Month: November 2019

Taking the title above into account, that’s equal to 100 doublings of the population of Earth since the supposed introduction of Homo Sapiens.

Ice age factors are accounted for in my population projections. There was plenty of land mass that was relatively unaffected by glaciation. These include Africa, South East Asian, and Australia. In addition, many cultures learned to live in cold climates as we understand from Inuit and Sami peoples. Studies have shown hunter-gathers successfully built communities and prospered as well as agricultural communities.

Is it reasonable to assume even hunter gathers were able to double their population every 2,000 years, allowing for the pitfalls of prehistoric living? This is in reality a very generous number to work with especially when a family can easily produce more than 10 offspring in their life. Allowing that some died before reaching maturity, we would double the population if only 4 survive in a 40 to 50-year time span. But, let’s have man be totally inept and require a generous 2,000 years to double the population of the planet accounting for periods of famine, disease, and warfare. We start with 2 people.

In 20,000 Years:

4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1,024 2,048 (Think about it 2,048 people in 20,000 years.)

(For simplicity, round off the end of the line to 2,000)

In 40,000 Years:

4,000 8,000 16,000 32,000 64,000 128,000 256,000 512,000 1,024,000 2,048,000

(Wow, we are up to just over 2 million! Let’s round once more.)

In 60,000 Years:

4,000,000 8,000,000 16,000,000 32,000,000 64,000,000 128,000,000 256,000,000 512,000,000 1,024,000,000 2,048,000,000 (We passed 1 billion in the early 19^th century.)

In 80,000 Years:

4,000,000,000 8,000,000,000 16,000,000,000 32,000,000,000 64,000,000,000 128,000,000,000 256,000,000,000 512,000,000,000 1,024,000,000,000  2,048,000,000,000

(At 74,000 years above, we reached a population of 8 billion. This is similar to what the planet has done in the last 2,000 years even with the black plague, famine, and war.)

In 100,000 Years:

4,000,000,000,000 8,000,000,000,000 16,000,000,000,000 32,000,000,000,000 64,000,000,000,000 128,000,000,000,000 256,000,000,000,000 512,000,000,000,000 1,024,000,000,000,000 2,048,000,000,000,0000

In 120,000 Years:

4,000,000,000,000,000 8,000,000,000,000,000 16,000,000,000,000,000 32,000,000,000,000,000 64,000,000,000,000,000 128,000,000,000,000,000 256,000,000,000,000,000 512,000,000,000,000,000 1,024,000,000,000,000,000 2,048,000,000,000,000,000

In 140,000 Years:

4,000,000,000,000,000,000 8,000,000,000,000,000,000 16,000,000,000,000,000,000 32,000,000,000,000,000,000 64,000,000,000,000,000,000 128,000,000,000,000,000,000 256,000,000,000,000,000,000 512,000,000,000,000,000,000 1,024,000,000,000,000,000,000 2,048,000,000,000,000,000,000

In 160,000 Years:

4,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 8,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 16,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 32,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 64,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 128,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 256,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 512,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 1,024,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 2,048,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

In 180,000 Years:

4,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 8,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 16,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 32,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 64,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 128,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 256,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 512,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 1,024,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 2,048,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

In 200,000 Years:

4,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 8,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 16,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 32,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 64,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 128,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 256,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 512,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 1,024,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 We finally reach: 2,048,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

We have a population of a little more than 2 Nonillion after 200,000 years. Hmmm? There are approximately 5.49 quadrillion square feet of land surface on the planet. That places about 373 trillion people per square foot of land surface. Sounds a little tight. And, that’s only doubling earth’s population every 2,000 years. Something fishy about this scenario.

Now we compare population growth based on the creationist explanation of history. The Bible seems to place the flood of Noah at about 3,000 B.C. which, if true, wiped out the entire population of earth except for this family. We begin with his 3 son and 3 daughters-in-law as our first generation

The literal creationist argument can even work. If we look at a reasonable growth rate of a doubling every 100 years. And take a creationist argument of the flood being about 3,000 B.C and say Noah and his wife were done having children then we begin with 6.

In 1,000 Years:

12, 24, 48, 96, 192, 384, 768, 1536, 3072, 6,144 (round to the 1000s)

In 2,000 Years:

12,000, 24,000 48,000 96,000 192,000 384,000 768,000 1,536,000 3,072,000, 6,144,000

In 3,000 Years:

12,000,000, 24,000,000 48,000,000 96,000,000 192,000,000 384,000,000 768,000,000 1,536,000,000 3,072,000,000 6,144,000,000

We arrive at our 1 A.D. point in time with a population of 6 billion. This result is too high for the assumed population at that time. One population estimate for 1 A.D. is approximately 170 million. If we move back 500 years in this list, we would have come close at the 192 million population level. With a slight upward adjustment of the 100 year doubling to 125 years, we arrive at the following world population.

In 1,000 Years:

12, 24, 48, 96, 192, 384, 768, 1536

(For simplicity we will round off the last number to 1,500)

In 2,000 Years:

3000, 6000, 12,000, 24,000 48,000 96,000 192,000 384,000

In 3,000 Years:

768,000 1,536,000 3,072,000 6,144,000 12,288,000 24,576,000 49,152,000 98,304,000

With the adjustment to 125 years per doubling of population the results are significantly reduced to 98 million. This is a little over one half of the estimated population for the time. This tells us the average rate for is between 100 and 125 years for each doubling of the population. Assuming the extent of war, famine, and disease was not as extensive as the last two millennia and that the literal time gap between the flood and 1 A.D. is probably greater by several thousand years, this should be a reasonable projection.

This is still two to three times the normal generational doubling of population expected in the 40-year fertility period of a married couple. It allows for premature deaths due to war, disease, and famine. Obviously, the evolutionary population growth scenario would also share such problems, but they are well provided for the in 2,000-year doubling period. The population density grossly exceeded the ability of the planet to support it. Even the faulty population bottleneck theory those 70,000 years ago cannot account for the geometric growth problems of this scenario. Let’s not count out a literal worldwide Noah’s Flood just yet. Unless we allow for multiple massive extinctions throughout this era, we have no solution. The Toba event seems to be an inadequate explanation. Maybe the obvious should be considered. Of course, the scientific mind dares not fathom the biblical possibility. Why confuse it with a bit of simple math.

How accurately can we set a time frame for the chapters of the book of Revelation? It will take a look at end time prophecy from the Book of Daniel, the gospels, and letters of Peter and Paul to get a feel for how to frame the times related to the events of Revelation. These events are described in symbolic terms but have literal fulfillment just as the symbolic images of Daniel’s prophecy had literal fulfillment in his four kingdoms and the coming of Messiah. Daniel was given literal passage of time until Messiah. Seven years, his seventieth week, were set aside without a definite beginning. John filled in associated events to introduce this seven-year period. It is revealed to John, a man, in a context he should understand in human terms. He gave six seals which should introduce the end time events of that last week of the seventy Daniel foretold which occurs during the seventh seal. The following verse introduces the Revelation.

 Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must SOON TAKE PLACE (lit.- coming in swiftness); and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John.

In God’s Time or Ours?

If God had meant for the events of the Revelation to be understood as being for the distant future, He could have easily worded it that way rather than veiling it in ambiguous terms. God was accused of that in Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 12:26 Furthermore, the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 27 “Son of man, behold, the house of Israel is saying, ‘The vision that he sees is for many years from now, and HE PROPHESIES OF TIMES FAR OFF.’ 28 Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “None of MY WORDS WILL NOT BE DELAYED any longer. Whatever word I speak will be performed,”’” declares the Lord God.

God is aware of the human time perspective and delivers His word in terms understandable to us. Yes, one day is as a thousand years to God. That is discussed in 2 Peter 3 concerning the second coming. God does not use that as an excuse to make meaningless statements such as, “SOON TAKE PLACE,” to man. Daniel prophesied the first advent of Christ which was half a millennium after his time. God gave the time spread of the first sixty-nine weeks (483 prophetic years) until messiah would appear. It covered the four kingdoms he prophesied of beginning in Daniel 2. He purposely left the seventieth week and Christ’s Second Advent without time designations except for the conditions of those times showing an increase in knowledge and travel. We now, two thousand years later, realize the observations of Peter in 2 Peter 3 concerning the seventieth week and Christ’s return fit well with the “one day is as a thousand years with God” concept. That gives us perspective on the events of the seventh seal. It does not, however, clue us in to the time consideration for the first six seals. They occur before the seventh seal. How much before is the question?

Only Four Seals? That’s a Lot of History!

The second coming and the seventieth week are revealed during the seventh seal. There is no indication that the time scale for the first five seals is included in the description of the seven seals. The first four seals describe a time of conquest, war, famine, and disease. Conquests and the wars that follow take a long period of time. Conquest indicates a time of settling into a new nation after a conflict. War indicates battles to protect conquested lands. After wars, disease and famine spread. These are not events that take place in a short period of time. With the time constraints of the following verses it seems unlikely there is sufficient time for all this conquest, wars, famine, and disease to ravage the earth before this final generation passes.

Luke 21:24 … Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. (1967 A.D.)

Matthew 24:14 This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. (approx. 2030 A.D.)

Matthew 24:34 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. (70-80 years)

As previously mentioned, Daniel gave a timeline to the time of Messiah’s first appearance during the first sixty-nine weeks of his prophecy in chapter 9. He gave a succession of world events that would happen until that time revealed in the four kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and the final kingdom, Rome. As far as the seventieth week, there was no calendar of events leading to it. He gave Daniel the conditions of the times and then told him to seal up the book, until the end time. That was easily accomplished as few men have had access to that book throughout history. It was not until knowledge and travel had increased that knowledge of scripture was widely available due to the industrial revolution. It was due to mass production of the Bible that many had the opportunity to read scripture for themselves.

Daniel 12:4 But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.”

Revelation Was a Message to then and now

The first message of Revelation chapters 2 and 3 is given to seven churches of that current time. Christ even tells these churches He is “coming quickly.” The initiation of this promise is revealed in the first four seals to come. Clearly Revelation is not all about some distant future. Chapters 4 and 5 are a parenthesis in the Revelation to introduce the Lamb who is the only one worthy to open the seals of the prophetic events to come beginning in chapter 6.

The phrase “SOON TO TAKE PLACE” in Revelation 1:1 is referring to the events of the first seal, and it follows the next three are logically connected. Is it relative to God’s perspective, since everything is SOON to the author of eternity? The context here shows that the revelation is given for John’s understanding. Christ is not attempting to veil the message from John with these words. Just as Daniel revealed the history of the four kingdoms until the time of Christ, here Christ is informing John of the history of the world until His next appearing. During Jesus’s ministry He spoke of what appears to be a description similar to the events of the first four seals.

Matthew 24:6-8 You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that YOU ARE NOT FRIGHTENED, for those things must take place, but that is NOT YET THE END. ⁷ For NATION WILL RISE AGAINST NATION, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be FAMINES and EARTHQUAKES. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

Daniel also makes such a prediction:

Daniel 9:26-27 Then after the sixty-two weeks (and seven) the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; EVEN TO THE END there will be war; desolations are determined. And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering…

There is no reason to consider these scriptures as anything other than a description of the first four seals. Christ tells His disciple not to be frightened as though they may see some of these events. And they did. They saw the destruction of Jerusalem and John lived to see the further conquests of Rome, Daniel’s fourth and final kingdom. Hundreds of millions perished in the wars, famines, and pestilence of the next two millennia. Anyone who has studied Middle eastern and European history has perspective on these issues.

The fifth Seal & the martyr’s perspective

Following the first four seals comes the loud cry of the martyrs under the throne of God known as the fifth seal. For those who wrap the entire set of events in the seals into the last seven years or the seven and a short period of time preceding it, we have a failure of perspective. It is the same failure we have seen throughout history in those who predicted the apocalypse in the year 1,000 and almost every century following. The cry of these martyrs of history tells a story. It tells of those in eternity who have been waiting expectantly through the generations since their deaths for the gospel’s sake. They have been the witnesses of the playing out of these first four seals over a long period of time. They have become a little impatient even in the perspective of eternity. Had these four seals been understood by John and his brethren in heaven as taking place briefly before seals six and seven, it would have been nonsensical point to ask of God, “How much longer!” They were right in the middle of the end time events according to the view of some. They had only seven years to wait for the entirety of events. No, the cry comes out in the perspective of eternity in which seven years in but a blink in time. Two millennia would warrant such a cry. The first four seals are a perfect fit to describe the Roman empire, its fall, the hundreds of wars and battles of history, Islam, the rise of the Holy Roman Empire, famine, the black plague, smallpox, the Crusades, on and on. It is only those without historical perspective that cannot see that God has not skipped any description of the history relevant to the Revelation. He may, as Christ did in His apocalyptic messages abbreviate the times in between the first and second advent, but He does account for the general climate of history. Wars and rumors of wars, Matthew 24:6, fills the gap of history. False prophets and Messiahs also will appear. These are in the valleys of history, but the emphasis is on the mountain peaks. The first and second advents get the focus in prophecy. The first four seals are brief and to the point. They are the valleys of history. The sixth seal begins to get expanded description as it is the beginning of one of the mountains of history. The seventh seal brings us to the peak of history covering chapters eight through nineteen of Revelation. Coming as close to the end when the gospel is preached in the whole world, Matthew 24:14, as we are, should present an urgency to any believing the first four seals have not yet occurred. Are we looking for seals of worldwide conquest, wars, famine, and disease? Or, are week looking for seal six and the signs from the heavens?

A Narrow Perspective

It is only the twentieth century-centered theological perspective that can’t accept any other position that does not stuff all the events of the first four seals into their own times during the final week (seven years) of Daniel’s prophecy. The order of the seals indicates the order in history. We do not have sufficient time for a meaningful fulfillment of the first four seals within the time constraints of this final generation if we are to take the end time signposts literally. The clock began ticking in 1967. Beginning then, we had a generation of time left. We are a half of a century past this. When ‘did’ or ‘are’ these four seals to begin? They should be happening at the moment if they haven’t already. It seems only reasonable, without a prejudice forcing the whole book of Revelation into our own time, that the events revealed in it cover the unbroken timeline of history just as did the four kingdoms of Daniel’s prophecy. This seems the perfect moment for the fifth seal with the saints in heaven under the throne crying out, “How much longer?”.

The God’s and Man’s Size Times Converge

There were about two thousand years from the preincarnate Christ appearing to Abraham at the Oaks of Mamre until His appearing as Messiah to the Jews. There will be about two thousand years until the last seven when He appears to the entire world. God sees the whole. We can barely wrap our eyes around the last seven years coming so swiftly. Christ tells the then current church of Philadelphia, “Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, THAT HOUR, WHICH IS ABOUT TO COME upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. I AM COMING QUICKLY; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown, Revelation 3:10-11.” It sounds pretty imminent here. He closes in Revelation 22:20 with the same words. This statement is true because, and only because, the events of the first four seals were about to begin in John’s day. It will complete in about two thousand years, two days in God’s time. Yes, He is has been and will be “coming quickly.”