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The end of the world is where I beleieve free will comes into play. We do not know the time or the place of Christ's second coming because the choices that we and our leaders make can either expedite or push back those events. The choices we make, rather than a set time, are what will bring about end times.

I sort of agree.

I have a hypothesis that a major reason ONLY THE FATHER KNOWS is because if Christ and Holy Spirit knew . . . it would be a firm point in the timeline. Only THE FATHER KNOWING could give Him some wiggle room according to Believers' and earth's citizens' behaviors.

But that's just wild conjecture. I could argue both sides of it.

Good thought. I've felt that way too. I believe prayer plays a large part in when this will actually take place. If we sit back and do nothing and allow these things to happen, they most assuredly will.

" The end of the world is where I believe free will comes into play. The choices we make, rather than a set time, are what will bring about end times."

I don't believe choice has much to do with whether we are raptured sooner or later. Whether the tribulation starts next week or 100 years from now. I BELIEVE it has to do with first God's perfect will and plan and second the PRAYERS of the Saints. Period. I believe the Lord will have to remove the church in order to bring on his wrath. How can our Father possibly bring about such global all encompassing judgment on this earth/nations or it's people when his Son's beloved Bride the Church still remains. Our prayers, faith, charity and goodwill in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord and husband keep our gracious and loving God and Father from pouring out his wrath. Now what man does to man is another matter. Man has been busy killing, torturing, raping, plundering, enslaving and causing untold injustice to man. But that is not The Wrath of God!

Various verses as follows, from Rev 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
And,
For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Matthew 24:21)

And,
And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. (Rev.6:8)
And,
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (lThes.5:2)
And,

For the day of the LORD [is] near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head. (Oba.l:15)
And,

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (lThes.5:1&2) And, But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.(lThes.5:4) And, For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. (lThes.5:6) And, For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, (lThes.5:9) Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. (lThes.5:11) (Whenever you see a wherefore go back and see what the exhortation is about and in this case the opening verses are the answer, But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

1Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

1Th 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

So, I contend and believe The Beloved Saints will not go thru the Wrath of God, which is also the Day of the Lord and also called the Wrath of the Lamb. So, on one hand we are betwixt two, to remain and live for the Lord (as such we will be living, praying and working for our Blessed Lord and Saviour,)or to be present with him in Heaven. As long as the Bride/Church remains I believe God will not pour out his vials and seals and bowls of wrath.