NOTES ON LUKE 12:36 AND RELATED
PASSAGES
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And ye yourselves
like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from
the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open
unto him immediately.
Luke 12:36
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ecently
someone presented me with Luke 12:36 as proof that all passages pertaining
to Christ's second coming relate only to the Jews, while the hope for the
church is a pre-tribulation rapture. In this system, all passages of warning
to watch for the second coming of our Lord are explained away with a "this
doesn't apply to me" mentality. I believe this is a serious error. I believe
that in reality Luke 12:36 creates more problems for the pre-trib view than
it solves.
In many ways the whole
argument of the pre-tribbers assumes the very thing it is attempting to
'prove'. How exactly does Jesus stating that he 'Returns from the wedding'
prove the pre-tribulation rapture anyway? The answer is that it doesn't
unless you already believe in a seven year tribulation during which the
church is in heaven enjoying the wedding banquet. Who stated that the
wedding needed to be seven years duration? There could be a wedding at
any point before Jesus' return which would just as easily apply to his words
in Luke 12:36. This type of argument which attempts to use Luke 12:26
in favor of a pre-tribulation rapture proves absolutely nothing. However, a
careful study of the passage and its context is very fruitful, therefore we
proceed to offer the following notes and comments.
And ye yourselves like unto
men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding;
that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find
watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them
to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall
come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so,
blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house
had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not
have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also:
for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Then Peter said unto
him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? Luke 12:36-41
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The pre-tribulationists
argue that if the church is the bride, and the wedding comes before the
second coming as this passage states, then the church must be raptured out
in a separate event before the second coming. It will be stated at the
beginning that this really proves nothing unless you've already decided when
the rapture takes place and its duration.
I.
You must take into account WHO Jesus is addressing in the passage.
In the mean time, when there
were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch
that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first
of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Luke
12:1
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Thus it is clear that he is
not addressing the apostles, or even his disciples only which are designated
as separate from the 12 (which are named apostles exclusively). To me it
seems unreasonable to suppose that Jesus would be addressing an "innumerable
crowd" with the hope of being the "bride", and taking part IN the wedding.
Of course, this is exactly what the pre-tribulationists assert, however they
make a distinction by saying that he is addressing the Jews only here
because, in their thinking the church at this time did not exist, and
remained a mystery.
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I feel that this logic will
not follow. The idea that he would "return from the wedding" indicates
complete knowledge that he must leave, and must take a bride before
returning. Did Jesus not know that at least some in the crowd might become
members of his "bride"? In other words, is he giving this passage as though
the Church would never exist? Is he here saying that the opportunity to
become the bride was not for the Jews? I believe the answer must be no.
II.
The confusion which this statement causes can be seen in Peter's question
immediately following :
Then Peter said unto him, Lord,
speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? Luke
12:41
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Here Peter seems to echo the
confusion of why Jesus is issuing a warning about a 'return from the
wedding' when surely Peter himself felt that he, as a footstep follower of
Jesus, should be IN that wedding. Hence this question.. "are you talking to
US (the apostles, or disciples.. ) or to the crowd in general. What other
explanation can be given for Peter's question? It's this type of question
which most read over so flippantly, thinking again that Peter in his
"ignorance" misunderstood. It is however this exact same confusion over the
text which exists to this day. WHO exactly was this passage to apply
to?
III.
It is exactly at this point that a distinction must be made which I have never
seen made in print although I'm convinced is clearly delineated in the text. The
distinction is made between the promises made to those watching when Jesus
returns from the wedding, in contrast with the way our Lord answers Peter's
question. It is my belief that he issues two different sets of promises to
two distinct groups of people. The first are those watching for his return
from the wedding:
Blessed are those servants,
whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you,
that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and
will come forth and serve them.
And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and
find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman
of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have
watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye
therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think
not. Luke 12:37-40
And the Lord said, Who then
is that
faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over
his household, to give them
their portion of meat
in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he
cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will
make him ruler over all that he hath. But and if that servant say
in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the
menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord
of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an
hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him
his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant, which knew his lord's
will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be
beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy
of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is
given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much,
of him they will ask the more. I am come to send fire on the earth; and what
will I, if it be already kindled? Luke 12:42-49
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Notice here the total
difference in promises.. these are promised rulership, to give "them" (who?)
their meat in due season.... this is obviously the feeding referred to in
the previous passage. Those here are made rulers, and given the task of
feeding the others "meat". The only other ones in the context who "sit down
to meat", are those who are watching when he returns from the wedding.
So I see different groups in the
passage:
1) The faithful and wise which
are made rulers and dispense meat.
2) Those watching at the return
from the wedding who get the meat that is served.
Why would this be.. and why
didn't they make the first group? We let the text itself answer.. obviously
a lack of faithfulness and discretion (wisdom).. but watching nonetheless.
3) An evil servant who knew the
Lord's will but "beat" his fellowservants.. apostasy.. These are said to be
"beaten with many stripes", in the judgment .. the portion with the unbelievers
4) Unbelievers.. beaten with few
stripes because they didn't know better....
From this I must conclude the
following:
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Jesus, in addressing the
innumerable company, gave a general warning to watch. He knew that MOST of
those hearing him would not, or could not walk in the narrow way.. the life
that he knew few in this lifetime would find.. this is why the RETURN from
the wedding is mentioned and not the wedding itself.
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It must be noted here that
if both these groups are said to be watching for Christ's "coming", that
this simply will not harmonize with a pre-tribulation rapture. I believe it
obvious that two different groups and two different promises are made in the
passage. The question we must ask is "Are any of these promises made to
those who would become Christ's bride, or the church? I feel that the the
most obvious answer is "yes". If the bride aren't the ones who are made
ruler of his household, then who in the world is he speaking to? Of course,
this is a notion that a strict pre-tribulationist must avoid. They must
assert, if they are consistent, that all references to Christ's "coming" are
for Israel only and not the church. Here I feel Christ makes a promise
which, in light of the entire testimony of scripture, can only apply to the
bride. However, we must harmonize the fact that both these groups are dealt
with at his "coming" when one group (the faithful and wise) must be dealt
with chronologically before the other.
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The harvest always begins
with the "firstfruits" which were the finest of all crops, and which were
exclusively the Lord's. The feast of firstfruits commences the general
harvest, and this is exactly the sense of the above passage. Christ's coming
happens in two stages.. the harvest of the firstfruits immediately at the
"last trump" according to Paul, followed by the general harvest of the
world.
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Following this is the
general harvest which commences after the firstfruits are given to the Lord.
It is in the general harvest that the "innumerable multitude" was told to
"watch".. and were promised to be FED (note: not the right to do the
feeding, or rulership) when Christ returns FROM THE WEDDING"
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Notice, the evil servant is
NOT WATCHING, but believes that the Lord is delaying his coming.. he is
caught off guard and appointed his "portion with the unbelievers". His lot
is to be "cut asunder" (a term used for the most extreme form of Roman
punishment) and appointed his portion with the unbelievers.
I believe we can see a parallel
in Matthew 24:
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: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in
heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see
the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall
gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the
other. Matt 24:29-31
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Here we see the beginning of
the "harvest" taking place. The elect are gathered at the sound of the
trumpet. Paul calls this trumpet "the last trump". However, once again a
strict pre-tribulationist must reject that the 'trumpet' of Matthew 24 is
the 'last trumpet' of the apostle Paul. They also must make the 'elect' into
this passage into Israel only, because in their view, none of these passages
apply to the church.
But of that day and hour
knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the
days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in
the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying
and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And
knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the
coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one
shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill;
the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye
know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman
of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have
watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be
ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over
his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant,
whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you,
That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil
servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin
to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord
of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an
hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his
portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matt 24:36-51
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What is the meaning of the
"one taken, one left" passage. Clearly the "elect" are "taken" or "caught
up" at the sound of the trumpet, but we should not assume that THAT event is
the same as those being "taken" here. The Parallel account in Luke shows us
clearly that this passage (the one taken, one left) is not referring to the
taking of the "elect".
Two women shall be grinding
together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in
the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. And they
answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them,
Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.
Luke 17:35-37
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WHY? Because the ones not
taken in judgment here are obviously LEFT BEHIND, and it was clear before
this that the elect are taken off the earth to meet the Lord in the air. So,
there simply must be three groups mentioned here.. The Elect which are
gathered and "caught up" at the trumpet, the wicked who are "taken" in
judgment, and another group who are not taken in judgment, but LEFT BEHIND
on the earth. Therefore at the end of the harvest there are two groups
remaining. One to do the feeding mentioned in Luke 12, and the others
to be fed. One, the elect, and another group, obviously not the elect
but who were for whatever reason not taken in judgment.
As therefore the tares are
gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his
kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity Matt 13:40-41
So shall it be at the end of
the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the
just Matt 13:49
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In each instance it is the
wicked that are "taken", "gathered out", or "severed from the just", we
offer this as conclusive proof that in the "one taken, one left" passages,
it is the wicked who are "taken" in judgment. It only logically follows that
if two are grinding at the mill, and one is taken, then the other one is
"left" on the earth, still at the mill. This establishes beyond doubt a
group of people which are not the "elect" which are "caught up" at the
trumpet, but are faithful and watching in some respect as to not be taken in
judgment.
In Revelation we see the same
parallel.
And the nations were angry,
and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to
the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest
destroy them which destroy the earth. Rev 11:18
And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb
stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four
thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. And
I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice
of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their
harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the
four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the
hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins.
These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were
redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the
Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without
fault before the throne of God. Rev 14:1-5
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The seventh trumpet signals
the close of this age, and the end of this age IS the harvest. These are the
firstfruits of that harvest as is clearly stated in the passage. In every
instance without exception, these appear to be the very elect of God.
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Note, they are seen IN
HEAVEN, on THE mount Sion.. the are BEFORE THE THRONE. How did they get
there? Earlier in Revelation they are on earth. After the LAST TRUMP they
are seen in heaven. We can only logically conclude that these are the
"elect" Christ spoke of which were gathered with the sound of a "great
trumpet".
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I must conclude, although I
am aware that many will disagree with me, that these 144,000 REPRESENT the
very elect of God; those who take part in the first resurrection. Note the
following:
Of his own will begat he us
with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits
of his creatures. James 1:18
Him that overcometh
will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out:
and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the
city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from
my God: and I will write upon him my new name. Rev 3:12
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This passage from one of
Jesus' letters to the seven churches makes a promise to the "overcomers"
that he would write the name of his God upon him. The 144,000 have the name
of the Father written upon them. Doesn't it seem logical that the 144,000
are the overcomers from the church age? The very elect of God?
And he that overcometh, and
keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Rev 2:26
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We must conclude that the
144,000 represent the overcomers from the church age, the faithful and wise
servants, who obtain rulership with Christ. They are the first fruits unto
God. They are in heaven because as Jesus and Paul state, they are gathered
at the last trumpet (the seventh).
And I saw another angel fly
in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them
that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and
people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the
hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth,
and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel,
saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all
nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication And the third
angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, 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 into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented
with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the
presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever
and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his
image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of
the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith
of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are
the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that
they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. And I
looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the
Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp
sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice
to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time
is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that
sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was
reaped. And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also
having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, which had
power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle,
saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of
the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle
into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the
great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without
the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles,
by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. Rev 14:6-20
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The peculiar sequence of
events, namely the gathering of the firstfruits, immediately followed by the
harvest, is not easily ignored or explained away.
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Immediately following the
gathering of the elect, we see the harvest. It is commenced by a
supernatural preaching of the Gospel, and a warning to every creature
dwelling on the earth. We call to mind Jesus' words:
And this gospel of the
kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations;
and then shall THE END come. Matt 24:14
The enemy that sowed them is
the devil; THE HARVEST IS THE END OF THE AGE; and the reapers are the
angels. Matt 13:39
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This warning will obviously
serve as a wake-up call to many sleeping Christians who will repent at this
time, as well as to many on the earth who will call out in faith due to
sheer fear of what is happening. However, it is important to note at this
point, that the "Christian" who has been awakened has already missed the
reaping of the "firstfruits". The were not "overcomers" and do not obtain
rulership with Christ.
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However, these now awakened
are told to watch for Jesus WHEN HE RETURNS FROM THE WEDDING which takes
place in Revelation 19 immediately preceding the second advent, and the
battle of Armageddon. In every case, the sequence of events is in harmony.
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It is important to note that
Revelation 14 is a SUMMARY of what is to follow in chapters 15,16 ,17, 18,
and 19. Revelation 14 describes the harvest in general, whereas chapters 15
through 19 give the details of the event. These chapters describe the last
seven bowl judgments of God, the fall of Babylon the great (false religion),
and the battle of Armageddon.
Notice here, in chapter 14,
there are two reapings...
And another angel came out of
the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in
thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest
of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on
the earth; and the earth was reaped.
This is contrasted with:
And another angel came out of
the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another
angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a
loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp
sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are
fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered
the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of
God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of
the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and
six hundred furlongs.
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These are those who woke up,
repented, and who are watching. Again, these are not the elect, which are
already in heaven. These are those who are watching for the Lord "WHEN HE
RETURNS FROM THE WEDDING"; those who Jesus will feed, and those who the
elect are to give "meat in due season" to. These are the ones 'left behind',
in the bed, grinding at the mill, etc. These are those left in the earth,
and not taken in judgment.
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The second group which is
"reaped" are the unbelievers, along with the "evil servant" who has been
appointed his portion "with the unbelievers". The are to be "cut asunder"
and undergo "many stripes. The are cast into the winepress of God's wrath,
which we see in the following chapters (15, 16,17,18,and 19) refers to the
last horrific bowl judgments of God, ending with the battle of Armageddon.
In those chapters (15-19) we see
statements that confirm our interpretation:
And the sixth angel
poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof
was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. And I
saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon,
and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false
prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go
forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to
the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his
garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. Rev 16:12-15
Let your loins be
girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto
men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that
when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Luke
12:35-36
Let us be glad and rejoice,
and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife
hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed
in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of
saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called
unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are
the true sayings of God. Rev 19:7-9
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Note very carefully the two
groups mentioned. There is the bride, and then those "called to the supper".
Those who are called to the supper are obviously not the bride. Again we see
the same parallel between those who were the firstfruits, and those who came
out of the general harvest of mankind.
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In the general harvest we
see those, who although not overcomers, turn to God in repentance and faith,
and whom he lovingly protects. These are called to the marriage supper of
the lamb, where he feeds them, although they are not his bride and do not
obtain rulership.
Ultimately I feel that this is
the clearest sense of these passages, and shows that in no way imaginable can
Luke 12:36 be used to teach a pre-tribulation rapture.
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