David, Before I post my though on scripture, I always do many research to see the historical background of the verses, and view many bible commentary to see their thought. When their view could not explain scripture, or sometimes rather weak, then I would stop following them. I don't like men's interpretation either unless they are strong enough to convince me with historical events and the background. We must study bible prophecy seriously and adopt a pragmatic attitude. If the scriptures and historical events do not cooperate, we must find another way for a better interpretation. The reasonable approach is to look for other scripture for help. Take three shepherds as an example, we can't find the word war, but we found Lebanon, Syria and Jordan in Psalm 83 and the 4th transgression. They fought against Israel. God says he shall send fire to Damascus, Tyre, Jordan, and Gaza in the 4th transgression. This line up with God's saying that he shall cut them off in one month. Combining all these prophecies, we can conclude that there will be a future war against Israel. The accomplice are Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, the three shepherds we find in Zechariah 11. And this war can only last one month. Verses are connected throughout bible. By connecting all the dots it gives a complete picture of what God intends us to know. This is God's mystery. Concerning the covenant God will break, I have researched on all the major covenants God has made with Israel. I found none of them can be broken by God. And your argument of the staff is rather weak, it doesn't satisfy me. When there is no evidence to support the event, we look at history for help. God did make a covenant with all the people before. It was in 32 AD through the blood of Jesus Christ. We call it a new covenant. Also, God calls the staff Beauty. What could appear Beauty to God in Judah and Israel time? Nothing. This is why God kept sending them prophets, to warn them. When we can't find any evidence in history to support the word Beauty, then equating Beauty as the church makes sense, because this is how the church is seen by God, Beauty. Back to studying prophecy and the attitude, I will not reject the explanations of others, if they make sense. Examples are Bill Salus Psalm 83, he is right to separate it from Ezekiel 38, Some people have suggested Anti Christ comes from Rome. Based on my research, they are also correct. You can't accuse me of not listening to other people's opinion. You always oppose to a new theory that I put forward. I think your objection is based on other people's opinion and the bible commentary. Are they 100% correct? Why don't you do your own research, and really think hard about the context? You should be like me, look else where in scripture to find the support and connection. Sometimes reading too much on bible commentary and other people's opinion can blind your thought. You should also be more open minded to different theory when the theory find supports from other scripture. All I did from Zechariah 11 is quoting other verses to support my view. Did you find me quoting any outside sources? The tribulation saints comes from all nations. Jesus says they shall be afflicted based on their faith. John saw the tribulation saints before Jesus opens the 7th seal. Since I believe the half hour silence represents the first half of tribulation, the saints in Revelation 7:9 occupy the first half tribulation. Consider the palms they hold. I don't see any specific meaning for now. I might site for instance the prophecy of Joel. For at the church's inception the Holy Spirit was given. People spoke in other tongues. But many agree that this was only partially fulfilled. With old men dreaming dreams and young men having visions this seems to always have been the case, also as it is today. And like much prophecy as David alludes to, some prophecies are fulfilled over long periods of time. Also likewise with much prophecy there is an immediate fulfillment but it is also understand that a secondary and more complete fulfillment is hidden somewhere in the future. Indeed it is prudent to be cautionary especially when dealing with something as subjective as God's prophetic word. Though once fulfilled there can be no disagreement. As the Lord has promised, every jot and tittle of scripture shall indeed be fulfilled. But as for peering into the future, well that's still just speculation, leaving no room for dogmatism and division! We continue to study to show to show ourselves approved, not to prove others wrong. TR We study to show ourselves approved at rightly dividing the word of God. But future prophetic events can only be divided by God, and prophets given words from the Lord, IMHO! Anything else is simply gambling with the Word! In many instances there are simply too many variables to be dogmatic, besides that's something only the Lord can do! We can agree to disagree because of grace and love. TR 2nd Coming, Yes, computer technology is a helpful tool to pin point when the full moons will occur so the holidays are marked on the yearly calendars. But the thing is ... the Jews still go by their traditions ... they still require 2 witnesses (priests) to look up with the naked eye to visible see the full moon before they give the announcement they “saw it” and then that kicks off the celebration of Feast of Trumpets. I recall back ... (I think it was 2014 or 2015?) there was total cloud coverage (or it was very foggy) so Feast of Trumpets got delayed for a day or two even though our calendars indicated it should start on such and such day ... until the 2 eye witnesses see the full moon, that feast celebration does not happen.
