I would venture to say that people have been wondering if theirs will be the generation that lives to see the End Of The World (EOTW from here on), since before Jesus was born.

When Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990, and then the U.S. and it's allies deployed their units to the Arabian desert, people were sure it was EOTW.

Since those 19 evil men destroyed our sense of safety on 9/11/2001, people have been again considering if the next thing that happens will signal EOTW, if Apocalypse will be the next thing on TV. And many use quotes from the Bible to bolster their claims. But what does the Bible actually say about what will signal the end times?

Most people know that the book of Revelation speaks about EOTW, but what many may not know is that there are actually prophesies about EOTW in the Old Testament too. And the one which seems most important in determining if we are nearing EOTW is in the book of Ezekiel:
Ezekiel 38:7-12

In this prophesy, God is talking to the leader who is planning to invade Israel, in EOTW.

Notice that it talks about Israel being:

• "a land that has recovered from war" recovered from war? That is certainly not the Israel we know today.
• "...whose many people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel.." This we have seen, it happened after World War II, in 1948.
• "a land of unwalled villages;" Israel just built a wall to keep Palestinians out, and I doubt they will be taking it down any time soon.
• "a peaceful and unsuspecting people—all of them living without walls and without gates and bars." Not what Israelis are like today.

So, are we close to EOTW or as many people call it Armageddon or the Tribulation?

Just from these couple of verses, I would say we have nothing to worry about for a while.

That's a nice thing to learn about the bible, Son. Thanks.
I just hope the President got the memo.

At best, I think the verses are a vague prediction. Wars are a natural thing, they will inevitably happen. Personally, I don't believe the tribulation story... but an Armageddon, one which will devastate life on earth---that is possible.

...when you shall see Jerusalem surrounded by the armies of the world, know that the end is near...even at the door...

I really don't think we'll see the end inour lifetime,but I do believe we will see alot of changes in the next few years.Changes that will alter life as we know it.

Every generation thinks it will see the end during it's life time....In my opinion we are going to be around for a LONG time to come. Fact is doomsday prophecies never come true EVER. So when I hear someone say the end is near i laugh and call them morons because in reality the world isn't going to end anytime soon.

The second the 7 year covenant is made by the Antichrist, Tribulation shall commence.

If global warming progresses, we may be the last.

I think of the end this way. Let's just say a veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery evil, I mean horendously evil person comes to power, that has nuclear weapons, and no one knows how evil this man is. I believe it will happen like that. Someone that has an insane hate for the world, God, and mankind. He will literally cook the atmosphere and make the World split when he unleashes thousands of nukes.

worship me.. I promise rum and no horrible apocolypses... just apocolypsoes!

(no seriousness here.. )

The fate of the world is in our hands...just as the fate of the gods is in their own. Everybody controls their own fate, nobody makes it for you.

SC, may I have this apoca-Calypso?

<cue steel drums and maracas>

Please keep your rum though. Can't touch the stuff after a rather horrible experience in my youth. Whisky for me!

As for Iams thoughts on the armageddon. Don't forget to take into context when all this biblical text was written. The people who wrote that would not have foreseen the technological, political and social developments leading to today's world. I would think that armageddon (as described) would have applied to a time in the past and it simply never happened.

The problem with these prophecies (and much of religion in general, in regards to aspects such as the second coming) is that the date can alwaye be pushed back for whatever reason, and people can preach for their entire lives and go to the grave never having been proven wrong.

It was supposed to be the year 2000 wasn't it? Now its the year 2012. And when that year comes, I'm sure people will find another arbitrary date to look forward to. This will be going on for as long as we continue to believe in what the bible says.

And please don't just post bits of the bible to back your posts up. Its not exactly scientific theory and gets a bit tiring. If you have evidence to back up your claims or thoughts, then - for the above reasons - please post them.

If it never happened that would indeed be interesting since it would be the first prophesy in the Bible not to come true. But if the Bible is indeed the Word of God, and God is omniscient He has always known the level of technology that man will reach.

The context in very important since God would have wanted the original readers of Ezekiel to understand what was being written, so He would not have talked of aircraft carriers, M-16 rifles, nuclear bombs, etc., but the message about the status of the country and the state of the people would still have been right.

Jesus was asked by His disciples about the end times and He told them that no one would know the time and date. He gave them signs, but, obviously the signs were vague enough that everyone keeps thinking it's their generation which will see it come to fruition.

What I have always found interesting is that Jesus told them the people would hear of wars and rumors of wars and that would be a sign. But why would that be a sign, all of human history seems to be filled with wars and rumors of wars? I believe (for those of you who keep looking for me to give my opinion, here is one sample of it), that the reason that hearing about wars and rumors of wars will be a sign is because all of mankind will go through a period of peace, it will be an uncertain peace, but it will last long enough that when people start hearing about war, it WILL be news.

Iams,

Most, if not all, the biblical prophecies are either very generic, ambiguous or open-ended. These sorts of prophecy are almost certain to be 'fulfilled' in some way and at some time. Most any of us present on this forum could write a book of prophecy similar in vein to those of the bible and, with time, see these 'prophecies' come true.

This isn't knocking Christianity, just people's reliance on their interpretation of non-specific writings to justify a world-view.

Excellent! I like your take much better Ms.Cougar. -lifts bags of ice, turns with backpack full of Bacardi mixers- Just point me toward the blender and we'll watch the skies together. (all seriousness here. These cans are cold and I can't feel my shoulder blades anymore! lol)



The subject of Eschatology fascinates me. Virtually all cultures subscribe to some, 'end of the world' ideology. And the "signs" are so vague they can be translated at any given time, in any era, to appear to be fulfilling that pending promise of doom. My end of the world comes when I die. Meanwhile, everything else is in the hands of people , well aware today especially, of how easy it is to manipulate the mind of those fearing that prophecy of doom.

I read some time ago about a NASA program called something like, 'project blue beam'. For the first time we have a technology that could make appear in the clouds the second coming of Yeshua, or Muhammad, Mary, Osiris, or a herald of angels. Imagine what the worlds people would do then, looking up and seeing everything their faith told them was to come to pass at the end of times, being there right before their eyes.

Man! That would shake up your mundane Monday morning commute to work, wouldn't it!?

But sadly, our nation is at war today in Iraq because our christian president said his god told him to overthrow Saddam. So, given all that we've seen thus far of that leaders impetus to send our people to die for his cause, I wonder if it's not possible we'll see all those projections of how the Revelatory end is to appear, right before our eyes live on CNN.

Religious ideology aside though, I think we're manifesting our end times as it is, with our assault on the environment, our only sustainable resource. On ourselves, with the campaigns of terrorism and ethnic cleansing, the plague of AIDS, etc... Some humans imagine our race is the only intelligent life in the whole wide Universe. If indeed that were the case, it would sort of blur the wide eyed wonder many have as they look out into that immense vault of planets and stars and see how beautiful and awe inspiring it is. While here on this breathtaking jewel beneath our feet, we're so disrespectful of her, in our imagining we're so smart in how we treat our home and each other. Maybe the end of the world would just mean the end of us on it. At this point, given how arrogant and self-destructive we are, it almost seems like that's what we're working for. And given how bad it is, it might not be a bad thing that this bipedal, arrogant parasitic life form was wiped from Earths face. Then maybe she'd have a chance to live better without us working so hard to dim her radiance with our disrespect.

I do believe that 'the end' is near; but not because the Bible says so, but because I dream it and my drems have the habbit of coming true, hence I take them serious.
But it will not be the end of the world, but the end of evil, ignorance and religion.
God did not create religion...
For me this day/time can not come fast enough and I hope I can see the end of evil...how about YOU?

Me too!

*hisses* The first rule.. No Bacardi anything. Bacardi is an abonimation of rums. They do not even deserve to be called rum makers. For what they make is horrible liquid that is no better then paint thinner.


X)

-Backs away from large toothed hissing light draped kitty-

But Ms. purr purr, they're just called "Bacardi" mixers. They're really just frozen condensed fruits and such, to add to the rum of choice. No Bacardi product in them at all, just the name on the can. Name the non-paint thinner, rum of your choice (which would be? -gets ready to take a note for her own bar supply- How's Captain Morgan, as that not like paint thinner stuff?) and we'll plug in the blender I nabbed from PA's kitchen and party. -offers large bowl of catnip- Consider it an anti-kitty hissies buy off. Nice kitty, niiiiice kitty. With large fangs that can chew my arse off no problem. Niiiiice kitty.

Really? Generic?

Here are some links to websites dealing with some of the Old Testament prophesies fuliflled by Jesus:
LINK

LINK

LINK

I think you will find quite a few that are very specific.

Bacardi isn't that bad .? I've had many a great, music-playin' nights with some Bacardi and soda. It might not be the best, but an abomination... ?


Sorry to get off topic....

Iams,

I am not a biblical scholar but I would ask the following of yourself and those who are.

Why suggest that the use of weeks was a euphemism? I have read the passage and it does not imply this at all. It seems to me a construct to ensure the prophecy is fulfilled by 'fudging' the dates. From this excerpt



source (page 2)

The Second Temple was completed circa 515BCE. While I can't say all these dates are absolutely correct, they show that there is a large discrepancy between what various authorities on these times say is correct. The article you posted uses the figures it does to resolve the prophecy. The dates, however, are not 'the best archaeological evidence' they just suit the purpose of the author.



Daniel 9:25-27, and it seems to state that the Jews (? - the people of the prince) shall destroy Jerusalem when the prince is 'cut-off'. Did this happen? Was it by flood as the prophecy states?

While I haven't examined the rest of the prophecies, I am willing to gamble they are as open to interpretation and contain as much inaccuracy and ambiguity as this one. If you could mention specific prophecies which are inarguably accurate and unambiguous that would help.

Bacardi isn't rum at all.. it's not worth the title "rum". Aside the fact that their "fine rums" taste like battery acid.. they forsaked what makes rum.. rum... by makeing sugar free rum to bend towards that whole "sugar free" fad for health consious people. YOU CAN'T MAKE RUM WITHOUTH SUGAR!! Rum *is* fermented and distilled cane sugars.. molaseses... Makeing rum without sugar is like making Pinot Noir without the Pinot Noir grape! It's sacralige..
health consious people shouldn't be drinking at all... and if they do.. moderation. A glass of perfectly made rum like...Arehucas Captain Kidd, or Maui Dark... will not hurt their presious diet.. Besides, if you're cutting sugar out of your diet.. then don't drink rum. But for the love of the gods and Blackbeard's grave.. *don't* make a rum without what makes it rum. Sugar.

*breaths*

i dont think just from those scriptures you could say the end of the world is near, i mean honestly, its been 2000 years since then, whose to say that land hasent been invaded numerous times? i mean i could write down that greenland will be invaded right before the end of the world and i bet in a few thousand years greenland wil be invaded, but that doesnt mean the world is going to end.

Damn, girl. I was wondering where that thing went. Looks like I'm gonna have to come over and take it back but get side-tracked by all the rummy goodness. As long as I get to mix it with cola or something. No girly-drinks

what if everything started to unfold line upon line ...even then seems like ppl still would be in denial for some reason...some one said its been over 2000 yrs...ppl are starting to beleive nothings going to happen..what are they going to do when it does..look at the world how its changed in the last 30 yrs..no morals no self respect no god..ppl are the own gods...quiet scary if u sit back an just look around things that wasnt allowed now are...no one cares ...most are just looking out for number 1..look at all the alternations specialy with religion...everything is now accepted...there seems to be no stand against sin...no one wants to label but just except it...which is in return false doctrine....take the world powers...the us alone has enough nuclear weapons to blow the world up 20+ times...gee whiz...1 time is too much...we have all these other countries wanting Power...to be all Powerful undefetable..its all about who can Blow the World up the Most....whats it gonna be like when all those Rockets start flying...only gonna take one from one country then boom boom there we have an all out World War.....with no mercy....an this antichrist someone mentioned...at first hes not gonna be some scary guy....but the opposite..probably the nicest person there is...until he gets in all power all ranking ....kinda like a world king...or world president....one that would replace or be the head...the leader...the main man...then his ways will change..or maybe he'll be like hitler the way he hated the jews...might kinda work out the same way as him...who knows...but even then sadly there will be ppl who know the word who've turned from it that still wont accept whats going on because they are blind..maybe not even by choice ....who knows...i dont know this probably has nothing to even do with this thread...sry if not..theres just so much world pressure now unlike before...we've really never been able to blow the world up so many times....like in the other generations...theres actually enough nuclear weapons to sake the earth outta her place...if all went off at once or even simultainously...theres the big bang theory....it would be one forsure....

Son those immersed in a fear construct of course aren't gonna have happy endings, no such thing as a fairy tale to them......

If we really have an inclination we could get our heads out of the bible clouds and be of help in human terms, there is much that can be done, global warming is pivitol to the human speices ...., a safe food supply , homeless being helped, people getting enough to eat, cures for diseases, stem cell, how about the end end of intolerance and hatred, wars, economic strangulation and corporate greed, and why we are at it how about no more sexual crimes and abuse towards children ever leat of all by their parents, how about not calling relgious dogmas purveyors of unconditonal love tthen why we are at it why not stop... , stop killing anilmals , quit polluting the oceans, support alternate methods of energy, ethonal, and how about a political system where your vote really does count.....etc etc Why not have interests that have value and merit instead of endless prattle...calling it highly moral and preaching all should follow..



Sweetie As this is all 'fun', i guess the terrified watching a scary movie but life is here and now and it could use your attention...........'shrugs"

Listen up folks, God is not going to destroy the earth...nothing spiritual or if ya like supernatual is going to destroy the earth..NO

MAN is already destroying the earth...so if the world was to end, it would be in the hands of MAN...thats reality....

Ohh btw when I say MAN I mean both genders as a whole..we are destroying the planet..but if man (meaning world leader and male lOL) descided to drop a nuclear bomb thats it..lights out, good night sweetheart game over!!


I used to laugh when I heard some say that come june 6th 2006 the rapture was going to happen the en is near and all that cobblers.....only man will destroy earth and thats fact

we have enough negativity, its time to start healing the iissue that we really have....

Yea but man will always get in the way

Look at it this way....

a majority of the planet (men & women) would fight to save their planet...it would only take a handful of men with power to destroy it and get in the way..

The Bible gives plenty of signs. However, the "when" this will happen can't be known by man. Here is why:

In Matthew 24:36, Jesus said, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." This is Jesus' plain statement that he did not know when the end of the age would come. Only the Father knows. Anything else is speculation.

no one knows when God will end the earth...that I can agree with...no man can say it for sure

but no man can deny that the only thing at present is and will destroy the earth is man...plain and simple

I will never believe anyone that says the end is near, God will put an end to this earth...heck people have been saying it for hundreds of years and lookie we is still here....no man has the right to say it ...he has no proof...never will have proof..thats fact

Here's an interesting site that deals with the history of the Apocalypse from 2800BC through to the present:
http://www.abhota.info/end1.htm


Here are somemore links on this subject:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/9941/index.html
http://religioustolerance.org/end_wrld.htm#menu
http://www.2think.org/hundredsheep/skeptic/predictions.shtml
http://www.raptureme.com/rap777.html
http://www.bible.ca/pre-date-setters.htm
http://www.wcg.org/wn/97Apr22/millen.htm
http://www.bmaweb.net/Metropolitan.Chicago/2000.htm
http://www.earthchangestv.com/predict/gates.htm
http://www.ofesite.com/hangar51/incred/stories/newdoom.htm

It seems that the END is ALWAYS near!!!!!!

LOL Ive read many articals like them before...saw some funny things on tv, with people marching and chanting - The End Is Near...and one guy yelled back.."OH REALLY, when is that exactly?..LOL its all to get you to repent and join the group ...but I wonder what would happen if some of those folk actually put an actual date...one that is actually NEAR....i'd love to see the reaction LOL...but see they cant put an actual date, there is no date..if they where to give an actual date..and like the 06/06/06 this year,when NOTHING happened, they would be laughed at!!

I agree, Becky's Mom. As it was said "Noone knows the hour or the day." We are like a speck of dust floating through the universe and yet there are men who think they are so knowledgeable to predict the end of the world. Now many men are predicting 2012 because they say according to ancient records, this is what will happen. But they could all be deceived by these ancient references because only God knows the time of the end of this system of things.

We'll all see in due time, won't we?

http://ashiana.conforums.com/index.cgi

~ Isis

*Raises hand* I can! I can! I completely DENY the idea that man can destroy this planet, and I deny the idea that man is the ONLY one who can. Man simply shows his ridiculous pride when he believes that he can destroy a planet he had no hand in creating. The Earth will only cease to be when God decides it is time.

Wow, that was actually pretty simple for something that supposedly no man can do.




So, now you're trying to take away my right to say this? You're so funny!

I'd missed you BM.

^You and BM aint married, are ya, lol

LOL IAMS if this where a cartoon, I'd have your arse tied to an ACME rocket by now

Ok seriously though... IAMS man is destroying this earth, take the ozone layer for example,God is NOT destroying that man is & if you like look at what is creating wars? god sure isnt, and what about the endangered animals (god creatures) man is still destroying them too. What about all the beauty that man has taken over and destroyed like ie forrests ect? Who created the deadliest weapons that can take us all out with one blast...man taa daa...need I mention a deadly virus that is AIDS - pretty much like nylon yup - MAN MADE...IAMS I could go on and on...MAN is responcible and man will destroy earth in the end....but it wont be when you or I are still here on earth no, unless some git drops a nuclear bomb and its good night sweetheart!! *cough man made cough*

Anyhoo how have you been IAMS...I love your signature very nice indeed

Well we are going to run off and get married next July...no one was supposed to know...ohh great now we have to send out forum invites LOL