Posted on 04/12/2018 7:23:06 AM PDT by C19fan
While an amusing exercise, the Bible is quite specific about the end of the world. No one knows the time except the Father. Now, if Jesus doesn’t know the time you can bet we are not going to know the time. I think that pretty much sums it up.
Some teach that sept 23 2017 was a ‘great sign’ signalling more imminent signs to come- Some also teach that there have been several signs that have already been fulfilled and met- signaling that we are close to the end times- so yeah- of course Christians are excited about the return of Christ and think it may be soon and have every right to hope that it will be soon- even if we don’t know exact date- things in this world seem to be lining up as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy:
1 The Fig Tree sign – Jesus tells His disciples that when they “see the fig tree leaf out”, they would know that the time of His coming was near. Many prophecy scholars agree that this sign refers to Israel’s rebirth in May 1948.
2 Israel Reborn – Regardless of whether or not the fig tree refers to Israel, Israel’s rebirth as a nation after 2000 years of not being one is a flashing neon light! The Kingdom of Heaven is Near!!!
3 Jerusalem Recaptured – Jerusalem features heavily in end times prophecy. The 6 day war of 1967 was very significant prophetically! It’s possible that war fulfilled Psalm 83; alternately, the complete fulfillment of Psalm 83 may be yet future.
4 Jewish Aliyah – Along with the re-establishment of Israel as a physical/political nation, God’s chosen people are foretold to return to the Promised Land. This has been slowly but surely occurring over the last 120 years or so, with approximately 45% of the world’s Jewry living in Israel at this time (2016).
5 The Third Temple – We know from the book of Daniel, the gospels, and Revelation that there will be a functioning Jewish Temple during the “70th Week of Daniel“. While the Temple has not yet been built, the plans are complete, Levite priests are trained, and Temple equipment/furniture is made.
6 Apostasy in the Church – It seems that as we approach Christ’s second coming, churches will fall away from preaching sound doctrine. Instead, they will focus on a social gospel that “tickles men’s ears” (tells them what they want to hear to feel good).
7 Immorality in Society – Society will move further and further away from God and His laws/morals. We see this most clearly in the last several decades through Abortion (1.5 billion since 1980), Homosexuality (general worldwide acceptance in non-Muslim nations), and Human Euthanasia (legal in some nations, including Canada).
8 As in the Days of Lot – Society will be marked by violence, homosexuality, and sexual immorality.
9 As in the Days of Noah – Society will be marked by violence, DNA manipulation, and sexual immorality.
10 Knowledge Will Increase – In the latter days, people will travel “to and fro” and knowledge will increase. We are approaching a “technological tower of Babel” situation!
11 The Gospel Will be Preached to All Nations – While there are still unreached people groups within nations, the gospel has been successfully taken to all nations around the globe. The gospel will continue to be preached during the coming times of tribulation.
12 Labor pains – are often used to describe the beginning of the “end times”.
https://redmoonrapture.wordpress.com/2017/06/29/sign-sign-everywhere-a-sign-the-convergence-is-now/
Do we know the exact date? No- Does it APPEAR that the date may be drawing near? Yes it does- Could we be wrong? Have we been wrong in the past? Yes of course- Should that fact stop us from hoping and praying and searching the scriptures to try to determine if Christ will return soon? An emphatic Nope!
If He comes back when some think He may- Great- If not- we will endure until the end with the great hope of eternity in heaven with our Lord and Savior, and be none the worse off for having tried to understand when He might be coming back!
Matthew 24:40 and 41...
You forgot Matthew 24: 40 and 41.
Yeah...them, too! But not to the exclusion (in terms of context) of the other verses cited.... but in concert with them!
Christ seems to be referring to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, as he warned “…this generation will not pass away till all these things take place”. Also, notice the people taken away in Noah’s time were the unrighteous, not the righteous, which is the opposite of rapture theory.
In Matthew 24:13 Christ promises “…the one who endures to the end will be saved”. This includes Christians who will endure the Tribulation.
In April, the Sun will be nowhere near Virgo, being currently in Taurus. It will not be in Virgo until late September. This person couldn’t predict a Solar Eclipse, much less the end of the World.
1 Cor 15:51
Ok . I don’t recall asking for your opinion but you are certainly entitled to it.
So true. And the tribulation will not start until after the new temple is built in Israel. Then the man of perdition must appear at the temple to proclaim himself the Messiah. Many things must happen.
I can assure you I have educated myself on this topic. I have read numerous sites such as the one you mentioned as well as whole books on the subject such as this one...
https://www.amazon.com/Catholics-Behind-Modern-Apologetics-Library/dp/0898709504
Which addresses every point made by the “pre-trib rapture” crowd (using Scripture and history mind you). That book in particular speaks to a Catholic audience but the arguments remain valid for any Christian as it doesn’t rely upon an argument from authority (ie “the Catholic Church says so”) but evidence from Scripture and history.
It remains a fact, early Christians didn’t believe in this two stage “return” of Jesus they believed in one return. I know pre-tribbers deny their teaching is of “two returns” but the denial just doesn’t agree with the actual doctrine. What I wrote is indeed historical Christian belief regarding the end times, and it’s also true “pre-trib rapture”, as a doctrine, was unheard of until the 19th century (systematically speaking anyway, sure you can always find individual heretics in any age doesn’t mean the majority of believers believed it).
Read the book I linked above then we can talk some more if you want. Until then, I’m not interested in website quote wars about this or any topic (which is usually the level of “scholarship” around here when it comes to this or any other religious topic).
Another dollar for me ...
There are sources of information showing the connection between the Jewish holidays and Christ and GODs plan. From Genesis to Revelation it is the perfect infallible Word. Not predicting a date just a day, Feast if trumpets, two will be in a field one will quit harvesting by Jewish law this is the believer in the rapture while the gentile would continue to work. We are in the harvest now waiting on GODs trumpet to call us from the harvest
Would Jesus' teachings count?
"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." - John 14:2-3 [emphasis added]
If Jesus is coming back to stay, then we are going to be lonely without Him at his Father's house.
http://www.life4square.com/endtimes/index.htm
An interesting look at the “End Times” from the associate pastor at the church I’ve attended for over a decade.
I had open back surgery 5 weeks ago today and I am still on movement and lifting restrictions. I guess the rapture in a couple of weeks would nullify any need I might have for physical therapy.
LOL....Yeah.... because hell is not gonna freeze over...
I seriously thought that the ball coming down was going to be missed because a flash of light and 1/3rd of the world’s population was going to disappear.
It wasn’t until the ball was safely in the glove that I was able to know it wasn’t that day.
Now, if my Panthers get to the Super Bowl again, if the refs aren’t cheating again, then maybe we might get to a minute left in the 4th with Cam and the boys ahead and then bam, it will happen.
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