Prophecy Scholars, What End Times Signs are Playing Out Now?

Enquiring Mind (no pun intended) | 11/27/2001 | MississippiMan

[MississippiMan]

I found myself in a lengthy discussion the other day about the possibility that we are in or near the Biblical end times, and I'd love to hear the thoughts of some of you who have studied this issue.

What end times signs do you think have played out or are playing out now or will play out in the very near future?

Respectful request: this thread is intended to be a discussion between those who do believe in the Bible and its end times prophecies. While anyone is of course free to post, I sure would appreciate it if those of you who don't believe in God would not clutter up the thread with accusations of superstition and such. Thanks...

MM

[Libertarianize the GOP]

bump to read latter

[Don Myers]

1. The coming chip

2. gross immorality even in Christians

3. falling away from Christianity

4. middle east events

5. coming one-world government

6. creation of Israel as a state again in 1948

7. cloning of humans

Those are the ones that come immediately to mind.

[MississippiMan]

Thanks for the list, Don. It's too late tonight, but tomorrow I want to tie some of those to Biblical references.

MM

[Don Myers]

8. Abortion

[codeword]

May this be no disrespect, but I think the prophecies in Revelation were fulfilled a long time ago, with the collapse of the Roman Empire--which the author of Revelation appears to have intended in much of the symbolism in this astonishing book.

Here, of course, I am assuming that the end of the world--in (latinized) Greek, he ge meant the end of the oppressive social system which was eagerly anticipated by anti-establishment Jews of the time, and not the end of planet earth.

There were plenty of "signs" of this in advance of the final sack of Rome by the Germans around 409 A.D. And this was followed by a Christian civilization in much of Europe earth which lasted for a thousand years.

I realize that this is a highly unorthodox way of looking at this matter, and not a strictly religious one. But I wanted to share it anyway, in case it might be of interest to anyone.

[Ymani Cricket]

That's called the preterist position and it falls short of making sense out of the entire book of Revelation. I have studied that position thoroughly and found it wanting much. In order to make sense of it it has to be studied along with all the so-called "major" and "minor" prophets, especially Daniel and Zechariah. And that requires a great amount of time and desire to really want to get at the bottom of it all, and then, even still, it is too much for the human mind to fully understand and comprehend.

[Ymani Cricket]

dittos with post #3 by Don Meyers

I would also add for a future prophecy: The fall of Turkey (yes, the country) to militant Islam as well as parts of eastern and (sections of western Europe but that's being on the generous and hopeful side). Don't know when but it will happen, maybe in 20-50 years but hopefully NOT in my lifetime. In regards to Europe, don't forget about what Attila the Hun was able to do, though Barbaric and backwards as the Huns were.

[codeword]

That's called the preterist position...

Thanks, Ymani. I didn't know it was called this. There's an interesting site on preterism. click here.

[Sueann]

It's way too late for me to start on this tonight, but tomorrow evening if I have time, I would like to express my comments about current events, as well as what I have learned about prophetic words in the Bible. Believe me, it is very exciting - at least for the church.

[pcl]

Are the events of Revelations part of Nostradamus or is it the other way around? I always forget.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Hi, MM. Is the weather rough over there? Still waiting for it to hit here.

I think that much of prophecy takes place/is fulfilled on two levels, natural and spiritual, of course, but also, outwardly and inwardly. If a person is really obsessed with trying to find out who the antichrist is, he might just miss the fact that someone other than the Lord is ruling in his own heart. JMHO. Also, it's 2.a.m here, sorry if that is not real coherent.

[mxbluto]

That's an interesting take. I'd actually like to find out more about this. If you're still there, do you have any links to good info resources on this?

Thanks in advance.

[mxbluto]

oh, got it.

[codeword]

If you're still there, do you have any links to good info resources on this?

This site is a little more metaphysical than I would like, but you might try it. Click here.

[tessalu]

All of my life, I have heard of prophecies of 666 and the Mark of the Beast, the coming of the Antichrist, and Rome. But as the days have been passing, I have wondered if Islam is mentioned. I wonder what could be more evil than that?

[Libertarianize the GOP]

I agree that revelations refers to the Roman empire, but so much biblical prophecy seems to have a relation to events at the time it was written and also relevance to future events. When I wake up and have some time to think I may contribute a few ideas to the discussion.

[Forgiven_Sinner]

Ah, end time prophecy--I can't resist commenting.

First, my basis of interpretation: I use Revelation interpreted through Daniel, and with Jesus' prophecies in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21.

Where are we? The four horsemen (the first four seals of Revelation 6), have been riding since Jesus' day. We've had false religion (horseman 1, seal 1), war (seal 2), famine (seal 3), and death (seal 4), since then. We're awaiting the "Great Tribulation", seal 5 since then. Christianity has spread worldwide, as prophesied. The gospel is preached worldwide, as prophesied.

What's next? The great tribulation, and the resurrection of the Roman Empire. This is called "the kingdom of the north" in Daniel, and "Babylon" in revelation. "The Beast" can refer to the government or the person in office. There will be a severe (worst ever) persecution of Christians, worldwide, and a false religion complete with supernatural miracles. Some Christians will be protected (how is unspecified) and some will die a martyr's death. Millions will be converted to Christianity during the tribulation.

Next, will be heavenly signs (seal 6). That takes us to God's beginning to intervene in world events, and Revelation 7. Thus begin the "Trumpet plagues", which are to punish the Beast power and lead people to repentance before Jesus' return. Jesus' returns with the seventh trumpet.

[Cowgirl]

I heard an interesting fact on JR Church's show the other day. He pointed out that the alignment of muslims were set up exactly as predicted in the bible for the Gog and Magog war of Ezekiel 38. Saudi Arabia and Kuwait will not be in that war but will stay aligned with Europe and America. (They are part of the group that asks if they have come to take a spoil.) The other muslim countries such as Iraq, Sudan, Egypt, etc. align with Russia and come against Israel.

Certainly, the other predictions such as an increase in earthquakes, diseases, violence has happened. Jack Van Impe also pointed out that terrorism would be one of the last signs (as in the days of Noah there was violence throughout the land).

While there are different scenerios of how these events will unfold and just who the antiChrist is, people who actually study prophecy are certain this is the end time. Those who have ears to hear should hear, time is running out.

Jesus said when you see these things happening, look up for your redemption draweth nigh. Those who think these things already happened should pay attention to Israel. They don't think these things have already happened and have declared this the "time of Jacob's trouble". How could they have already happened when it says 3/4ths of the earth's inhabitants will be destroyed. Take time to study with various prophecy teachers and you will see that the evidence is very convincing. God's Word is true.

[John H K]

Certainly, the other predictions such as an increase in earthquakes, diseases, violence has happened. Jack Van Impe also pointed out that terrorism would be one of the last signs (as in the days of Noah there was violence throughout the land).

There has been NO increase in earthquakes WHATSOEVER...in the last 20 years, in the last 10 years, in the last 5 years. And, incidentally, this year there has been a below average number of large (Magnitude 7+) earthquakes so far.

And if there's an increase in disease why do world overall average life expectancies keep going UP?

The world has been pretty darn violent for the last 6,000 years. I fail to see any increase in violence per population at all.

I don't get how (some) Christians just blatantly lie to support their own little religious hobby-horses. I mean, the claims about increases in earthquakes are easily checkable and it's not a matter of debate...anyone claiming earthquakes have increased is an obvious liar....not that the author of the post is...probably just naively accepting whatever apocalyptic end-times nuts are telling her.