July 25, 2008
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How close are we?
The Jewish temple has been rebuilt and then destroyed twice historically.http://bibleprobe.com/rebuildingthetemple.htm
There is talk of building a third http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%
2FShowFull&cid=1214726180915 What if the “hated of all nations” or “Preech the gospel to every nation” was referring to the Jews and early christians and the kingdoms that existed at Jesus and the disciples time or before human migration? It could be looked at from different veiwpoints that is all I am saying.
Earthquakes are happening around the world all the time. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/
We are still fighting in Iraq. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_War
What about the Tsunami a year or so ago http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake
and the typhoon in Taiwan http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-07/21/content_6862189.htm ,
or the hurricanes.
New Orleans was practically wiped off the map. http://www.katrinadestruction.com/
Tornados have been worse this year in the Midwest US and arkansas than any year prior. http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/02/06/tornadoes/index.html
Floods http://ks.water.usgs.gov/Kansas/pubs/fact-sheets/fs.024-00.html
and Droughts http://mediaethiopia.com/foodsecurity/return_of_drought.htm,
I dont know where you live, but the west coast of the US might be out of forest and National Parkland due to wildfires in the near future. http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gwSSrT7-LciDlr1tYmyE9e19oX9QD920NNA00
My whole point in all of this is that a lot of biblical prophecy has already been fulfiulled, not to say that it cannot happen again or that it might be cyclic but it doesnt have to happen for Jesus to come back. I think that all of this is good evidence for a post trib view of the End Times.
Comments (31)
We still need the anti-Christ to enter the seen.
*scene, not seen. Sorry.
the bluegrass group, New Tradition, has a release, the title of which answers your question: CLOSER THAN WE’VE EVER BEEN
@Hecalmsthestorm - There have been many Antichrists since Jesus came and died.
Such as:
Antiochus Epiphanes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiochus_Epiphanes
Julian Soldius, or Julian The Apostate http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_the_Apostate
Nero was considered as the second Antichrist by the Roman Catholic Church.
”Nero, always a man desparate to be popular, therefore looked for scapegoats on whom the fire could be blamed. He found it in an obscure new religious sect, the Christians.
And so many Christians were arrested and thrown to the wild beasts in the circus, or they were crucified . Many of them were also burned to death at night, serving as ‘lighting’ in Nero’s gardens, while Nero mingled among the watching crowds.
It is this brutal persecution which immortalized Nero as the first Antichrist in the eyes of the Christian church. (The second Antichrist being the reformist Luther by edict of the Catholic Church.)” http://www.roman-empire.net/emperors/nero-index.html
Alexander The Great http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_the_Great
And even Hitler http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitler
Maybe there will be another but I am not sure that has to happen before Jesus comes back.
Napolean could also be considered an Antichrist. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon_I_of_France
Dangerous stuff there. May I suggest you read Revelation again.
@Hecalmsthestorm - Why is it dangerous?
Instead of looking for signs of the Second Coming in our world, perhaps our time is better invested in helping fix the world to the best of our human abilities.
@QuantumStorm - Amen to that! My wife and I volunteered at the local Salvation Army last night in the food pantry and soup kitchen.
Why? Because you are suggesting that we are already in the tribulation period. There are defininte things that have to happen. I agree that there are signs we are getting close but to suggest the anti-Christ has already started his rule is absurd.
@Hecalmsthestorm -
Antichrist (an-ti-krahyst) noun, theology
1. A particular person or power, variously identified or explained, who is conceived of as appearing in the world as the principal antagonist of Christ.
2. An opponent of Christ, A person or group antagonitic towards Christ or Against Christ.
3. A disbeliever in Christ
4. A False Christ, one who claims to be Christ/The son of God or God himself. http://www.dictionary.com
I John 2:18-29 18Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
@rnjennison - I will have to check that out.
I am beyond shocked. I don’t even know what to say to you other than good day.
@Hecalmsthestorm - Yes. I think that up to 75% of the Bible including Revelations could have been fullfilled. You dont think its possible? I mean it is possible that you are right and there could be ONE LAST ANTICHRIST or ONE LAST BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE, but I dont think it has to be that way. I definately do not believe in a pre-tribulation secret rapture theology anymore. I dont think that it is scriptural. The Second coming is, and that is different. When Jesus comes back I believe that it will be the END and everyone will hear and see him on that day then we will all be judged and reign with him for a thousand years in New Jerusalem.
@Hecalmsthestorm - I was shocked too when someone first told me that. But when I took the glasses off that I had been taught to look through by my Family, Freinds, Churches and Church leaders, and studied the context and history for myself I came to a different conclusion and I am not saying I have it all right. Im just begging the question.
@Hecalmsthestorm - :goodjob: Good day to you. :wave:
Thanks for a very stimulating post today. My son is very excited about the prospect of the Lord’s return but worries about what we will go through.
RYC Thank you for the visit and comment. Once in awhile, lol, I even surprise myself!!! Really.
I suggest you skip tomorrow! lol It won’t be very spiritual.
Blessings
frank
Sometimes I want to pray that Jesus does not return, at least not for now. As happy as i will be to see Christ, I want others to come to know him as well. For me Jesus’ second return use to be all joy and happy – but now it is more bitter-sweet because I know that while I am saved, others will not be. However, the new “global village” that is becoming ever-present is enabling more people to share the gospel and hear it than ever before, which makes me excited. I try not too get too bogged down in revelation and end times stuff.. while it is interesting, it is the hardest thing/genre in the bible to study because the Jewish-Apocalyptic style is so rare elsewhere (in or outside of the bible – so its harder to interpret than almost anything else in scripture). Sometimes I think about the end times but I try to stay in step with the now, and be concerned about sharing Jesus and making disciples and loving others.
I am not trying to presuppose that you are “only” focused on End Times and Revelation – but I know many Christians who do, who get so caught up in websites and disscusing the future that the present fades and does not seem to matter.
~ Daniel
@NVRSAD_DAY - Thanks for the update. :coolman:
@Doubledb - :yes: I know exactly what you mean. I too think that it is good to stay focused on the day to day, loving our neighbors, and obeying Gods commands and the Holy Spirit.
:shysmile: I admit I have always been fascinated with prophecy though.
@derekwilson24 - :yes: It’s good that you were honest about your interest in prophecy!! I’m so happy that we are learning together about these things. I love you so much. :heartbeat:
@Chandasong - :wink: I :love: you too.
@derekwilson24 -
:rolleyes: C’mon guys.. lol, kidding…
I like this !!! May we know the season of His time…. May we be found not sleeping in that time….
but watching for the bridegroom…
@Jwat5 - :goodjob: Amen.
@Hecalmsthestorm - I went back over Revelation yesterday. What was you trying to say? That there is stuff that hasnt been fulfilled? I totally agree. I never said everything has been. I was just asking, is it possible that a lot has been.
@derekwilson24 - You speak as though the Temple is re-built. You speak as though the anti-Christ is here or was here and you speak of multiple anti-Christs. You speak as though the abomination has happened. You say you are not speaking as if these have happened but by the way you present your post people believe this is what you are saying. You clearly do not have a proper understanding of scripture as related to the end times if you believe or suggest these things have happened. To speak as if these things have happened is false doctrine.
@Hecalmsthestorm - Did you read or have you studied Jewish history, The history of the Jewish Temple, or the History of Christianity? Read this link: http://www.templemount.org/destruct2.html
Yes, I do believe that the Abomination of Desolation spoken of by Daniel the Prophet may have been fulfilled by the Romans in 70 A.D When Antiochus Epiphanes went into the temple and slaughtered a pig as a sacrifice to another God on the alter of the One True God. Read More about Antiochus Epiphanes here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiochus_IV_Epiphanes
There absolutley have been and will be many antichrists. That is scriptural. There may be one last one. I dont know.
1 John 2:18
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
@derekwilson24 - Maybe you should quit reading Revelation, Daniel and Ezekial and have someone interpret them. That is NOT the abomination. Your teachings are very dangerous. They border on heresy.
@Hecalmsthestorm - Lets just agree to disagree on this. ok? It is not a heaven or hell issue. Be blessed.