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With this interpretation, the relevance of the verses is not restricted to a single set of circumstances at a particular time in history. Their symbolic meanings reflect the infinite and eternal quality of God's Word and the persistent need to follow it. From this point of view, these verses use outward circumstances to convey a spiritual message which is also expressed in Christ's statement, 'No one, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God' (Luke 9:62). (91:1) This theme is continued in the following verses. (91:2) PERSEVERE-- 19)And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!-- 20)But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:-- 21)For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.-- 22)And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. (91:3) ..(24:19-22)-- The Coming Hardships-- If understood symbolically, these verses suggest the hardships that must be suffered by the faithful. The believer must remain faithful, even when held back by inescapable responsibilities (v. 19), must struggle at times when it is difficult (v. 21), and even when tradition (the sabbath) and the ruling powers prohibit it (v. 20).
(91:4)
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