PREPARING FOR THE END TIMES

[SNOWFLAKE]

Preparing for the End Times

What should Christians be doing to get ready for the cataclysmic events preceding the end of the Age and the Second Coming of Christ? Given the current state of affairs in the world, it's hard to avoid the conclusion that the Lord may be returning soon. I'm trying to hold on to my confidence in...

www.focusonthefamily.com

What should Christians be doing to get ready for the cataclysmic events preceding the end of the Age and the Second Coming of Christ? Given the current state of affairs in the world, it's hard to avoid the conclusion that the Lord may be returning soon. I'm trying to hold on to my confidence in God and live by faith, but some of my friends and relatives tell me that's not enough. They're selling their homes, moving to remote desert or mountain locations, stockpiling food, buying weapons and ammunition – the list goes on and on. Is this right? Are we really supposed to run and hide as things get worse? Or should we stay where we are and continue to minister to the people around us?

But let’s assume for a moment that these are the end times. What then? How should a Christian respond? Fortunately, the apostle Peter gives us a straightforward answer to this question. Writing specifically with reference to the end of the age, when “the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat, [and] both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up,” Peter does not suggest that believers head for the hills, adopt a “fortress mentality,” and start stockpiling food and weapons. Instead, he asks, “Since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?” (II Peter 3:10-12).

 

[Crosscheck]

If earth and the works that are in it will be burned up it seems foolish to fight the inevitable.

Have always felt dying by fire to be one of the most painful ways to die. It might be better to just make up a batch of Jim Jones kool-aid.

 

[Daisy]

Some Bible readers may object, however, that this planet will be destroyed by fire. They point to 2 Peter 3:7, 10 to support that view: “By the same word the heavens and the earth that are now are stored up for fire and are being reserved to the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men. . . . Yet Jehovah’s day will come as a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a hissing noise, but the elements being intensely hot will be dissolved, and earth and the works in it will be discovered.” Are the apostle Peter’s words to be taken literally?

No, they are not. Why not? Because the interpretation of these verses must line up with the context of Peter’s letter and with the rest of the Bible. A literal view of those texts would mean that the heavens, or universe—billions upon billions of stars and other matter—will be consumed by fire because just one speck in its vastness contains wicked humans. Would you destroy miles of shoreline of sand because one grain is not to your liking? That would not make sense! So neither would Jehovah destroy all of his created universe because rebellion erupted on just one of his creative works.

Besides, such a view is in direct conflict with the words of Jesus Christ, who said: “Happy are the mild-tempered ones, since they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5; Psalm 37:29) Would a loving father handicraft a comfortable house for his family only to burn it down? (Psalm 115:16) That would be unthinkable! Jehovah is not only the Creator but also a loving Father.—Psalm 103:13; 1 John 4:8.

Peter uses the term “earth” in a figurative sense, referring to human society—in this case wicked human society. Note that Peter draws a parallel with the Flood of Noah’s day. (2 Peter 3:5, 6) On that occasion, only wicked mankind was destroyed; the earth itself and righteous Noah and his family survived. By the same token, Peter’s use of “heavens” would also be symbolic. In this case, “heavens” refers to human rulership over the ungodly. Thus, the incorrigibly wicked will be gone, as will all wicked governments, which will be dissolved and replaced by God’s heavenly rule, or Kingdom.—Daniel 2:44.

So, will planet earth come to its end? No. What will end is the symbolic earth, or wicked human society. The earth itself and the future godly human society will last forever.—Proverbs 2:21, 22.

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2012090

 

[notquiteright]

While the various Christian sects seem to have a wide variety of stories about the end times, it would seem many believe the Rapture comes first and only those non believers will have to contend with the End Times. Since the Rapture comes without much, if any warning and the result is being taken up to the better place I'm not sure what one would want to do with the earthly trappings left behind...

 

[Daisy]

While the various Christian sects seem to have a wide variety of stories about the end times, it would seem many believe the Rapture comes first and only those non believers will have to contend with the End Times. Since the Rapture comes without much, if any warning and the result is being taken up to the better place I'm not sure what one would want to do with the earthly trappings left behind...

Does this sound like there will be a rapture, leaving none of God's followers on the earth during the trib? Um no...

"In fact, unless Jehovah had cut short the days, no flesh would be saved. But on account of the chosen ones whom he has chosen, he has cut short the days." Mark 13:20

 

[devildavid]

It's only make believe.

 

[notquiteright]

Does this sound like there will be a rapture, leaving none of God's followers on the earth during the trib? Um no...

"In fact, unless Jehovah had cut short the days, no flesh would be saved. But on account of the chosen ones whom he has chosen, he has cut short the days." Mark 13:20

I believe that is one of many quotes about the sequence. But will trying to retreat from society protect you from heavenly actions??? I doubt the 'Great Flood' spared those who fled cities to live in the wilderness. Course you'd have to believe there was a Great Flood that wiped out all but what Noah saved...

 

[MamboDervish]

But let’s assume for a moment that these are the end times.

No. Let's not. Pardon those of us who resist any of the terrifying Chicken Little advice published by 'Hocus Pocus on the Family'. The upper right quadrant of their front page is a bullshit appeal to donate money to stop abortion - as if such a dubious accomplishment could simply be bought.

Their subscribers are fools.

 

[SNOWFLAKE]

No. Let's not. Pardon those of us who resist any of the terrifying Chicken Little advice published by 'Hocus Pocus on the Family'. The upper right quadrant of their front page is a bullshit appeal to donate money to stop abortion - as if such a dubious accomplishment could simply be bought.

Their subscribers are fools.

August 13 is just around the corner, better make peace with your Lord. ( of course, by Lord, I mean Trump )

 

[devildavid]

August 13 is just around the corner, better make peace with your Lord. ( of course, by Lord, I mean Trump )

What, me worry?

 

[Daisy]

I believe that is one of many quotes about the sequence. But will trying to retreat from society protect you from heavenly actions??? I doubt the 'Great Flood' spared those who fled cities to live in the wilderness. Course you'd have to believe there was a Great Flood that wiped out all but what Noah saved...

The Bible makes it clear that God's followers will be right here to go through the trib, along with everyone else...the only difference is, they'll be the last ones standing...Revelation 21:1-4...

 

[HIP56948]

To those who believe, I hope you have a good time.

 

[SNOWFLAKE]

To those who believe, I hope you have a good time.

I am having a great time, don't waste it stocking up on guns and food and building shelters and wringing my hands about doomsday.
But you know, some people.....................

 

[notquiteright]

The Bible makes it clear that God's followers will be right here to go through the trib, along with everyone else...the only difference is, they'll be the last ones standing...Revelation 21:1-4...

1 Thessalonians 4:13 to 17 says rapture first... then the tribulations. Next Christ returns with a host of saints who were raptured Mathew 24:30, 2 Thessalonians 1:7, Peter 1:13 and Revelation 1:7 . He kicks butt and rules for 1000 years. After 1000 years the living unbelievers and wicked dead will be judged at the great white throne. They will be casted into a great lake of fire and the saved will live forever with Christ in a new heaven and earth. Rev 19-22.

Guess it depends on what part you read. I got this from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association but what do they know???

 

[notquiteright]

I am having a great time, don't waste it stocking up on guns and food and building shelters and wringing my hands about doomsday.
But you know, some people.....................

Shhhhh there is big bucks to be made selling over priced crap to the preppers....

 

[Daisy]

Next Christ returns with a host of saints who were raptured Mathew 24:30, 2 Thessalonians 1:7,

Yeah, that's the anointed 144,000, the rest of God's servants will remain on earth during the trib, the great crowd...1 Corinthians 15:50-53; Revelation 7:9,13,14...

the saved will live forever with Christ in a new heaven and earth. Rev 19-22.

New earth, huh...imagine that...never heard him preach it...

 

[notquiteright]

Yeah, that's the anointed 144,000, the rest of God's servants will remain on earth during the trib, the great crowd...1 Corinthians 15:50-53; Revelation 7:9,13,14...

New earth, huh...imagine that...never heard him preach it...

Look it up... it's on their website.... makes it very clear, but like many say... depending on where you look you can make all manner of claims... Graham's website doesn't say remain but return for some final battle...

 

[Daisy]

Look it up... it's on their website.... makes it very clear, but like many say... depending on where you look you can make all manner of claims... Graham's website doesn't say remain but return for some final battle...

The Bible says different...Revelation 7:9,13,14...

 

[Sabre]

The Earth will be consumed by fire from the dying and expanding Sun, but that is about 5 billion years from now. All life on Earth will be gone before then, in about 1 billion years from now. The expanding Sun will boil away all the oceans and atmosphere but, the planet will be uninhabitable long before then.

 

[Daisy]

Will the Earth Be Destroyed?​

The Bible’s answer​

No, planet Earth will never be destroyed, burned in fire, or replaced. The Bible teaches that God created the earth to be inhabited forever.

• “The righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it.”—Psalm 37:29.
• “[God] has established the earth on its foundations; it will not be moved from its place forever and ever.”—Psalm 104:5.
• “The earth remains forever.”—Ecclesiastes 1:4.
• “The One who formed the earth, its Maker who firmly established it, . . . did not create it simply for nothing, but formed it to be inhabited.”—Isaiah 45:18.

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/502018126?q=to+be+inhabited&p=sen

 

[nota bene]

Preparing for the End Times

What should Christians be doing to get ready for the cataclysmic events preceding the end of the Age and the Second Coming of Christ? Given the current state of affairs in the world, it's hard to avoid the conclusion that the Lord may be returning soon. I'm trying to hold on to my confidence in...

www.focusonthefamily.com

What should Christians be doing to get ready for the cataclysmic events preceding the end of the Age and the Second Coming of Christ? Given the current state of affairs in the world, it's hard to avoid the conclusion that the Lord may be returning soon. I'm trying to hold on to my confidence in God and live by faith, but some of my friends and relatives tell me that's not enough. They're selling their homes, moving to remote desert or mountain locations, stockpiling food, buying weapons and ammunition – the list goes on and on. Is this right? Are we really supposed to run and hide as things get worse? Or should we stay where we are and continue to minister to the people around us?

I believe that your friends and relatives are mistaken. " For we live by faith...." (2 Corinthians 5:7). Live by faith as if this day is your last.

 

[it's just me]

Preparing for the End Times

What should Christians be doing to get ready for the cataclysmic events preceding the end of the Age and the Second Coming of Christ? Given the current state of affairs in the world, it's hard to avoid the conclusion that the Lord may be returning soon. I'm trying to hold on to my confidence in...

www.focusonthefamily.com

What should Christians be doing to get ready for the cataclysmic events preceding the end of the Age and the Second Coming of Christ? Given the current state of affairs in the world, it's hard to avoid the conclusion that the Lord may be returning soon. I'm trying to hold on to my confidence in God and live by faith, but some of my friends and relatives tell me that's not enough. They're selling their homes, moving to remote desert or mountain locations, stockpiling food, buying weapons and ammunition – the list goes on and on. Is this right? Are we really supposed to run and hide as things get worse? Or should we stay where we are and continue to minister to the people around us?

But let’s assume for a moment that these are the end times. What then? How should a Christian respond? Fortunately, the apostle Peter gives us a straightforward answer to this question. Writing specifically with reference to the end of the age, when “the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat, [and] both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up,” Peter does not suggest that believers head for the hills, adopt a “fortress mentality,” and start stockpiling food and weapons. Instead, he asks, “Since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?” (II Peter 3:10-12).

I'll let you in on a little secret - the world ends for somebody every day.

 

[calamity]

It's only make believe.

A fairly standard horror tale too.

 

[calamity]

It won’t end before I die, so I don’t really care.

 

[Daisy]

It won’t end before I die, so I don’t really care.

Such a loving guy you are...lol...