The current events in Israel

No. I don't think everybody is only interested in "other things". I think there are just many different views concerning the rapture and the end times. We can all agree when we say even so, come Lord Jesus but how that comes to pass is apparently open to debate.

Personally, since 9/11, I have paid much closer attention to world news, particularly in the Middle East, and as a result of that my thoughts have been very much occupied with the end times.

Of course, during Desert Storm when there were troops from many nations in the Middle East, my thoughts were the same.

Perhaps it is human nature to feel like life will go on as normal forever even though we are told "The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night"

well, one reason is... u don't know whether the bible's implying a post/pre/mid tribulation rapture.
Also.... some people would rather focus on the present, to save as many non-believers as possible before the Lord comes back.
and we never know when He's coming back anyway... it may be a hundred yrs from now on?

if u wanted discussions on the rapture, i suggest the left behind messageboard, there're heaps of good end time events posts there, including lots of rapture stuff.

www.leftbehind.com

I truly believe the end is near, you hear of wars, and rumors of wars, famine, earthquakes, this is a sign the end is near. Israel is a hot spot now,and i think we as believers have to take this as a sign. I know i'm gonna keep my eyes on the eastern sky because my Savior is on his way. God Bless, pray for the lost.

let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me

What I truly find intersting about the events in Israel is how difficult it seems for peace to come. You hear news reporters say over and over again "Can their ever be peace in Israel?" "What will it take to bring peace?" "Is peace impossible?"


It all seems so hopeless and impossible. I believe this fact could be leading up to the soon appearance of the Anti-Christ.

But whatever does happen in the near future one thing is certain there will be no true peace in Israel or anywhere in the world until the Prince of Peace comes.


God bless,
Roberta

moved to end times forum

I heard that Russia is talking about butting in and that is very interesting considering Ezekiel 38 and 39. Although Jesus said no one would know the day or the hour, but we can know the signs of the times.

Is it better to prepare oneself spiritually for the great tribulation, and not become expectant to be spared of what is coming on the earth? Should we strengthen our faith in the holy spirit that lies within all of us, now, while we are not being persecuted? I believe it is important to know exactly where our heart is with God, so that when we are facing that <<day>> it will not overtake us "as a thief."

It is my own belief that <many> christians will live through the tribulation, when the antichrist is reigning, and they will be persecuted and tricked into his hands and brought unto death. (for if someone says to you, Lo! here is Christ, DO NOT GO FORTH, behold, I have told you this before)

The <watching> is in Israel.
Wildfire

Originally posted by Wildfire
Is it better to prepare oneself spiritually for the great tribulation, and not become expectant to be spared of what is coming on the earth? Should we strengthen our faith in the holy spirit that lies within all of us, now, while we are not being persecuted? I believe it is important to know exactly where our heart is with God, so that when we are facing that <<day>> it will not overtake us "as a thief."

Click to expand...

Well said. I think we should be ready as if tomorrow is the day the Lord returns, but plan on doing the Lord's work as if we are going to be here for the next hundred years.

>>why are most Christians on many forums NOT talking about a rapture, or at least the coming of Jesus?

I remember about 20 years ago, a Baptist preacher told me that he was positive that Jesus would come within 5 years. I did not agree with him, it turned out I was right. But if someone were to tell me now that Jesus could come within the next five years, I would not argue with them about it.

There is no question that this world is moving toward Armageddon. We have a work to do, to get out and help as many people as we can, to come to a saving knowledge of the truth. There are people in China, India, and the middle east that need out help.

For me, with the little bit of time that we have left, I wonder if we should be a full time soul winner.

Originally posted by forjesus
I truly believe the end is near, you hear of wars, and rumors of wars, famine, earthquakes, this is a sign the end is near.

Click to expand...

Uhhh....no, according to the Bible, they're not.

Matt 24:6
"And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Wars, rumours of wars, pestilence, famine, earthquakes are not "signs" of the end, because Jesus Himself said they weren't.

You should do your best to avoid making scripture say what you "want" it to say.

Instead, why not try letting it say what it actually says?

Originally posted by parousia70


Uhhh....no, according to the Bible, they're not.

Matt 24:6
"And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Wars, rumours of wars, pestilence, famine, earthquakes are not "signs" of the end, because Jesus Himself said they weren't.

You should do your best to avoid making scripture say what you "want" it to say.

Instead, why not try letting it say what it actually says?

Click to expand...

Parousia,
You would be very wise if you kept your eyes on Israel. Since you are also one that swallows the shadows of the things to come, instead of the main event. You think Israel was surrounded in A.D.70, you haven't seen anything yet my friend. You couldn't be more wrong. Have you read Ezekiel 38 yet?? Put your helmit on, because very soon you will witness it. When do you suppose that was already fulfilled?? Good luck, but I'm sure you will come up with something, even if it isn't right.

if i was given a chance to speak in an international TV
where six billion of the world's population watching
i would certainly blast out all my views
i think israeli and the palestinians and the ppl responsible for the sept 11 attack and those ppl who only know how to kill ,jihad ,for god,bush's war against terror and blah blah blah
r ppl who actually eaten too much and need some activities to disgest what they have eaten
i think ppl who kill r stupid
all they know is fight fight fight and fight
maybe sleep as well
if i have a space rocket
i will throw these ppl into it and blast them into space
and bring them to a planet like earth
after that
they start to use nukes and stuff like that to kill each other
none of my business
they wanna die let them die let god deal with them
i just wanna lived a peaceful life
if a war break out here all of us will "die"

I might have said it wrong with my earlier post, and i'm sorry if i did. When i post i try not add or take anything away from scripture. It is my opinion that the begining of sorrows is upon us. Israel is a hotspot, but things are gonna get worse, in my opinion. I believe that My Lord is getting ready to make his return to this earth, I believe that with all my heart, and the things going on in the middle east just strengthen my belief. Praise God Today, and every day.

forjesus; there was nothing wrong with your post. Wars and commotions have come and gone, and so have earthquakes and famine. The end is compared to a womans labor pains, so these will all increase as the time of the end draws closer. It is <<good>> to be alert and to watch; remember, we are told that those who keep the words of the book of Revelation are blessed. I too, am careful not to misuse the scripture in any way, because it was written not by me, but by those who were in the spirit of God; so the words came "through" them from Jesus Christ, and not for my own interpretation.

Israel is the center of all of these events. In order for the daily sacrifice to be taken away (as spoken in Daniel, concerning the end) the temple must first again be established. The holy site predicted for this, is where the Dome of the Rock (muslem site) currently stands. <If> the christians are able to worship there again, we may all bear witness to prophecy. Because of the current war; a peace treaty between Pakistan and Israel (may) be established; that would allow both religions to mix their beliefs. A muslem/christian blendng (or one world religion) may be the beast foretold of in Revelation. (10 christian countries/ 7 Islam kings) Also in Daniels end vision, the feet (which is described as the later kingdom in chapter 2); are made of iron and clay, which does not mix.
Keep watching; Wildfire

Besides Isreal there are other things to look for...

Technology.... increasing advancements without moral restraints on their use (cloning, Ic implant chips, ect)

Global climate change ( example: the break down of the antartic ice shelf) ..these changes can lead to famine and pestilence.

Intergration of Global economic systems
( the european EU is a good example of this) as nation's economic system become more intertwined, it becomes easier one person or group to control them.

Originally posted by parousia70


Uhhh....no, according to the Bible, they're not.

Matt 24:6
"And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

Wars, rumours of wars, pestilence, famine, earthquakes are not "signs" of the end, because Jesus Himself said they weren't.

You should do your best to avoid making scripture say what you "want" it to say.

Instead, why not try letting it say what it actually says?

Click to expand...

Parousia-
Jesus said these events (wars, rumors of wars, etc) were the beginning of birth pains:
Matthew 24:6
6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8l these are the beginning of birth pains.

My wife is pregnant. When she starts having contractions, I'm taking that as a sign that the birth of our little girl is immenent.

Those events are most DEFINITELY signs. He says the end is not yet because they are only leading UP to the end.

Read up on it a little..."why not try letting it say what it actually says?"

thanks josiah, i was just gonna say.... btw, imho... you and rollin are like a personal cnn to me... thanks for the helpfull posts guys, keep it up