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As Ye See The Day Approaching

I wanted to share with you another article from our friend Jim from the discussion board.  Breaking down Hebrews 10:24-25, he gives some good advice on how we ought to treat one another as we see the Day approaching and why pastors and ministry leaders should recognize the lateness of the hour.



Hebrews 10:24-25: A few considerations.

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

As August comes to a close, those watching the prophetic clock tick by will note that less than a month remains before September 23, 2017—the day that many people believe is the literal fulfillment of the prophecy of a “great sign in heaven” recorded in Revelation 12:1-2. Some watch for this date in eager anticipation, hoping that the Lord Jesus Christ will return and rapture away His church on or near this date, while others watch in jaw-dropping disbelief, wondering how anyone could believe that the date of ANY prophetic event could be accurately foretold during the Church Age.

Let me back up a little. Growing up in the United States, like many others, I was bewildered by the dozens, even hundreds, of different kinds of churches I saw while travelling around: Baptist. Catholic. Nazarene. Church of Christ. Pentecostal. Unitarian. Methodist. Congregational. Jehovah’s Witnesses. Non-denominational.

And that is just a small sampling from where I grew up in Maine! If you went down into the rest of the United States, you found others, such as Lutheran, Presbyterian, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Episcopal, Dutch Reformed, Mormon, Seventh-Day Adventist, and many others that I had never heard of, even within grade-school banter.

With all these different denominations and sub-denominations, as well as local and personal expressions of belief and differing teachings within churches, it becomes a bewildering task at best to try to keep up with all of the different doctrines, beliefs, and practices of these various groups. Even within our fundamental independent Baptist Church, we the members had considerable differences in opinion, especially about some of the non-essential doctrines.

Before, during, and after I attended Christian college, I noticed that Christian people of various backgrounds treated these doctrinal differences in several different ways when they interacted with each other, but there were two basic sets of contrasts: the contrast of tolerance versus intolerance, and the contrast of silence versus confrontation. Most people chose one from each category, so that they would have a combination, such as silence and tolerance, or confrontation and intolerance. Sometimes the extremes of each category were not chosen, but some point on a sliding scale in between the extremes. So somebody might be “fairly tolerant” and “moderately confrontational.” These were just the real-world experiences of Christian people interacting with each other in society. But what does God’s Word say about this? If brethren disagree about a biblical issue, should they remain silent and tolerant about it, or should they be intolerant and confrontational about it? Or some other combination? And to what degree?

I think we have to determine several factors, including the severity of the issue, and whether their belief in the particular doctrine, and their influencing others to believe it, is causing harm or not. I believe there are some fundamental doctrinal differences that can make a very big difference in whether a person is truly saved from their sins or not. These issues should at least be acknowledged if they come up, and we ought to let others know where we stand.

Regardless, however we choose to handle the situation, we need to do it in love, and not frustration or malice. When Moses grew angry with the people, he disobeyed God and struck the rock when he should have spoken to it. As a result, he was not allowed to enter the Promised Land—a huge disappointment to him.

When it comes to non-fundamental doctrines, such as eschatology, I believe we need to tread very carefully when it comes to correcting and rebuking. If we harshly rebuke those we disagree with, they will not usually think “Wow, he’s right—I should consider changing my beliefs to match his.” Instead they will think “Wow, he’s mean—someone who doesn’t display the love of God could be wrong in a lot of areas.”

Now lest anybody get ahead of me, showing the love of God in one’s life does not equal sound doctrine. But it does give evidence of having gotten at least two important commandments right—loving God with all one’s heart, soul, and mind, and one’s neighbor as one’s self.

If you were thinking about either changing or confirming the doctrines you hold, who would you want to teach you—someone whom you knew was disobeying some of God’s most important commandments, or someone who was consistently living them out? I think we all know the answer to this.

When Hebrews 10:24 says “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works,” it’s pretty hard to provoke someone unto love and good works if you are not being loving yourself. So if you want to influence someone else to come around to your way of thinking, you need to first show that you have their best interests in mind. Yelling at someone that their doctrine is wrong is not the way to do it. Sitting down with them and calmly explaining why you believe what you believe is much more likely to yield fruit.

So when preachers, teachers, Bible scholars, and prophecy moguls feel the need to disagree with the astronomical alignment of the Revelation 12 Sign in the heavens, why do they act like sly serpents or roaring lions or bitter badgers, throwing caustic acid on their enemies all over YouTube? This isn’t the way to make friends and influence people. Certainly not God’s way.

Hebrews 10:25 goes on to say, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another:” Regular attendance at a godly church is important. Be as consistent as you can be—why? Because we need to exhort one another. Exhort means to build up and encourage people. In these very difficult times, those of us who know the Lord need to lovingly encourage our fellow disciples—not tear them down.

Finally, Hebrews 10:25 ends with this: “as ye see the day approaching.” This little snippet is a reminder that we will indeed see the day approaching. That means God has given us ways of knowing when we are on the final standby for our flight to Heaven. We have entered the airport, we have checked our bags, we have gotten our boarding passes, we have gone to our departure gate, we have boarded the plane, we have taxied to the runway, and we are just waiting for clearance from the tower for takeoff. Barring something majorly unforeseen (which, I suppose could happen), we’ll be taking off very soon. We don’t know exactly when, but we see the day approaching. Therefore, for a fellow passenger on the plane to start screaming about how we can’t possibly know if we’ve even driven to the airport yet, is kind of silly. Some say we’re at the airport—or we may be—but we can’t know if we’re on the plane yet.

Way too many of our Christian ministers and scholars belittle those of us who look around us and compare our surroundings with our flight itineraries. We recognize the parable of the fig tree, the signs in the heavens, and the signs on the earth. Yet they are making plans for their retirement in a condo in Florida 30 years from now and the idea of being whisked off to be with the Lord in Heaven in the next month or so doesn’t match their own personal flight plan. They’re not even sure we’re at the airport, let alone on the plane and waiting for takeoff.

Can they not feel and hear the jet engines whining a few feet outside the passenger cabin? Can they not see the flight attendants demonstrating how to use the oxygen masks? They still think we'll be waiting to takeoff for a hundred years.

Since they fail to realize we're about to takeoff, I just hope they recognize the destination when we get there.

Post A Comment

25 comments:

  1. well, one has to wonder who is actually at the airport and who is NOT. Hopefully, those children sleeping through it all will simply wake up in the car realizing that Daddy packed them in for the trip in their sleep. Maranatha!

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  2. "as ye see the day approaching" Heb 10:26 is the same day in 2 Thess 2:3 "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there be a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposite and exalted himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped: so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God" The "Man of Sin" is Lucifer in flesh aka Antichrist sitting on the Throne of Pergamon aka Satan's Seat in the 3rd Temple Rev 2:13. Perdition means "Utter destruction, lost, destroyed, calamity, spiritual ruin"
    Don't be fooled folks, we are not approaching "that day"

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. @Anonymous,

      Brother/ Sister.

      You cut and paste out of context i'afraid, that part 2 Thess 2;3 is speaking about the day of the Lord, that day of destruction, Jacob's trouble....

      The people spoken too by Paul were afraid they missed the rapture, so they were thinking that now they lived in the time of the day of wrath. Paul assured them that was not the case!

      See verses 6 and 7 by the way too

      For a good explanation, scripture <> scripture i recommend: http://christinprophecy.org/articles/2-thessalonians-2-3/

      Regards,

      Patrick

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    3. The "man of sin " does not need the 3rd temple to reveal himself.
      The abomination will stand in the holy place where it ought not to.

      We may soon see the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place (may be the western wall and stop the prayers there)

      On the ninth of av when the Jews were mourning in the western wall, for the first time the Palestinians protested that the Jews were taking away their wall.

      Once the abomination is revealed the rapture will happen.

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    4. Jacob's Trouble is at the end of the Millennium when Jacob is in Israel. Amos 7:2-3; 5-6KJV assure us Jacob is not in Israel. Jesus gathers the "Dry Bones" (Eze 37) of Israel at the 2nd Coming

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    5. Dear mid- and post-tribers, please consider the original understanding of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 in the early church and when (and why) this meaning has deliberately changed: http://www.pre-trib.org/articles/view/a-defense-of-the-rapture-in-2-thessalonians-23

      Besides, Revelation 14:6-12 must be the reason for pre-trib rapture as our God is not a God of confusion (of two different gospel messages at a time). MARANATHA, stay blessed! :)

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  3. Great and thought provoking post Gary. Thank you.

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    Replies
    1. All credit to Jim for this one! (:

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    2. Gary.....ive been a watchman for 25 years and i have seen many discussions about the Biblical endtimes. But i never hear anyone speak of Jerimiah 30 which i believe is a major key in knowing if the the world is in the last generation. It speaks of a man giving birth. I believe this is saying that the last generation will be a unique time period. I mean like completely different than all the generations that came before it. Since adams time the world has been pretty much the same but the past 100yrs this world has drastically changed. Combine this fact with other things that are said to only be a characteristics of the last generation...seems to me that there is no way that all this coming together is chance. Anyways i was just wanting to know if you have looked into that chapter of jerimiah. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind whatsoever that not only are we in the last generation but at the tail end of it! I expect the rapture to happen at anytime and it is a very strange and exciting feeling a d to be honest kinda scary but in a good way, if that makes sense lol. Peace and God bless!

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  4. Thank you, Jim. Graciously worded.

    Oh, and last time I checked our flight status...our departure is right on schedule—no layover, no delay!

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  5. No fool here. I've got my eyes wide open and my boarding pass that says JESUS! I'm all ready to go!

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  6. Exactly the way I feel. In fact I woke up a few days ago and felt the Lord say, "Make sure you have sent your luggage on ahead". Sure, you can't take your material possessions with you, but you can store up your treasure in heaven, you can go out to the highways and byways to compel people to find a seat at the Father's great banquet table. But it sure feels unusual doesn't it? The rapture is NEVER going to feel natural, it is God's dimension, his reality breaking into ours. And just as surely as Jesus came the first time, he is coming the second time. And of all the times in history this seems most likely. So buckle up, seats and trays in the upright position.

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  7. Hi Gary reading several of your posts on here I can see that you are called to this. Having recently been in a situation of varying opinions myself with a fellow believer I too would like to offer an extra leaf of encouragement.

    Growth
    In the book of Corinthians, Paul writes about “babes” and “mature Christians”. Beyond denominational differences that you write about comes the issue of maturity. Sad as it may be, some Christians have not allowed themselves to grow to a point where they can come into the understanding of all truth as the Spirit leads. We do have lazy Christians out there! Therefore, what some Christians are quick to discern and understand some others are not able to. Personally I can’t believe how much I did not know then compared to how much I know now. Draw near Him and He will draw near you.(James 4:8)

    Ignorance
    I dare not say that I know how this comes about. But here is some scripture to ponder:
    “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 4:12
    “He said, "Go and tell this people: "'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.'” – Isaiah 6:9
    1 Corinthians 14:22 says ” Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; “…. What other signs could be for only believers?...

    Purpose
    Each one of us has a unique calling and purpose in the body of Christ. Although Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 that all parts need each other and if one part suffers all parts suffer, there are those that think that as long as they don’t agree/understand what others have been called to do then it must be wrong, disregarded and fought. This is a sad state.
    But hey, “Suppose the foot says, “I am not a hand. So I don’t belong to the body.” By saying this, it cannot stop being part of the body.”- Verse 15

    The fear of the Lord
    In Psalm 25:14 we read, “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.” Are you walking in the fear of the Lord? Are you a friend of God? Then just as he discussed with Abraham about the destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah (Genesis 18:16-33) so will He share with you His secret things as He so chooses. Remember , “Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan(A)to his servants the prophets.” – Amos 3:7

    Pride
    This root of all evil, oh this root. Causing many good people to stumble. As they look upon those younger than them and think “what can this person younger than me possibly teach me?” “I went to a better Bible college than this person, how can they teach me?” “If the Lord is talking to them how come He is not talking to me or everyone in the Church?” “Go away you scare monger, no one knows the hour..” “If this were true, my pastor would have told us about it..” …and so on and so forth…

    But the word of God says:
    "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." – 1 Corinthians 1:19
    “Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish." – Isaiah 29:14
    “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” – 1 Corinthians 1:27

    My advice to everyone is strap in very very tight as we wait for take-off. I heard in my Spirit yesterday that many things we do not understand are going to happen, but the Lord will watch over us. Like taking off against very powerful and resistant winds.
    For the unbeliever and naysayer out there I leave you with Hebrews 3:7-19. Do not harden your heart so you can enter the Lord’s rest. Do not join the long ancient line of many many Jannes and Jambres (2 Timothy 3:8). Remember if the rapture does not happen on September 23rd it is a Bible written truth and is STILL going to happen. Rend your heart!

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  8. I dreamt yesterday I was talking to a friend and a voice told me to read Revelation 12 and Revelation 19 and find similarities. The similarities I saw in both chapters was ultimate happiness 1st being raptured and 2nd being at the marriage supper. Any ideas from fellow readers?

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  9. i have a round class ticket, with a 7 year 'stop over' in the best transit lounge money can buy!!

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  10. I like the encouraging comments here brothers and sisters. Prepare yours hearts to meet the Lord and enjoy Him forever! Prepare the Bride to meet her Groom. I am running with my Marantha girl to kiss the face of Jesus on September 21-23, 2017. Blessings - Rogersings the5993sign.com

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  11. This sign I saw in the sky may have been the invitation sent ahead of the event.I don't usually go into my whole experience of what Abba Father is doing with me, but I'm just letting it flow now. Three years ago I was given a dream/vision. I don't dream much, and cant remember any of them I ever had, but this one is still like it happen last night.
    Of course I had been praying for two years for one so as to be a better witness on the wall.
    This came on me when my wife had gone to spend the night out of town with our son. I was driving my truck at night in a rural area at night, I know because there were just a few lights from houses in the distance, and my own vehicle lights. When I came up to what I believe to be a four way stop, because a car stopped on the street at my left at the very same time.
    As I was waiting to see who might go first, all of the sudden everything went black, no lights at all. I couldn't see my hand in front of my face, even the cars wouldn't run or there lights, I could feel the evil in the darkness...EMP?...Then a light like a full moon came up in my upper left windshield. The only thing wrong, was there wasn't any moon with it just the light way out in the atmosphere.
    When all of the sudden this light started moving slowly down toward earth.
    This light stopped at about what I think would be cloud height being it so dark it was hard to tell. As I was staring into the light, I could see an object through it way back where the light had started from. Then the object started moving slowly down until it got into the middle of the light. Then I could tell what it was, a huge florescent Cross, and that's where the dream ended.

    As soon as I awoke I took it to prayer, what was the message here?
    The Holy Spirit stopped me as soon as I started, and just said, you already know what this dream means. It told me that the evil darkness I felt was the beast rising, and that was why He had me studying prophecy when the Holy Spirit had me start with Revelation when I first read the bible, then sent me to the book of Daniel before I started Genesis, but as long as I believe in what the cross represents I will be OK.....THAT CROSS IN THE AIR IS WHAT WE ARE WAITING FOR!!!

    Then the Ruach said the Cross represents only one thing...Yahshua!!!...and as long as my faith was in Him I was not to worry... Hallelujah

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  12. I grew up as a Mid-Trib, or Post-Trib, or Unknown-Trib, etc. believer. I didn't really understand the end-times, but I was pretty sure Pre-Trib didn't fit what I saw. I thought this mostly because that's what I was TOLD by people I thought knew God. Last year, God showed me that I was not actually FOLLOWING Jesus, I was merely saying I did and continuing on with my life, just like the world.

    One of the very very first things he showed me during that time was as I was reading through Revelation, I started noticing how many times it says things like, "this takes wisdom", or "let the one with wisdom calculate the number of the beast", or "those with ears to hear". I remember very clearly thinking, "Whoah. I'm supposed to understand this book."

    That started a journey over the last year (about a year exactly now) of searching through the Scriptures and history to try to understand the signs of the end. I grew more and more convinced as I searched that we were living in the final days, and the Tribulation grew nearer and nearer. But I still didn't believe the idea of Pre-Trib rapture, mostly because I never saw arguments presented, and the people I ran into who believed in it were rather obnoxious about it.

    Then I came across this site a few weeks ago. The first thing that struck me, and I shared this with my wife, was that Gary, Jeff and team are so humble. I told her, "It's really cool - he shares what he believes, but then he says, 'Hey! I could be wrong! All I know is there is a sign happening, and this is what I THINK it means, but I'm open to the fact that I could be wrong!'"

    The people on this site live out exactly what this article is talking about. It's the humility here that first got my attention - the humility and the love for God and his people. After seeing that, I began reading the well-crafted reasons why they believe in the Pre-Trib rapture, and I began to be swayed. It wasn't thrown in my face like I've seen others do ("How could someone be so stupid to miss this?!?"). It was reasoned out, with lots of Scriptural support, and communicated with love.

    Now, after just a week or two of clicking through and reading article after article, I've become much more confident in the idea of a Pre-Trib rapture, and I'm eagerly anticipating Jesus' return rather than fearing a tribulation of seven years. I was able to share this idea with my little sister who told me last year that she doesn't want it to be the end times because she's scared of the tribulation, and I'm hoping it helped bring her some peace too.

    Thanks for all you guys do! I'm looking forward to hanging out with all of you very soon when we get home!

    Josh

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing this, Josh. It confirms to me something that I have shared with Gary, Greg, and others not too long ago. I realized how volatile the online community can be when it comes to eschatology (end-times), and I knew that Gary and Greg had laid a solid foundation with this site.

      It's the character (Christ-likeness) and maturity, patience and humility, that becomes attractive to others who have been bruised and beaten elsewhere. I'm thankful to be a part of Unsealed.

      Thank you again. I am refreshed and encouraged!

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  13. We are going home soon

    Rich Mullins - Home

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qdg00fKeTQ

    Nana
    Titus 2:13

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  14. Gary,

    Well said. Hebrews 10 has become pivotal to me in this time of my life and for several reasons. It gives us our marching orders and so clearly reminds us of what we should be thinking about and doing.

    In simpler terms, these verses from Hebrews lean on the core commands given us by Jesus being all the Law and the Prophets:

    1. The Greatest Commandment reflected in (Hebrews 10:23)
    2. The Golden Rule (Hebrews 10:24)
    3. The Great Commission (Hebrews 10:25)

    Also noteworthy is (Hebrews 10:22) shared here from the Greek (transcribed here as written in my Greek New Testament in CAPS),

    10.22 LET US APPROACH [GOD] WITH A TRUE HEART WITH FULL CONFIDENCE OF FAITH HAVING BEEN SPRINKLED THE HEARTS FROM A CONSCIENCE OF EVIL AND HAVING BEEN WASHED THE BODY WITH PURE~WATER.

    This stands out to me as it makes specific mention of the "sprinkled" hearts and "washed" body. I have GREAT reason to believe this is a reference to the Great Sabbath, Shabbat Ha-Gadol and Shabbat Shuba. The Great Sabbath "Shabbat Ha-Gadol" was marked on Saturday, April 8, 2017. (Note: This is SEVEN-YEARS to the day before the coming Solar Eclipse of 2024) Shabbat Shuba, or "Sabbath of Her Return" occurs on Saturday, September 23, 2017. Shabbat Ha-Gadol is centred about outwards cleansing before Passover. (Removal of leaven) Shabbat Shuba is centred about inward cleansing. (Repentance)

    In (Exodus 24:8), Moses sprinkled ("dashed" in Hebrew) blood on the people saying, "This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD now makes with you concerning all these commands." Sprinkling is peculiar in scripture and worthy of your personal exploration concerning inward cleansing.

    I find myself wondering if the LORD will call us Home on a Sabbath. He commanded Israel to keep the Sabbath holy did He not? If so, Shabbat Shuba ["Shuba" a feminine noun meaning "withdrawal"] ("Sabbath of Her Return" or "Sabbath Return") which begins sundown of 9/22 is a candidate Sabbath I ponder.

    Food for thought.

    Love like there's no tomorrow!


    Pastor Rich

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  15. Correction: The list above should read,

    1. The Greatest Commandment reflected in (Hebrews 10:23)
    2. The Golden Rule reflected in (Hebrews 10:24)
    3. The Great Commission reflected in (Hebrews 10:25)

    The way it is written suggests that's where you will find those points of scripture. They obviously don't reside in Hebrews but are reflected there. (Which is my point)

    Proof readers untie!

    PR

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    1. Lol. "Proof readers untie!" I caught that one, Rich.

      Well done :)

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  16. 2 Pet 3:8 assures us Jesus will return when Creation is exactly 6000 Years old; that was His promise. God's New Year is always 1 Abib, the New Moon after Spring Equinox. There are 1656 years Creation to Flood + 2160 Years Aries to Pisces + 2160 Years Pisces to Aquarius which is beginning now. 5976 Years accounted for by the only method Jesus gave us to tell Time and Seasons, the Sun, Moon, and Stars. The Age of Accountability is 21; Sargon means "Legitimate King"; he was the 1st worldwide King in the post Flood period. That yields 5997 So here we are at the Rev 12:1 sign; Rev 12:6 tells us this is the start of the 3 1/2 year "Great Tribulation" as does Rev 11 and Rev 13. I might think the ability to see 1 Abib in 2020 is pretty self evident

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