In response, I don't expect the world to end during my lifetime and honestly, it is not something I am looking foreward to. <BUT> I would not want to be caught unawares, when God decides that enough is enough.
As for the desolation, it is partly fufilled, but there is still a second part to it. The vision is not complete.
>We are told that 'when ye shall SEE Jerusalem compassed with armies, know that the desolation is nigh.' I am not so certain that this city has been surrounded by armies the last 2000 years, but it looks that way now. Besides, how could we <the world> see this event without the help of modern technology? The same goes for the two witnesses who are killed in the streets of Jerusalem, <for the world to see> and then rise three days later. My my my.
As for these words:
"these things must shortly come to pass,"
What do we know about time, when it was made by our own creator? A day is a thousand years, and a thousand years is a day unto God. So, just because <some> have become impatient for his return, it doesn't mean that he won't.
"as some count slackness."
Remember the opening of the first seal. Who was worthy to open the book? Jesus Christ. Who came forth but a white horse and a bow to conquer and go conquering? Was it the false prophet; That was the first sign we are to look for.
Many will come in my name and say, Lo here is Christ, or Lo he is there.
Follow the seals.
We have had wars, and famines, and disease But, the <sixth> seal, we have not encountered yet. The earthquake that is so great that it causes the entire earth to move out of it's place, and the sun to darken, has yet to happen.
And the desolation is still a future event, God help us all.
Wildfire