Is the end of times near? (Savior, children, angels, Hebrew)

[Campbell34]

Originally Posted by Preterist

Campbell34: There is no GAP in the seventy weeks of Daniel. The agreement you speak of is not some agreement made by some future "Anti-Christ" as premil. dispensationalism wrongly teaches. This is none other than the New Covenant in His blood! And it doesn't last "one week"--it was confirmed IN one of the weeks! (There is no preposition "for" in that verse). Daniel 9 speaks of the coming of the Messiah. Being the perfect sacrifice, He caused the sacrifices to end. He confirmed the covenant through His shed blood on the cross. We do commit grave errors when we attribute to someone else the works of Christ!

Preterist

Well you may believe that, yet Gabriel states that after the 69th week the Messiah would be cut off. Jesus did not fulfill all the prophecies back in His time, so those prophecies could only be fulfilled in the future. And the time clock was stopped when Christ was cut off. With only one week left to go, we now know that one week amounts to 7 years based on the time that it took the other 69 weeks to be fulfilled. Also, the Old Testament tells us that in the latter days the Jews would return to the land of Israel and retake Jerusalem. Those prophecies are found in Ezekiel chapters 36,37,38,and 39. And only now, are those prophecies being fulfilled. So without question, the Bible was speaking of the time we live, because those prophecies are being fulfilled in our time.
Christ blood does cover our sins, but the Bible clearly states that the Jews in the latter days would rebuild their temple, and they would begin to pratice animal sacrifice once again. In just recent days, the Jewish Sanhedrin in Jerusalem has been reastablished. The last time such a thing took place, was about 1600 years ago. They will be the one's involved in the rebuilding of the third Temple, and they are already training the future Temple priest in the pratice of animal sacrifice. All of this is not occuring by accident.

[Campbell34]

Originally Posted by CelticLady1

Prophecies can't be proven, until they actually happen. But, the point I keep trying to get across is that it's a waste of time and resources to dwell on them so excessively, as so many Christians do. There are better ways to utilize both money and the clock. It's entirely pointless, and futile, to run around, playing Chicken Little, screaming, "the sky is falling"!

If prophecies are going to come to fruition, we certainly can't stop them. And, if they are not happening, all the arguing in the world isn't going to make them occur, or to occur in the order that folks believe they will. If I am doing my best to live as I believe God would have me to live, then I don't need to overly concern myself about how prophecies, (if they actually unfold), will affect my life. I have no interest in constantly scanning the news, my Bible, and every study tool available, trying to make events match up, as I see so many people do. I have much more pressing matters to attend to, and much more interesting things to do. My Creator gave me a life, and I intend to live it, to the best of my ability.

When Jesus raised up the little daughter of the ruler of the synagogue, he didn't start spouting off about the last days. When the woman with the issue of blood touched him, he didn't start talking doom and gloom. When the woman who was caught in adultery was brought to him, (by the way, just exactly where was the man, anyway?), he didn't start preaching about fig trees, and time lines. When the crowd was hungry, he fed them actual food, he didn't tell them that a Tribulation was coming, sometime in the future. When the young man who asked about gaining eternal life came to him, he didn't tell him about the Anti-Christ, and the Beast. When the man with the legion of demons was brought to him, he didn't begin to tell him about the Four Horsemen, and the Apocalypse.

So again, my point is, folks need to stop wasting their time and resources arguing about something that hasn't happened. I wonder how many more people could be helped, how much more effectively their needs could be met, as Jesus met them, (both spiritually and physically), if the focus was on living now, not on what might happen in the future. Some folks can't see the forest for the trees. They are so busy looking for "signs" that they miss the point of life, which is to live. Kind of reminds me of the line from the movie, "Auntie Mame": "Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death"!

Well I have to tell you CelticLady, the signs of Christ coming are happening right now, and in detail. I have been around for 58 years, and the things I'm seeing really are starting to get my old heart beating. Yet as you said, your not intrested in constantly scanning your Bible, so I can understand why you would not see them. And Jesus did speak a lot about the end of the age, and He told us we should always be watching for His return. Only now considering what is happening in the Middle East, it appears His return will happen in a time when few are looking for it. Actually, if your not excited about the return of Jesus Christ, I doubt you will be very happy when He arrives. The fact is, the Bible indicates that the only one's who will be happy, will be the ones who really love Him. You see, God gave us the prophecies to keep the hope alive. And He gave us the prophecies so that others could see their fulfillment and believe. The cares of this world often rob people of God's truth and the Joy that comes from waiting on the Lord. God put us on earth to tell others about Him, and the truth of His prophecies should only encourage us all the more.

[CelticLady1]

Originally Posted by Campbell34

Well I have to tell you CelticLady, the signs of Christ coming are happening right now, and in detail. I have been around for 58 years, and the things I'm seeing really are starting to get my old heart beating. Yet as you said, your not intrested in constantly scanning your Bible, so I can understand why you would not see them. And Jesus did speak a lot about the end of the age, and He told us we should always be watching for His return. Only now considering what is happening in the Middle East, it appears His return will happen in a time when few are looking for it. Actually, if your not excited about the return of Jesus Christ, I doubt you will be very happy when He arrives. The fact is, the Bible indicates that the only one's who will be happy, will be the ones who really love Him. You see, God gave us the prophecies to keep the hope alive. And He gave us the prophecies so that others could see their fulfillment and believe. The cares of this world often rob people of God's truth and the Joy that comes from waiting on the Lord. God put us on earth to tell others about Him, and the truth of His prophecies should only encourage us all the more.

Ah, I see. So, because I am busy living, and not scanning the news wires, and my Bible, putting that timeline together, and I'm not running around shouting, "the sky is falling", and "Jesus is coming soon", I won't be happy when he does, which means that I don't love him. Wow! That's amazing, and a heck of a leap in logic!

But, you are still missing the point. Y'all spend so much time "looking to the sky", that you are missing out on the life that our Creator gave us, in the first place. Y'all are so busy looking for signs, that you are forgetting that people have needs right now, that have nothing to do with "end times", or "the last days". Hope of Jesus' return is all well and good, but it doesn't help the pregnant teen, the homeless family, the hungry man, the drug user, the prisoner. They don't need just the "pie in the sky" kind of speeches about "Jesus is coming soon". Yes, Jesus spoke of the end days, but it was not at the forefront of his mind, 24/7. As I pointed out in my earlier examples, he was busy meeting peoples' needs in the here and now. If one is so focused on something that hasn't happened yet, how are we supposed to do the things we should be doing now? But, hey, if it makes you happy and fulfilled to spend your time in such a fashion, far be it from me to deny someone that pleasure.

[Campbell34]

Originally Posted by CelticLady1

Ah, I see. So, because I am busy living, and not scanning the news wires, and my Bible, putting that timeline together, and I'm not running around shouting, "the sky is falling", and "Jesus is coming soon", I won't be happy when he does, which means that I don't love him. Wow! That's amazing, and a heck of a leap in logic!

But, you are still missing the point. Y'all spend so much time "looking to the sky", that you are missing out on the life that our Creator gave us, in the first place. Y'all are so busy looking for signs, that you are forgetting that people have needs right now, that have nothing to do with "end times", or "the last days". Hope of Jesus' return is all well and good, but it doesn't help the pregnant teen, the homeless family, the hungry man, the drug user, the prisoner. They don't need just the "pie in the sky" kind of speeches about "Jesus is coming soon". Yes, Jesus spoke of the end days, but it was not at the forefront of his mind, 24/7. As I pointed out in my earlier examples, he was busy meeting peoples' needs in the here and now. If one is so focused on something that hasn't happened yet, how are we supposed to do the things we should be doing now? But, hey, if it makes you happy and fulfilled to spend your time in such a fashion, far be it from me to deny someone that pleasure.

Well Jesus return is not just pie in the sky, and all those who need help here on earth would understand that, if we had people who could give them evidence of that. And I don't spend my days searching the sky, it is the scriptures that have open my eyes. And the life that God has given us, is best severed, when we are in His service. And that is not limited to the prophecies of the Bible. Yet I have found that when people come to know the Lord, they often become servants of the Lord and go out and help the down and outs. And I would say, if you love God, you would love His Words of truth. And it's really not about what makes me happy, as much as what pleases God. The best help you can give someone, is to share the good news of the gospel with them. And the best way to do that, is by the study of Gods Word. And I believe that is the point you are missing.

[CelticLady1]

Originally Posted by Campbell34

Well Jesus return is not just pie in the sky, and all those who need help here on earth would understand that, if we had people who could give them evidence of that. And I don't spend my days searching the sky, it is the scriptures that have open my eyes. And the life that God has given us, is best severed, when we are in His service. And that is not limited to the prophecies of the Bible. Yet I have found that when people come to know the Lord, they often become servants of the Lord and go out and help the down and outs. And I would say, if you love God, you would love His Words of truth. And it's really not about what makes me happy, as much as what pleases God. The best help you can give someone, is to share the good news of the gospel with them. And the best way to do that, is by the study of Gods Word. And I believe that is the point you are missing.

I never said Jesus' return was pie in the sky; what I said was that people "don't just need the 'pie in the sky' kind of speeches" about it, when they have such pressing problems. Bit of a difference in the wording. Folks don't need people running around looking for signs in every bit of news that comes down the pike. They need those people to expend more of their energy towards helping others. As I said before, hope of Jesus' return is all well and good, but excitement over a future event doesn't help someone in their day to day struggles of living. It doesn't help in the decision that the pregnant teen is trying to make. It doesn't bring a job, or a meal, or a home, or stop the death of a loved one.

I guarantee you that those poor folks in Haiti, and the other islands, (and here in the United States), that have been hit by so many storms recently, have much more pressing concerns on their minds than the idea of fig trees, time lines, the Tribulation, and Armageddon. I can tell you, having gone through a few hurricanes myself, over the years, those things weren't exactly at the forefront of my mind. And yet, what seems to concern the "end times" folks the most is the idea that these storms are yet another sign that Jesus is on his way, (or even better, that God is punishing certain areas of the world, as though one area has more of a monoply on sin than another).

I have an aunt and uncle, who are some of the finest Christian folks I know, or have ever known. They love Jesus, and are very strong and very mature, spiritually. They are very involved in their church, they are constantly helping others, (including in a pregnancy crisis center), and yet they don't spend their time telling others that, "Jesus is coming soon". It's not because they don't believe it; it's because they are busy living, and helping others to the best of their ability. They are showing Jesus to those around them with their actions, not their words. All the prophecies in the world don't mean a thing if we are so focused on them, that the energy we could be using to actively live our lives, and help others, is expended on looking for the fulfillment of prophecies, instead.

If the best help we can give someone is the gospel, when they are starving, cold, and homeless, we really have missed the point. All the study in the world isn't going to help them in the least if we don't get our hands dirty. You want to get someone's attention, so you can tell them about Jesus? Treat them as Jesus would treat them, meet them where they live. Treat them with love, respect, kindness, friendship. Treat them as though they were real people, not cattle with a tag in their ear, ready to push them through the chute to heaven, as you tally them up, (I am speaking collectively, now. Not just you, specifically). Feeding that starving person, giving a blanket to that cold person, finding shelter for that homeless person, will serve them much better than all the speeches about Jesus coming soon. We can study to our heart's content, but if we don't have the balance, it gets real pointless, real fast.

[shibainu]

Originally Posted by CelticLady1

Ah, I see. So, because I am busy living, and not scanning the news wires, and my Bible, putting that timeline together, and I'm not running around shouting, "the sky is falling", and "Jesus is coming soon", I won't be happy when he does, which means that I don't love him. Wow! That's amazing, and a heck of a leap in logic!

But, you are still missing the point. Y'all spend so much time "looking to the sky", that you are missing out on the life that our Creator gave us, in the first place. Y'all are so busy looking for signs, that you are forgetting that people have needs right now, that have nothing to do with "end times", or "the last days". Hope of Jesus' return is all well and good, but it doesn't help the pregnant teen, the homeless family, the hungry man, the drug user, the prisoner. They don't need just the "pie in the sky" kind of speeches about "Jesus is coming soon". Yes, Jesus spoke of the end days, but it was not at the forefront of his mind, 24/7. As I pointed out in my earlier examples, he was busy meeting peoples' needs in the here and now. If one is so focused on something that hasn't happened yet, how are we supposed to do the things we should be doing now? But, hey, if it makes you happy and fulfilled to spend your time in such a fashion, far be it from me to deny someone that pleasure.

The end time is talked a lot because many churches use fear of the unknown to scare people into believing. I have seen the extremes of Christianity, but the average Joes are just trying to live their life. Churches just like to give the idea to people that some one will rescue them soon.
I think a lot of people still believe that their will be an end times but I do not think it will be what anyone truly expects.
I agree that we should get back to the Heart of American culture were we as a society tried to help everyone in the community, when that person or family had a struggle. Today we are so busy the Individual and not the Family or group. I hope that one day our country will wake up.

[yydanay515]

[end of discussion]Quite frankly, the "end times" has always been near. People 12,000 years ago were as near to it as we are today.[/end of discussion]

[calmdude]

Here is an interesting article about the predictors of the end of the world.

BBC NEWS | UK | Magazine | Why the fascination with the end of the world?

[Campbell34]

Originally Posted by CelticLady1

I never said Jesus' return was pie in the sky; what I said was that people "don't just need the 'pie in the sky' kind of speeches" about it, when they have such pressing problems. Bit of a difference in the wording. Folks don't need people running around looking for signs in every bit of news that comes down the pike. They need those people to expend more of their energy towards helping others. As I said before, hope of Jesus' return is all well and good, but excitement over a future event doesn't help someone in their day to day struggles of living. It doesn't help in the decision that the pregnant teen is trying to make. It doesn't bring a job, or a meal, or a home, or stop the death of a loved one.

I guarantee you that those poor folks in Haiti, and the other islands, (and here in the United States), that have been hit by so many storms recently, have much more pressing concerns on their minds than the idea of fig trees, time lines, the Tribulation, and Armageddon. I can tell you, having gone through a few hurricanes myself, over the years, those things weren't exactly at the forefront of my mind. And yet, what seems to concern the "end times" folks the most is the idea that these storms are yet another sign that Jesus is on his way, (or even better, that God is punishing certain areas of the world, as though one area has more of a monoply on sin than another).

I have an aunt and uncle, who are some of the finest Christian folks I know, or have ever known. They love Jesus, and are very strong and very mature, spiritually. They are very involved in their church, they are constantly helping others, (including in a pregnancy crisis center), and yet they don't spend their time telling others that, "Jesus is coming soon". It's not because they don't believe it; it's because they are busy living, and helping others to the best of their ability. They are showing Jesus to those around them with their actions, not their words. All the prophecies in the world don't mean a thing if we are so focused on them, that the energy we could be using to actively live our lives, and help others, is expended on looking for the fulfillment of prophecies, instead.

If the best help we can give someone is the gospel, when they are starving, cold, and homeless, we really have missed the point. All the study in the world isn't going to help them in the least if we don't get our hands dirty. You want to get someone's attention, so you can tell them about Jesus? Treat them as Jesus would treat them, meet them where they live. Treat them with love, respect, kindness, friendship. Treat them as though they were real people, not cattle with a tag in their ear, ready to push them through the chute to heaven, as you tally them up, (I am speaking collectively, now. Not just you, specifically). Feeding that starving person, giving a blanket to that cold person, finding shelter for that homeless person, will serve them much better than all the speeches about Jesus coming soon. We can study to our heart's content, but if we don't have the balance, it gets real pointless, real fast.

Both my wife and I support those who aid the sick and the down and outs, and we have done it for years. Yet God put the prophecies in the Scriptures for a reason, and He put them there not to be ignored. Some how you got it in your head, that to study the Bible means you must ignore everything else, and this is simply not the case. The prophecies of the Bible have a lot more to say, then just speaking about the storms that are occuring today. And the purpose of the prophecies, is to show those who would be willing to listen, that the God of the Bible is the real God. And they would understand this, because only God knows the future, and the prophecies of the Bible reveal, that the God of the Bible, is that God.
It has been my experience that those who have no intrest in the prophecies of the Bible, are often, not that intrested in the God of the Bible. It appears to me, you assume that if one has a real interest in such prophecies they do not have a balance. The fact is, few people on this earth even know that these prophecies exist. So unless some of us speak of them, the world will never know. And I can tell you, I personally have seen the lives of people dramatically changed for Christ, after they learned of these prophecies. And those people have gone on to help the down an outs as well.

[Campbell34]

Originally Posted by calmdude

Here is an interesting article about the predictors of the end of the world.

BBC NEWS | UK | Magazine | Why the fascination with the end of the world?

Good article, yet the author just scratched the surface as to why Christians believe Christs return is near. And that is the problem. To many have little knowledge on the subject.