2017

[ken777]

Matthew 24:36 says: no person knows the day or the hour of Christ's return. Having said that, are there events that seem to point to 2017 being a significant year for those looking for His return?

There is the total solar eclipse August 21, 2017. We know that the sun being darkened is associated with spiritual events in Scripture. AFAIK it will only be seen in the USA. Significant?

Then there is the idea that 1917, 1967 & 2017 are jubilee years (Leviticus 25:9-10). This is connected to the prophecy of Rabbi Judah ben Samuel.

The Bible indicates there will be signs to recognize the unfolding of end time events. I don't have any timetable, or even a specific sequence of events, but I think it is worthwhile considering possible portents of what lies ahead. Along with many other Christians I believe we are in the season of Christ's return.

 

[Psalm3704]

Use the Jewish calendar, it more accurately reveals a bigger picture. It's a Jubilee from 1967 and a generation from 1948. Jesus said in a generation and by then it'll be near, at the door when heaven and earth will pass away.








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[ken777]

Use the Jewish calendar, it more accurately reveals a bigger picture. It's a Jubilee from 1967 and a general from 1948. Jesus said in a generation and by then it'll be near, at the door when heaven and earth will pass away.

Some people have suggested that Jesus' parable of the fig tree refers to the establishment of modern Israel in 1948 and that "This generation shall not pass" (Matthew 24:34) could refer to a 70 year time span. (Possibly in your comment you meant "generation" not "general"?)

The eclipse on August 21, 2017 is unique in some ways. According to Wikipedia "The August 2017 eclipse will be the first with a path of totality crossing the USA's Pacific coast and Atlantic coast since 1918 [WW1]. Also, its path of totality makes landfall exclusively within the USA, making it the first such eclipse since the country's independence in 1776."

The eclipse has greater significance for those who see the US in Revelation 13:11-18.

 

[stephen583]

The Scripture does indeed say the day and the hour are only known to God alone, (Matthew 24:36), but it also says God shall do nothing without first revealing his secret to his servants, (Amos 3:7). So the message of Matthew 24:36 should be interpreted in this context, because we are told over and over again to watch for these signs so that we aren't caught unawares, and are found worthy to escape what is coming (Luke 21:36, 1 Thessalonians 5:4, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, John 17:15, Proverbs 27:12).

It also appears many recent signs point directly at America. I would begin with the Supreme Court decision in July 2015 legalizing same sex marriage, which according to one dissenting justice opinion, represents a departure from the fundamental beliefs upon which this nation was founded, (2 Thessalonians 2:3, The Great Falling Away).

Then there was the summit where the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, Pope Francis and the President of China Xi Jinping converged simultaneously on Washington D.C. in September 2015. 666 descends on Washington ?!

Some might also recall an astronomical "blood moon" event that accompanied the Washington summit in September 2015, and was only visible in the North American continent.

For those who ascribe to biblical numerology, the month of September corresponds to the number nine. In numerology, the number nine is the number of "completion". It marks the end of one thing and the beginning of another. Nine generations from Adam to Noah, nine generations from Noah to Abraham. Jesus was on the cross for nine hours, and then died.

Now in 2016 we have the rapidly deteriorating relations between Russia, China and the United States, with the former and current NATO supreme commanders of Europe (SACEUR) saying we could be at war with Russia by 2017. "Rumors of war", (Matthew 24:6).

Then we have the Russian involvement in Syria (Assyria) which began in September 2015, followed by the coup in Turkey, which Erdogan says was backed by the United States, and Erdogan's recent visit to Moscow in which he agreed to closer military ties with Russia, including allowing the Russians to use Incirlik air base in Turkey (Togarmah). This was followed by Russia gaining access to the Hamadan air base in Iran (Persia). Assyria, Togarmah and Persia three countries mentioned in Bible prophecy as enemies of Israel at the time of the End.

Who was it by the way who "Dried up the waters (people) of the Euphrates" (Iraq) creating a failed state, and then invited the Iranians into that country to fight ISIS... AMERICA ?

And who has given Saudi Arabia 48 billion dollars in military aide since 2013 and looked the other way while the Saudis are acquiring missiles and nuclear warheads in exchange for trillions of Saudi petro dollars, "those who seek to be rich, fall into a trap and pierce themselves through with many sorrows" (1 Timothy 6:9). AMERICA ?

Yeah. I would have to agree, 2017-2018 is a pretty good bet. Everything appears to be pointing in that direction.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

Matthew 24:36 says: no person knows the day or the hour of Christ's return. Having said that, are there events that seem to point to 2017 being a significant year for those looking for His return?

There is the total solar eclipse August 21, 2017. We know that the sun being darkened is associated with spiritual events in Scripture. AFAIK it will only be seen in the USA. Significant?

Then there is the idea that 1917, 1967 & 2017 are jubilee years (Leviticus 25:9-10). This is connected to the prophecy of Rabbi Judah ben Samuel.

The Bible indicates there will be signs to recognize the unfolding of end time events. I don't have any timetable, or even a specific sequence of events, but I think it is worthwhile considering possible portents of what lies ahead. Along with many other Christians I believe we are in the season of Christ's return.

IMHO we are seeing already the signs of His coming. We see an uptick in the earth changes, more and more devastating Earthquakes, volcanoes,sinkholes,floods,storms, etc. We see wars and rumors of wars. We see famines and economic chaos. People are not even noticing these things as they are not affected personally. Lord Jesus Himself told us to watch for these things. Yet people, even those who claim to be Christians, mock us for pointing to these signs. Each day brings us closer to the day.

Matt. 24:
44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.

47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

[stephen583]

48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;

49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

America has allowed Arab/Christians to be beheaded, killed in mass executions, kidnapped and forced to become Muslims in Syria and Iraq by ISIS, and left them to languish in captivity in refugee camps stretching from Jordan to Eastern Europe. We said nothing while Palestinian Christians were being deposed of their land by Israel. America has also foolishly invited Russia to join us as our (ally ?) in the War on Terror. Have we not smitten our fellow servants and drank with the drunken ?

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

America has allowed Arab/Christians to be beheaded, killed in mass executions, kidnapped and forced to become Muslims in Syria and Iraq by ISIS, and left them to languish in captivity in refugee camps stretching from Jordan to Eastern Europe. We said nothing while Palestinian Christians were being deposed of their land by Israel. America has also foolishly invited Russia to join us as our (ally ?) in the War on Terror. Have we not smitten our fellow servants and drank with the drunken ?

umm hmm ! America as a whole, and Christian America as well is complicit as well.

 

[JackRT]

I believe it to be intellectually, emotionally and spiritually unhealthy to live your life in constant expectation of the "end times". It is far better to live your life in such a way as to make this a better world, not just today but into the far distant future.

In actual fact I have no confidence whatsoever in any interpretation of end times prophesies be they biblical or not. This universe is now about 13.5 billion years old, it will probably be around for at least that long again.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

see what I mean?

 

[Straightshot]

The signs given are all events that will occur when the tribulation period begins, not before

The start date is not given in scripture

The world will not be anticipating what is coming [Matthew 24:36-39]

There will be no signs or warnings in advance .... the Lord will execute His coming "day of the Lord" as a thief comes

What we can know is the biblically supported setting for the tribulation to begin .... Israel in the land and surrounded by the nation's virulent Muslim enemies

Watch the Middle East

 

[stephen583]

The start date is not given in scripture

True, but the events that precipitate the Apocalypse, (the invasion of Judea, The West bank of Israel) is specifically mentioned in the Gospel, (Matthew 24:16, Luke 21:21), as well as the "Great Falling Away" (2 Thessalonians 2:7) and the identity of the antichrist being revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:3).

The world will not be anticipating what is coming [Matthew 24:36-39]

True. The world at large will be taken totally unaware by the Second Coming, but as Christians, we are not supposed to be of this world (1 John 2:15), nor are we supposed to live in darkness as to the Second Coming of Christ, (1 Thessalonians 5:4, Luke 21:36).

There will be no signs or warnings in advance

Read the Olivet Discourse, Matthew 24. It says different.

 

[stephen583]

I believe it to be intellectually, emotionally and spiritually unhealthy to live your life in constant expectation of the "end times".

For those serious about the study of eschatology, (You are aware you are in an eschatology section of the CF forum, right ?)..

I suggest everybody keep their eyes on the next September surprise coming next month... The meeting of the G-20 summit taking place in Beijing China. RT International News has already pointed out there will be a sideline meeting between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jenping to discuss how to deal with American led economic sanctions and the deployment of U.S. missile defense systems in Romania and South Korea on their respective strategic borders.

Can anybody say, "Axis Alliance" ?! The New Cold War era, is about to turn into the Third World War. The end of one era and the beginning of another. Numerology again. September being the ninth month.

 

[Straightshot]

"Read the Olivet Discourse, Matthew 24. It says different"


All of the events of Matthew 24 and Luke 21:20-36 are a focus upon Israel and scheduled during the tribulation .... not before .... same as the 70th week decreed for Israel .... the time of Jacob's trouble

You will see none of this prior to the beginning of the tribulation

 

[Straightshot]

"I suggest everybody keep their eyes on the next September surprise coming next month... The meeting of the G-20 summit taking place in Beijing China. RT International News has already pointed out there will be a sideline meeting between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jenping to discuss how to deal with American led economic sanctions and the deployment of U.S. missile defense systems in Romania and South Korea on their respective strategic borders. Can anybody say, "Axis Alliance" ?! The New Cold War era, is about to turn into the Third World War."


None of these things that you are speculating are contained within the scope of the visions of the prophets .... not the players and not any third world war including the same

The battle of Armageddon is a very different war between the Lord and His nation of Israel against the Muslim nations of the Middle East just at the end of the 70th week [2520 days] decreed

Until you discover that the prophets are focused upon the Middle East, Israel, and the surrounding Muslim states .... all name as players and by location, you are not going to understand what is coming

And you will be simply carried adrift by your speculations that have no prophetic relationship

 

[stephen583]

"And for this cause, God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a LIE" (2 Thessalonians 2:11).

Speaking of economic sanctions against Russia and China, (the two most notorious contributors to greenhouse gas e-mission and dirty industry), it remains to be seen whether the Paris Accord on Climate Change and it's accompanying sanctions against violators will be used to SAVE THE WORLD, or whether it will be used as an economic weapon and become the catalyst that plunges the earth into a Third World War. It could be the greatest LIE ever perpetrated against humanity in the history of the world.

Viewed in the context of the extreme climate we've experienced since 2015, disappearing glaciers, warming artic tundras, the largest El Nino in history (dubbed Godzilla El Nino by climatologists) setting up over the eastern Pacific, the rising temperature of seas (dubbed blobs) setting up off the coasts of California and Australia permanently destroying kelp forests and coastal mangrove swamps that have existed for tens of thousands of years, 1,000 years floods occurring with increased frequency and the drought in India, these ("acts of God" ?) certainly do seem to have guaranteed the passage of the Paris Accord on Climate Change, haven't they ?

Just something else to think about.

 

[Straightshot]

"The Bible indicates there will be signs to recognize the unfolding of end time events. I don't have any timetable, or even a specific sequence of events, but I think it is worthwhile considering possible portents of what lies ahead. Along with many other Christians I believe we are in the season of Christ's return."


It does appear that way for many reasons .... a remnant part of Israel has been returned to the land in the midst of the intransigent Muslims

This is the setting for the long standing great controversy between Issac/Jacob/Israel and Ishmael/Esau/Idumea

When will the tribulation begin?.... the Lord has not revealed the dating

 

[stephen583]

All of the events of Matthew 24 and Luke 21:20-36 are a focus upon Israel and scheduled during the tribulation

Watch the Middle East

I can see where the idea of all End Time Bible Prophecy relating only to Israel and the Middle East being wildly "popular" and attractive with the masses, after all most people in the world don't live in Israel, or the Middle East.

How convenient and reassuring, but I'm afraid the doctrine that all End Time Prophecy will only effect the nation of Israel and the Middle east, is inherently wrong.

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears" (2 Timothy 4:3).

 

[ken777]

I believe it to be intellectually, emotionally and spiritually unhealthy to live your life in constant expectation of the "end times". It is far better to live your life in such a way as to make this a better world, not just today but into the far distant future.

In actual fact I have no confidence whatsoever in any interpretation of end times prophesies be they biblical or not. This universe is now about 13.5 billion years old, it will probably be around for at least that long again.

I find that my looking for the return of Jesus Christ motivates me to work more energetically & enthusiastically doing all I can to help others. It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Matthew 24:46

 

[Straightshot]

"How convenient and reassuring, but I'm afraid the doctrine that all End Time Prophecy will only effect the nation of Israel and the Middle east, simply isn't TRUE."


The focus of the prophets is precisely upon the vortex of the Middle East where the Lord will return .... this is the purpose of His own return

At the Same time the Lord will bring His unprecedented wrath and judgment upon the nation's of the Gentiles who have refused to believe the truth about Him [this includes Israel's sworn enemies of the Muslims .... all human governments will fall across the entire earth by many ways and billions of people will be killed [Revelation gives the details]

The Lord's intent are His convinces .... all that He intends to do for His purposes will be done

It appears to me that your views are based upon speculation, recorded history, and contemporary events .... these things must necessarily be a part of the study of prophecy

What I do see is a need for you to spend more time with His prophetic word as I read your postings

All of what is observed must be compared to the records of His prophets for accurate rendering

And the false teachers of the professing "church" are legion today and have been over the last 2000 years

However, the professing "church" is one thing, His nation of Israel is another thing .... not the same

When the fullness of the Gentiles has been added to His true ecclesia, He will the turn to His national people of Israel .... the 70th week decreed for the same which will include bringing His wrath and judgment upon the whole world .... including those who profess to be Christian and are not

This is the condition of the professing "church" today along with all of the false preachers and teachers

 

[JackRT]

I find that my looking for the return of Jesus Christ motivates me to work more energetically & enthusiastically doing all I can to help others. It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Matthew 24:46

I admire that. However, many others can react in ways that are destructive to themselves and others.