Post by John on Jul 15, 2023 15:39:33 GMT -5
This is something that can fit in other categories such as the gospels, but I want to look at what Jesus said about the end times. That is why I am starting this thread. I think most here would agree that we are living in the last of the last days. Let us suppose Jesus was here in our midst at Narrow Way Forums, and we wanted to ask him about the last days. What would he say to us?
Just over 2000 years ago, Jesus was with his disciples, and they had the opportunity to ask Him directly. In Matthew chapter 24, Jesus was with his disciples, and they were admiring the buildings of the temple. Rather than just admire those things with them, Jesus piqued their interest by saying the following.
See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. Matthew 24:2
It goes on to say in the next verse that the disciples came to Jesus privately, saying, "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? The answer Jesus gives is lengthy, and I am not going to try to go through the whole thing in a single massive post, but I do want to discuss what he said, since we need to know where we are in God's prophetic timetable. Much of the world, including Christians, are completely blind, and spending all their time arguing over stupid things. We need to understand what is happening, so we are not destroyed.
I personally believe that we are living in the days Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24:4-8.
Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.
What we do not know is how close we are to the end. It is not yet, but how close are we? I suspect very close. What is next? After the beginning of sorrows, here is what Jesus says. Remember that he is speaking to his followers.
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
I am expecting an increase in stories of war, and I would not doubt that America will become more directly involved in conflicts. Biden seems determined to go to war with Russia and provoke China. How long will it be before they attack us? I do not know, but those who think it will never happen do not know much about history. How many thought Japan would attack us getting us involved in World War 2? I expect that wars will increase in the immediate, but things will get much worse for us. The wicked shall deliver us up to be tortured and killed. Will that be every Christian? I do not think so. I think it will be better in some parts of the world and worse in others, but I do believe Christians will be hated by the devil's crowd everywhere. We stand in opposition to them. The devil's crowd includes a lot of those that claim to be Christians but are not true followers of Jesus Christ. They are the majority of professing Christians, and many will betray us. Do not be surprised when this happens.
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Many of us know this firsthand. Narrow Way Forums exists largely because we were attacked by professing Christians and needed a place to escape to among friends. If we visit other forums, we find the same kind of hate. There is no tolerance to those that will not conform, and there will be a phony "Christian" church. It will claim Christ but will not be too religious. They don't want to be weird. They want to be liked and accepted by the world. There is no room for overly zealous Christians among them. In other words, just because someone says they are Christian, do not trust them. They are the ones that will take the mark of the beast and deny that is what it is.
And many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many.
There are many false prophets today, and some tell us what we want to hear, and seem to stand for right things, but we know they are false because what they say does not come to pass. The number of false prophets will increase. Not all false prophets openly try to turn us to idols. Some just lie, but all of them are dangerous. If we are not careful, they can seduce us into being like them. Be careful.