Does anyone here believe we are in the biblical end times?

[FayetheADHDsquirrel]

Matthew 24:36
Mark 13:32

I believe we are in the end times, but I don't think we should try to set dates for His return.

 

[Dagan]

Anyone else ever think that the (every single year) predictions of the end times is basically just folks who want to take even less responsibility? I mean, the whole thing is pretty much "wanting" the end to come because said god is going to finally remedy "everything"...and...the most elite followers won't have to do any of the work helping out, either. All the while, if we as a worldwide society actually did the right things, took responsibility, accountability and made selfless efforts only...we could remedy the majority of what's wrong ourselves.

 

[abby normal]

seems like that bus has come and gone, and I have been left behind in the sorrows.

 

[Kayla55]

Has anyone else seen this, it is going round social media that the rapture is happening in 2025 in September. The Bible says know ones when the Lord will return for the second time. Me, I wouldn't be surprised if were in the sorrows, and many of us have had our own afflictions.

The Rapture is is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, which describes believers being "caught up" in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Those dead will be raised and believers who are meant to meet the Lord in the air will do. This is before the 2nd coming.

My life plans were not taking effect, this is when I gave up belief in my own power or plans, I accepted that life was tough and that I had to make best of what I could. Realising we are mortal and having peace with it is for best cause none of us is really in control, and those who are are probably there for reason, test and so not all of us choose the route of evil. Argument so often: but others, but freedom from oppression, yes to extent but also realisation that in end one find themselves in wrong with pardon excesses as to why it's not evil or sin which as man's own law doesn't accept this, a judge will never take exceuse to justify breaking the law. So what is judgement, then?

Book you refer to is new testament which in Christianity believed not accepting Jesus means hell, despite being good Samaritan. I was interested in Islamic texts being very old transcripts, similarity to Torah.
Mostly we believe Messiah will come in the end times, not be resurected. In way my autism was a blessing but challenge because it limited me from bad behaviour that would otherwise require what Christians refer as holy spirit, but in end times more noticeable how powerful demons are, no, we cannot fight alone with just asking Jesus. Catholics do recognise certain sins need priest to remove demonic forces, I'm not expert but this much I've witnessed!!

I'm editing to elaborate on judgement a little more...
In past some said it's my job to protect my children from harm, and yes, charity also does start at home - also easier than relying on others lack forthcoming charity which often isn't enough cover bills.
Then judgement again, is it our responsibility to pay bills for family when work is scarce, becoming harder to feed ourselves. Can we commit white sins, lies to try get by when devil doesn't want give us a job?
Do we pay bills, neglect others who don't follow through.

What test is this?

 

[Kayla55]

It is a late night and I have been racking my brain to think of a topic to start a thread on. I consider myself a Christian, but struggle with how literally I should interpret the Bible. I do not attend church on a regular basis, but did so as I was growing up. I know the book of Revelation speaks to the end times and what events will take place.

Sometimes, I think we may be in those end times because the world is such a mess, but then I think back to history class and recall that the world has always been a mess. There have been terrible things all throughout human history. But what is intriguing is that certain prophesies in the Bible have been fulfilled even in modern history. The most influential to me is the fact that the Jews re-established their homeland in Israel. This is prophesied and needed to occur before the end times from my understanding.

It is amazing to me that Jews that were scattered across the globe at one point were able to regather in their homeland. Of course, there are Jews living everywhere in the world. More and more stories in the Bible continue to be supported by archaeological evidence. Ancient cities have been discovered that are mentioned in the Bible. But you can never prove the supernatural.

I'm rambling, but wanted to get people's thoughts.

Interesting, and Jews that despute over wicked ways has many books of the Bible. David fall from grace being most famous but another persistent issues is:

Likewise, slaves were to be treated fairly, receive their just wages, were not to work during the sabbath, and not to be treated harshly or severely harmed (Ex 20:10, Job 31:13-15, Deut 24:14-15, Lev 22:11, Mal 3:5, Lev 19:20-22, Ex 21:20-21, 26-32, also cf.Eph 5:9).
Very relevant to dates that Roosevelt abolished slavery, and some chose to follow an architect of jezzabel, who then criticise afterwards which is like what? Ok, so we need to look somewhat decent but not all born as Hollywood superstars, those sort of demands just simply will not pass.
Suppose maid Marian was a fantasy story in Robin Hood, so was Anna leanova and current princess Kate. Of course, no one is indebted to the USA, free to exploit as wish. So born into inherited doom empire my ancestors left me daunting task of accumulated failed return on investment, insufficient fishing routes, less land, landlocked, failed delivery of equal rights and polish-getman refusal to return what thief stole at midnight, to never return. Of course all fingers pointed at Russia, none to look at themselves and whether they deserve the karma in EU with immigrants and energy sanctions and fair treatment of serfs or slaves and what are equal rights?
Retribution again, denied. Acknowledgement by far too arrogance and greed consumes those who seek to remain in power, scrambling around, deceiving and lying hoping for another ticket to get away with it.

 

[Rachie]

My life plans were not taking effect, this is when I gave up belief in my own power or plans, I accepted that life was tough and that I had to make best of what I could. Realising we are mortal and having peace with it is for best cause none of us is really in control, and those who are are probably there for reason, test and so not all of us choose the route of evil. Argument so often: but others, but freedom from oppression, yes to extent but also realisation that in end one find themselves in wrong with pardon excesses as to why it's not evil or sin which as man's own law doesn't accept this, a judge will never take exceuse to justify breaking the law. So what is judgement, then?

Book you refer to is new testament which in Christianity believed not accepting Jesus means hell, despite being good Samaritan. I was interested in Islamic texts being very old transcripts, similarity to Torah.
Mostly we believe Messiah will come in the end times, not be resurected. In way my autism was a blessing but challenge because it limited me from bad behaviour that would otherwise require what Christians refer as holy spirit, but in end times more noticeable how powerful demons are, no, we cannot fight alone with just asking Jesus. Catholics do recognise certain sins need priest to remove demonic forces, I'm not expert but this much I've witnessed!!

I'm editing to elaborate on judgement a little more...
In past some said it's my job to protect my children from harm, and yes, charity also does start at home - also easier than relying on others lack forthcoming charity which often isn't enough cover bills.
Then judgement again, is it our responsibility to pay bills for family when work is scarce, becoming harder to feed ourselves. Can we commit white sins, lies to try get by when devil doesn't want give us a job?
Do we pay bills, neglect others who don't follow through.

What test is this?

Hi Kayla55, that was interesting reading. I’m sorry that you’ve been going through some difficult times. I am a Christian and Jesus is more than I could ever need.

The rapture is mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Some people do just have Christian values, and we have to do what feels right to us. To me, it is gnashing of teeth... I don’t hate anybody I wish they could all be saved those with good hearts. Have you been baptised? I have met great people of all faiths and none some have been Hindu and worked their socks of to help others and I have prayed for them to for God to accept them. They are better than many Christians. The Bible says though we need to accept Christ as Christians and Dante (not Biblical) Hell says that those who were good Samaritans and just not of the faith will see a level 1 of hell..akin to an open air prison with no restrictions just absence of God. The pit of hell is for demons. I wish you well.

I was training before to be a Citizen advice counsellor giving advice for everyday things before COVID went pear shaped. I would say to you in life we can do things we end up regretting decades later and wish we never did it. Nobody is perfect....but think is there anything you regret and may be you won’t go the same way again. You say you like the Torah...Leviticus 19 tells not to lie... Leviticus 19:11, which states, "You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; and you shall not lie to one another"

Is there any help you could get, someone had to tell me about the benefits I could get where I live. You have to fill them out with guides usually to answer them right and give good note of your worst days.

...

I am sitting here and off looking the clouds wondering what will happen with this Rapture.

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

Maybe the Buga sphere, is related see what happens next month.

 

[Rachie]

Hi all, I asked these questions from someone to in there go through the Book of Revelations for me and tell me what was literal in it, symbolic or allegorical. The thing with the Revelations like the New Testament it doesn't state what is a parable etc so someone could just take it as literal. May be these questions and answers below might help some of you.

Question-

Does anyone really eat a Holy Book?

Answer-
Well, I worked this out with my family, it means that prophecy has been done and no one as told in Revelations eats a Holy Book.

My question-

Another one Jezebel isn't a single woman. It may appear it at first. She is though symbolic of the immorality of others in Revelations of how they undermine and cause immorality to men and women servants of God members of Christ.

Answer-

Re your mention of Jezebel: Rev. 2:18-29 is the letter of Jesus to the church in Thyatira and this is where 'Jezebel' is mentioned. Thyatira was an important centre for trade and had powerful trade guilds, each being under the patronage of a pagan diety. The letter commends the church generally for their faith, service and endurance, but condemns their tolerance of 'Jezebel'. Now in the OT Jezebel was a Baal worshipper and sought to kill God's prophets. She enticed her husband King Ahab to idolatry mixed with worship of Yahweh.

So Jezebel generally represents idolatry, sexual immorality and unrepentence. I believe she isn't an actual person here but a representation of evil. 'Her children' would be those who indulge in idolatry and sexual immorality. Just as Jezebel in the OT was unwilling to repent, so these latter will also not repent and as such God will judge them harshly. This letter serves as a warning to all the churches not to tolerate these practices.

Question-

There are others. I still think it would be helpful as many people are here to point out what is literal and symbolic in Revelations-like the woman sent out who was pregnant-symbolic or literal to you.

Answer-

Moving on: The pregnant woman and the Dragon (Rev 12) - the woman represents Israel (relating to the OT concept of Israel as the wife of Yahweh), the Dragon is Satan. The 12 stars are the 12 tribes of Israel. This is first seen in Joseph's dream in Genesis 37:9-11 where the Sun represents Jacob, later re-named by God as Israel. The vision of the woman about to give birth is the nation of Israel just prior to the birth of the Messiah. The 7 heads and 10 horns of the dragon represent the final form of the fourth Gentile world empire under Satan's authority.

The 7 diadems point to a concept of conquest. The dragon's tail sweeping down one third of the stars refers to one third of Heaven's angels falling with Satan. Satan tried to prevent the Messiah from surviving and fulfilling his destiny but as we know that failed and the child (Jesus) went on to fulfil that destiny and ascend to Heaven. The woman fleeing to the wilderness (Rev 12:6) represents the flight of the remnant of Israel into the wilderness mid-Trib where God will protect them for 3.5 years. Up to that time Satan persecutes Israel (which we can see today and over the history of the world). Verse 15 refers to a 'flood' which usually symbolises military invasion. This is yet to come.

Question

Two witnesses to you-symbolic or literal as I have been looking forward to it

Answer-

Two witnesses will be real people. Who they are exactly is open to speculation, some think Elijah, Moses or Enoch. Others think maybe people born at that time with a special annointing. Don't know! Their purpose is to witness to the Jewish people in Israel (mainly Jerusalem) and they will possess miraculous powers so they can't be killed or stopped till the appointed time (mid-Trib) when they will be killed. After 3 days they will be resurrected and ascend to Heaven, everyone will see it (how does everyone see it? Think power of the Internet and webcams! That's my take on that detail).

Question

Why to you was there not a Holy person enough to open the Book of Seals in Heaven or Earth. It upset me to read this one-obviously Christ is the only Perfect one. Interesting to hear your thoughts.

Answer-

Opening the scrolls - only Jesus was holy enough to do so because he is the only one without sin. None of us are, so no human could ever open the scrolls, only the Lamb can.

Question-

Do you think as Matthew says it will be difficult to have prayers answered towards the end as they say woe to pregnant women at this time and when it is in winter it will be difficult to live..

Answer-

The section in Matthew you are referring to (Matt 24:15-21) refers to the time immediately following the setting up of the Abomination of Desolation in the Temple (mid-Trib). The references to winter are connected to the climate of Israel. In winter the rainy season makes flash floods very likely and so escaping from Jerusalem will be much harder. Also being pregnant or with a baby would similarly be more difficult. Sabbath would also be harder as transport in Israel stops over Sabbath. I see Matthew's exhortation to pray as something that believers should do in those times to hopefully avoid winter and the Sabbath.

Question-

Will God be Praised in reality for his judgements

Well my pastor's thoughts on this (and of course others may differ) is that they are 24 leaders representing the Church. The only other mention of 24 elders in relation to priests occurs in 1 Chronicles 24, where the priests are divided into 24 groups, and each selected one representative to stand before God. The Church, being a kingdom of priests, embodies this same idea. This would mean they're not angels but humans.

These elders are wearing stephanos crowns (victory crowns), which indicates a reward, given by God. So at this point in the narrative there's only one group of people that have received a stephanos crown, and that is the Church in its entirety. Since angels don't receive a reward this does rule them out as elders.

All are wearing white robes which indicates salvation. Angels have no need of salvation so again that would rule out angels being these elders. From the crown rewards it's most likely the Church who is represented here, not Israel, although Jews can still be part of the Church as believers.

Question

How about UN as being a One world government-

Answer-

One world government (Daniel 7:23-24, Ezekiel 38:1- 39:16) - "The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all the kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and tread it down, and break it in pieces'. Sounds fun! Currently we have an east-west axis of power but one day the eastern power will collapse with the fall of Russian forces and the destruction of Russia. This will open the way for a one world government. It could be connected to the UN, or maybe not, but it will take over the entire world.

Question-

Do you think we have antichrists out there now-

Answer-

Yes many antichrists are already present but THE Antichrist has yet to be seen - he may be alive already, we don't know.

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

I'm just waiting for pictures of 3/Atlas in a few weeks.

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

The more I follow 3i/ Atlas the weirder it gets. Is it alien, if it is how will it effect us here. Should know in few days.
If it hits Mars the alien AI is as bad as ours.

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

Any body else following this

 

[Dagan]

I've been following it, yes. The dreams that inspire my songwriting / music project are probably going to spark up anew. This is amazing and appreciated, though.

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

Only a few days we will know what's going on Are we ready for other intelligent life I like Spinoza, did not know about Darwin, quantum mechanics. I hope this has nothing to do with my dream months after my stroke.

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

Latest is this a BS video, what is real news now.

 

[RemyZee]

So many choices...though I suppose the ones that lapsed with time no longer count.

List of dates predicted for apocalyptic events - Wikipedia

that is striking and telling to see all of those predictions in one place, shows the things that are happening now have always happened through history--but the stakes of people grabbing onto these apocalyptic visions of humanity are that people buy into that idea and actually do things to bring it about--such as disintegrating the environment. If it's all God's plan, why change behavior? A new term just coined, End Times Fascism, describes the phenomenon of how extremely wealthy and extremely religious people are frantically preparing for the end times, while simultaneously doing the very things that bring those end times about.

 

[Outdated]

Latest is this a BS video, what is real news now.

All these videos are crap. Sensationalist click bait designed to garner more advertising revenue.

Atlas is just a comet, and not even a really spectacular one either. Most of what can be seen by the human eye is just a cloud of gas and debris and latest estimate of the size of it's solid core say it's 2.8 metres across, less than 10 feet.

Comet 3I/ATLAS – frequently asked questions

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

Wonder if buga sphere, is some how related , either way more fun than all the Trump news. If any truth we will know in a few weeks, lots of time on my hands cannot walk any where. Tried shopping with wife could not stand should have bought my hunters stick in.