Are we in the end times ?
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Antichrist is nothing new. Jesus Christ is the Incarnate of God, Antichrist is the Incarnate of Satan. Nimrod was the first Antichrist figure, Ninevah was the first totalitarian regime, Tower of Babel was the first blasphemous project of false religion. That's the archetype of all such oppressive empires throughout history, these tyrants were personally possessed and empowered by Satan. Any kind of secular sociological, political, historical or phylosophical studies are merely chasing theology on this topic, and they're far from close.
The book of Revelation is a prophetic book written for THE last church. Each generation is meant to know it because no one knows when He will return. This is why in many places Jesus says these things will happen soon because He is directly talking to THAT final church (in the 70th week) at the end.
Another thing to keep in mind is biblical prophecy is tricky. Prophecies occur in cycles until they've reached their true fulfillment.
(Ex: Passover in Exodus wasn't truly fulfilled until Christ died on Passover. And according to Isaiah 19 it has further fulfillment to come).
(Ex2: Note that the shaggy goat/ram prophecy (Dan. 8) is set for end times [the angel declares it three times (Dan. 8:19, 8:26)] although it had previous partial fulfillment through Alexander the Great's Greece vs Persia and another partial fulfillment at the division of "Persia" in the Ottoman empire after WW1).
His prophetic warning about the destruction of the temple in 70AD will repeat for the final temple at the end of the age. There was no coming on the clouds back then so this prophecy will repeat for its true fulfillment with Jesus Christ. (Note: how Matthew 24 mirrors Revelation 6-7. False prophets then, wars rumors of wars then, famine... Some occurred then and all will occur again).
Furthermore we can tell he's talking to the final generation (the last church) by examining His instructions to John.
19 Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things. (Rev. 1:19)
In 90AD, none of this had happened yet; however John is present in the future viewing things from heaven. He even sees the far future with the ends of death and hell.
This message carried throughout all of time was meant for one group of people. The ones experiencing these things are the ones living in THAT generation.
Another thing to keep in mind is biblical prophecy is tricky. Prophecies occur in cycles until they've reached their true fulfillment.
(Ex: Passover in Exodus wasn't truly fulfilled until Christ died on Passover. And according to Isaiah 19 it has further fulfillment to come).
(Ex2: Note that the shaggy goat/ram prophecy (Dan. 8) is set for end times [the angel declares it three times (Dan. 8:19, 8:26)] although it had previous partial fulfillment through Alexander the Great's Greece vs Persia and another partial fulfillment at the division of "Persia" in the Ottoman empire after WW1).
His prophetic warning about the destruction of the temple in 70AD will repeat for the final temple at the end of the age. There was no coming on the clouds back then so this prophecy will repeat for its true fulfillment with Jesus Christ. (Note: how Matthew 24 mirrors Revelation 6-7. False prophets then, wars rumors of wars then, famine... Some occurred then and all will occur again).
Furthermore we can tell he's talking to the final generation (the last church) by examining His instructions to John.
19 Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things. (Rev. 1:19)
In 90AD, none of this had happened yet; however John is present in the future viewing things from heaven. He even sees the far future with the ends of death and hell.
This message carried throughout all of time was meant for one group of people. The ones experiencing these things are the ones living in THAT generation.
Take a look at what's going on in the world right now not what may or may not have happened 2000 plus years ago. The Bible often gives multi faceted meanings to passages and events. Just as a cut Gem Stone can show different levels of light. All the answers given in this thread are probably correct but taking just one and sticking to it wont be much use.
When Putin's 40000 Syrian Mercenaries he has recruited try to take Ukrain Israel will respond and the fat will hit the Pan big time.
When Putin's 40000 Syrian Mercenaries he has recruited try to take Ukrain Israel will respond and the fat will hit the Pan big time.
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This is the apostle John’s definitions:
”“For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.”, and
”Who is the liar except the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son.”
There are many antichrists. I think it’s safe to say that John was saying that such people had the spirit of the antichrist influencing and controlling them. John could also have referred to any such people as: ‘Such a one is a deceiver and an antichrist‘. That would seem to make more sense.
”“For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.”, and
”Who is the liar except the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son.”
There are many antichrists. I think it’s safe to say that John was saying that such people had the spirit of the antichrist influencing and controlling them. John could also have referred to any such people as: ‘Such a one is a deceiver and an antichrist‘. That would seem to make more sense.
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John was the only Bible writer to use the word antichrist, in 1 John 2:18, 2:22, 4:3, and 2 John 7. There are many antichrists/false teachers between the time of Christ's first and second coming, and one great Antichrist who will rise to power during the end times. An antichrist denies that Jesus is the Christ, denies both the Father and the Son, and is a liar and a deceiver.
Even if those people who have adopted Judaism were OT Jews (they are not), God made it clear frequently that the ONLY way for them to be restored to Him was REPENTANCE. Modern-day "Israel" never repented of its sins against God and remains today a very SECULAR nation.
One cannot serve two masters. To take pride in being a member of an apostate nation that Jesus condemned while at the same time claiming His name is idolatry and sin. The only adherence any Christian (even redeemed modern-day "Jews") have to OT Israel is the association with and the embracing of the faith of ABRAHAM. ALL who profess Christ are of the spiritual seed of THAT faith. Abraham longed for a BETTER country; a city whose builder and maker is GOD (Heb. 11). He considered himself a sojourner and foreigner EVEN WHILE HE LIVED IN THE LAND OF PROMISE. He looked forward to a heavenly kingdom and not an earthly one. Reader Hebrews 11. there is now, IN CHRIST, no longer Jew or Gentile. ALL are one in Him and all loyalty is to HIM.
One cannot serve two masters. To take pride in being a member of an apostate nation that Jesus condemned while at the same time claiming His name is idolatry and sin. The only adherence any Christian (even redeemed modern-day "Jews") have to OT Israel is the association with and the embracing of the faith of ABRAHAM. ALL who profess Christ are of the spiritual seed of THAT faith. Abraham longed for a BETTER country; a city whose builder and maker is GOD (Heb. 11). He considered himself a sojourner and foreigner EVEN WHILE HE LIVED IN THE LAND OF PROMISE. He looked forward to a heavenly kingdom and not an earthly one. Reader Hebrews 11. there is now, IN CHRIST, no longer Jew or Gentile. ALL are one in Him and all loyalty is to HIM.
Jesus used the expression "THIS generation" TWENTY times. He NEVER meant anything other than HIS contemporaries. Most people accept "this generation" of Matthew 23 to be those of that generation in which Jesus then lived--the generation of those apostate Jews He was condemning. When did Jesus indicate in any way that He was changing that meaning in Matthew 24:34? He did not. Jesus did NOT say or even suggest that "this generation" meant "the generation that will be alive when the Antichrist is revealed." To think such a thing is to place one's preconceived ideas over the teachings of Scripture! THIS generation means exactly that--THIS generation.
Furthermore, 2 Thessalonians 2 makes it clear that those of that very generation in which the Apostles lived KNEW the Man of Sin. He was someone of their day! And there is nothing there that calls this "man of sin" Antichrist. The term "Antichrist" appears ONLY in John's epistles. And event there, John speaks of many antichrists living in his very day and the spirt of antichrist. The word appears NOWHERE in the Revelation.
Many stumble over the SIMPLE and CLEAR expression THIS GENERATION because they cannot fit the tenets of their paradigm into THAT time frame. Rather than re-evaluate and reassess their paradigm, they manipulate or ignore simple time words that oppose their views. The timing of the Second Coming, the Resurrection, and the Judgment is clearly expressed throughout the NT (over 100 verses!). TIMING dictates NATURE. Futurists, however, establish a NATURE of those events and then play fast and loose with the time statements in order to mold them into their understandings. It does great injustice to the words of Christ and the teachings of His apostles and makes the Church look foolish before an unbelieving world.
The writer of Hebrews wrote (ca A.D. 64-66): "In a VERY, VERY little while, He who is coming WILL come and will NOT delay" (10:37).
Is 2000 years a "very, very little while"?
Furthermore, 2 Thessalonians 2 makes it clear that those of that very generation in which the Apostles lived KNEW the Man of Sin. He was someone of their day! And there is nothing there that calls this "man of sin" Antichrist. The term "Antichrist" appears ONLY in John's epistles. And event there, John speaks of many antichrists living in his very day and the spirt of antichrist. The word appears NOWHERE in the Revelation.
Many stumble over the SIMPLE and CLEAR expression THIS GENERATION because they cannot fit the tenets of their paradigm into THAT time frame. Rather than re-evaluate and reassess their paradigm, they manipulate or ignore simple time words that oppose their views. The timing of the Second Coming, the Resurrection, and the Judgment is clearly expressed throughout the NT (over 100 verses!). TIMING dictates NATURE. Futurists, however, establish a NATURE of those events and then play fast and loose with the time statements in order to mold them into their understandings. It does great injustice to the words of Christ and the teachings of His apostles and makes the Church look foolish before an unbelieving world.
The writer of Hebrews wrote (ca A.D. 64-66): "In a VERY, VERY little while, He who is coming WILL come and will NOT delay" (10:37).
Is 2000 years a "very, very little while"?
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Many are blinded by tradition and false teaching. The Lord said that He would join the houses of Judah and Israel together in a new covenant and He is doing it. I would stake my life on it.
He said He'd wake up Ephraim, aka, the ten tribes, in the last days, and He is starting to do this. Over the past few years, I've seen an increase in legitimate, in my opinion, Messianic, gentile Christian, and even orthodox Jewish groups proclaim this. Using scripture to show it.
This, of course, is what I believe. You may believe different. Being in Christ is what matters. Mashiach, if you like.
He said He'd wake up Ephraim, aka, the ten tribes, in the last days, and He is starting to do this. Over the past few years, I've seen an increase in legitimate, in my opinion, Messianic, gentile Christian, and even orthodox Jewish groups proclaim this. Using scripture to show it.
This, of course, is what I believe. You may believe different. Being in Christ is what matters. Mashiach, if you like.
Are we in the end times?
Yes.
Has the tribulation started?
No.
Is the Vaccine the Mark of the Beast?
No
Will the Gog/Magog war prophesied in Ezekiel 38 begin soon?
Sure looks like it.
Will we have famine?
Yes
Will we have a great depression?
Yes
Will the tribulation, the 70th week, begin in 2022?
That is certainly a very good possibility --
Does the times of the Gentiles, the age of grace end with the rapture?
That is how I understand the NT.
If the tribulation begins in 2022 wouldn't that mean the rapture takes place before the tribulation?
That is how I understand the NT.
Yes.
Has the tribulation started?
No.
Is the Vaccine the Mark of the Beast?
No
Will the Gog/Magog war prophesied in Ezekiel 38 begin soon?
Sure looks like it.
Will we have famine?
Yes
Will we have a great depression?
Yes
Will the tribulation, the 70th week, begin in 2022?
That is certainly a very good possibility --
Does the times of the Gentiles, the age of grace end with the rapture?
That is how I understand the NT.
If the tribulation begins in 2022 wouldn't that mean the rapture takes place before the tribulation?
That is how I understand the NT.
First of all, the text does NOT say "will become." The word in the Greek is egenonto (εγενοντο). It is a 3 person plural 2 Aorist middle deponent. It is translated as HAVE BECOME. The kingdoms of the world being made into the Kingdom of "our Lord and of our Christ" was a PAST event in Revelation 11. Whatever that verse means, the timing of it falls within those things which were in JOHN'S day to SHORTLY take place. The timing of content of Revelation 11 was THEN AT HAND.
Jesus clearly stated "My kingdom is NOT of this world." Before the Gospel was given to the Gentiles and they were brought into the BODY along with Jews through faith, God had worked through one nation--Israel. People from "all the kingdoms of the world" were brought into God's eternal kingdom which is NOT of this world. It is a PAST event according to Revelation 11:15 and not a future event.
Jesus clearly stated "My kingdom is NOT of this world." Before the Gospel was given to the Gentiles and they were brought into the BODY along with Jews through faith, God had worked through one nation--Israel. People from "all the kingdoms of the world" were brought into God's eternal kingdom which is NOT of this world. It is a PAST event according to Revelation 11:15 and not a future event.
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When looking up the word "soon" in Scripture it is clear to the meaning of the word.
Mar_11:2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.
Mar_1:42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed
Gal_1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
The concordance tell us soon is used 24 times in the NT. look them up they all mean soon.
Joh_14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
The same idea with the term "little while" used in 10 verses
Grew up with the idea, that Christians should use Scripture to interpret scripture . Does that hold true for today?
Mar_11:2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.
Mar_1:42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed
Gal_1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
The concordance tell us soon is used 24 times in the NT. look them up they all mean soon.
Joh_14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
The same idea with the term "little while" used in 10 verses
Grew up with the idea, that Christians should use Scripture to interpret scripture . Does that hold true for today?
That is a TERRIBLE understanding of Hebrews 10:37. Back up to verse 25 and get the context. The writer told those of HIS day that THEY should not neglect the assembling of themselves together. Why? Because THEY were "in a very, very little while" see the "day approaching.
Also, check out Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians. He is speaking to THEM and to not to US. He commends THEM for their faith that is reported throughout the world. Then he comforts them by telling them that THEY will be vindicated and those who are troubling THEM will be persecuted by God in the same measure and manner that THEY persecuted His people (those Thessalonians).
When would this happen? In THEIR lifetime. THEY would be vindicated and given relief AT HIS APPEARING. THEY not WE!
We must stop making everything about us and pay attention to audience relevance and context. In many, many cases as we read the Scriptures, WE are NOT the YE.
The coming in Hebrews 10:37 is not a personal coming to each of us. That is grave violation of the CONTEXT. The people the writer is addressing were being persecuted, imprisoned, had their property taken, etc. Paul compelling them to do lose heart--their faith will be rewarded. That was to happen in their lifetime "in a very, very little while" at the Lord's Parousia. And then THEIR persecutors were going to fall "into the hands of the living God."
Also, check out Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians. He is speaking to THEM and to not to US. He commends THEM for their faith that is reported throughout the world. Then he comforts them by telling them that THEY will be vindicated and those who are troubling THEM will be persecuted by God in the same measure and manner that THEY persecuted His people (those Thessalonians).
When would this happen? In THEIR lifetime. THEY would be vindicated and given relief AT HIS APPEARING. THEY not WE!
We must stop making everything about us and pay attention to audience relevance and context. In many, many cases as we read the Scriptures, WE are NOT the YE.
The coming in Hebrews 10:37 is not a personal coming to each of us. That is grave violation of the CONTEXT. The people the writer is addressing were being persecuted, imprisoned, had their property taken, etc. Paul compelling them to do lose heart--their faith will be rewarded. That was to happen in their lifetime "in a very, very little while" at the Lord's Parousia. And then THEIR persecutors were going to fall "into the hands of the living God."