Author Topic: A Bit of a Faith Lifter  (Read 2237 times)

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Offline jabcat

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A Bit of a Faith Lifter
« on: September 25, 2011, 06:15:11 AM »
Q - Is there any evidence for the Biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah's destruction by fire and brimstone (sulfur)?

A - The ruins of Sodom and Gomorrah have been discovered southeast of the Dead Sea. The modern names are Bab edh-Dhra, thought to be Sodom, and Numeira, thought to be Gomorrah. Both places were destroyed at the same time by an enormous conflagration. The destruction debris was about three feet thick. What brought about this awful calamity? Startling discoveries in the cemetery at Bab edh-Dhra revealed the cause. Archaeologists found that buildings used to bury the dead were burned by a fire that started on the roof.

What would cause every structure in the cemetery to be destroyed in this way? The answer to the mystery is found in the Bible. “Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the Lord out of the heavens” (Genesis 19:24). The only conceivable explanation for this unique discovery in the annals of archaeology is that burning debris fell on the buildings from the air. But how could such a thing happen?

There is ample evidence of subterranean deposits of a petroleum-based substance called bitumen, similar to asphalt, in the region south of the Dead Sea. Such material normally contains a high percentage of sulfur. It has been postulated by geologist Frederick Clapp that pressure from an earthquake could have caused the bitumen deposits to be forced out of the earth through a fault line. As it gushed out of the earth it could have been ignited by a spark or surface fire. It would then fall to earth as a burning, fiery mass.

It was only after Clapp formulated this theory that Sodom and Gomorrah were found. It turns out that the sites are located exactly on a fault line along the eastern side of a plain south of the Dead Sea, so Clapp's theory is entirely plausible. There is some evidence for this scenario from the Bible itself. Abraham viewed the destruction from a vantage point west of the Dead Sea. The Bible records what Abraham saw: “He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace” (Genesis 19:28). Dense smoke suggests smoke from a petroleum-based fire. Smoke rising like smoke from a furnace indicates a forced draft, such as would be expected from subterranean deposits being forced out of the ground under pressure.

The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah became an example in the Bible of how God judges sin. “Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before Me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen” (Ezekiel 16:49-50).    http://www.christiananswers.net/q-abr/abr-a007.html

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Ez. 6:53.. "I will restore their fortunes, both the fortunes of Sodom and her daughters, and the fortunes of Samaria and her daughters, and I will restore your own fortunes in their midst....As for your sisters, Sodom and her daughters shall return to their former state, and Samaria and her daughters shall return to their former state, and you and your daughters shall return to your former state.
The oldest known manuscripts agree with each other 99% of the time.  The scriptures, accurately translated, Spirit revealed - reliable.   Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.  Heb. 12:2

Offline micah7:9

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Re: A Bit of a Faith Lifter
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2011, 07:11:18 AM »
I can only offer this
Mat 10:15  verily I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.
Mic 7:8  Thou dost not rejoice over me, O mine enemy, When I have fallen, I have risen, When I sit in darkness Jehovah is a light to me.

Offline WhiteWings

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Re: A Bit of a Faith Lifter
« Reply #2 on: September 28, 2011, 04:19:09 PM »
(some of) the five cities sold tar to the Egyptians who recorded the destruction of the cities.
Another name for the Dead Sea is Lake Asphaltes. Up to 300 AD historical records show that sulfurous fumes came from the sea. Sometimes there was a mist of sulpher over the water. (note: Sulpher is brimstone)
What's now the deepest spot on land then was at normal land level and likely/possible one of Eden's 4 rivers. That would mean Jesus was baptized in one of Eden's rivers.
Sodom and Gomorrah are not the original names of the cities as the names are a direct reference to their state after the destruction.

Personally I think the cities aren't found. They are on the bottom of the dead sea. Obviously totally destroyed because nothing can survive such an earthquake and 1300 feet drop. Cemeteries usually were located outside the city.
 :2c:
1 Timothy 2:3-4  ...God our Savior;  Who will have all men to be saved...
John 12:47  And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
Romans 4:5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous ...

Offline sheila

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Re: A Bit of a Faith Lifter
« Reply #3 on: September 29, 2011, 12:42:09 AM »
 interesting,Jabcat

   Aug 15 this year in Santa Barbara. California.they had a flare up of a submerged smoking tar pits after a minor earthquake...[began 2006]

      still burning...they have continous sprinklers on them

    same phenomena?

Offline Nathan

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Re: A Bit of a Faith Lifter
« Reply #4 on: September 29, 2011, 08:51:45 PM »
There is ample evidence of subterranean deposits of a petroleum-based substance called bitumen, similar to asphalt, in the region south of the Dead Sea. Such material normally contains a high percentage of sulfur. It has been postulated by geologist Frederick Clapp that pressure from an earthquake could have caused the bitumen deposits to be forced out of the earth through a fault line. As it gushed out of the earth it could have been ignited by a spark or surface fire. It would then fall to earth as a burning, fiery mass.

And anyone turning back to look at it's destruction with remorse will be turned into a pillar of salt . . . .????  :laughing7: