Are you watching for the Lord ???

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,319
3,619
113
#21
I fear too many are watching for His return and not paying close enough attention to the signs of the times that He (and Paul) said would precede His coming.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#22
Every time a designated feast day has prophesied some event that has happened the event happened on the day the feast was celebrated but not the year.. That was true of Passover, unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Pentecost. There are three more feasts that prophesy events. When God establishes a pattern God stays true to that pattern.

The feast of Trumpets predicts the return of Christ and we do not know what year but unless God changes his ways for the first time, if it is this year it will be on Sept. 26.
 

Blade

Well-known member
Nov 19, 2019
1,783
624
113
#23
Am I watching? YES! HELLO! haha. You know a few years ago ( am 60) the only dream vision I have ever had about Jesus coming back was. There was this like timer and had like 14min left and then looking out in to space I said "Hes coming, Hes really coming". I don't know who to explain that part I really don't. NEVER in my life have I had that knowing about Jesus. There was no doubt what so ever.. like something about to happen to you.. you know there is NOTHING you can do..nothing can stop it what ever. I oh LOVED that feeling.. I was SO Happy.. He was really coming! Never felt like that. Sorry not good with words..
 
O

Omegatime

Guest
#24
Am I watching? YES! HELLO! haha. You know a few years ago ( am 60) the only dream vision I have ever had about Jesus coming back was. There was this like timer and had like 14min left and then looking out in to space I said "Hes coming, Hes really coming". I don't know who to explain that part I really don't. NEVER in my life have I had that knowing about Jesus. There was no doubt what so ever.. like something about to happen to you.. you know there is NOTHING you can do..nothing can stop it what ever. I oh LOVED that feeling.. I was SO Happy.. He was really coming! Never felt like that. Sorry not good with words..
Thank you for your encouragement
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,181
5,727
113
#26
View attachment 236379
We are here now...... How long O Lord must we wait?
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:36‬ ‭

Longsuffering- “having or showing patience in spite of troubles, especially those caused by other people.”

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:32‬ ‭KJV‬‬


“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:14‬ ‭

The gospel of the kingdom isn’t preached much in the world when it is many who “ preach the gospel “ reject and discredit it among the churches they. Lead
 
Nov 11, 2021
44
16
8
#27
You quoted Passover as a possible day and I question whether the Lord was telling us the future?

Matthew 27:53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
I think I misunderstood you. I thought you were saying that Passover/Feast of Weeks may mark the timing of His coming based on the OP. To that, I say I don't think so.

However, I do agree that like in the garden all will "fall asleep" while watching/waiting on the Lord. This is mainly based on Jesus's parable in Mark 25 about the wise/foolish virgins. But I always thought that the actual announcement/midnight-shout of the coming Bridegroom was realized by the Abomination of Desolation. Correct me if I'm wrong. But, Jesus made it clear that the famines/wars/unrest/earthquakes were actually to be expected. All His followers were to know and watch for this particular sign. Then upon waking the wise virgins with oil were ready to bear light in the darkness; while the fools awoke lost and seeking. Half were found ready and doing the Lord's work; while half either fell away or never truly loved the Lord. John 14:15-16 refers to those that are His.

15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever;


As you know, the oil in the parable represents the Holy Spirit; the Helper that fuels our faith and acts as the seal of God on believers. He marks us as belonging to Him and no one can take us away from Him. Those with faith in Christ have nothing to fear from the world, from Satan, nor from death. And to the fair-weather "Christians" that don't keep His commandments, He will say depart from me I never knew you. These are also loosely referenced in Daniel 11 when it's mentioned that hypocrites will join the righteous or fall away.

31 Forces from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress, and do away with the regular sacrifice. And they will set up the abomination of desolation. 32 And by smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will be strong and take action. 33 And those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many; yet they will fall by sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder for many days. 34 Now when they fall they will be granted a little help, and many will join with them in hypocrisy. 35 And some of those who have insight will fall, to refine, purge, and cleanse them until the end time; because it is still to come at the appointed time.

If I may give a word of wisdom here, anyone who enters into the tribulation is unrighteous. Since you have accepted the Lord's pardon for sins and your sins are covered by the blood Jesus shed. Have you not accepted his offer of grace thru faith??? Then why would you expect to experience the greatest calamities since the flood.

Romans 4: 7 “Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered;

Hebrews 9:28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.
Satan rising to power/The Great Falling Away/The Great Tribulation MUST come first. Once these are fulfilled and only then does the Lord's coming become imminent and can happen at any time. At that point, no one knows the timing and the anti-christ will further confuse the days and times in some way. Many refer to this as a Pre-Wrath Rapture since Satan's temptation isn't God's Judgement/Wrath. Satan is used merely as a tool to test and refine our faith and trust even to the point of death if needed (much like Christ with God's Will). God has already proclaimed His judgment as cleansing the land by fire along with all His enemies under His feet (on the Earth). To continue with Daniel 12:1-3 we then finally see the redemption of the righteous and Jesus coming with our respective rewards for everyone. Sin's wager is everlasting death, while mercy and everlasting righteousness is rewarded to the saints.

12 “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. 3 And those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

And to wrap up the parable, the closing of the door to the wedding feast is the coming of the Lord on the clouds. Those left behind will find themselves in outer darkness angry that they missed out.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#28
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:36‬ ‭
This is true just as no man knew the day was crucified, but just as they knew the day of the year he would be crucified, we know the day of the year he will return, we just don't know the year.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,181
5,727
113
#29
This is true just as no man knew the day was crucified, but just as they knew the day of the year he would be crucified, we know the day of the year he will return, we just don't know the year.
sorry I’m not understanding what you said
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#30
sorry I’m not understanding what you said
We are give four examples of prophecy about steps the Lord take for the salvation of man, they were given in the feasts: Passover, Leaven Bread, First Fruits, and Pentecost. The event happened on the day they were celebrated as prophecy. That is a pattern God has established. Three more feasts prophecy the end days. The day of the Trumpet prophecies Christ's return. If God's pattern holds true and it always does, then Christ will return on Sept. 26 if he returns this year. We don't know the year he will return, scripture says so and they did not know the year in the first four that has happened.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,181
5,727
113
#31
We are give four examples of prophecy about steps the Lord take for the salvation of man, they were given in the feasts: Passover, Leaven Bread, First Fruits, and Pentecost. The event happened on the day they were celebrated as prophecy. That is a pattern God has established. Three more feasts prophecy the end days. The day of the Trumpet prophecies Christ's return. If God's pattern holds true and it always does, then Christ will return on Sept. 26 if he returns this year. We don't know the year he will return, scripture says so and they did not know the year in the first four that has happened.
“That is a pattern God has established”

well thank you for explaining that , I will definately look into it more because those patterns established in the law and prophets are how we stay on the right path understanding the gospel and New Testament prophecies

so I appreciate you explaining a little of what you were saying. I haven’t studied the feasts really at all

do you.know anymore specifics or maybe could point me to a good study subject of them ? I would appreciate it because it sounds like something I could learn from out of scripture
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#32
“That is a pattern God has established”

well thank you for explaining that , I will definately look into it more because those patterns established in the law and prophets are how we stay on the right path understanding the gospel and New Testament prophecies

so I appreciate you explaining a little of what you were saying. I haven’t studied the feasts really at all

do you.know anymore specifics or maybe could point me to a good study subject of them ? I would appreciate it because it sounds like something I could learn from out of scripture
There are quite a few studies on the net of the feasts, but I found this study the most comprehensive. Tom Bradford spent eight years studying in Israel and is thoroughly expert on all things biblical and about ancient Israel. His articles are on torahclass.com. What I like about his studies is how he shows the new testament as a fulfillment of the OT.

https://torahclass.com/bible-studies/other-studies/683-7-biblical-feasts-part-1-ot
 
O

Omegatime

Guest
#33
I think I misunderstood you. I thought you were saying that Passover/Feast of Weeks may mark the timing of His coming based on the OP. To that, I say I don't think so.

However, I do agree that like in the garden all will "fall asleep" while watching/waiting on the Lord. This is mainly based on Jesus's parable in Mark 25 about the wise/foolish virgins. But I always thought that the actual announcement/midnight-shout of the coming Bridegroom was realized by the Abomination of Desolation. Correct me if I'm wrong. But, Jesus made it clear that the famines/wars/unrest/earthquakes were actually to be expected. All His followers were to know and watch for this particular sign. Then upon waking the wise virgins with oil were ready to bear light in the darkness; while the fools awoke lost and seeking. Half were found ready and doing the Lord's work; while half either fell away or never truly loved the Lord. John 14:15-16 refers to those that are His.

15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever;


As you know, the oil in the parable represents the Holy Spirit; the Helper that fuels our faith and acts as the seal of God on believers. He marks us as belonging to Him and no one can take us away from Him. Those with faith in Christ have nothing to fear from the world, from Satan, nor from death. And to the fair-weather "Christians" that don't keep His commandments, He will say depart from me I never knew you. These are also loosely referenced in Daniel 11 when it's mentioned that hypocrites will join the righteous or fall away.

31 Forces from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress, and do away with the regular sacrifice. And they will set up the abomination of desolation. 32 And by smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will be strong and take action. 33 And those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many; yet they will fall by sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder for many days. 34 Now when they fall they will be granted a little help, and many will join with them in hypocrisy. 35 And some of those who have insight will fall, to refine, purge, and cleanse them until the end time; because it is still to come at the appointed time.



Satan rising to power/The Great Falling Away/The Great Tribulation MUST come first. Once these are fulfilled and only then does the Lord's coming become imminent and can happen at any time. At that point, no one knows the timing and the anti-christ will further confuse the days and times in some way. Many refer to this as a Pre-Wrath Rapture since Satan's temptation isn't God's Judgement/Wrath. Satan is used merely as a tool to test and refine our faith and trust even to the point of death if needed (much like Christ with God's Will). God has already proclaimed His judgment as cleansing the land by fire along with all His enemies under His feet (on the Earth). To continue with Daniel 12:1-3 we then finally see the redemption of the righteous and Jesus coming with our respective rewards for everyone. Sin's wager is everlasting death, while mercy and everlasting righteousness is rewarded to the saints.

12 “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. 3 And those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

And to wrap up the parable, the closing of the door to the wedding feast is the coming of the Lord on the clouds. Those left behind will find themselves in outer darkness angry that they missed out.
Dear brother, I could think of nothing (signs) that could preclude the coming of the Lord with the exception of what Gardenias posted with the scriptures 2 Tim. 3:1-5. The Bible from the very beginning was setting the stage for the last 7 years. What Jesus taught was previously told in the OT from the Torah and the prophets. The tribulation is for the unrighteous living whether jew or gentile. Just as in my first post everyone will know the Lord is behind the judgements for they will witness the Lord coming for those in the church age. Many post pictures of the living being taken to heaven. The truth is even the living righteous will shed their bodies in the rapture for flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of God.

You have made many comments and I realize I have only scratched the surface
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#34
Dear brother, I could think of nothing (signs) that could preclude the coming of the Lord with the exception of what Gardenias posted with the scriptures 2 Tim. 3:1-5. The Bible from the very beginning was setting the stage for the last 7 years. What Jesus taught was previously told in the OT from the Torah and the prophets. The tribulation is for the unrighteous living whether jew or gentile. Just as in my first post everyone will know the Lord is behind the judgements for they will witness the Lord coming for those in the church age. Many post pictures of the living being taken to heaven. The truth is even the living righteous will shed their bodies in the rapture for flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of God.

You have made many comments and I realize I have only scratched the surface
Failure to cite scriptural reference for the tribulation being for the unrighteous because there isn’t any. You’re a pre-tribber and a Darby cultist.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,181
5,727
113
#35
[
There are quite a few studies on the net of the feasts, but I found this study the most comprehensive. Tom Bradford spent eight years studying in Israel and is thoroughly expert on all things biblical and about ancient Israel. His articles are on torahclass.com. What I like about his studies is how he shows the new testament as a fulfillment of the OT.

https://torahclass.com/bible-studies/other-studies/683-7-biblical-feasts-part-1-ot
Thanks a lot blick I’ll look into that I appreciate you taking the time to share it

God bless
 
Nov 11, 2021
44
16
8
#36
Dear brother, I could think of nothing (signs) that could preclude the coming of the Lord with the exception of what Gardenias posted with the scriptures 2 Tim. 3:1-5. The Bible from the very beginning was setting the stage for the last 7 years. What Jesus taught was previously told in the OT from the Torah and the prophets.
It's my understanding that the Bible from the beginning points to Jesus as the center of all things. Not only His return in end times but also His birth, death, resurrection, and exaltation shadowing His first appearance. The majority of scripture is dedicated to His life around these 2 periods in history. So naturally, we should look to Him for answers...

In 2 Tim. 3, I believe He's is describing the condition of the world that He comes back to (which is being fulfilled btw). But if we continue the passage to 2 Tim. 3:10-12 Timothy reflects on his own walk of faith. It is revealed that Christians are to suffer persecution if they follow Jesus Christ.

10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! 12 Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

I agree with you that Jesus taught what the OT prophets proclaimed. But, if we go back and look at their prophecies about the 2nd coming they mirror the truth that reflects the life of Christ. He suffered and died proclaiming God's message to the world. This theme of suffering redemption is dominant throughout the text. There is plenty of scripture that harmonizes this understanding and of precursors to His coming. Unless we flat-out ignore what has been said it is impossible to settle on the no signs viewpoint. Brother, here are a few of those OT teachings please review:

Zechariah 13 (He cuts off 2/3 of the ppl ashamed by Him and "refines" and "test" the 1/3 remnant).
Zechariah 14 (He describes Great Trib. in Jerusalem/gathering the armies of the world/the flight or escape of the Jews/the great earthquake that swallows the 'flood' described in Rev. 12:13-16/the darkening of the luminaries echoed in Joel 2:10, Amos 8:9, Isa 13:10, Rev. 6:12/only then to finally be proclaimed the "King of Kings" arriving on the earth Zech. 14:9).
Zephaniah 1 (He consecrates His "guest" on the same day/just before He judges the nations)...ect.

The tribulation is for the unrighteous living whether jew or gentile. Just as in my first post everyone will know the Lord is behind the judgements for they will witness the Lord coming for those in the church age. Many post pictures of the living being taken to heaven. The truth is even the living righteous will shed their bodies in the rapture for flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Failure to cite scriptural reference for the tribulation being for the unrighteous because there isn’t any. You’re a pre-tribber and a Darby cultist.
Rm, I understand your frustration but this sort of tone/comments are only self-serving and add nothing productive to the conversation. But his point remains; unless you can prove the truth of God's Word through the use of God's Word (prove truth with truth) claims like trib. only for the unrighteous is personal speculation. The vast overwhelming majority of scripture harmonizes around the thought of a pre-wrath rapture.

In closing, I need to thank you. Your comment on the living remnant "shedding the body" (1 Cor. 15:50) explains what Jesus meant when He says "Where the body is, there also the vultures will be gathered" (Luke 17:37). Strong's concordance [G105] shows that eagles are another meaning for the same word vulture used here giving this passage a double meaning. Vultures gather in the air above a (physical) dead body the same way we will when Christ "carries us away on eagles wings" when we meet Him in the air (popular prophetic phrase to describe being carried by the spirit). For the life of me, I couldn't understand why vultures would gather if He's coming to take our resurrected physical dead bodies. But slipping into new ones on the spot brings new understanding to that scripture.

Thanx!
 
O

Omegatime

Guest
#37
It's my understanding that the Bible from the beginning points to Jesus as the center of all things. Not only His return in end times but also His birth, death, resurrection, and exaltation shadowing His first appearance. The majority of scripture is dedicated to His life around these 2 periods in history. So naturally, we should look to Him for answers...

In 2 Tim. 3, I believe He's is describing the condition of the world that He comes back to (which is being fulfilled btw). But if we continue the passage to 2 Tim. 3:10-12 Timothy reflects on his own walk of faith. It is revealed that Christians are to suffer persecution if they follow Jesus Christ.

10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! 12 Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

I agree with you that Jesus taught what the OT prophets proclaimed. But, if we go back and look at their prophecies about the 2nd coming they mirror the truth that reflects the life of Christ. He suffered and died proclaiming God's message to the world. This theme of suffering redemption is dominant throughout the text. There is plenty of scripture that harmonizes this understanding and of precursors to His coming. Unless we flat-out ignore what has been said it is impossible to settle on the no signs viewpoint. Brother, here are a few of those OT teachings please review:

Zechariah 13 (He cuts off 2/3 of the ppl ashamed by Him and "refines" and "test" the 1/3 remnant).
Zechariah 14 (He describes Great Trib. in Jerusalem/gathering the armies of the world/the flight or escape of the Jews/the great earthquake that swallows the 'flood' described in Rev. 12:13-16/the darkening of the luminaries echoed in Joel 2:10, Amos 8:9, Isa 13:10, Rev. 6:12/only then to finally be proclaimed the "King of Kings" arriving on the earth Zech. 14:9).
Zephaniah 1 (He consecrates His "guest" on the same day/just before He judges the nations)...ect.





Rm, I understand your frustration but this sort of tone/comments are only self-serving and add nothing productive to the conversation. But his point remains; unless you can prove the truth of God's Word through the use of God's Word (prove truth with truth) claims like trib. only for the unrighteous is personal speculation. The vast overwhelming majority of scripture harmonizes around the thought of a pre-wrath rapture.

In closing, I need to thank you. Your comment on the living remnant "shedding the body" (1 Cor. 15:50) explains what Jesus meant when He says "Where the body is, there also the vultures will be gathered" (Luke 17:37). Strong's concordance [G105] shows that eagles are another meaning for the same word vulture used here giving this passage a double meaning. Vultures gather in the air above a (physical) dead body the same way we will when Christ "carries us away on eagles wings" when we meet Him in the air (popular prophetic phrase to describe being carried by the spirit). For the life of me, I couldn't understand why vultures would gather if He's coming to take our resurrected physical dead bodies. But slipping into new ones on the spot brings new understanding to that scripture.

Thanx!
The path you have chosen to find truth is what each of us needs to do. My first suggestion is to know the Lord. Was not all things created by the Lord Yeshus/Jesus? Was He not the great I Am before Abraham was . was He not the Word of God who taught the prophets? Knowledge is the key to understand God. Jesus was preeminence in all things. In this world we will have tribulations and hardships. But does not our Lord know how to keep his people safe from Judgement? Consider Noah and Lot; the Lord was not committed to the destruction of the world or the cities in the plains if even one righteous person remained.

I am probably wasting my time coming here as most are locked into their particular beliefs. But knowing how to study and with prayer and patience is key. Take the doctrine of some churches who believe in this born again doctrine. If it was important why didn't Jesus mention it again?, or his Apostles, or their disciples, and in fact not even a mention in 1900 years within the church including those who came out of the reformation. Most laymen are not educated enough to understand what Jesus was actually saying. Only the beginning of many such stories.

Christians have come to accept what the world and Satan has to offer, such as Santa Claus which s an idol in the eyes of our children, which most consider harmless. it is good that we have grace.

You quoted 2/3 cut off in Zechariah which pertains to Israel alone.
Many will come to know the Lord in these last seven years, but the attention is on Israel and Jerusalem.
Putting each parable and event in the proper order is also key for all things are driven by time.
Most only read what is on the surface of scriptures

Wish you the best in your studies
 
Jan 25, 2015
9,222
3,201
113
#38
You quoted Passover as a possible day and I question whether the Lord was telling us the future?

Matthew 27:53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
The feast of Passover was fulfilled so I would rather also look at the feast of trumpets
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,212
2,547
113
#39
To be honest while yes I do believe we are getting close no I am not watching because it is not yet time. We are in a waiting period a time of patience not one where we should expect to see him suddenly appear but one to wait for that time to be looking for his appearing. In every rapture dream I have ever had there was always this sense of knowing in my spirit that the time was near always a sense of closeness I just knew inside, I think it will be the same way for his bride when it is time to be looking for the bridegroom to take his bride we will know in our souls to be looking it won't be a matter of if we should or not we will know we will have this joy in our spirits an excitement that is hard to describe I know because I have felt it in my dreams.

I long for this day and time but I steel myself in patience I study and wait I learn and slow my heartbeat not allowing myself to be swayed by every hype and dream or vision. He has many times spoken to me about the snatching away many times have I had visions of it happenming many times have I had dreams of it yet I never felt a sense of nearness of it like in those dreams but one day we who are his will have this sense in our spirits we will know the joy and excitement that words cannot express we will look to the sky every day with a giddy smile like a child if I were to prophesy anything it would this
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#40
It's my understanding that the Bible from the beginning points to Jesus as the center of all things. Not only His return in end times but also His birth, death, resurrection, and exaltation shadowing His first appearance. The majority of scripture is dedicated to His life around these 2 periods in history. So naturally, we should look to Him for answers...

In 2 Tim. 3, I believe He's is describing the condition of the world that He comes back to (which is being fulfilled btw). But if we continue the passage to 2 Tim. 3:10-12 Timothy reflects on his own walk of faith. It is revealed that Christians are to suffer persecution if they follow Jesus Christ.

10 Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! 12 Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

I agree with you that Jesus taught what the OT prophets proclaimed. But, if we go back and look at their prophecies about the 2nd coming they mirror the truth that reflects the life of Christ. He suffered and died proclaiming God's message to the world. This theme of suffering redemption is dominant throughout the text. There is plenty of scripture that harmonizes this understanding and of precursors to His coming. Unless we flat-out ignore what has been said it is impossible to settle on the no signs viewpoint. Brother, here are a few of those OT teachings please review:

Zechariah 13 (He cuts off 2/3 of the ppl ashamed by Him and "refines" and "test" the 1/3 remnant).
Zechariah 14 (He describes Great Trib. in Jerusalem/gathering the armies of the world/the flight or escape of the Jews/the great earthquake that swallows the 'flood' described in Rev. 12:13-16/the darkening of the luminaries echoed in Joel 2:10, Amos 8:9, Isa 13:10, Rev. 6:12/only then to finally be proclaimed the "King of Kings" arriving on the earth Zech. 14:9).
Zephaniah 1 (He consecrates His "guest" on the same day/just before He judges the nations)...ect.





Rm, I understand your frustration but this sort of tone/comments are only self-serving and add nothing productive to the conversation. But his point remains; unless you can prove the truth of God's Word through the use of God's Word (prove truth with truth) claims like trib. only for the unrighteous is personal speculation. The vast overwhelming majority of scripture harmonizes around the thought of a pre-wrath rapture.

In closing, I need to thank you. Your comment on the living remnant "shedding the body" (1 Cor. 15:50) explains what Jesus meant when He says "Where the body is, there also the vultures will be gathered" (Luke 17:37). Strong's concordance [G105] shows that eagles are another meaning for the same word vulture used here giving this passage a double meaning. Vultures gather in the air above a (physical) dead body the same way we will when Christ "carries us away on eagles wings" when we meet Him in the air (popular prophetic phrase to describe being carried by the spirit). For the life of me, I couldn't understand why vultures would gather if He's coming to take our resurrected physical dead bodies. But slipping into new ones on the spot brings new understanding to that scripture.

Thanx!
In previous comments I’ve demonstrated with scripture that Christians are not exempt from tribulations and hardships, up to and including martyrdom. It has nothing to do with one’s alleged state of righteousness and the great tribulation occurs before the day of the Lord. I’d be more than happy to have that discussion here with anyone who is reachable, open, and not obstinate.

I don’t recall telling you anything about “where the carcass is the vultures will gather” mentioned in Matt. 24. I don’t agree with the interpretation you are putting forth either.

The vultures at the carcass, I believe, is a reference to the “supper of the great God” mentioned in Revelation 19 where Jesus returns to fight war with the beast and false prophet. This is post-trib rapture day of the Lord material and has nothing to do with the tribulation. I think where you and someone else is confused in this thread is that you have mistaken the great tribulation for God’s wrath.