There is a lot of talk on the internet about the last days. That somehow history is winding itself down to the imminent second coming of Christ. I do believe that Christ will come for his church as the bible predicts he will, but in my opinion a lot of what is happening is man trying to take control of this world, before the second advent of Christ. The world that is fresh in my memory is a world of personal freedom, little to no war, and no religious persecution like that which we see on a world wide basis. We are living in the same world whether you like it or not, it's not that the world has changed, it's the people living in it that has changed. This world used to be a God fearing world, and after the events of 911, I truly believed we were entering the time talked about in the book of revelation. Just because Christ has not returned yet, doesn't mean that the events in the world are not prophetic.
I believe the events we are living in now, and the events that created our present day world are fulfilling prophesies that the bible students are misinterpreting. Jesus talked about wars and rumours of wars, perilous times, and other books in the new testament talk about the times we are living in now. People have become lovers of themselves (2 Timothy 3) and the gross immorality is talked about in the book of Jude,https://www.esv.org/Jude/. What the bible teaches us about the world we currently live in is that there will come a time when the powers of this world will be shaken by Almighty God, and the security that we think we have if we are unsaved will be eternally removed from under our very feet. It feels sometimes that this is what is actually happening, we feel the world crumbling around us, and as the book of Jude points out, most of the suffering that humanity is experiencing right now is man's inhumanity to man.
I don't think there is a point of reference that we can look back into history and say we have been here before. Despite what celebrities are saying, and the political agenda, the church is even following what the bible calls the great apostasy. Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ[a] had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin[b] is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God[c] in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 NKJV)
Although no one knows when the culmination of history will take place, we know that in the epoch of time there will be a finalising of the way things on earth are currently taking place, or could possible take place in the future. The bible says that eventually this world will come to an end, and Christ's kingdom will rule for all eternity. I personally believe there will be a thousand year reign of righteousness, after the dead in Christ are raised, because this is what the bible teaches. But the bible teaches that we are to keep busy before that time comes and Christ's return is immanent as found in the book of 1 Thessalonians; But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.[b]
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NKJV)
The bible talks of a time when those who sleep in the dust of the earth, will rise to live eternally with Christ but the bible doesn't say when this will happen. In 1 Thessalonians 5, we read; But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. So we are not to worry about when Christ comes back, we are to be ready, and if you are in Christ he will ensure it. This is Mike.
I believe the events we are living in now, and the events that created our present day world are fulfilling prophesies that the bible students are misinterpreting. Jesus talked about wars and rumours of wars, perilous times, and other books in the new testament talk about the times we are living in now. People have become lovers of themselves (2 Timothy 3) and the gross immorality is talked about in the book of Jude,https://www.esv.org/Jude/. What the bible teaches us about the world we currently live in is that there will come a time when the powers of this world will be shaken by Almighty God, and the security that we think we have if we are unsaved will be eternally removed from under our very feet. It feels sometimes that this is what is actually happening, we feel the world crumbling around us, and as the book of Jude points out, most of the suffering that humanity is experiencing right now is man's inhumanity to man.
I don't think there is a point of reference that we can look back into history and say we have been here before. Despite what celebrities are saying, and the political agenda, the church is even following what the bible calls the great apostasy. Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ[a] had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin[b] is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God[c] in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 NKJV)
Although no one knows when the culmination of history will take place, we know that in the epoch of time there will be a finalising of the way things on earth are currently taking place, or could possible take place in the future. The bible says that eventually this world will come to an end, and Christ's kingdom will rule for all eternity. I personally believe there will be a thousand year reign of righteousness, after the dead in Christ are raised, because this is what the bible teaches. But the bible teaches that we are to keep busy before that time comes and Christ's return is immanent as found in the book of 1 Thessalonians; But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.[b]
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NKJV)
The bible talks of a time when those who sleep in the dust of the earth, will rise to live eternally with Christ but the bible doesn't say when this will happen. In 1 Thessalonians 5, we read; But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. So we are not to worry about when Christ comes back, we are to be ready, and if you are in Christ he will ensure it. This is Mike.
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