How short is our time?

[memoriesbymichelle]

I know alot of us get caught up in the fact that we want certain things to happen in our lives and it seems that we realize in that respect that our time might be short but I wonder.....

Do you consider that the time might be short for the coming of the Lord and does it matter to you? Do you think about the end of this age? Or are you just concerned with your everyday life and how to make it better?

 

[dayhiker]

I did a lot of studying on the Bible and prophesy back in the 80s. I have a 300+ book (not published) on the 1st half of Rev. Plus some other stuff.

My studies lead me at the time to say it would be at least 20 years before Jesus comes back. I think it was about a 10 page paper I wrote on it. I had some Christian workers papers with the AG at the time. They asked each year if one agreed with the 16 tenants of the AG. So one year I said no to the 16th one I think. They ask why and I gave the district office a couple of the paper. It was my understanding that it went to the top guy in Springfield, MO. I forget his title or name now. But they didn't refute a single point of my paper and asked if I was willing to not be controversial about it. Of course. That was it. I've not seen anything in the news yet that would make me believer that Jesus' return can be this year!

Just take one part of it. The one world government. Is the world about to come under the rule of one government? I say no. Since 1776 nation after nation has been getting its independence. I don't know the count, but its well over 100 nations, maybe close to 200! Now the Arab countries want their independence. The mega trend is independence, not one world government. The one world government stuff is just a little noise, that has almost no impact how the nations run their affairs. yes, I know Europe is a little bit of an exception.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

I did a lot of studying on the Bible and prophesy back in the 80s. I have a 300+ book (not published) on the 1st half of Rev. Plus some other stuff.

My studies lead me at the time to say it would be at least 20 years before Jesus comes back. I think it was about a 10 page paper I wrote on it. I had some Christian workers papers with the AG at the time. They asked each year if one agreed with the 16 tenants of the AG. So one year I said no to the 16th one I think. They ask why and I gave the district office a couple of the paper. It was my understanding that it went to the top guy in Springfield, MO. I forget his title or name now. But they didn't refute a single point of my paper and asked if I was willing to not be controversial about it. Of course. That was it. I've not seen anything in the news yet that would make me believer that Jesus' return can be this year!

Just take one part of it. The one world government. Is the world about to come under the rule of one government? I say no. Since 1776 nation after nation has been getting its independence. I don't know the count, but its well over 100 nations, maybe close to 200! Now the Arab countries want their independence. The mega trend is independence, not one world government. The one world government stuff is just a little noise, that has almost no impact how the nations run their affairs. yes, I know Europe is a little bit of an exception.

Well I think we can all rule out THIS year for the shear fact that it has been predicted. My rule is that if someone says such and such a date, then I know it will not be that date lol. As far as the one world government, I'm not sure I believe we will have a one world government. I think it will be more of the alliance of certain nations and who knows what our role will be since we aren't specifically mentioned in the bible. I go by what Jesus himself said in Matthew 24 about "when you see the abomination of desolation, standing in the holy place" etc etc.

I guess my point of this thread though, was more to the effect of do we care? or are we so caught up in our little world of what WE want (a spouse, house, or whatever) that we don't think about these things?

I don't think we need to overthink these events, but the bible does talk about being ready and studying to show ourselves approved and that when we see these signs we should look up, and sometimes when I read certain threads it seems that those coming inevitable events are the farthest thoughts from our minds and I wonder....

 

[dayhiker]

Very good points Michelle, I guess I've done most of the thinking I'm going to do till I see something happening that really stands out as an obvious fulfillment of a specific prophesy from the Bible. I do read a threats on here or some other place on the web, but most of them put forth ideas that don't strike me as having much to do with what the Bible actually says on the topic. In the last 70 years there were two times that had potential. WW2 with what Hitler was doing to the Jews and then in 88 when it had been one generation from when Israel became a nation. Any other than that its peoples fantasies being read into both the Bible and world events.

What you say about coalitions rather than a one world government makes a whole lot of sense.

 

[exitstageright]

I know alot of us get caught up in the fact that we want certain things to happen in our lives and it seems that we realize in that respect that our time might be short but I wonder.....

Do you consider that the time might be short for the coming of the Lord and does it matter to you? Do you think about the end of this age? Or are you just concerned with your everyday life and how to make it better?

Of course,I think about and anticipate the Lord's Second Comming. However,there is a saying,"Live as though he is comming tommorow,but plan as if he is comming in about 100 years".
Two cases in point.

In case one,around 1970,my Father was very convinced that Jesus was going to return before the year 2000. My father kept saying that time is winding up. My father passed away in December of 1990.

In case number two,one young man wanted to sue his church,because his church convinced him that Jesus was going to return in the year 1975. He did not go to college. He figured that, what was the point in preparing for his future if the end of the world came before he finished college? He was upset,because had he had gone to college,he would have had a better paing job.

When I was in high school,in 1970,I planned on going to college,in order to prepare for my future. Many times I thought of Christ's return. However,I still had to make plans for my future,and I glad that I did.

No one can predict when the Second Comming will happen. Of course,the odds of Jesus comming on a Wednesday are 7 to 1.

How did come up with that figure? Well,there are only 7 days in one week.
Wednesday is one of those 7 days. Therefore,the odds of the Second Comming happening on any given specific day of the week,are 7 to 1.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

I agree with the living as He's coming tomorrow part, but not the part about not expecting Him for 100 years. The bible says in Luke 12:35-40

"Let your waist be dressed and your lamps burning. Be like men watching for their lord, when he returns from the marriage feast; that, when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord will find watching when he comes. Most certainly I tell you, that he will dress himself, and make them recline, and will come and serve them. They will be blessed if he comes in the second or third watch, and finds them so. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore be ready also, for the Son of Man is coming in an hour that you don't expect him."

And just before that He is telling the disciples not to worry about their life, for food or clothing or the things they "need".
​

 

[exitstageright]

I agree with the living as He's coming tomorrow part, but not the part about not expecting Him for 100 years. The bible says in Luke 12:35-40

"Let your waist be dressed and your lamps burning. Be like men watching for their lord, when he returns from the marriage feast; that, when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord will find watching when he comes. Most certainly I tell you, that he will dress himself, and make them recline, and will come and serve them. They will be blessed if he comes in the second or third watch, and finds them so. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would have watched, and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore be ready also, for the Son of Man is coming in an hour that you don't expect him."

And just before that He is telling the disciples not to worry about their life, for food or clothing or the things they "need".
​

Would you believe from 5-to 20 years?
It is hard to say.

If I were the President of the U.S.,and a war broke out in the Middle East,would I get involved,thinking that this is a prelude to the Second Comming,and use neuclear weapons? What if I am wrong?That would wiegh very heavy on my concious.
If Jesus comes then,so be it.. But,if Jesus does not come,I woud be responsible for millions of lives being lost.That would be,to say the least,just awful.I was just 8 years old during the Cuban Missle Crises in October of 1962. I stll can remember the air raid drills that we had in school.We,at that time,thought that the end was surely to come soon.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

No I don't believe that we should live like He's not coming for any amount of time. I think we can still plan our lives etc. but always with the prayer, Lord if it be your will because we don't know when He will come back.
Didn't quite understand your thoughts about being President and getting people killed etc. My feeling on that is we should bring most of our troops home and protect ourselves. Alot of the countries we protect, hate us anyway, so why are we there? We could save alot of money and protect our own borders and save alot of lives too. The only one we should be standing with is Israel IMO. And I say that because of what the Bible says. When we go against Israel, it will surely be to our doom IMO.
Also just because stuff is going down in the middle east, doesn't mean we have to put our troops there IMO. I know we do, but we shouldn't have to, again JMO.

 

[exitstageright]

No I don't believe that we should live like He's not coming for any amount of time. I think we can still plan our lives etc. but always with the prayer, Lord if it be your will because we don't know when He will come back.
Didn't quite understand your thoughts about being President and getting people killed etc. My feeling on that is we should bring most of our troops home and protect ourselves. Alot of the countries we protect, hate us anyway, so why are we there? We could save alot of money and protect our own borders and save alot of lives too. The only one we should be standing with is Israel IMO. And I say that because of what the Bible says. When we go against Israel, it will surely be to our doom IMO.
Also just because stuff is going down in the middle east, doesn't mean we have to put our troops there IMO. I know we do, but we shouldn't have to, again JMO.

I agree that our troops should not be in Afganistan. But...how are we going to protect Israel if we do not have any troops in the Middle East?

With idiots,like the one who is in charge of Iran,over there,who are hell bent on destroying Israel,we must provide protection for Israel.

My thoughts about being President was about one reason why I think that a lot of secular people could not stand George Bush. Many people are afraid,that if a christain was President,that a Christain President might have a bible in one hand,turned to the Book of Revelation,while having his other hand,"pushing the button" to start a neuclear war,in order to bring about Judgement Day.

 

[blackribbon]

Alot of the countries we protect, hate us anyway, so why are we there?

Matt 5:43-47 (NIV)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.


As for me, I'd have no problem with Him coming tonight and would welcome it...except for the friends that I know who have not chosen Christ.

My own hunch (without any solid Biblical support either way) is that the time before Christ will be the same as the time after him because symmetry and balance seem to make sense (to me). Since I believe in a young earth, I'm guessing we still have a little over a couple thousand years to go...and since we don't know when the world was created, then we still don't know the time or day.

 

[LeaningOnChrist]

I know alot of us get caught up in the fact that we want certain things to happen in our lives and it seems that we realize in that respect that our time might be short but I wonder.....

Do you consider that the time might be short for the coming of the Lord and does it matter to you? Do you think about the end of this age? Or are you just concerned with your everyday life and how to make it better?

Greetings memoriesbymichelle:

Interesting questions!

1) Do you consider that the time might be short for the coming of the Lord and does it matter to you?

In the nutshell, I believe this generation will witness the coming of the Lord. I do believe this generation of Christians IE: the Church is rather divided , to a degree, in terms of this subject matter IMO

Further, I believe that in part this division of opinions regarding the coming of the Lord is due to different interpretations of the WORD of God and also due to misinterpretations of the WORD of God.

Obviously NO ONE according to the WORD of God can predict the time or date of the coming of the Lord. However we can become aware of the events that perhaps points toward the coming of the Lord sooner than we might think.

2) Do you consider that the time might be short for the coming of the Lord and does it matter to you?

As I indicated in my prior answer, the exact time or date is not possible to be predicted, as you know! Yet one could surmise that the times of this age surely do point to that which our Lord Jesus spoke of in the WORD of God that would let HIS followers not be caught off guard by what we see transpiring in this World in this age and time.

However HE also warned HIS followers to not allow signs of the time to gain our attention to the degree that one might become deceived in their walking with HIM or rather become mesmerized by what is occurring in this World, thus distracting one from listening and obeying HIS guidance on a daily basis until HE does indeed return as HE promised.

I do not put much into the time left here on Earth. I simply yearn to see HIM face to face, serve HIM for an eternity and become as HE is. And of course be welcomed into HIS Kingdom in Heaven and hear Jesus say to me, --- Well done good and faithful servant, enter into my Kingdom which I have prepared--.

3) Or are you just concerned with your everyday life and how to make it better?

I am concerned with my daily life and how to become much more conformed into HIS image and likeness in all I say and do. This in and of itself is quite the calling to work toward fulfilling to my utmost best.

So, I would say that yes I am concerned with my daily spiritual growth and becoming mature in the things of God.

However I would also say that I aim to integrate myself becoming more like Christ, yet also remaining alert to the things of this world with the goal of exercising my discernment in assessing what my role might be or not.

By willingly studying to show myself approved and able to rightly divide the WORD of God I can only hope the Holy Spirit reminds me of all things that I must know and learn even when it applies to the signs of this age and time.

Thank you the questions. I found them of great interest.

In HIS redeeming Love...

NOTE: HIS & HIM = Jesus Christ

 

[blackribbon]

When I was younger, I believed that the end times was soon...however, I really don't know that I believe the world is wicked enough yet...it is still relatively easy to be a Christian in many places of the world...and although our society is crashing...it isn't crashing any worse than when other huge societies fell (like Rome).

I kind of believe that it will have to get a lot worse ... yes, there are beginnings of signs ... but I don't think anything is big or bad enough yet. And something in my gut says that United States doesn't play into it at all (or in a major role in anyway) ... so maybe it will have fallen by then.

 

[exitstageright]

When I was younger, I believed that the end times was soon...however, I really don't know that I believe the world is wicked enough yet...it is still relatively easy to be a Christian in many places of the world...and although our society is crashing...it isn't crashing any worse than when other huge societies fell (like Rome).

I kind of believe that it will have to get a lot worse ... yes, there are beginnings of signs ... but I don't think anything is big or bad enough yet. And something in my gut says that United States doesn't play into it at all (or in a major role in anyway) ... so maybe it will have fallen by then.

The United States is not mentioned in the Books of Daniel and in Revelation.However,the people in biblical times did not know that our side of the planet even existed. Therefore,anything regarding the U.S. would have been a mute point.

The only "super powers" mentioned are Gog and Magog. When I was in Israel, I saw the valley by Meggido,the future site of the last battle between good and evil. The Greek name for Meggido is.....Armegeddon.

 

[dayhiker]

blank ... I agree with you on this world isn't that evil yet. A number of historians did a study violence in the world using many types of records from the Middle ages to now. Their conclusion was that there has been a gradual decline in violence. It was written up in the Boston Globe a few months ago. We think we have violent wars, one of the wars 1337 to 1453 was just one of the wars back then. Everyone I hear talk about the US wars aren't very happy about them and think we should be out of there. MY included. And I sure hope we don't go to war with Iran.

I also think in the US how many women are living alone in a home or apartment. Most of world history a woman just couldn't do that. Even a man to be on his own was a very dangerous thing.

 

[blackribbon]

The United States is not mentioned in the Books of Daniel and in Revelation.However,the people in biblical times did not know that our side of the planet even existed. Therefore,anything regarding the U.S. would have been a mute point.
.

Yes....but the people in Biblical times didn't write the Bible, God did (they only put pen to paper....and God knew that the US would exist. Prophecy is about talking about things that don't exist yet.. I don't necessarily see a parallel in the Bible to anything like the US nor have seen anyone who can point at one (though I do see people almost trying to make the US the new chosen people).

I will say I am not as studied up on this as I was since I really lost a lot of interest after leaving my teens. What matters the most it seems to me is that we live like we are ready to see our maker today, tomorrow, and the day after since our "last day" can come long before Christ does.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

When I was in grade school, the Jehovah Witnesses were saying the world was going to end! That was hmmm well I graduated HS in 76 so it was a LONG time ago lol. Then in HS I read Orsen Wells 1984 where it talks about Big Brother watching us and this was in the 70's again so, I wondered if we would make it til 1984 lol.

My point of making this thread was certainly not to try to predict when Christ will come back because I have already said anyone that sets a date just lets me know that it won't be THAT date, but rather to stir our thoughts to whether we, as individuals, sometimes put more thoughts or cares into our little wants and desires rather than what God wants and desires FOR us.

Regarding the US in prophecy. We just don't know. We could not be mentioned because we have fallen by that time, or just because we don't have enough of a role that God felt necessary to mention us IDK.
I do think most of the beginning of it will start in the middle east because it all surrounds that tiny little country Israel.
And exit, I do think we can back up Israel without actually hanging out there. We could deploy troops when necessary instead of occupying as we are now, but I don't know everything so I could be wrong.

I DO think God wants us to be prepared, and to study the Bible so we know the signs we were warned about. What I have a hard time with in dealing with others IRL on this subject is all the doctrine's of men that have preached before us and it is hard for people not to be influenced by it. We are whether we like it or not, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, if we ask, God will show us the truth, so we can know it and be free.
When things start getting worse is not the time to start studying IMO. The time is now. But my point was not even that, it was just to get you guys thinking about other things that might be a little more important than some of the things we care so much about.

 

[exitstageright]

When I was in grade school, the Jehovah Witnesses were saying the world was going to end! That was hmmm well I graduated HS in 76 so it was a LONG time ago lol. Then in HS I read Orsen Wells 1984 where it talks about Big Brother watching us and this was in the 70's again so, I wondered if we would make it til 1984 lol.

My point of making this thread was certainly not to try to predict when Christ will come back because I have already said anyone that sets a date just lets me know that it won't be THAT date, but rather to stir our thoughts to whether we, as individuals, sometimes put more thoughts or cares into our little wants and desires rather than what God wants and desires FOR us.

Regarding the US in prophecy. We just don't know. We could not be mentioned because we have fallen by that time, or just because we don't have enough of a role that God felt necessary to mention us IDK.
I do think most of the beginning of it will start in the middle east because it all surrounds that tiny little country Israel.
And exit, I do think we can back up Israel without actually hanging out there. We could deploy troops when necessary instead of occupying as we are now, but I don't know everything so I could be wrong.

I DO think God wants us to be prepared, and to study the Bible so we know the signs we were warned about. What I have a hard time with in dealing with others IRL on this subject is all the doctrine's of men that have preached before us and it is hard for people not to be influenced by it. We are whether we like it or not, but with the help of the Holy Spirit, if we ask, God will show us the truth, so we can know it and be free.
When things start getting worse is not the time to start studying IMO. The time is now. But my point was not even that, it was just to get you guys thinking about other things that might be a little more important than some of the things we care so much about.

Believe it or not,many times I have thought about the Second Comming of Christ ever since I was 8 years old,during the Cuban Missle crises.We kids honestly thought that we would not reach adulthood,that we had no future.
When I was 17, in 1971,I had this great fear of death. There was a great possibilty that I was going to be drafted and be sent to Vietnam.

Some girls at the time wondered why I was so desperate. A lot of young men were desperate at that time. I was thinking about my future. I feared death,because I felt that death was the only thing that could and would mess up,and stop my plans for my future.I had so many goals that I wanted to achive.Yes,you can say that I was obsessed with sucess.

So now,I just want to find a romantic partner before I die,or before Jesus comes back,whatever comes first.The only thing is that I do not know when that time will come. Now,do you see why at times that I am desperate?

It is scary not knowing when that time will come. People who know me,are amazed how well organized I am.For example,before I go on vacation,I iron my clothes for the week when I will come back to work.My apartment gets cleaned,because I hate comming back to a messy place. I like to plan things.The things that I cannot plan sometimes scares me,because I have no control over them.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Believe it or not,many times I have thought about the Second Comming of Christ ever since I was 8 years old,during the Cuban Missle crises.We kids honestly thought that we would not reach adulthood,that we had no future.
When I was 17, in 1971,I had this great fear of death. There was a great possibilty that I was going to be drafted and sent to Vietnam.

Some girls at the time wondered why I was so desperate. A lot of young men were desperate at that time. I was thinking about my future. I feared death,because I felt that death was the only thing that could and would mess up,and stop my plans for my future.I had so many goals that I wanted to achive.Yes,you can say that I was obsessed with sucess.

So now,I just want to find a romantic partner before I die,or before Jesus comes back,whatever comes first.The only thing is that I do not know when that time will come. Now,do you see why at times that I am desperate?

It is scary not knowing when that time will come. People who know me,are amazed how well organized I am. I like to plan things.The things that I cannot plan sometimes scares me,because I have no control over them.

Well yes, but the bible says be anxious for nothing too, but all things thru prayer and suplication so....I don't worry about it(end times), but I think about it often and wonder why others don't seem to care.

When I was younger, for some reason I didn't think I would live past 25 IDK why, but I'm going to be 53 next month so....
I also remember telling my orthodontist that for him to say I needed to wear braces for 4 years was the same as telling me that I would have to wear them for THE REST OF MY LIFE! Because I didn't think the world would last longer than that (I was 18 at the time ) LOL. I can still picture the look on his face. All I would let him do was give me a retainer (which I never wore) lol. And ATM I currently have braces LOL