End times insanity | SermonIndex

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DEADn Mar 31, 2011

Seems the more I live the more I find people in the christian community and groups get paranoid about 'end times' stuff and seem to make things 'fit' doctrines. one example would be 'Mystery Babylon' where some say it is Rome, others say it is America and the list can go on.

Then I hear 'evidences' of the end times as a result of all of the trouble happening in the middle east and it always seems to me that people are using events to fit their thinking agenda of end times stuff.

I really want to say ENOUGH ALREADY! And people are supposed to take these agendas seriously?

I made up my mind a while back to turn it all of because it really get nowhere fast. It is a dead end street in my opinion. It also seems to get people off of their narrow path to God Himself.

Does anyone agree with me comments? Does anyone think I need to be corrected? What are your thoughts? THis is the first time I have really aired this out to anyone. Usually when I see anything in this area I roll my eyes and go the other way.

W

White_Stone Mar 31, 2011

Just recently someone posted a very clear explanation of Mystery Babylon. I will try to search out the thread but it was very illuminating to me and the most in line with the Scriptures I have seen. Not anything like what the World believes, either.

Ah, here it is https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=27995&forum=35&start=30&33 The poster is Earendel

Hope it helps,
white stone

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sermonindex Mar 31, 2011

Would you mind me asking Deadn, what if what many are reporting on is true --- would you rather wake up tomorrow to find no internet, no phones [called "the kill switch" or the other possibility is EMP] and troops in the streets to your utter shock or be gradually hearing of things that line up with last days scenarios a little at a time to prepare your heart for any such event as that?

I personally don't like bad-surprises, so I stay apprised of current events, and also because I feel "called" to Watch.
Possibly, you don't feel that calling - but some do.

You can always ignore them. But they won't go away.
GOD Has appointed Watchmen and women and they can't be silenced - only ignored by those who choose to ignore all.
But again, they won't go away but I can' assure you, true watchmen are Not "paranoid". In fact they are calmer than the majority.

I think that's the way to judge the true from the Reactionaries. That Shalom in which they report.

Shalom to you & yours!

D

DEADn Mar 31, 2011

Jesus-is-God
If what many are reporting is true is one thing but the messages become so clouded that essentially the messages seem as if many try to fit the meanings to their own agenda.

There has always been uproars in the middle east and now we have more with the demonstrations. I was told by someone yesterday that as a result America is lining up to attack Israel. I looked at him and just shut him off.

I don't know that I should go into someof the other things I could cite in my post or not.

You are probably right that I am not a watchmen. Yet, I think the insanity of it all tends cause people to lose focus of their christian walk, unknowingly, and turn others off to the gospel.

I have told people that rather than get so caught up in end times events you need to focus your heart towards God and let the events take care of themselves. I see too many people who allow the scare of it all to cause them to run, even christians. A person can run into so many errors when interpreting very obscure passages of end times scripture as well.

P

poet Mar 31, 2011

In my humble opinion, most of the end time waves as I will call them are a distraction from the mission at hand that has not changed.
Preach the gospel to the lost.
Things that line up with the word that seem to be happening then just look up and be glad that redemption draweth neigh.
Focusing on any one topic too long and hard is not healthy, but we should always search the scriptures prayerfully and if God wishes to reveal something to us to prepare us for what is ahead that is fine.
I think that the end time waves are faddish in nature and never pan out and when it is out of ballance it actually dammages new converts belief and faith.
Christ is comming back, When? Scripture doesnt say.
Were only to be prepared for his comming.
This is done not by searching for some secret revelation as to his comming or knowledge, but by focusing on being transformed into the image of Christ. having oil in our lamps, and walking humbly among mankind.
A great example of this stuff happened in a small church I used to go to... too far away now.
back in 1988 remember that one...
It literally split the church, and when people who were spreading this stuff around in the church and causing all kinds of turmoil and strife, then 88 came and went and no one in leadership or in the congregration who were spreading this would repent. and when the pastor asked them to, they chose to leave the church instead of humbling themselves and apologizing. except one couple.
Interesting, the very people who thought that they were going to be taken up into heaven right away, still refused to admit when they were wrong and say they were sorry.
food for thought. Amazing how God reveals the hidden things in men's hearts.

Anyway, he comes when he comes, live day by day, live for Him day by day. let Him take care of the rest.

Also about the watchman, just for some thought.
biblically the watchman for example in ezekiel 3 has to do with sin. people need to repent of sin lest the judgment come. Im not sure what other type of biblical watchman we could be talking about?
God bless

D

DEADn Mar 31, 2011

POET

Your post is the view that I am coming from. How easy is it that pride develops in a person's heart over these things and when it is failed the heart fails to repent.

Senseless seeds are spread and eventually the gospel is lost or simply put on the shelf. And in the case of America, it is called the 'escape plan'

Thanks for that post!!

S

sermonindex Mar 31, 2011

Well, I also view another forum that is strictly current events and our ships are over there for a reason and the UN is looking to split the land of Israel and the whole of the Middle East is almost a powder keg and NATO is there for that very reason. Netanyahoo and company are on alert as well. There is great tension there right now and NATO and the UN are there to do what we never thought would be done there before.

I'd recommend a good look into some Christian News Sites that are covering the situation there, as it happens, and see that, Yup - we're teeter-toddering on the brink of a Biggie and not just with the Middle East - but Russia and China as well.

Ain't no false alarms here. We're seeing true "earth changes" as well that threaten even the US.

I'm not a reactionary, simply because of the Peace that passes all understanding from being forewarned of these things by our Faithful LORD in His Word.... Thank GOD.

It just gets me feeling honored to live in the generation that will see His Return. Very Happy too! Even if it will be a bit rough until then.
Yes, things are surely happening outside of our little comfortable worlds.
Better to be spiritually, emotionally and mentally forewarned and informed than to wake up one morning and find our worst nightmares catching us unawares.

GOD Bless you!!!

S

sermonindex Mar 31, 2011

I'd also like to add - nothing has increased my burden for the lost and the feeling of urgency to "get them in" then knowing the times that we're living in.

And also, as Peter said: Knowing these things are about to take place - how should we then live? - if we're to remain faithful and victorious and brave unto the end, as a witness to the world?

eta - I know for a fact, that because of my view of the events preceding His Coming - it's caused me to not waste one minute in this world. That's what gives me the zeal to have no part in this world and to press into Him with all that I have, every minute of the day - because I know we'll need it.

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DEADn Mar 31, 2011

what christian news sites do you recommend?

S

sermonindex Mar 31, 2011

A reasonabe approach to end time insanity would be to watch and pray and read the signs of his return on the gospels.

S

sermonindex Mar 31, 2011

Amen as well Martyr.

I PMed what ever site I knew of to our Brother.

GOD Bless you All !!!

S

staff Mar 31, 2011

hi Deadn,
I can see why you say what you say about the end times but I would disagree.
We have to look at the importance God the father and Jesus Christ his son has put on the end times.

Then we have to look at how the devil loves to confuse everything.He can use any subject to get christians of the narrow path to God.Its not the subjects fault.If your logic was right we would have to abandon all doctrine.

Then we have to look at !ministries!that jump on the band wagon who arent called to preach on the subject in the first place but do so only for selfish worldly reasons.
When I see this I too roll my eyes!

Then we have to look at the issues you bring up about different end time doctrines.I do get fustrated myself with this but God continues to draw me back to look at the subject.
My reccomendation is to study the subject for a while with out outside influence and ask God to guide your study.
You dont have to look at other peoples agendas just try and figure it out yourself with the bible and the Holy Spirit.
Their is a huge blessing thier waiting for you.The more I find out about Gods plan the more I am in awe of him.
I feel the same as you in relation to another subject rivival but I must not throw the baby out with the bath water! Yours Staff

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sermonindex Apr 1, 2011

Then I hear 'evidences' of the end times as a result of all of the trouble happening in the middle east and it always seems to me that people are using events to fit their thinking agenda of end times stuff.

I agree with you.

We have no idea how many times some catastrophic event happens or there is wars that believers get on some tangent and declares that the end is near.

When Hitler rose to power and was sweeping across Europe, Christians believed that Hitler was thee Anti Christ and the Jews received a tattoo in their forearm.

During the 80's there was gloom over the world whether or not America and Russia were going to be at war at any moment. People believed that Armageddon was going to take place in that decade.

When the war in the gulf during the 90's started, believers again were saying, "this is it".

Whenever there is an earthquake, or some terrible thing happen we automatically assume that this has meaning. Yet, I just see it as man and his wicked heart doing wicked things, or the earth going through her menstrual cycle.

When Vesuvius blew it's top in AD 79 and the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum two cities were buried with ash and magma, Christians would have thought that the end was near. If we are doing it today, they would have thought the same thing then.

When San Francisco had it's earthquake in 1906, called a wicked city in that day (still is), believers than would have thought that the end was near for a year later the Azusa street revival broke out which probably solidified their theory because of the misinterpreted verse that Peter said that in the last days God would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh.

Earthquakes were in diverse places, as mentioned of the one in SF in 1906, just ten years before was the Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan 1896 that killed 26,000 souls. Coupled with a revival and war and rumours of war were being uttered, believers believed that the end of was near.

I find it a sheer waste of energy telling people that the end is near. Our end is always near, we could die today. I could have a heart attack tonight (God forbid), my end came and I will not have a care about planet earth and what happens down here anymore.

Whether He comes again soon or never, it has no bearing on the fact that men and women still need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and be reconciled to God through His shed blood. People need to experience a resurrection of life within them through the power of the Holy Spirit which is given to them that repent and obey the gospel.

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ginnyrose Apr 1, 2011

Check out this site for info concerning the frequency of earthquakes.

http://www.earth.webecs.co.uk/

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rufnrust Apr 1, 2011

Birth pangs! The contractions are getting closer together! We all get excited at every contraction! Right! Creation is groaning!

Having said that, I agree that many try to plug events into their agenda to give themselves a sense of purpose or something.

Ruf

S

sermonindex Apr 1, 2011

I agree that many try to plug events into their agenda to give themselves a sense of purpose or something.

I believe you have hit on the real cause.

D

DEADn Apr 1, 2011

Thus the Insanity of it all.

A person can really go off the deep end with 'end times' stuff. The Camping camp is a currently result of this. I hope some of those people will wake up before May 21 comes otherwise they will have a great falling away. The power of delusion is so great!

G

ginnyrose Apr 1, 2011

Birth pangs!

Birth pangs at the onset are almost imperceptible. It is not until later that one can look back and say 'Yes, it started at ...' Most of the time these early pains can not be discerned from the normal pains that accompany discomfort common to a late pregnancy.

So it is, I think, with end times calamities. If we were to look only at one aspect of it, one could easily dismiss the rhetoric about us now living right at the end times - like it could be so soon as humans understand 'soon'. But there are other signs and how are they lining up? One must look at the entire picture...

To buy guns to protect oneself - I find disturbing. If you are ready to die, why fight that inevitability? Consider Revelation 13:10 NASB: "If anyone is to be taken captive,
to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints." Perhaps those who declare one must arm themselves do have an agenda - like selling guns? Remember Y2K when people went all out and purchased guns and ammunitions?

My thoughts this morning....

M

MrBillPro Apr 1, 2011

Bottom line is, we cannot do anything but prepare, but what do we prepare for? I know were I am going when I leave here, so that gives me a peace within to just enjoy the now, rather that focusing on what may or may not come in my life time. In Psalm 56:11 the psalmist writes, “In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Trusting God is a refusal to give in to fear. It is a turning to God even in the darkest times and trusting Him to make things right. This trust comes from knowing God and knowing that He is good. As Job said when he was experiencing some of the most difficult trials recorded in the Bible, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him”.

J

Joyful_Heart Apr 1, 2011

A reasonable approach to end time insanity would be to watch and pray and read the signs of his return on the gospels.

And I would add: This is the day the Lord has made let us be glad in it and rejoice. It is no mistake that we are here at this time in history. For such a time as this.

We do see the signs - we no not the time. With rejoicing in today for who He is and that we are in Him, allowing the Holy Spirit to break us as He sees fit, getting our hearts right with Him, seeking His face in private times, in the Word, in prayer & intercession, staying close as to hear His voice, preparing ourselves to be His bride, no matter if He were coming today or tomorrow or in 100 years.

by MrBillPro on 2011/4/1 7:22:55 Bottom line is, we cannot do anything but prepare, but what do we prepare for? I know were I am going when I leave here, so that gives me a peace within to just enjoy the now, rather that focusing on what may or may not come in my life time. In Psalm 56:11 the psalmist writes, “In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Trusting God is a refusal to give in to fear. It is a turning to God even in the darkest times and trusting Him to make things right. This trust comes from knowing God and knowing that He is good. As Job said when he was experiencing some of the most difficult trials recorded in the Bible, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him”.

The fact is we are secure but what about the millions who are going to hell. That's where I feel the burden. To share the good news. Many may not hear and receive now but there comes a time when the Holy Spirit will remind them of the Scriptures and they will run to Him.

Actually the Lord has increased my love and boldness. (It came upon me the other day sis)

Repent . Be baptized & filled with the Holy Ghost! We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. God sent His Son - He paid the price. RSVP. Said and meant with the true love of Jesus.

I pray each one of us here that our burden for the lost will increase 100 fold and we will not have such "ingrown eyeballs". We have so much of Him, we need it to flow out to others. All glory to God. Help us to not be satisfied in knowing You Lord but break our hearts for those who don't. Amen and Amen!

S

sermonindex Apr 1, 2011

The biggest sign of the end times, in my opinion is a little verse in Matthew 24 that is often overlooked for the "big" signs. However, this IS a real big sign.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Matt 24:12

What can we do to prepare?

Keep ourselves in the Love of God, looking for His mercy.
Jude 1:21

777

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staff Apr 1, 2011

Hi Deadn,
A person can go off the deep end with lots of different things.Just turn on the tv and we see crazy rivival meetings that are not revival at all that makes Christianity out to be insanity .However the topic of revival isnt wrong,is it?Should we stop talking,studying and praying about and for revival.NO.
Its the same for end times teaching,Should we stop talking about, studying when and praying for the return of Christ,No.
Christ is coming again, this not a delusion.What you seem to suggest is that we stop talking about biblical end times scripture so that nobody will get deluded ideas about them,
yours staff

quote from Deadn:A person can really go off the deep end with 'end times' stuff.

D

DEADn Apr 1, 2011

Staff

I want to becareful how I word this because I think it is important.

End times study is a needed thing but where does a person draw the line between supporting scriptures with real word evidence vs a hopeful evidence, if that make sense? The christian community does a diservice to society by jumping the gun too much imo about end times by jumping the gun and not giving evidence of real world workings of the world in scripture to show the end times is here. DOes this make any sense?
Seems when something catastrophic happens there comes prophesy from certain people that always seems to have an 'end times' flavor to it. Japan earthquake is a more recent one. How can a person show from the bible that this is part of the end times. Simply because of the 'earthquake?" in divers places? Same could be said of earthquakes in the early 1900's Or can we show that earthquakes are happening more and more since we began recording them? If so christians should use this to support 'end times' stuff. Do you see where I am going with it all?

side note, on the revival thing, many church promote revivals but really, what is a revival? I tend to see a revival as God pouring at his Spirit on people and it flowing out the community and hearts are changed. What I see today is a combination of circus on the pentecostal side and extended church services throughout the week on the more conservative baptist types.

I don't know if you think my opinions are harsh or not. They may be but they are a reflection of 8 years I spent in church seeing and experiencing things which I later came to understand were a bit nonsense. It caused me to kill myself inside at one point. Hence the nic I use.

THese days I want badly to dialogue with christians and just speak heart to heart with religiousity to the side. It is very hard to find such things in churches.

S

staff Apr 1, 2011

Hi Deadn,
Feelin your pain and what you are saying about earthquakes and the likes is correct but there is a hell of alot of bathwater out there and I think you are throwing out the baby with it instead of getting blessed by the subject.
In a broader sense let me share this snipet that god has given me on one part of the subject that I may have missed if I wasnt studying end times.

Q What made John the baptist so successful?(all Judea went out to see him)
Answer:John mistakenly didnt seperate Jesus first coming from his second coming,he preached about both the suffering servant and the coming Judge.
So he said things like his winnowing fork is in his hands etc basically hes coming to Judge.
This is the message that drew all Judea out to hear John and it will again at the time of the end and this message will again bring in a huge harvest,a final harvest.

My point is you are missing out on learning little nuggets like that if you throw it all out.I think you can do both,highlight the rubbish but also holdly tightly to what is good,Yours Staff

P.s
I think revival is the church weeping and repenting.The Holy Spirit being poured out and people being saved is just a result of revival.
P.s 2 If it cheers you up God wont allow this false stuff forever,he will deal with it,judgement first comes to the house of God and it will come.

G

ginnyrose Apr 2, 2011

The biggest sign of the end times, in my opinion is a little verse in Matthew 24 that is often overlooked for the "big" signs. However, this IS a real big sign. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Matt 24:12

I consider this sign just as pertinent as the earthquakes.

How much do I care when people walk away from the faith? How well do I handle it? Or, what should my response be? To shrug my shoulders and say, well, they likely were not saved to begin with? or, they know the Gospel and if they choose to ignore it, that is their choice...

How do I respond when people say truth is relative? that it does not matter but feelings do and are more important?

All these pressures can leave one feeling cold because you feel so helpless to change things...you detach yourself emotionally from them to save your sanity...

'Because iniquity abounds the love of many will wax cold...and I would guess that since too many have become too weary to fight the good fight, to persevere they give up, thinking it is no use...

This is what I have to battle...not just me but others as well.

D

DEADn Apr 2, 2011

Staff

Very good points, ones that I really didn't see beforehand.Point readily taken!! It is the human nature in all of us that does give us the unbalance clinging to what is important, in end times stuff if the key. I get what you are saying.

I agree with your assesment on revival. Last 'revival' I was in was that 'laughing'mess with Rodney Howard Browne. I never saw any weeping over sin.

D

DEADn Apr 2, 2011

ginnyrose

Very good and powerful post in my opinion. I battle this inside myself. Sometimes a believer get to that point where you ask yourself is it worth it because all around you sin abounds so great. Then when society and the world pushes new 'movements' it creates much more of a battle. Yet, in these instances is where keeping your heart guarded through prayer is where the bullseye is. It is also where you heart becomes calmer in the midst of the storm.

S

sermonindex Apr 2, 2011

You know Brother, I wish that you would take a more optimistic approach concerning bible prophecy. The endtime message is maddening I'll give you that and you are right, there are so many different types of thinking on this that it's crazy. We have the Jack Van Imps and Hal Lindseys, and Grant Jefferies, all of these people have different ideas of how this will play out and none of them are right. I "used" to believe in a lot of the hype today, whenever anything "bad" happened in the world I attributed to the "signs of the times", "the end of the world", until the Lord showed me something that I never would expect Him to even bother showing me for I was not interested in this subject. But after it was shown to me, I have become zealous of it. Everyday it becomes clearer from scripture that what I "used" to believe about the end times, for the lack of a better word, was just plain ignorance.

Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

In these words of our Lord, it was plain that I did not know the scriptures, what I knew "before" was from man. Many will say that they didn't get their wisdom from men about the end days, on the surface it always looks that way, but when you dig deeper into the joints and the marrow you discover that it came from man handed down through the innocence of tradition. It has wiggled it's way from false men from the 18th century into the truest of believers to what we have today a full blown crazed teachings that when weighed in the light of Gods word, it fails.

This is the sign that you know if what you believe is false, anger.

There is anger and righteous anger. Most react out of anger not a righteous one. A righteous anger only protects others and not themselves. A self righteous anger lashes back in defence saying, "I have studied this for many years". "God showed me" hence it's right, or "God showed my Grand Pappa" or some great preacher that is held in admiration preached it, Or a feeling rises up in a person that is not at all beneficial for others but to justify themselves in their position. Pride is subtle and sneaky. No wonder David said, "search my heart".

Age has nothing to do with wisdom. True, age brings about wise choices as we grow and learn, but that is the wisdom of the world. The wisdom of God is not that at all. Wisdom is revealing the right way to go and doing it. Wisdom is not found in a chinese cookie, those are just sayings. Wisdom crieth in the street but none take her into consideration. This tells me that very few are going to hear.

Jesus said that he that hath ears to hear let him hear. Only one man heard the Father say that Jesus is the son of God and that was Peter. Everyone else had an opinion of what others were saying, but Peter heard the Father speak to him and he blurted out his answer. Not everyone is hearing correctly. The majority has an opinion of what "others" are saying about the end days, and not just this but many other subjects as well.

As believers we all hear the masters voice when it comes to not believing anyone else for our salvation. In other matters there is a world of differences of an opinion on many aspects of this faith.

G

Garfed Apr 6, 2011

Bottom line is, we can not do anything but to prepare, but what do we prepare? I know that I had when I leave here, I just enjoy the peace now, but that focuses on what can or can not be my life...

D

DEADn Apr 6, 2011

Approved

I have a hard time being 'passionate' about 'end times' events because there is such overkill with events in this world and how they relate to the bible. In a sense it becomes like the story of the boy who cried wolf too many times.

I just prefer to stay on a more simplier level in life and keep a focus towards the Gospel. Too much end times leads to unwanted drama and divsion among people. It is very needless and everyone has their own opinions on what the symbols mean, especially in the book of Revelation. I find it too much of a bog down in my life to be passionate about it all.
This is not to say that I have my eyes watching on certain things, I am just not going to get on a soapbox on it. Instead I would only ask any 'end times' screamer if they are taking the time to know God as much as they are taking the time to study 'end times' events.

Does that make sense?
Is it negative not wanting to be so focused on 'end times' events?

S

sermonindex Apr 7, 2011

Hia Deadn. I don't think in these days that you need "to be so focused on 'end times' events".

They are and are about to smack everyone of us here, right in the head. You know - heads will be rolling and all?

Won't need to try to focus when it's in your face.
The whole kabob will be as clear as the difference between day and night.

You don't even have to think about it, until it's obvious that that's all you'll be able to think about.

I 'think' that's where that saying - "eat, drink & be merry ...." - came from, if I'm not mistaken.

Here's to Eternal Peace -

S

staff Apr 7, 2011

Hi Deadn,
Firstly end times is the Gospel so you are studying the gospel minus alot of sections and secondly the bible says more about his second coming than his first coming.

From Deadn:(I just prefer to stay on a more simplier level in life and keep a focus towards the Gospel.)

You have a point on the cry wolf comment.However the devil has a part to play in this and he does the same with other subjects also like you mentioned earlier Rodney Brown and the laughing rivival.
The Gospel isnt pick and choose in the long run,I think,
Yours Staff

D

DEADn Apr 7, 2011

The toughest part of all of the 'end times' stuff is knowing when something is genuine. Not thought to be but genuine but genuine in terms of 'end times' teaching. For me I feel like I would be chasing my tail too much on the subject and do a disservice to myself.

How often have people studied end times stuff only to come to dramatically different conclusions and be fundamental about it? It is what gives me a headache.

S

staff Apr 7, 2011

Hi Deadn,
The most basic and most important aspect of end times teaching is that Christ is coming again.I dont say this lightly but if a christian teaches otherwise this is Heresy.That is genuine,Christ is coming again.Everything else is in relation to this.
The reason that christians have come to different conclusions is that they havent studied under the direction of the Holy Spirit either in part or completely.Also I believe alot of conclusions were made to fill a gap in doctrine that they may have.The conclusion can have some logic to it but may still be incorrect.Also the Holy Spirit may not have revealed everything or the understanding of everything yet to individuals but will do as the time gets closer.
I find that my views have changed on certain aspects of eschatology except when the Holy Spirit showed me directly from scripture.When this has happened my view didnt change,
Yours Staff

J

jimp Apr 7, 2011

hi, once again i will state that since i have been a christian millions of people have died and gone into eternal damnation while we argue about end times. please preach the gospel of grace and faith in the finished work of Jesus instead of taking thought of tomorrow.you cant do anything about it anyway.the bride makes herself ready by obeying the gospel and not by knowing everything about the end times. what can you DO.nothing!jimp

S

staff Apr 7, 2011

Hi Jimp,
Millions of people dying and going into eternal damnation did not happen because people were arguing over end times.
Many people came to know Christ through end times ministries.
The whole doctrine of the bride is end times teaching and very important in my opinion.To understand how the bride is made ready,you have to understand to some degree the end times.If the end times is not important why is the Holy Spirit revealing scripture and understanding to chriatians about the end times at this time.The end times is part of the Gospel like it or not and part of our faith is that Christ is coming again.This is the finished work of Christ,he came and is coming again,Yours Staff

J

jimp Apr 7, 2011

hi, ihave studied end times theology hard for 30 years and have a disrespect for most of the books and articles that have been raved about.one day Jesus spoke to my heart and said to take no thought of tomorrow. why are we standing here looking up into heaven and are NOT about the Fathers business.you do not have the answers and neither do i.jimp

S

staff Apr 7, 2011

Hi Jimp,
The end times is the fathers business.The message that got all Judea to go out and hear John in the wilderness was that Christ Was Coming.That message effected the whole body of believers of that time namely Israel.The same message does again before he comes back the second time and again has the same effect.So we have to know about it.
When this generation asks how will it all end,we should have an understanding and be able to answer.Christ is coming,his winnowing fork is in his hands,hes coming to seperate the wheat from the chaff is a message that will bring millions into the Kingdom.
We are to study and understand all aspects of the Gospel.
Taking no thought for tommorow doesnt mean we are to be ignorant of what is too come.This is why we have prophesy,its about the future and we are meant to take it seriously.Christ is saying not to worry for tommorow.I can take thought for tommorow when it comes to agonising over loved ones being saved,Pastors plan for tommorow for instance,Yours Staff

S

sermonindex Apr 8, 2011

Deadn, I think you, like most folks, got burnt out on these websites that are either the "reactionary" types (like that news site I posted) or those with Lots of "prophesies, dreams, etc" with tons of folks posting things that were in the News months or years ago. :)

I know how frustrating that is and it's purpose is to confuse and Frustrate completely - so that when a true word comes - the person's shut down. Sad.

It doesn't take much to quickly hear the News now in a day and just open the Bible. That's about all that any of us should need.

Hang in there, please.

M

mguldner Apr 8, 2011

"The bride makes herself ready by obeying the gospel and not by knowing everything about the end times."

I really enjoyed this statement, if my memory is correct in Jewish tradition the bride waits for the Groom to build her a house, while she waits she has no idea when the Groom will return to receive her. For me this is not something to be anxious about and try to peak into the future but to sit and be quite excited for the return of the Groom. Knowing everything would ruin the surprise, I don't know about you but I LOVE surprises and even if my wife tries to give me hints I refuse to try and figure the surprise out, because the best part about a surprise is well THE SURPRISE! :)

Not to mention there is only one thing worse than an unprepared bride and that is a sleeping one. People get ready Jesus is coming, get your hair fixed up, wear your best clothes, smell your nices, etc etc all of course Spiritually :)

D

DEADn Apr 8, 2011

Deadn, I think you, like most folks, got burnt out on these websites that are either the "reactionary" types (like that news site I posted) or those with Lots of "prophesies, dreams, etc" with tons of folks posting things that were in the News months or years ago. :)

Yes yes yes, there is also a on post on here that is another reason why I shy away from 'end times' stuff because of the tone of the post. You can figure that one out for yourself.
I actually got burned out from seeing so much of it on tv and always having that hope that something was right around the corner but never quite appeared. Now that I do see some stuff online I roll my eyes.

THis stuff also carries and atittude complex with it, sort of like Paul Revere riding through town shouting 'give me liberty or give me death' type of thing.

One thing I would like to point out with this thread is those who are passionate about end times, is the message causing christians to become a circus act as a result or are they getting into the prayer closet more? It really does pain me to see too much attitude in end times stuff. Does this make any sense?

I liken some end times message to that of Westboro church in attitude. Does that make any sense?

C

cryinthenite Apr 9, 2011

DEADn,I think you are on to something.The body of Christ should not get cought up in forchen telling.
Sorry if that bothers people but its just how I see all the craziness.If thats not what it is then why all the fear and division?

Truth is the spirit of prophecy rev. 19:10 but the Lords thruh is ALLWAYS full of grace Jh 1:14.

S

sermonindex Apr 9, 2011

We are in the days just prior to the return of Christ, period! Expect Him to return each day, so that when you wake up each morning you say, "Maybe today Lord"

The problem with that however is that when that information is in the hands of the blind it is akin to a gun in the hands of a blind man. He hears a sound and shoots off in any direction not knowing what he may hit. This causes him to be afraid of that which he cannot see, but has only heard about, so he keeps shooting in the hopes he might hit something. Others just holster their pistol either because they ran out of ammo, or have determined it is futile to aim at something they cannot see, when in reality all they need is a little eye salve...

When you live like Christ can return at any moment, it causes you to live differently. It gives you stronger hopes, and desires to live in a different fashion. It causes you to look for/to/at Christ, which is the way a Christian is to live.

Looking at it any other way causes you to look for something else, whether it be persecution, tribulation, Antichrist, or whatever. All these things take your eyes off the prize, and that prize is Christ. The blessed hope is that He truly can return at any moment.

There are things in the Bible that have lead each generation to have an imminent expectation of the Lord's return thereby causing each to fix their eyes on higher things, yet no generation has had these things set before them so fully as the present one. It is that which is to magnify the blessed hope for each one of us.

This is one of the small blessings of living in such an apostate time, though the lows are historically low, yet they are compensated by the possibility of such a high blessed hope, which hope is not meant to confuse or dismay, but to bring joy. To throw out the blessed hope because one cannot see it, throws out the blessing that comes with it.

OJ

S

staff Apr 9, 2011

Hi Deadn,
I think all of the scriptures are in the bible to be studied including end times passages,to exclude them would mean we are not studying or teaching the full gospel.
The topic of Revival is in a far worse condition than end times,far far worse and it does look like a circus.The devil is having a field day with false revival.
If we are to be even handed we should stop preaching,teaching,discussing etc revival which would mean sermonindex would have to change its mission statement.
The ministries that are in error regarding revival are the same type of ministry that will be in error over eschatology and other things.Their is no doubt that end times has become popular and some people have jumped on the bandwagon as to feather their own nests.
The reason it has become popular is due to God not man because we are at the time of the end and god has highlighted that through legitimate teachers.
The bride will make herself ready but has we know we cannot do anything without God,so in effect god will make the bride ready.
Deadn,You have a simple choice whether to throw the bathwater out on its own or with the baby in it,unfortunately where you have the wheat their are also tares,
Yours Staff

D

DEADn Apr 10, 2011

DEADn,I think you are on to something.The body of Christ should not get cought up in forchen telling. all the fear and division?
Truth is the spirit of prophecy rev. 19:10 but the Lords thruh is ALLWAYS full of grace Jh 1:14.

I know for me to get into bible prophecy I want to see things happening that relates to it where it is tangible. Otherwise I think we end up some some false hopes in there somewhere and I do believe it does some damage to christian testimony.

I see alot of Book of Daniel stuff and Book of Revelation but alot of it leads to dead end roads and a person is left thinking, what next?

D

DEADn Apr 10, 2011

Hi Deadn,
I think all of the scriptures are in the bible to be studied including end times passages,to exclude them would mean we are not studying or teaching the full gospel.
The topic of Revival is in a far worse condition than end times,far far worse and it does look like a circus.The devil is having a field day with false revival.
If we are to be even handed we should stop preaching,teaching,discussing etc revival which would mean sermonindex would have to change its mission statement.
The ministries that are in error regarding revival are the same type of ministry that will be in error over eschatology and other things.Their is no doubt that end times has become popular and some people have jumped on the bandwagon as to feather their own nests.
The reason it has become popular is due to God not man because we are at the time of the end and god has highlighted that through legitimate teachers.
The bride will make herself ready but has we know we cannot do anything without God,so in effect god will make the bride ready.
Deadn,You have a simple choice whether to throw the bathwater out on its own or with the baby in it,unfortunately where you have the wheat their are also tares,
Yours Staff

Such hard thing to deal with as well, that last sentence. I just want to choose to keep it a bit simple, stick with the gospel, with prayer, and sort of let end times stuff take care of itself. I will hear it and if something comes my way that really peeks my interest to pursue it I will go that way and find more of it.This is what I do when I purse this life in the Spirit of God anyway.