming on this world.
It is not the purpose of this post to present evidence regarding that, but in the course of our discussion the statement was made that perhaps I was extrapolating incorrectly the word of God as I attempted to defend the prospect of a Place of Safety.
I was a little taken aback by the use of the word extrapolating. I mean was I extrapolating, what does that mean anyway? The definition of extrapolating is to take a series of known facts and predict based on them a future series of occurrences. That sounds almost like “secular prophecies” Was I doing that?
Here are the comments that I made that resulted in that statement.
In the sense of what I was attempting to explain it would be more accurate or make more sense if he had said that he thought I was making a “private interpretation” of of the prophecy that said there would be a Place of Safety.
2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
We have long understood that the bible interprets the bible, man should never put his own ideas as to what a prophecy is saying. The bible will explain if we bring enough relative scriptures to bear on the subject.
There is something else that we need to consider here as well. We must have a love of the truth, a love of the word of God. If we allow what is said in the word to have the last say on a subject then we can always get to the truth of a matter. Not that we will always agree immediately. But sooner or later the Spirit of God in us will bring us to the truth of the matter. It is inevitable.
I spoke among many other things of the church represented by the woman in the last part of Rev 12 traveling to and with “Two Wings of a Great Eagle” to a “place prepared for her” in the “wilderness” and being protected from satan as well as showing that a “remnant” of the church were left behind and were going to be attacked by that same satan. This isn’t extrapolating nor is it giving a private interpretation it is merely restating what is written in clear language in the context of Rev 12.
I say this not to defend my understanding of what it said but to show us how we do need to let what is actually said in the word take precedence in our thinking. We must let the word of God show us and not let our own thoughts on a subject color what is actually being said.
That said, understanding will come with time and thought. We never need to demand immediate agreement that is the purview of the Holy Spirit within us. The concept of “iron sharpening iron” clearly shows that in action.
As much as I would love to get into a deep discussion with you about the place of safety, the who what why when and where I am not able to do so at this time. The reason being I had to leave my Bible helps study helps several Bibles, concordance etcetera with relatives when I left to come to my present location due to the circumstances I was in. I am left simply with one Bible and not even access to the internet with my computer. I would probably center most of my discussion with you around the two mentions of the hundred and forty four thousand one seems to be spiritual one seems to be physical. The fact that there are people that are going to be protected during Jacobs trouble and people that will be protected from the beast during the Tribulation Period. These protections appear to be people who will be protected in place.
In addition there is the innumerable multitude that is spoken of. These seem to be people who are not converted at this time but see the truth possibly through the work of the two witnesses and are martyrd. It is also possible that there will be a very vocal group from the Church of God who will be taken to a place of safety and be pursued by an army inspired by Satan. Mr Armstrong interpreted the word flood as an army. Therefore the statement that this army will eventually go after the Saints who keep the commandments of God. So it is possible if there is a place of safety for a vocal small group that will be broadcasting the truth and will be protected and others that will be protected in place and yet 144,000 both spiritual and physical seem to be a mystery to many and to my knowledge have not been fully understood or explained by anyone. However as I said I am not at liberty to discuss in depth these matters because I am only speaking off the top of my head and from memory at this time. I don’t have the study helps to allow me to get into a deep discussion nor do I have access to a computer that can allow me to involve myself in deep discussion. Sincerely. RLM
And don’t forget those that are taken into captivity during Jacobs trouble. God inspires the captors to treat them kindly and they are brought out with a high hand and on the shoulders of their captors. There’s a lot to be discussed I’m sorry I’m not at liberty to get into it at this time.
RLM
That is not a problem, Raymond(RLM), there are reasons why some don’t believe in a place of safety.
But for all the safety that may or may not be afforded to those who are left behind all but those in the place of safety will have to give their lives for what they believe eventually.
Personally I would rather be alive when Christ returns. But we must be willing to die in any case or we simply won’t be there.