How long 'til the end?

[atwhatcost]

Quote: New, serious outbreaks of old diseases—some now antibiotic-resistant—are reported more frequently. These include the HIV epidemic, cholera, typhoid, dengue fever, flesh-eating bacteria, Legionnaire’s disease, the Ebola and West Nile viruses, malaria, the return of stronger, more resistant strains of tuberculosis and diphtheria, and an explosion of sexually transmitted diseases. Whooping cough is again on the rise. These are but a small part of an immense, constantly emerging picture of frightening new diseases—and old ones returning with a vengeance!
Consider one illustration. Over 10,000 die from lung disease every year just in Hong Kong—just due to pollution. But 1.28 million die in China—one country!—each year!—just due to lung-related diseases.
About 24,000 people on Earth now starve to death every day—with this number steadily rising! Think. I live in a city of just about 24,000. This means a medium-sized city disappears from the face of the earth every 24 hours!
In recent years, scientists have warned of climate change. Few any longer doubt that more extreme weather has arrived on the front edge of a worldwide phenomenon, whatever the cause. Storms are more severe, and more often. Abnormal flooding and devastation of the land are contributing to famines and disease epidemics in unheard of proportions. Weather catastrophes, earthquakes, wars and resulting disease and hopelessness tend to exacerbate what is already an epidemic of suffering.
The world must learn about the laws of God. Both Isaiah 2:2-4 and Micah 4:1-4
The Bible also foretells more volcanic activity—and this is happening!
How can you say it's not near? This world will be destroyed if He doesn't come soon

-- 150 years ago, in the USA, it wasn't uncommon for dead babies to be found in the trash. That was their form of abortion.

-- 100 years ago, it wasn't uncommon, in the USA, for a whole herd of working age men to spend their days drinking on the sidewalk.

-- 350 years ago, some Europeans, and then some Americans, thought it was a brilliant idea to kidnap Africans and enslave them.

-- Before and after that, some Africans thought it was a brilliant idea to kidnap and then sell their enemies into slavery.

-- 2600 years ago, there was a Greek culture that only had one purpose for women -- to produce offspring. The rest of the time they spent with men.

-- 2000 years ago one kingdom took over most of Europe by force.

-- 3600 years ago, it was acceptable for God's people to rape a woman and then become her husband.

-- 300 years ago, a European decided to visit Egypt and write about the country's culture. He found a woman having sex with a goat in the public square. No one batted an eye.

-- 70 years ago, some cruel German piled up all the Jews in Germany, Poland and France and tried to exterminate before anyone noticed. He did exterminate 6 million of them. He also exterminated another 7 million people.

-- 60 years ago, some idiot in Russia killed off anyone who disagreed with him and then created the USSR. (Millions disagreed with him.)

-- 2300 years ago, some dude in China wanted some companionship in the next life. So, when he died, he made sure he was buried with thousands of women and men, an army, and an entire mansion. (The country is named after him.)

You really think now is worse than before?

 

[atwhatcost]

yep, and we are prety close to that also. Not very many have not heard the gospel. and more are hearing it every year.

People who will be born in 2016 haven't heard it yet. Neither have their juniors.

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

well if tribulation started in ad 70. would it not yet be fulfilled?

What most people cannot seem to grasp is that there are 2 tribulation periods...first to the Jew (started when Jesus declared it 70 ad.) and then "after those days" (tribulation of Jews) then comes in the "fullness of the Gentiles" and then 6th seal sign (powers of heaven shaken) begins>>> "Great Tribulation" or God's Wrath (wrath of Lamb) being poured out upon the Gentiles (whole world)....."and also of the Gentiles"

Romans 2:9
Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

 

[eternally-gratefull]

People who will be born in 2016 haven't heard it yet. Neither have their juniors.

what does that have to do with nations hearing the gospel? Just asking.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

What most people cannot seem to grasp is that there are 2 tribulation periods...first to the Jew (started when Jesus declared it 70 ad.) and then "after those days" (tribulation of Jews) then comes in the "fullness of the Gentiles" and then 6th seal sign (powers of heaven shaken) begins>>> "Great Tribulation" or God's Wrath (wrath of Lamb) being poured out upon the Gentiles (whole world)....."and also of the Gentiles"

Romans 2:9
Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

There are many tribulations. Only one tribulation period (also called time of Gods wrath, and jacobs trouble)

Jesus said the great tribulation will occurs after the abomination which makes desolate occurs.

"when you see the abomination standing in the holy place. run" (this did not happen in AD 70)

It also (if we look at all prophesy) Says this tribulation will last 3.5 years. Will come to Israel first (the place of the abomination) and will spread to the whole earth.

will be put to an end by the return of Christ himself.

 

[MarcR]

It is using symbolism to describe a literal event. The point is that the symbolism looks NOTHING like the literal event, it is only used for a comparative narration.....just God's way of disclosing the end to those that are sincere believers. Only a fool would believe that God is going to show us a woman clothed in the sun, using the moon as her footstool, and having a dozen suns for a crown. You do know how big a sun is, right? You do know that our sun is one of the smallest, right?
The simple act of you asking makes me raise my eyebrows.

To answer your question, it is neither literal nor hogwash. It is symbolism.........look the word up.

Phil,

That would have been a great response if you had left off the snide remark at the end of it! It is still a good answer.

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

There are many tribulations. Only one tribulation period (also called time of Gods wrath, and jacobs trouble)

Jesus said the great tribulation will occurs after the abomination which makes desolate occurs.

"when you see the abomination standing in the holy place. run" (this did not happen in AD 70)

It also (if we look at all prophesy) Says this tribulation will last 3.5 years. Will come to Israel first (the place of the abomination) and will spread to the whole earth.

will be put to an end by the return of Christ himself.

The time of Jacobs trouble is the first tribulation (Jew first) and then after that is complete "after those days" then the fullness of the Gentiles" comes in, and God then removes "ungodliness from Jacob" and also God's wrath is poured out upon the world. (Great Tribulation)

What hinders peoples minds from seeing these 2 separate events is time. They think there is a literal 7 year tribulation, or a literal 3 and a half year tribulation, therefore trying to cram all these prophecies into a short and limited amount of time.

The time of 42 months is also symbolic of time, just as the book of Revelation is very symbolic. Yes, events will "literally" happen, but the symbolisms and what they represent are only discerned by the mind of the Spirit.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

The time of Jacobs trouble is the first tribulation (Jew first) and then after that is complete "after those days" then the fullness of the Gentiles" comes in, and God then removes "ungodliness from Jacob" and also God's wrath is poured out upon the world. (Great Tribulation)

The time of jacob's trouble. and the time of great tribulation are one and the same my friend.

1. Both are called a time of tribulation which as the world has never seen before or after.
2. Both are called a time which will occure right before the restoration of Israel

Jer 30: [SUP]3 [/SUP]For behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘that I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah,’ says the Lord. ‘And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.’”

Alas! For that day is great, So that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, But he shall be saved out of it. [SUP]8 [/SUP]‘For it shall come to pass in that day,’ Says the Lord of hosts, ‘That I will break his yoke from your neck, And will burst your bonds; Foreigners shall no more enslave them. [SUP]9 [/SUP]But they shall serve the Lord their God, And David their king, Whom I will raise up for them.[SUP]10 [/SUP]‘Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob,’ says the Lord,‘Nor be dismayed, O Israel; For behold, I will save you from afar, And your seed from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return, have rest and be quiet, And no one shall make him afraid. [SUP]11 [/SUP]For I am with you,’ says the Lord, ‘to save you;
Though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, Yet I will not make a complete end of you.
But I will correct you in justice, And will not let you go altogether unpunished.’

This is a time Israel is restored. that did not occur in ad 70
Israel is told not to fear/ God will protect them (think in revelations, The beast goes after the women (Israel) but she is protected. thus he goes after he offspring)

what happened in 70 AD was the first time the comete dispersion of isreal from the land God gave them for the first time in history. Which is prophesied later in the passage (which I did not cut and paste) the time of jacobs trouble is the time God will restore isreal from this dispersion.

What hinders peoples minds from seeing these 2 separate events is time. They think there is a literal 7 year tribulation, or a literal 3 and a half year tribulation, therefore trying to cram all these prophecies into a short and limited amount of time.

The bible says it is 7 years. take the bible at its word. It not only gives years, but number of days (which equals 7 year, or 3 1/5 year segments) and calls it a week (70th week) which equals 7 years.

the confusion comes when people take these literal events, and try to make a symbol of them, and to not translate them literally!

The time of 42 months is also symbolic of time, just as the book of Revelation is very symbolic. Yes, events will "literally" happen, but the symbolisms and what they represent are only discerned by the mind of the Spirit.

Never in the history of prophesy, has time been taken symbolically. When God says this will happen in this many days, years or on this day, it happens, otherwise prophesy is rendered useless and we can make it say whatever we want it to say.

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

The time of jacob's trouble. and the time of great tribulation are one and the same my friend.

1. Both are called a time of tribulation which as the world has never seen before or after.
2. Both are called a time which will occure right before the restoration of Israel

Jer 30: [SUP]3 [/SUP]For behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘that I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah,’ says the Lord. ‘And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.’”

Alas! For that day is great, So that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, But he shall be saved out of it. [SUP]8 [/SUP]‘For it shall come to pass in that day,’ Says the Lord of hosts, ‘That I will break his yoke from your neck, And will burst your bonds; Foreigners shall no more enslave them. [SUP]9 [/SUP]But they shall serve the Lord their God, And David their king, Whom I will raise up for them.[SUP]10 [/SUP]‘Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob,’ says the Lord,‘Nor be dismayed, O Israel; For behold, I will save you from afar, And your seed from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return, have rest and be quiet, And no one shall make him afraid. [SUP]11 [/SUP]For I am with you,’ says the Lord, ‘to save you;
Though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, Yet I will not make a complete end of you.
But I will correct you in justice, And will not let you go altogether unpunished.’

This is a time Israel is restored. that did not occur in ad 70
Israel is told not to fear/ God will protect them (think in revelations, The beast goes after the women (Israel) but she is protected. thus he goes after he offspring)

what happened in 70 AD was the first time the comete dispersion of isreal from the land God gave them for the first time in history. Which is prophesied later in the passage (which I did not cut and paste) the time of jacobs trouble is the time God will restore isreal from this dispersion.






The bible says it is 7 years. take the bible at its word. It not only gives years, but number of days (which equals 7 year, or 3 1/5 year segments) and calls it a week (70th week) which equals 7 years.

the confusion comes when people take these literal events, and try to make a symbol of them, and to not translate them literally!




Never in the history of prophesy, has time been taken symbolically. When God says this will happen in this many days, years or on this day, it happens, otherwise prophesy is rendered useless and we can make it say whatever we want it to say.

Study some more, just don't let preconceived notions dictate your way of thinking. There is no mention of a 7 year tribulation period in scripture, none, it is the invention of carnally minded men.

We know when the time of wrath and tribulation began on the Jews per Jesus' words and other parts of scripture.

Luke 21:20-23[SUP]20 [/SUP]And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
[SUP]21 [/SUP]Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
[SUP]22 [/SUP]For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

[SUP]23 [/SUP]But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. (WHAT PEOPLE? The Jews)= time of Jacobs trouble.

It's just as the Lord had said....
Zechariah 13:7
Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.

The Jews were scattered to all nations and persecuted, hated of many nations (how bout the holocaust?) all part of the same time of Jacobs trouble until the Lord would return their captivity...

Deuteronomy 30:3
That then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee.

Jeremiah 30:3
For, lo, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the Lord: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.

Again what happens "after those days" (tribulation of the Jews fulfilled first, then fullness of Gentiles) Gods favor returns....

Jeremiah 31:33
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Notice the wording "after those days" what happens....

Matthew 24:29
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

Mark 13:24
But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,

Again the time span confirmed in Luke from the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem 70 ad,(begin wrath upon Jacob) till the fullness of the Gentiles comes in (not yet complete)....

Luke 21:23-24[SUP]23 [/SUP]But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. (tribulation first to the Jews=time of Jacobs trouble)
[SUP]24 [/SUP]And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Paul confirms what will happen "after those days"= fullness of Gentiles....

Romans 11:25-26
[SUP]25 [/SUP]For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
[SUP]26 [/SUP]And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

Scripture confirms the Truth.

 

[Skgrim]

Do what you want, I'm going to try my hardest to obey God. How do you not see, all this corruption that is on this earth is because people stopped obeying Gods commandments.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Study some more, just don't let preconceived notions dictate your way of thinking. There is no mention of a 7 year tribulation period in scripture, none, it is the invention of carnally minded men.

No, You need to study, Study daniel. Ezekial, jeremiah, isaiah and all the prophets.

They all speak of a period of time of the end.

Daniel 9 states specifically. there will be a 1 weeks agreement, in the middle of the weak the agreement will be broken by the man committing the abomination which makes desolate. At the end of this 7 year period, Jesus will return and put an end to the sin of Isreal. Just like the prophesy I posted of the time of Jacobs trouble.

Jesus spoke of this in matt 24. saying the tribulation will follow which will only be stopped by his return, thus tribulation will last 3.5 years.

I can go on and on and on. But if your closed minded. there is no need to.

We know when the time of wrath and tribulation began on the Jews per Jesus' words and other parts of scripture.

Luke 21:20-23[SUP]20 [/SUP]And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
[SUP]21 [/SUP]Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
[SUP]22 [/SUP]For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

[SUP]23 [/SUP]But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. (WHAT PEOPLE? The Jews)= time of Jacobs trouble.

1.. Armies. Not army (Only one army entered jerusalem in ad70 not many armies)) sorry, this is not what happened in 70 ad.
2. The warning is for those who stay, not the whole of the people. He told them to run, because as revelations states, God will protect them JUST LIKE THE PASSAGE I JUST POSTED SAID HE WOULD DO.
3. The time of great tribulation will make ad 70, ww1 and ww2 look like a picnic. Nice try though, Both said this will be a time like the world has ever seen. Sorry both ww1 and ww2 made ad 70 look like a picnic.

It's just as the Lord had said....
Zechariah 13:7
Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.

The Jews were scattered to all nations and persecuted, hated of many nations (how bout the holocaust?) all part of the same time of Jacobs trouble until the Lord would return their captivity...

Nope. the time of jacobs trouble is the lord returning the poeple. not scattering.. They were scattered because of their sin, They will be returned because of Gods promise.

Deuteronomy 30:3

That then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee.

Jeremiah 30:3
For, lo, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the Lord: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.

Again what happens "after those days" (tribulation of the Jews fulfilled first, then fullness of Gentiles) Gods favor returns....

Jeremiah 31:33
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Notice the wording "after those days" what happens....

Matthew 24:29
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

Mark 13:24
But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,

Again the time span confirmed in Luke from the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem 70 ad,(begin wrath upon Jacob) till the fullness of the Gentiles comes in (not yet complete)....

Luke 21:23-24[SUP]23 [/SUP]But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. (tribulation first to the Jews=time of Jacobs trouble)
[SUP]24 [/SUP]And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Paul confirms what will happen "after those days"= fullness of Gentiles....

Romans 11:25-26
[SUP]25 [/SUP]For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
[SUP]26 [/SUP]And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

Scripture confirms the Truth.

Not your truth.

The time of jacobs trouble is what causes Israel to repent. The time pf Jacobs trouble is God punishing the gentiles. Not punishing isreal. It is obvious you did not read the passage!

Jer 30: 3 For behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘that I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah,’ says the Lord. ‘And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.’”

Alas! For that day is great, So that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, But he shall be saved out of it.

It is clear. HE her is isreal. The tribulation will not fall on them, but on the people spoken of in the rest of the passage.And this time is a time of restoration for isreal. not a time of punishment. who is god going to punish?


8 ‘For it shall come to pass in that day,’ Says the Lord of hosts, ‘That I will break his (gentile) yoke from your (Israel) neck, And will burst your bonds; Foreigners shall no more enslave them. 9 But they shall serve the Lord their God, And David their king, Whom I will raise up for them.10 ‘Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob,’ says the Lord,‘Nor be dismayed, O Israel; For behold, I will save you from afar, And your seed from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return, have rest and be quiet, And no one shall make him afraid. 11 For I am with you,’ says the Lord, ‘to save you;
Though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, Yet I will not make a complete end of you.
But I will correct you in justice, And will not let you go altogether unpunished.’

They repent because they are under severe persecution, and they see God protecting them, God uses this to open their eyes. It does not last for 2000 years.

Your the one who needs to study my friend, and stop being blinded by pre-concieved ideas.

 

[Jeff_56]

--......... You really think now is worse than before?

...
...................................................... yes

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

No, You need to study, Study daniel. Ezekial, jeremiah, isaiah and all the prophets.

They all speak of a period of time of the end.

Daniel 9 states specifically. there will be a 1 weeks agreement, in the middle of the weak the agreement will be broken by the man committing the abomination which makes desolate. At the end of this 7 year period, Jesus will return and put an end to the sin of Isreal. Just like the prophesy I posted of the time of Jacobs trouble.

Jesus spoke of this in matt 24. saying the tribulation will follow which will only be stopped by his return, thus tribulation will last 3.5 years.

I can go on and on and on. But if your closed minded. there is no need to.

Lots of good scriptural confirmation of that imaginary 7 year tribulation period there. NOT! LOL

And please don't go on and on, I can't stand the doctrines and theories of men especially when they are not in line with the written word of God.

 

[phil112]

Phil,

That would have been a great response if you had left off the snide remark at the end of it! It is still a good answer.

Marc, I do get sarcastic at times, and I'm not going to apologize for it.
Perhaps it isn't necessary and perhaps I do it more than I should.
Sometimes a ludicrous post just needs a sharp retort. Sometimes people need to know their shallowness grates on ones nerves.
When a person presents themselves as knowledgeable in the word and reveals the fact that they don't know scripture, I have no problem exposing that ignorance.

 

[Skgrim]

There are plenty of people that can quote scriptures, and have read the Bible from cover to cover, and still not know one about the true meaning of the Bible.

 

[skylove7]

For a God with hands that can create a WHOLE universe,.....yet with those same powerful hands, He can create the delicate, fragile wing of a butterfly? NOTHING is impossible for God,...and I never question the Holy power.

 

[Skgrim]

Terrible plagues will strike the disbelieving and unprepared. Notice this blunt, stark WARNING to all: “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the WRATH OF GOD, which is poured out without mixture [Greek: undiluted]” (Rev. 14:9-10).

 

[Skgrim]

​Carefully read: “And when He was alone, they that were about Him with the twelve asked of Him the parable. And He said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them” (Mark 4:10-12).

 

[MarcR]

Marc, I do get sarcastic at times, and I'm not going to apologize for it.
Perhaps it isn't necessary and perhaps I do it more than I should.
Sometimes a ludicrous post just needs a sharp retort. Sometimes people need to know their shallowness grates on ones nerves.
When a person presents themselves as knowledgeable in the word and reveals the fact that they don't know scripture, I have no problem exposing that ignorance.

If the forum access were limited to believers that would be a valid response. The Lord has said of us (we who believe) that they (the world) will know that we are His disciples by our love one to another.

The forum provides an excellent venue for believers to doctrinally 'sharpen' each other. The forum also has great potential to lead seakers to faith and to disciple those who were evangelized and left to fend for themselves instead of being discipled.

If we do not learn to discuss issues without attacking each other; we destroy the forum's ability to serve the Lord and limit it to our own use. I think we can and should do better!

 

[GandalfTheWhite]

If the forum access were limited to believers that would be a valid response. The Lord has said of us (we who believe) that they (the world) will know that we are His disciples by our love one to another.

The forum provides an excellent venue for believers to doctrinally 'sharpen' each other. The forum also has great potential to lead seakers to faith and to disciple those who were evangelized and left to fend for themselves instead of being discipled.

If we do not learn to discuss issues without attacking each other; we destroy the forum's ability to serve the Lord and limit it to our own use. I think we can and should do better!

Amen brother Marc. I unfortunately also have my weak moments but by God's mercy I hope they are far and in between