MAJOR CC- do you believe we are in end times?

[OnTheBrink]

Absolutely, I believe it.

 

I'm astonished that there's not a huge majority here that agrees! (Please, I hope that comes across exactly how I am thinking it, no judgment at all, just true surprise that my thinking is that unusual.)

 

I believe that every generation should be convinced that they are the last. Even the early church believed Christ's return was imminent.

 

While there are several prophecies that must be fulfilled prior to the Second Coming, there is NOTHING that must be fulfilled before the Rapture of the church. When the church is removed from the earth, there will be nothing preventing the antichrist's rise to power. And technology today makes tribulation events possible in ways never before possible (one world gov't and currency, etc.).

 

I used to think people like me were nutty. Now I think most people don't understand the book of Revelation--it's a lie that it's so difficult, confusing, etc. Those are more of satan's lies; if people don't know what's ahead, it's a lot easier to deceive them.

 

I understand Revelation just fine, tyvm. I think most who read it and study it understand it just fine. And, if we are in the end times, just what, exactly, are people supposed to do about it that would be any different than if we weren't in the end times? No one knows when the end is coming. NO ONE. There is nothing anyone is going to do to bring it on faster, or slow it down. Just because some don't agree with your take on it doesn't mean they're deceived.

[Margo out of lurking]

I understand Revelation just fine, tyvm.

 

I'm sorry that for some reason you thought I meant you didn't. My comment was not directed toward any specific person, and I was not trying to be snarky.

 

I think most who read it and study it understand it just fine.

 

I specifically said those who think Revelation is difficult, or is confusing. I don't think most people do study it, and it is commonly referred to as the least understood book of the Bible.

And, if we are in the end times, just what, exactly, are people supposed to do about it that would be any different than if we weren't in the end times?

The OP's original question was asking only if one believes we are in end times. But to answer your question, what are people supposed to do? Believing that we are approaching end times gives us an urgency to do God's calling in our lives. Most people don't live out their lives thinking that the Rapture (or Return, or whatever you believe) is imminent. Honestly, while I know it's possible and it crosses my mind a few times a day, I don't actively think about it as I go about my life.

No one knows when the end is coming. NO ONE. There is nothing anyone is going to do to bring it on faster, or slow it down.

 

I totally agree, I don't remember seeing any post that claimed to.

 

Just because some don't agree with your take on it doesn't mean they're deceived.

Again, I specifically said those who believe Revelation is difficult or confusing are deceived. It would be impossible for someone who has not studied it to agree or disagree. There is a lot of scripture which is interpreted differently, whether it be by churches, or individuals. (And yep, some are deceived, but that's a whole different thread.) That disagreement is just one more tool of satan for arguing within the church in an attempt to sway more people from Christ.

 

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[specialmama]

I used to think people like me were nutty. Now I think most people don't understand the book of Revelation--it's a lie that it's so difficult, confusing, etc. Those are more of satan's lies; if people don't know what's ahead, it's a lot easier to deceive them.

 

I hear what you're saying, but I need to say this: the Old Testament prophesies about Jesus being born or dying did not fully make sense until after they happened. The scholars of the day (mostly) did not think he was the Messiah. Gleaning from that, I think it's safe to assume that much of what we can gather from Revelation may (or may not) be how it turns out. Scholars and laymen can study all they want and get somewhat of an idea, but the truth is, much of it is veiled. I agree it's good to know what is coming, what is ahead, but we can only know so much, and we may be wrong about some things. Not because Scriptures were wrong, but because interpretations were wrong. It's a slippery thing, to hold onto Revelation with a firm hand. It needs some wiggle room. Only after it has happened will it make *perfect* sense.

[Little Nyssa]

We are serious Christians, and we think we should always be ready (repenting, believing, obeying the commandments, loving God and everybody) but not over-anxious about it. "Sober hope"

Whether we are in the end times or not, it should not make a difference for how you live your life-- except perhaps it would make us more serious about it.

[Annabel Lee]

I do believe in biblical prophecies. I can't remember which verse but the biggest event that makes me believe in a potential nearing day for the Messiah. The gathering of the Jews and the Jewish State of Israel. I know others believe different but I genuinely believe that is a major sign.

 

My husband has a similar "biggie" that he keeps an eye out for: the 7-yr. peace deal with Israel. I've heard/read varying interpretations of how the rapture will go down exactly - I was raised with literal translation of Revelations but find Mike at IHOP (Prayer, not Pancakes) has an interesting and Bibically grounded view of it.

 

Like a PP said, we should live our lives just the same either way. Nearing the end times (or not) is no excuse to slack off in our regular day-to-day business.

[Peela]

Christianity isnt the only teaching that seems to predict some sort of end of an age coming up around now or soon. The whole 2010 Mayan prophecy thing coincides, don't you think?

Do I believe any of it? Either its true or it isnt, and my belief or not won't change a thing. I am not much into beliefs. I have an open mind, and meanwhile, I get on and live my life the best way I know how. Life is always unpredictable and death is always possible at any moment- we just block it out of our consciousness most of the time. Best not to take any of it for granted.

I have friends- not Christian- who are preparing for a world wide type of meltdown, end of the world type of scenario.

[Trish]

Yes I think we are in the End Times.

 

This doesn't really affect our day-to-day living, since as Christians we are always trying to live a Christ-centered life, anyway. But, I'd say as I watch snippets of the news, there's very little on lately to dissaude me from the End Times impression.

 

I'll put it this way, society has gotten so bad (I call it the "pornification of society") between what's standard fare on TV, music and movies, and what's showing up on teens' cell phones, that if Jesus DOESN'T intervene soon we'll self-destruct.

 

My church doesn't push this idea, though, just my opinion.

[angela in ohio]

I understand Revelation just fine, tyvm. I think most who read it and study it understand it just fine... Just because some don't agree with your take on it doesn't mean they're deceived.

 

:iagree:

 

Just because someone doesn't agree with you, it doesn't mean that they can't understand or are deceived. I understand the book of Revelation, but I have come to a different conclusion.

 

I think in this age of Left Behind popularity, it is not hard to come to believe that side of things; it's everywhere. That doesn't mean that there aren't other thinking Christians who have a different interpretation (and not a new one, historically speaking.)

[DawnM]

I grew up in a very, "What if Jesus came back RIGHT NOW, you may not make it through the day" attitude. This included the Left Behind movies that scared the crap out of us.

 

Do I believe we are in the end times? Not sure, but I don't want to live in any kind of fear. I don't believe fear is what should drive us to a loving God.

 

I am in the process of starting to study the early church's views on end times. I haven't read this entire thread, but I assume some of you believe in the historical vies of end times. I am interested to learn more.

 

Dawn

[kwickimom]

I am curious as to why you ask. Do your belief that we are in the last days scare you? Does it push your to worship and to serve more?

 

Honestly, views on eschatology(the study of last things) are varied, and have differed throughout the ages. It would be worth your time to look into the different views that Christians have held,for they vary quite a bit. You might be surprised to find that some Christians don"t even believe in a rapture, and all that prophecy preachers say go along with that. I will never forget sharing my belief that there will be no rapture with a friend from a Calvary Chapel. She honestly had no idea that any Christian believed differently from what she had been taught.

 

But the important thing in terms of how you view end times is what difference does your belief make in how you live from day to day. It is so easy to get caught up in differences of belief in things which do not matter compared to a clear understanding of the gospel and what it means in our world now. So often teachings that are exciting can distract from the meat of the gospel. Major on the gospel and all will be well, whether it be tonight or two thousand years from now that our Lord returns in Glory.

 

 

Everything I ask on this board is out of pure curiosity!:) I like to hear what different people think and feel about things. I rarely get offended and I truly like to listen to people's reasoning about things.

 

I am not scared, and I am not exactly sure what I believe. When my family shows me the "big" prophecies that are fulfilled, it makes sense. I do believe we are close, but like I said I havent really looked into it to form an opinion.

I will live my life the same way regardless.

 

I appreciate everyones views and opinions!

[mommaduck]

Christianity isnt the only teaching that seems to predict some sort of end of an age coming up around now or soon. The whole 2010 Mayan prophecy thing coincides, don't you think?

Do I believe any of it? Either its true or it isnt, and my belief or not won't change a thing. I am not much into beliefs. I have an open mind, and meanwhile, I get on and live my life the best way I know how. Life is always unpredictable and death is always possible at any moment- we just block it out of our consciousness most of the time. Best not to take any of it for granted.

I have friends- not Christian- who are preparing for a world wide type of meltdown, end of the world type of scenario.

My understanding is that the Mayan calendar is the longest cyclic calender. 2012 is just the end of the cycle...then it starts over. There have been so many doomsday predictions (proven false) that it's not even funny.

 

Kristine in Lurking: There are MANY that have studied Revelations for centuries and yet, it's only in recent history (let's start with Margaret McDonald and Darby) that dispensationalism and the Rapture became a theological construct (with Scofield adding to the mayhem and ridiculousness). The more my husband and I studied the Church and History, the further away from Dispensationalism and it's "Rapture" belief we got. As for those that claim Revelations is "too hard" to understand being "deceived", perhaps you have not taken into consideration the Grace, that maybe there are those that have enough faith in God to not be concerned with pinpointing events, but rather focus on their faith and living it every day instead. In fact, Revelations was/is a very controversial book even in it's inclusion with the rest of Holy Scripture. http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_ntb5d.htm

[Trish]

Whether we're in the "End Times" (religiously speaking) or not, some of the financial stuff I've been reading over the past two years (since the 2008 Crash), makes me think that a bigger crash is looming.

 

That could make things feel downright End Timesy whether the Book of Revelation kicks in or not.

 

;)

[Brenda in FL]

I hear what you're saying, but I need to say this: the Old Testament prophesies about Jesus being born or dying did not fully make sense until after they happened. The scholars of the day (mostly) did not think he was the Messiah. Gleaning from that, I think it's safe to assume that much of what we can gather from Revelation may (or may not) be how it turns out. Scholars and laymen can study all they want and get somewhat of an idea, but the truth is, much of it is veiled. I agree it's good to know what is coming, what is ahead, but we can only know so much, and we may be wrong about some things. Not because Scriptures were wrong, but because interpretations were wrong. It's a slippery thing, to hold onto Revelation with a firm hand. It needs some wiggle room. Only after it has happened will it make *perfect* sense.

 

:iagree:

[wy_kid_wrangler04]

I don't know, but I hope so. Sick of this crazy world. Come, Lord Jesus!

 

 

:iagree:

[Slartibartfast]

I do believe that there are more things in place to make some of the prophecies come true than there ever has been.

 

I don't think previously the world could watch two witnesses. Now we can. It could be argued that when that was written it was meant to be allegorical, but now it can literally happen.

 

It is amazing.

 

 

I don't know that we are in the End Times. It seems that every generation believed they were, but more is happening now to make it more real.

Edited October 2, 2010 by Sis

[EJCMom]

I'm not sure I have enough time to explain right now. Watch each of these video links. It explains it much better than I can.

 

70ad was when the Temple was destroyed in Jerusalem.

 

http://fulfilledcg.com/Site/Video/watch_intro.htm

 

Thank you so much for posting this! I've been trying to explain to my DH why I don't believe in the whole "Left Behind" end times theology. This series explains it so much more succinctly than I ever could. I can't wait to show this to him! :auto:

[Onceuponatime]

It's been said since the 1800's...

 

It's been said since Christ died.

 

It was said in the year 1000. Multitudes of people gathered on mountain tops on New Year's Eve. (The then New Year's Eve)

 

I think I am what is called an a-millenialist. I believe that the book of Revelation was written for the people of that time using symbolic language that they understood about events that had happened and were happening around them.

[kalphs]

Full disclosure: most of what I'm about to say is coming straight from C. S. Lewis' essay "The World's Last Night" (such a pleasure to think after that man!), and is not original to me. Then again, original thought on this subject is probably bad. :)

 

I think that Jesus said two very important things about the end times: 1) we won't know when he's returning and 2) therefore, we ought always to be doing what we hope he will find us doing when he returns.

 

The "wars and rumors of wars" is . . . how things have always been. And always will be, up to the end. We won't know. And so our only job is to be always ready, always doing what we want to be found doing when our master returns. Always obeying him, loving each other, providing for those who need help, etc. That's the message of the end times: you don't know when, so hold fast, take courage, and obey.

:iagree:

[kalphs]

:iagree: Wow, and it is so nice to find people that share my views on end times. I'm very tired of reading, "The sky is falling," emails from family & friends in my inbox.

:iagree:

[Onceuponatime]

I'm not sure I have enough time to explain right now. Watch each of these video links. It explains it much better than I can.

 

70ad was when the Temple was destroyed in Jerusalem.

 

http://fulfilledcg.com/Site/Video/watch_intro.htm

 

My anti virus program said this site is infected.

[angela in ohio]

My anti virus program said this site is infected.

 

Are you sure it's not because it's trying to run Windows Media Player? I got a warning for that, too, but it's not a problem. I have Kaspersky and have it set pretty high, and it was okay with the site other than asking about Media Player.

[Onceuponatime]

It could be, mine didn't say anything other than it had blocked a threat.