is the time of Christ's return near? (Full Version)

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BornAgainDan -> is the time of Christ's return near? (5/12/2008 5:35:44 PM)

I've been hearing more and more that the time of Revelation is almost upon us. I keep hearing that all of these natural disasters are signs of the end and we discussed in my fellowship last week that when Israel becomes it's own nation, Christ will return before the end of that generation. Also I've heard that Nostradomus predicted the end of the world would occur on 12/21/2012. I can go on with this, and I'm sure there are others out there with more examples than even i know. But i wanted to get some opinions on this. It excites me for the obvious reasons, yet it also troubles me because I've just barely started my Christian walk. There is still so much i want to do, and so many people I want to reach out to and help. But perhaps I don't have time to do all of that, because at this moment, sitting here at my desk at work I feel like I could hear the trumpets sound at any second.

God Bless all of us and may He show mercy to those who refuse to believe.



earthless -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (5/12/2008 5:48:25 PM)

We have been living in the last days for over 2,000 years.

People in the 1800's thought they would not die because the world was going to end in their generation.

Strange weather patterns have been occurring since the fall...

Also, there are excellent historical manuscripts and collections out there that show our society (even with all the evil in it) is still nowhere near what many ancient societies from centuries ago had as common day practices.

Just some food for thought......



mvic -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (5/12/2008 5:57:23 PM)

The end of the world has been predicted since "Adam was a boy" as they say in my corner of the world.

Guess what? All prediction were wrong, and in future will continue to be wrong.

This is simply because God has not told anyone when the end of the world will be. This is a decision for Him alone. All guess work by trying to interpret certain passages from the Bible, from Nostradamus, and from many other people over the years is just that: guess work.

My advice is to concentrate on your new found Christianity and don't be troubled with the end of the world.

God does not work to our timescales. As Peter said: There is no difference in the Lord's sight between one day and a thousand years; to Him the two are the same. 2 Peter 3:8



SavedByGraceMD -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (5/12/2008 7:22:49 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DLindros

There is still so much i want to do, and so many people I want to reach out to and help. But perhaps I don't have time to do all of that, because at this moment, sitting here at my desk at work I feel like I could hear the trumpets sound at any second.



whether or not we are living in the last days, we should all be reaching out and helping others. We are to live like He could come back at any moment, not with our heads in the sand thinking it never will. But to believe all of the 12, 21, 2012 so called prophecies is beneath us. There are others that claim that date as the end, but only God almighty knows that, and if He said no one knows but He, then no one knows but He. All of the others can claim what they will, but I remember in 1999 that nostradamus had predicted the end in 2000, and then again in 2001, and there have been a few others, so lets just stick with what the bible says, what God says, and what Jesus said in Matthew 24

42"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

45"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' 49and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.



Rev_22_4 -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (5/31/2008 10:46:39 PM)

I believe we are living in the last days. I also believe God expects the people living in the last days to know that they are living in the last days and understand what is going to happen.

quote:

Matthew 24
15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Matthew 16
2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?


I can just see those things Jesus mentions in Matthew 24 happening. Daniel 12:4 can be taken a couple of ways and I can see them both happening. I believe we can all see 2 Timothy 3:2-4 happening. All these things we can see happening. I can also see 1 Thessalonians 5:3 being worked on right now. It's not only us Christians who are talking about the end of the world anymore. Even the intellectual elite are saying that this world is falling apart at the seams. I believe we are living in the very last days.



Bill153 -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (5/31/2008 11:16:31 PM)

Plan to work for the salvation of souls for the rest of what may be a long life.

If Jesus comes back in a week, starting those plans was still the right thing to do.

As for the generation that saw Israel become a nation? The restored Israel became a nation 2,000 years ago (we are the Israel of God, we are the true Jerusalem that is from above, etc), and the generation (just as accurately rendered "age") that saw that event is still passing through time.

You keep right on loving Jesus, do what he tells you to do, and leave all the rest to Him. He is not stressed out about your time frame...you should not be either. Simply have fun walking with Him.



bob97 -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (5/31/2008 11:56:05 PM)

quote:

As for the generation that saw Israel become a nation? The restored Israel became a nation 2,000 years ago (we are the Israel of God, we are the true Jerusalem that is from above, etc), and the generation (just as accurately rendered "age") that saw that event is still passing through time.


Bill, I guess you’re preaching replacement theology here, is that correct…the church has replaced Israel and Judah?

Bob



eschatologist -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (6/1/2008 6:18:26 PM)

We're definitly living in the time of the end as we have been for the last 2,000 years. The early church thought that Jesus was going to come back in their lifetime, the guys who started the reformation thought that Jesus was going to come back in thier lifetime and that the Pope was the antichrist. The fact of the matter is, the Lord wants us to live our lives as though we thought He was going to come back in our lifetime. This is true whether we lived during the early church, during the reformation or whether we are alive today. Otherwise we would become like the slothful sertvant who said, "My Lord delayeth His coming. and began smiting 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." (Mathew 24:48-51) We only have one life to live, and what we do in this life affects what kind of reward we will get in the next life. This is true whether we lived 2,000 years ago or 500 years ago or are alive today.

All that said, we must also realize that the literal coming of Jesus will happen and the Lord wants us to be prepared for that also.That's why he gave us numerous signs of things to watch out for. He wants us to know and be prepared, that's why he gave us the book of Daniel, Mathew 24, The book of revelations, etc. Jesus said in Mathew 24:22 "And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved; but for the elect's sake, those days shall be shortened." In other words, before it gets to the point where man can and is about to detstroy himself, Jesus will come back to rapture and resurrect his own out of this world. And you don't have to be a prophet of God to see that this world cannot continue on much longer the way it is. For example, the post world war II baby boomer generation is the first generation in all of history that has had to live with the knowledge that we could totally anihalate ourselves at the push of a button. Plus the threat of global warming, high food prices droughts and other natural disasters, famines, pestilences, earthquakes in diverse places, etc. it's not hard to see that this world can't last that much longer. This fact alone should persuade anybody that Jesus has to come back soon (probably within our lifetime) before the whole world goes up in a mushroom cloud of smoke.



tracydolls -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (6/2/2008 10:02:04 AM)

We are in the end times. Certain things have to be fulfilled, which they are and could not be before.


I think the key is Israel being in homeland. Go forward from there.

I do agree we should live our lives as if it is today.



Coffee_Drinker -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (6/2/2008 12:58:32 PM)

You know what? I'm not going to worry about it. I'd like to see it happen. I'd like to see it happen soon. But, it's not my call. So, I wait. If I die before it happens - what difference would it make then?



JimboFletch -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (6/2/2008 2:52:25 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Coffee_Drinker

You know what? I'm not going to worry about it. I'd like to see it happen. I'd like to see it happen soon. But, it's not my call. So, I wait. If I die before it happens - what difference would it make then?

No only is that an excellent attitude, I think is also the biblical attitude we're intended to have!



Rev_22_4 -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (6/7/2008 10:16:20 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: JimboFletch

quote:

ORIGINAL: Coffee_Drinker

You know what? I'm not going to worry about it. I'd like to see it happen. I'd like to see it happen soon. But, it's not my call. So, I wait. If I die before it happens - what difference would it make then?

No only is that an excellent attitude, I think is also the biblical attitude we're intended to have!


The part about not worrying about it is not the attitude we are supposed to have. As I have already stated, Jesus is expecting us to know what's going on so we can prepare for it. He actually goes so far as to call us hypocrites for not being able to discern the signs of the times. We had better pay attention and understand them because if not, we will be deceived! Notice the first words out of Jesus' mouth when the disciples ask about the end of the world.
quote:

Matthew 24
3 ¶And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.



MrFribbles -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (6/7/2008 10:50:45 PM)

quote:

As I have already stated, Jesus is expecting us to know what's going on so we can prepare for it. He actually goes so far as to call us hypocrites for not being able to discern the signs of the times.


I have a question, then - what about the past 2000 years of Christians? Many of them believed Christ would return in their lifetime, because they were sure they were discerning the signs of the times. But, obviously, none of them were right. Was Christ's command not for them? Or where they just not wise enough to figure out, "Oh, it's not going to be us - we can stop looking."?
Christ commands us to be ready. He does not command us to know exactly when He is returning. In fact, I would contend that He doesn't want us to know. He says that only the Father knows, so how can we presume to know also?



Sinner-Saint -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (6/8/2008 12:20:01 AM)

Well Mr. Fribbles, for over 1900 of those 2000 years there hasn't been a Temple. A Temple is part of the midpoint Abomination's terribleness.

For over 1800 years, there hasn't even been an Israel as in a nation. Now something new has come about: a nation has been reformed from antiquity.

And they wrestled control of Jerusalem.

Time will tell if they get control of the Temple Mount and build their Temple, but until that starts to happen (as I think it will during the first half of the one 'seven') all we can do is watch and walk each day God gives us and try to grow so as to be like Christ was.



MrFribbles -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (6/8/2008 12:46:52 AM)

quote:

but until that starts to happen (as I think it will during the first half of the one 'seven') all we can do is watch and walk each day God gives us and try to grow so as to be like Christ was.


Oh, well, if that's your end-conclusion, then I certainly have no serious qualm with you.
I apologize if my tone seemed harsh. Truth be told, I've grown weary of many Christians who are so concerned with the exact name of the Beast, or the exact date of Christ's return, or some other detail of Eschatology that they forget that, while Christ certainly is coming back, He still has us here on earth for a reason (and I have a sneaking suspicion that reason is somehow tied with Ephesians 2:10... Call it a hunch).
Two things are obvious - these Christians, despite their frustrating ways (to me, anyway), are my brothers and sisters, and I need to calm down and love them. And two, you don't fall into that camp, so again, I apologize.



cow451 -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (6/9/2008 3:24:24 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sinner-Saint

Well Mr. Fribbles, for over 1900 of those 2000 years there hasn't been a Temple. A Temple is part of the midpoint Abomination's terribleness.

For over 1800 years, there hasn't even been an Israel as in a nation. Now something new has come about: a nation has been reformed from antiquity.



Well, there still isn't a temple and Israel (the modern nation) is sixty years old. And Israel was not re-formed. As some other nations, it was artificially carved out by the Western powers to suit their own purpose. A similar process led to the formation of Iraq after WWI.



upNORTder -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (6/10/2008 10:22:33 AM)

quote:

And Israel was not re-formed. As some other nations, it was artificially carved out by the Western powers to suit their own purpose.




And the difference is?



JimboFletch -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (6/10/2008 10:30:47 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Rev_22_4
The part about not worrying about it is not the attitude we are supposed to have. As I have already stated, Jesus is expecting us to know what's going on so we can prepare for it. He actually goes so far as to call us hypocrites for not being able to discern the signs of the times. We had better pay attention and understand them because if not, we will be deceived! Notice the first words out of Jesus' mouth when the disciples ask about the end of the world.
quote:

Matthew 24
3 ¶And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.


I'm sorry, He hasn't called me a hypocrite or any other blood-bought, sold-out follower of His for following the Great Commission, which seems to have a noticeable absence on the matter of eschatology.

Here's another scripture to consider:

They also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven."



Imani32006.cd -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (6/10/2008 11:00:59 AM)

I find myself in agreement with Bill153 and Eschatologist, and, would like to add: I believe we should live everyday prepared for His arrival, and, yet be busy with what He has called us individually and collectively to do to ready the Body Of Christ. He is coming for an unblemished Bride, so we should be busy doing whatever it takes to remove the blemishes from ourselves, (particularly), and the Body, (in general). The signs are here, (a lot of them), and increasing in intensity and frequency, but it is not given to us the time, but it is given to us to 'be ready.'



Biblefreak -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (6/10/2008 11:37:56 AM)

Yes, there's no reason to sugar coat it. Look when a wicked storm (tornado/hurricane) is about to hit it's good to know the sirens are working.

I will be the siren to all the unbelievers. There is about to be a big storm and it will end this world you'd better get ready.

As soo as U.S. troops are pulled out of Iraq and Iran is attacked it's going to get very dark very fast.



JimboFletch -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (6/10/2008 12:29:09 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Biblefreak

Yes, there's no reason to sugar coat it. Look when a wicked storm (tornado/hurricane) is about to hit it's good to know the sirens are working.

I will be the siren to all the unbelievers. There is about to be a big storm and it will end this world you'd better get ready.

As soo as U.S. troops are pulled out of Iraq and Iran is attacked it's going to get very dark very fast.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a LOT more than fire or storm insurance. I've met way too many pew-warmers content to have recited the "sinner's prayer" and escaped the wrath to come - and read all the LaHaye Left Behind books and seen the movies. As an evangelist friend once described them to me, they just got vaccinated against the real Jesus.



cow451 -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (6/10/2008 1:02:47 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: upNORTder

quote:

And Israel was not re-formed. As some other nations, it was artificially carved out by the Western powers to suit their own purpose.




And the difference is?

It is not related in any way to Biblical Israel other than the romantic notion held by dispensationaslists. Otherwise it is no different than Iraq, Bosnia, North Korea, and hundreds of other nations.



Ntech -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (6/10/2008 11:47:38 PM)

To answer the original question here the answer is yes.

Let me tell you how I figured it out.

I was reading the book of Hosea and something clicked. And I realized that I could put a date on an end time event. And that event is called the day of Jezreel in Hosea 1.

This event from what I figured out is supposed to be a thousand years long. It seems to be Hosea's name for the 1000 year reign of the saints of Revelation 20-4. And it follows a 2000 year period of time in which Israel is supposed to be under a top level Leviticus 26 curse. (See Hosea 5, Hosea 6 verses 1, 2, and 3, and 2nd Peter 3-8.)

And combining this with the prophecy of Matthew 24 I think I figured out when the curse started.
Passover. Of the year 28 AD. Meaning it should end and this day of Jezreel will start on Passover of 2028.

All things considered here the end times should be over in 2028.



MrFribbles -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (6/10/2008 11:59:04 PM)

quote:

All things considered here the end times should be over in 2028.


What will happen to your faith if we're all still around in 2028?



Ntech -> RE: is the time of Christ's return near? (6/11/2008 2:39:44 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MrFribbles

quote:

All things considered here the end times should be over in 2028.


What will happen to your faith if we're all still around in 2028?


I would look for errors in my interpretations of the prophesises. But I think I got it right. But right now I am watching a prophecy in Daniel rather closely. It seems to predict that Iran would be conquered fairly soon. And it should happen within 7 months from now. If it happens I would say the end times are on schedule. If not well my interpretation is in error somehow.[8|]



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