The gift of God Ephesians 2:8

[Butch5]

Well, there's the "Tribulation", which could be from 3 years to 7. Congress snuck in "Real ID" in May 2005 as a rider; it is a global identification system. Our driver's license changed to include finger-prints. The next step of "Real ID" was to be RFID, a microchip which can be scanned from 100 feet away (our state opted out of it for now); stores would put scanners on every aisle and track your buying habits ("demographics") --- walk past the diapers, and you'd start getting ads for baby products. Just like in the movie, "Minority Report".

Zero privacy. Except if you started wrapping the things in aluminum foil (like they advise you to do with current passports --- passports DO have an RFID chip in them now!). Foil blocks the radio waves, the "Faraday Cage" effect. I have a metal wallet marketed as "blocking RFID signals".

The rumor is that the forced global implementation of REAL-ID/RFID was moved from 2011 to 2013. Purportedly to combat terrorism, you can't buy or sell without it (they monitor how much food each person buys so that terrorists cannot eat!). Of course, the next step from "RFID in the card", is RFID in the hand, or the forehead! Revelation 13.

Rev20:4-6 implies that those who receive the mark cannot go to Heaven.

So we're alot closer than anyone thinks.



Faraday, btw, was a Christian! So were a lot of scientists; Bohr, Newton (most of his writings were SERMONS), many of them were. And many currently ARE! I recommend the movie, "Expelled --- No Intelligence Allowed". It'll make you angry...

From what I understand 2013 is a little to soon. I am looking more at 2025-30 for the start of the Tribulation. I've seen some circumstantial evidence that would also indictate this time frame.

[Gadgeteer]

From what I understand 2013 is a little to soon. I am looking more at 2025-30 for the start of the Tribulation. I've seen some circumstantial evidence that would also indicate this time frame.

Greece is said to be on the edge of economic collapse; that will precipitate Italy's fall, then the rest of Europe, and America is connected enough to fall also. A major catastrophe (earthquake, solar storm, EMP attack, etc.) will also cause large-scale-collapse. I can't imagine it's that far away, but there is no benefit to argue the exact "day and date".

In 1859 a catastrophic solar storm erupted, destroying miles of telegraph wire (the "internet" of the time!) and setting buildings on fire. The linked site says: "The sun operates on an 11-year cycle of activity. The next peak is expected in 2013." That level of a storm would be worse than an EMP attack, taking down the national grid (it would take years to restore it), frying electronic car parts (engine computers, electronic ignitions, radios) and all computers and communications. Stores would be emptied, as there would be no way to distribute food and goods. It is estimated that 95% of the population would be dead in one year.

Scripture teaches us to buy enough oil NOW, so that whenever the Master returns we will be prepared. "Oil" in that passage was referring to our level of faith and spiritual readiness...

:-)

[Butch5]

Greece is said to be on the edge of economic collapse; that will precipitate Italy's fall, then the rest of Europe, and America is connected enough to fall also. A major catastrophe (earthquake, solar storm, EMP attack, etc.) will also cause large-scale-collapse. I can't imagine it's that far away, but there is no benefit to argue the exact "day and date".

In 1859 a catastrophic solar storm erupted, destroying miles of telegraph wire (the "internet" of the time!) and setting buildings on fire. The linked site says: "The sun operates on an 11-year cycle of activity. The next peak is expected in 2013." That level of a storm would be worse than an EMP attack, taking down the national grid (it would take years to restore it), frying electronic car parts (engine computers, electronic ignitions, radios) and all computers and communications. Stores would be emptied, as there would be no way to distribute food and goods. It is estimated that 95% of the population would be dead in one year.

Scripture teaches us to buy enough oil NOW, so that whenever the Master returns we will be prepared. "Oil" in that passage was referring to our level of faith and spiritual readiness...

:-)

Hi Gadgeteer,

I don't doubt that there is going to be major chaos, but there are still some things from a Biblical stand point that need to take place before the Antichrist can place the abomination of desolation which is at the middle of the tribulation. as far as circumstantial evidence there is an asteroid called the Death Angel (remember the first born of Egypt). It is supposed to pass by the earth in 2029, they say the earth's gravity will alter it's orbit enough that when it return in 7 years it will be on a collision course with earth. Makes me think of John's words, I saw a mountain crash into the sea. There is other circumstantial evidence but this one of the most compelling. Anyway there as you said, there's no point arguing the exact day, we just need to realize that "The Day" is fast approaching.

[MaryFreeman]

In reply to the OP.... Romans 10:17 says that "faith cometh by hearing...." and that from the word of God.... My point being that if no one brings the word of God.... There will be no hearing.... Which means no faith will come.... In that light.... The gift spoken of in the OP is quite simply FAITH.... Because grace is that which you are saved by.... God doesn't give you the grace.... He is showing it to you.... Salvation.... While a gift.... Is not the one spoken of in the OP scripture.... Because the faith is not of ourselves but comes from hearing the word of God.... It is the gift spoken of....