Are we in the last days?

[Gentlemantech48]

I am 63 years old and early on in my Christian life I was taught that according to prophecy we are in the end times and Christ will coming soon. The trouble is much of scripture used to back up modern day Eschatology did not make sense to me. Recently I discovered why. If you have been taught modern Eschatology then you very much need to visit this web site: 04_page and read Hank Hanegraaff's Book called "The Apocalypse Code". You need to check this out with an open mind and you need to read the scripture for yourself. This teaching of modern day Eschatology was not taught until the mid 1800's !!!! That should tell you something. What did Bible scholars know for over 1800 years that our modern Bible Scholars are missing?

 

[nChrist]

It's obvious that much Bible Prophecy has NOT been fulfilled yet, but it will be at God's Appointed Time. We are still living in what's commonly called the Age of Grace or the Church Age. Many key portions of Bible Prophecy have NOT happened yet. Examples:

The Rapture of the Church Which is the Body Of Christ.
The Seven Year Tribulation Period.
The Second Coming of Christ.
The Millennial Kingdom of Christ.

Look to Israel for hints of what times are growing nearer. One example: the regathering for the Nation of Israel - 1948. God is not through with Israel, and the Church did not replace Israel. God made specific promises to each entity that will be kept perfectly at God's Appointed Time. Another key involves "this generation" - the generation we are living in now in relation to Israel becoming a Nation again. The Preterist view of Bible Prophecy is completely FALSE in my opinion. I have no interest in debating this. I'll simply say that there are many things in Bible Prophecy that obviously haven't happened yet. The list would be significant. Example below:

Isaiah 2:1-5 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 And it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of Jehovah's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3 And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem. 4 And he will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 5 O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of Jehovah.


Isaiah 9:2-7 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. 3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased their joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, thou hast broken as in the day of Midian. 5 For all the armor of the armed man in the tumult, and the garments rolled in blood, shall be for burning, for fuel of fire. 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this.


Micah 4:1-3 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. 2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

 

[Soothfish]

I am 63 years old and early on in my Christian life I was taught that according to prophecy we are in the end times and Christ will coming soon. The trouble is much of scripture used to back up modern day Eschatology did not make sense to me. Recently I discovered why. If you have been taught modern Eschatology then you very much need to visit this web site: 04_page and read Hank Hanegraaff's Book called "The Apocalypse Code". You need to check this out with an open mind and you need to read the scripture for yourself. This teaching of modern day Eschatology was not taught until the mid 1800's !!!! That should tell you something. What did Bible scholars know for over 1800 years that our modern Bible Scholars are missing?

"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of man comes." (Matthew 25:13)

I'm hoping that the end is coming very soon. The world is already on the verge of pure insanity. Much more so than most of human history.

 

[Gentlemantech48]

"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of man comes." (Matthew 25:13)

This is why we have been too caught up in modern day Eschatology. Even if the Eschatologists were correct in their use of scripture (which they are not), it's more important that we concentrate on the Great Commission and living a life that pleases God. Ultimately it doesn't matter if we die naturally, die in persecution, or are raptured. If we are a child of God we have the same eternal reward.

 

[Jase]

I'm hoping that the end is coming very soon. The world is already on the verge of pure insanity. Much more so than most of human history.

Uh, not even close. I'd consider the Crusades to be a much darker time in human history than today.

People have been saying we're in the last days for 2000 years. Even the Apostles thought they were in the last days.

 

[Gentlemantech48]

"People have been saying we're in the last days for 2000 years. Even the Apostles thought they were in the last days".

This idea is incorrect and that's why I posted this thread to begin with. You really need to check out 04_page and get Hank's book titled the "The Apocalypse Code" I had to open my mind to the fact that we've been duped for 160 years.

 

[Soothfish]

Uh, not even close. I'd consider the Crusades to be a much darker time in human history than today.

People have been saying we're in the last days for 2000 years. Even the Apostles thought they were in the last days.

In order to see the true level of darkness, one needs a certain amount of spiritual insight. There are things that I consider insane that an insane person would consider sane and vice versa. I'm not talking about moral relativity but about how much knowledge one has about God's plan.

 

[Gentlemantech48]

It is difficult for us to gauge what period in time has been the darkest. The bad needs to be gauged against the good. There may be as few as 10% of the US population that are true Christians who accept God's Word as infallible and Holy and are willing to sell out their lives for God Almighty. Within the other 90% is a range of "religous people" from those who have head knowledge only to those who call themselves atheists and detest the Christian organized church and missions. Evil work is being done either by those who stand in the sidelines and do nothing and/or those who trys to destroy everything that is good and decent. They are all lost souls and many are our enemy. We need to pray for our enemy and love them as Christ loves them. To leave this earth now is coping out. There is much work to do.

 

[hollowman]

"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of man comes." (Matthew 25:13)

... it's more important that we concentrate on the Great Commission and living a life that pleases God. Ultimately it doesn't matter if we die naturally, die in persecution, or are raptured. If we are a child of God we have the same eternal reward.

I agree with this one... According to the Scripture, no one knows the time when the world ends... so lets not try to speculate when the time will come. Instead we should be busy with the Great Comission (speaking of which i should be ashamed of myself...)

 

[Soothfish]

Uh, not even close. I'd consider the Crusades to be a much darker time in human history than today.

People have been saying we're in the last days for 2000 years. Even the Apostles thought they were in the last days.

More people were tortured and murdered in the last century than in the rest of human history combined. The crusades doesn't even come close to the 250-400 million murdered by the communist and fascist regimes.

The only reason the 21 century hasn't started with wars of equal scale is because of the deterrent effect of nuclear weapons. However, this century has the same level of turmoil as the last if not more so. The level of psychological agony is increasing rapidly. We are already at the point where love between parent and child is now a rare phenomenon. This love was taken for granted in the past despite the other problems that existed.

 

[JeremiahsBulldog]

No.

There's plenty more sinnin' for humans to do. . .

. . . and plenty more punishin' for God to do.

I give it at least another century or two.

 

[woodpecker]

what does the bible teach us about Christ return?

Apostle Paul to the Thessalonian church.

"3When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

(but for those obeying the Holy Spirit and not the flesh Paul says...)

4But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.

(WHY?) For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. (1 Thess. 5)

----------------

There are more wars in this past century than any other time in history.

There are more Christians being martyred for their faith than any other time in history.

We now live in a generation that does not even recognize sin anymore.
---------------

as to the op, I agree with a lot of what Hank Henigraff teaches about most prophecies being fulfilled.

I think we are waiting for the great battle between Jesus and the heavenly soldiers to war against the nations of this world, some think this occurs when the nations surround Israel, but not sure how they come with this?

 

[Gentlemantech48]

I would add that there has been an increase of earthquakes and other natural disasters. Something is definitely happening but I just want to make sure I'm not taking scripture out of context. When Jesus said in Matthew 24:34 "I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened", He meant just what he said: "this generation". He was speaking to the disciples generation about what Rome was about to do so obviously he was not talking about the 21st Century. That is one example of scripture being taken out of context for purposes of "proving" modern Eschatology.

 

[woodpecker]

the problem with this type of discussion is each person who replies does so in light of their own understanding, or how they have been taught to read scripture.

When I read the bible I first read by understanding what is the author teaching, and who is the author talking to, then how does this apply to me today.

Some how in the past 100yrs a new teaching has developed that in my opinion worships the people of Israel, and still live under the old testament prophecies.

The only covenant we should be concerned with is the covenant of Grace. Spreading this good news through all the earth, living holy, and helping all those in need, and loving our neighbors.

But for many evangelicals it has now turned into focusing on the Jews, and the land of Israel and God’s promise that Abraham’s children would inherit the Promised Land.

but this was just a preliminary step in a progressive plan through which Abram and the heirs of Abraham would inherit a better country—a heavenly country, a new covenant under Jesus the Christ....the new land, the new heaven and earth, the new Jerusalem.

we are the new temples of God, Matthew 24 is about the destruction of the temple and the old covenants, and now we are waiting for His glorious return.

 

[Gentlemantech48]

Matthew 24 was a key issue that is mis-used by modern Eschatology teachers but another issue that I haven't fully understood is Revelation. It starts out with Jesus saying "these things must soon take place". Hanegrraaf says that Revelation is about the Roman persecution of Israel just as Matthew 24 is. What I haven't worked out in my mind is if Revelation is just about the end of the old covenant with Israel or if it also includes prophecy for things to come.

 

[woodpecker]

well the real problem is nobody is quite sure when Revelation was written. If Hanks theory is correct the book had to be written before the fall of Jerusalem, many believe Revelation was written later.

The book of Revelation can feed us spiritually, the first 3 chp. teach us how the church should behave, and how they are being monitored by God.
Then we know it is about spiritual warfare, and it reminds us God wins, and there will be a time of judgment, and then a wonderful finally of a new earth and heaven, and we will live for ever in peace with our God.

This is all I need, the rest is just people guessing, or adding to scripture, which Jesus says you can get into a lot of trouble for.

17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.

18And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. 19And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book (Rev. 22)

 

[Gentlemantech48]

I may agree with you that this is all we need but I'm still concerned about those who have been caught up in the hype of last days teaching and instead of preparing themselves for whatever is coming sit back and wait for the rapture. Not a good plan.

 

[General Mung Beans]

I would add that there has been an increase of earthquakes and other natural disasters.

I don't think there is really an increase in the number of earthquakes-its just the world is more connected and news of it gets around faster. And there have been far more catasthropic periods before like the Little Ice Age for example.

 

[Gentlemantech48]

Chapter 7: The Genesis Flood Caused the Ice Age - Answers in Genesis

 

[Memukan]

Chapter 7: The Genesis Flood Caused the Ice Age - Answers in Genesis

I tend to lean toward the gap theory. Genesis 1:1 gap 1:2.

One of my favorite Scriptures is Acts 3:19-21. Verse 21 Jesus, Whom heaven must recieve until the fulfilling of all that GOD has been spoken by HIS Holy Prophets from the most ancient of times.

Peace,

Memukan