Describing the End as Soon? Should we?

[Chriliman]

Should Christians preach to others that the end of this world is near? Some religious denominations are constantly using the words "near" and " soon" and creating an expectation that has in many cases never arrived. Is this recommendable?

Those who have the belief that the end is near will translate much of the events of Revelation as still going to happen in the future, but a clear reading of the first verse brings that belief into question immediately.

Revelation 1:1
"The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,"

YLT
"A revelation of Jesus Christ, that God gave to him, to shew to his servants what things it behoveth to come to pass quickly; and he did signify it, having sent through his messenger to his servant John,"

My church has attempted to translate this as "what must take place next" in attempt to get around the thought that most of what happened in Revelation could have already taken place back shortly after it was first spoken about, as the Scripture indicates.

This was spoken 2000yrs ago, so what is meant by 'soon' or 'quickly'?

One way I could possibly see all events in Revelation as still future is if what is being said is from God's perspective of time, like 1000yrs is like a day and a day like a 1000yrs, but why would God convey it in that way to John? He was in the Spirit at the time so maybe he did experience time in that way.

 

[Original Happy Camper]

Should Christians preach to others that the end of this world is near? Some religious denominations are constantly using the words "near" and " soon" and creating an expectation that has in many cases never arrived. Is this recommendable?

People die every day so for them the end came sooner than they planned on. It was the end of the world for them.

 

[DawnStar]

Can you say Hal Lindsey.

Hal Lindsey has been saying "soon" since the 70s. He will continue to keep saying it because that is how he makes his money. Bilking it off the faithful and hope of others.

 

[John Hyperspace]

I personally wouldn't state it with matter-of-fact certainty. But if I were to address the subject I would say, I believe the end of the age is not only near: it's already began.

 

[victorinus]

Should Christians preach to others that the end of this world is near?

no
-
no one knows but the Father
-but-
we are told to watch

 

[DingDing]

Should Christians preach to others that the end of this world is near? Some religious denominations are constantly using the words "near" and " soon" and creating an expectation that has in many cases never arrived. Is this recommendable?

It is highly recommendable that people know that the end could "unravel" alomost any time in short order. The unforgivable aspect (in my opinion) of all this, is the clowns who claim the church will get "sucked outa here" before all the bad stuff hits. (This includes most SBC, most Calvary Chapel, and many other clowns - and whoever else promotes the pre-trib rapture - and cheap grace and OSAS.) Perhaps what we should pray to God for is that these mainline pastors stop teaching the lies that make them popular, and that God takes them out of the way of the truth. But unfortunately, I have read the bible, and these clowns have their place in the end times deception - they are a part of it.

 

[dqhall]

I should keep my mind on what I am to do today. No one knows the day or the hour when Jesus will return.

Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for you don't know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Mark 13:32 But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don't know when the time is. 34 "It is like a man, traveling to another country, having left his house, and given authority to his servants, and to each one his work, and also commanded the doorkeeper to keep watch. 35 Watch therefore, for you don't know when the lord of the house is coming, whether at evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning; 36 lest coming suddenly he might find you sleeping. 37 What I tell you, I tell all: Watch."

 

[truefiction1]

No it isn't mainline. Also, please note that it doesn't want to be considered mainline nor associated with Christendom in any way because it considers itself the restoration of true worship and considers all other denominations claiming Christianity as part of the great apostasy or Babylon The Great.

Oh, so you were associated with Jehovah's Witnesses?

 

[Blade]

Well Yeshua (Jesus) told them What? He was going and would come back and get them so WHERE He is they will be. So it would see JESUS does not know when this day will come...seems only the Father. Rev end.. said I come quickly.

A old Jewish wedding he would pay a price for her and then go back to his fathers house to make them a place to live, about 1 year. She said behind to get ready.. things like that. Yet she had no clue when he was coming to get her. Then again about 1y later he comes back with some friends, mostly at night. Makes a loud noise so she knows he is coming and they go back to his fathers house for about 1 week. Hmm

We are to ALWAYS be watching and praying. Now if one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day then to GOD its just been over 2 days! He is coming.. to those that are watching ready NOW! Yet your question is like what the word says.. in the end they will be asking "WHERE IS HE?" Since this all began you been saying "SOON"..

So this is another sign JESUS IS COMING! Are you WATCHING ready or will it be like a thief in the night to you? Meaning.. something came and TOOK SOMETHING.. believe or not.. I take HIM at HIS WORD! He said HE would come back and get us.. I am ready NOW! Never tomorrow but NOW

 

[rockytopva]

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. - 1 John 3:2-3

People who believe in a rapture are normally purer than those who don't.

 

[Radrook]

Oh, so you were associated with Jehovah's Witnesses?

Many years ago. However, I was baptized without being provided with all the essential details necessary to make an informed decision. Yes, I wanted to serve God. However, had I known about the disfellowshipping and shunning practices I would probably have decided to refrain from baptism at that particular time and would have given my decision to be formally in their organization much more thought than I did.

 

[Radrook]

Well Yeshua (Jesus) told them What? He was going and would come back and get them so WHERE He is they will be. So it would see JESUS does not know when this day will come...seems only the Father. Rev end.. said I come quickly.

A old Jewish wedding he would pay a price for her and then go back to his fathers house to make them a place to live, about 1 year. She said behind to get ready.. things like that. Yet she had no clue when he was coming to get her. Then again about 1y later he comes back with some friends, mostly at night. Makes a loud noise so she knows he is coming and they go back to his fathers house for about 1 week. Hmm

We are to ALWAYS be watching and praying. Now if one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day then to GOD its just been over 2 days! He is coming.. to those that are watching ready NOW! Yet your question is like what the word says.. in the end they will be asking "WHERE IS HE?" Since this all began you been saying "SOON"..

So this is another sign JESUS IS COMING! Are you WATCHING ready or will it be like a thief in the night to you? Meaning.. something came and TOOK SOMETHING.. believe or not.. I take HIM at HIS WORD! He said HE would come back and get us.. I am ready NOW! Never tomorrow but NOW

Thanks for the encouraging words. God Bless!

 

[Radrook]

It is highly recommendable that people know that the end could "unravel" alomost any time in short order. The unforgivable aspect (in my opinion) of all this, is the clowns who claim the church will get "sucked outa here" before all the bad stuff hits. (This includes most SBC, most Calvary Chapel, and many other clowns - and whoever else promotes the pre-trib rapture - and cheap grace and OSAS.) Perhaps what we should pray to God for is that these mainline pastors stop teaching the lies that make them popular, and that God takes them out of the way of the truth. But unfortunately, I have read the bible, and these clowns have their place in the end times deception - they are a part of it.

Exactly what scriptural basis, if any, do they offer for a pre-tribulation rapture?
Thanks for the feedback. God Bless!

 

[Radrook]

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. - 1 John 3:2-3

People who believe in a rapture are normally purer than those who don't.

Thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated. God Bless!

 

[Radrook]

I should keep my mind on what I am to do today. No one knows the day or the hour when Jesus will return.

Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for you don't know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Mark 13:32 But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don't know when the time is. 34 "It is like a man, traveling to another country, having left his house, and given authority to his servants, and to each one his work, and also commanded the doorkeeper to keep watch. 35 Watch therefore, for you don't know when the lord of the house is coming, whether at evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning; 36 lest coming suddenly he might find you sleeping. 37 What I tell you, I tell all: Watch."

Yes I am familiar with the uncertainty of the exact date. However, he did say that there would be clear indications of his imminent return and many Christians believe that our times provide such a indication. That is why they claim we are living in the last days or end times. It is just that when one lives a long time hearing the words "soon" and ""near"" and nothing happens one tends to begin to wonder just how appropriate those words really are to us humans.

Thanks for the feedback.
God Bless!

 

[Radrook]

no
-
no one knows but the Father
-but-
we are told to watch

But he did provide indications which would tell us that the end is near. They are found in Matthew 24th chapter.
So based on that the words "near"" and ""soon"" are used repeatedly with great certainty as the decades unravel and time goes on without anything happening. That can be very discouraging and worrisome to those of us who took those words ""soon"" and ""near"" very seriously and expected this whole world to be gone and replaced with God's Kingdom rule before we passed from this world.

Thanks for the Feedback
God Bless!

 

[tienkhoanguyen]

We

Should Christians preach to others that the end of this world is near? Some religious denominations are constantly using the words "near" and " soon" and creating an expectation that has in many cases never arrived. Is this recommendable?

should and must always be afraid of GOD's judgement. Most if not all people that I know go through life and never experience the fear of GOD. Speaking for myself I had never feared GOD until just recently. You see back in the days GOD gave people 10 tries then he punishes. In this life I believe 43 years of my life alone is long enough of a grace period.

 

[Radrook]

We

should and must always be afraid of GOD's judgement. Most if not all people that I know go through life and never experience the fear of GOD. Speaking for myself I had never feared GOD until just recently. You see back in the days GOD gave people 10 tries then he punishes. In this life I believe 43 years of my life alone is long enough of a grace period.

Yes! Very true that we should respect God's moral requirements.

 

[JacksBratt]

Unfortunately the promises of "soon"" and "near" are taken very seriously by millions of trusting Christians who very often make life altering decisions based on those promises.
Houses have been sold in order to participate in the ministry and thus be more ready, the need for education cast aside because it would not be as important in the New World, even marriages set aside for AFTER Armageddon because of the assured expectation of the end being just around the corner. I

I can't find the bible reference at this time. However, I do remember a scripture that advises us to live our lives as normal, preparing for the future and retirement sort of deal as if we were going to have the same life as our parents and grandparents. But, at the same time, be watchful and aware that Christ can return at anytime.

If anyone knows of this passage, could you help me out?

I believe that it warns us against selling everything and doing a full time job of warning everyone of the end, the way I have heard of some people doing.

However, if that is what you are called to do, fine. We do need missionaries to spread the gospel. But, standing on a street corner or going door to door as if you know that God is coming next week.... not a biblical principal.

 

[JacksBratt]

Hal Lindsey has been saying "soon" since the 70s. He will continue to keep saying it because that is how he makes his money. Bilking it off the faithful and hope of others.

Yep, Hal has been telling us this for decades. However, the question must be asked... do you warn people before or after the event?

Hal knows it's coming and knows that he doesn't know when, the day, hour, month or year. There have been signs and signals since the 70's that fit the biblical account. Telling people to be ready is a good thing, no?