| This might be somewhat late for the sunday school class but anyway.
You are right in that those were the twelve sons of Isreal. However
I am of the tribe of Ephriam (of which you probably are too). The
confusion comes because Joseph's blessing was given to his two sons
with the major blessing being given to Ephriam. As I remeber Reuben
lost his blessing because of disobedience. Thus there were still
twelve.
Also in matters of land in the old world the Levites did not get
a separate area but were mingled among the other tribes because
of their role as priests. But Reubin, Ephriam, and Manasah (sp?)
did get parcels.
I don't have any reference materials with me if you want I can look
it up.
Russell Murray
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Over the weekend I found interest in reading and pondering over Revelations 6.
In particular, it struck me that the focus of verses 5 and 6 seems to be on the
dominance of economy in world affairs and competition. Verses 3 and 4 seem to
focus on the cold war that may be drawing to an end. And, verse 2 seems to
focus on the times of conquest that perhaps came to a climax about the time of
World War 1 or WW II. I've been pondering over the idea that perhaps we are
now entering the time of the third seal. Any thoughts?
Steve
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Since no one else has taken a stab at this, I thought I would.
The first four seals seem to be represented by a horse of a certain
color with a particular purpose.
vs 1,2 Seal #1, Horse #1 is white representing conquest.
vs 3,4 Seal #2, Horse #2 is red representing war.
vs 5,6 Seal #3, Horse #3 is black representing balance.
(? maybe famine, pestilance, and drought ?).
vs 7,8 Seal #4, Horse #4 is pale representing death.
Have not the conditions that the four horses represent been with
the *world* from the beginning? Iraq has shown that the times of
conquest have not climaxed at all. I don't really think a particular
instance is pointed out here, but certain conditions that will be
in the world until the end.
Personnally, I would be more concerned with the trumptets in chap 8.
Isn't it interesting that there are seven seals, seven trumps, seven
days representing the creation? Lots of sevens.....
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| Charles,
It may have more to do with these things being experienced on a
massive, unprecedented, worldwide scale rather than merely being present
somewhere on the globe. They may become the driving forces shaping the
course of events in the last days, much more so than they are even now.
Ed
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