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In the Bible often false doctrine is built upon numerology; this includes the henious error of trying to set a date for Christ's return in judgement. Those who abuse numbers in the Bible often fail to see that numbers cannot always be taken literally; for instance, numbers are often rounded off in God's Word:
And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years. - Acts 7:6.
And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; - Genesis 15:13.
Now compaing verse with verse:
Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. - Exodus 12:40.
Note the gospels:
But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. - Luke 9:27,28.
comparing:
And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. - Mark 9:1,2.
Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart. - Matthew 16:28, 17:1.
Often God uses a definate number for an indefinate one. This is especially true when dealing with "thousands". See Exodus 20:6, 1 Samuel 18:7, Ecclesiastes 6:3, Daniel 7:10, Matthew 18:21,22; 1 Corinthians 14:19 and Revelation 20:2,7. These are only some examples to show that when one plucks figurative language and numbers out of their context and tries to make them literal and in turn set a date for Christ's return, they are handling God's Word in a very poor manner.
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