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Back to the op, another angle to consider is the greek translated apostacy or falling away literally means a removal of christianity. The rapture also meets that definition.
I gues that one's view of the 'Great Tribulation' or 'Satan's Little Season' will depend on one's general eschatology. As an Amillennialist, it seems to me that many of the happenings mentioned on this thread have been happening all through the present age.
Matthew 24:24
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
This has gone on all through the ages from Elymas (Acts 13:8) to Alexander the coppersmith (2Tim 4:14-15) through all the Romanists, Unitarians, French Prophets, J.W.s, Mormons and assorted heretics about today.
John 16:2
They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
I think Iconoclast or Kyredneck will have a hard time convincing me that this stuff has not been going on all through Church history, whether in the persecutions of Decius and Diocletion, the Inquisition, the Marian Martyrs, the 'killing times' in Scotland under Charles II and James right down to the Muslim persecutions of today. Sometimes things have got easier, sometimes harder, but there have always been persecutions somewhere in the world for God's people. The 'love of the greater number' has always grown cold as people turn away from the Gospel in heart, if not always in outward show.
But the Bible does indicate that right at the end, things will get substantially worse. In Rev 11, the two witnesses are able to carry on inspite of people wanting to harm them, but in verse 7, they are killed and Christian witness lies dead in the street for a short time. In Rev 13, the beast out of the sea is ruling and deceiving many all through the age. But in verse 6ff, suddenly things get much worse.
So there will be a 'Satan's little Season' at some point. Whether we're in it or not right now, I don't know. Things are pretty terrible in so many countries across the world, and they're not so great here in Britain, but our task is not to worry or speculate about that but to watch and be faithful, 'For you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming' (Matt 25:13).
Steve
It is my understanding the the "religion" of the False Christ will eclipse and replace all that have gone before it;
and if possible, this new religion would deceive even the "elect" which I understand as (genetic) Israel.
Genetic Israel got their "religion" directly from God through Moses, and will be the lone "holdouts" leading up to the Great Tribulation.
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, [False Christ in the Holy of Holies]. - Mt 24:15
This will be "the last straw" as far as YHWH is concerned. The warning to flee is directed at those (genetic) Israelites who UNDERSTAND
the implications of this act and FLEE Jerusalem for to the Place of Refuge.
Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on
the sabbath day: [the Law of Moses will be in effect]
There is no earthly holy place since the cross. The law of Moses is never to be in effect since the cross has removed it. This happened in 70ad
Who is the Holy Spirit talking about here?:
...and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God,
or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God,
shewing himself that he is God. - 2 Thes 2:3b-4
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In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds
of them which believe not - 2 Cor 4:4a
I'm not saying you're wrong, but I don't remember reading about this. To the best of my knowledge, the only Roman who sat in the Temple before AD 70 was Pompey in about BC 60.Nero.....sat in the temple before it was destroyed...the actual temple,
Nero.....sat in the temple before it was destroyed...the actual temple,
I'm not saying you're wrong, but I don't remember reading about this. To the best of my knowledge, the only Roman who sat in the Temple before AD 70 was Pompey in about BC 60.
Can you point me to an on-line reference, please?
Steve
Iconolast,
[We live in a world where anyone who can do a google search becomes an instant scholar.
Problem is there is a lot of information on the Internet, so true, so false, some nothing more than some unknown person's opinion, some that is even mis-represented historical material, that is massaged a bit to fit someone's "Agenda".
One has to be careful, and understand that even when reading commentaries by note Theologians, that these commentaries are opinons, and theory.
/QUOTE]
AGREED:thumbsup: We must be careful...like the bereans;
11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. [/QUOTE]
Certainly, such things are not the Word of God.
ACF, they may or may not be...depends on if they stay in and around scripture
but I noticed two days ago you said I denied the word of God because I had disagreed with you on Calvin, by saying his teachings were "not my truth".
ACF....allow me to clarify.....Truth belongs to God alone.
It is not my truth.....or....your truth..it does not belong to any man anywhere.
And yet God does give us pastors and teachers. The Spirit has to open truth to any believer. No one believer has all truth all the time..
The Apostles were promised to be guided into all truth{scripture} we do not have the same promise that they were given...we must study their writing to come to truth as God allows. Paul said:
Most who are called Calvinists...have read little or no Calvin! at least in our day. The teaching on these things is what is called Calvinism.7Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
ACF.....my caution to you is simply this
Regardless of how you feel emotionally....never say....I cannot Worship the same God that a calvinist worships! ACF....if I or any other calvinist is correct on our doctrine...you would be openly denying Christ...[which I do not think you want to do!]
I would not want to deny the biblical God...so I do not want to say to someone I disagree with...I could never worship the God you speak of, unless of course we are speaking to a cultist.
I do not say to a pre-mill person ...I could not worship a God who has set up 7 dispensations.....if my endtime chart is wrong...I am okay with the one God has revealed in scripture...even if I never get it all correct:thumbsup:I wonder, if you have you read Revelations, or do you just "Post good Links" to what you find out on the Internet?
ACF..... I have read and do study Revelation quite often. A few years ago I taught through it. I see and understand it much clearer now, then when I first learned the dispy premill system for several years.
I am currently between Post and Amill.....its a long story. I am not a prophecy expert.
I post good links in part ,because I type pathetically...and those I post are proven teachers,certainly much greater degree of gift than I have.
Many that I do post cannot be answered by any in here,and if you notice
the thread often ends because no one wants to attemp to answer any part of them because they do not want to embarass themselves.So, you think Nero was the Antichrist?
That is an interesting idea, that appeals to many, and it would be good for us, if only it were true.
It is the best explanation I have heard put forth so far.
1] His name matches the 600 60 and 6...when the letters are looked at.
Earlier you said you "think" the Great Apostacy occured before 70 AD.
2] the temple...holy place was still standing
3] Hebrews warns those around 68 ad not to fall away
4] Jesus as our full final prophet warned the church in Mt24.
5] Jesus said this generation would see these things
Well an apostacy may have occured then, and again, that being the "Great Apostacy" is an idea many find appealing, and it would be fortunate for us, if only it were true.
I have heard some of the theories around this sort of thing before.
I do notice that, in your case, inorder to support it you have to rely on sources other than the Holy SCRIPTURES.
ACF....here is a book written that offers more than enough scripture to set forth this view; take a look ,let me know what you think:thumbsup:
http://www.preteristarchive.com/Books/pdf/1987_chilton_days-of-vengeance.pdf
I have seen much better support for such "Theory", by people who relied on Scripture to do it.
If you were to take that approach, we could have a debate on Theology.
Do you know that it is "generaly believed" that John outlasted Nero?
Do you know what is "generaly believed" about when Revelations was written?
I am no expert on either of these things, so will not argue with what ever you want to say about them.
ACF...SOME BELIEVE REVELATION WAS WRITTEN 95-96AD...SOME BELIEVE 64-66 AD.
ACF ....Thanks for taking the time to dialogue with me.We do not have to be in complete agreement at this time, but we do not need to bite and devour each other also.
I do not have thin skin and will respond to any question that is sincerely offered. Attacks upon God or His Holiness....or personal attacks will be vigorously opposed.
MM,
I am not even saying I am right:laugh: This is an explanation that makes sense to me. I am in between Amill....and Postmill currently...formerly a premill dispensationalist:laugh:
Listen to this;
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12704141810
This article is as good as any I've read concerning this 'man of sin'. John of Gischala was one of the tyrants that wrecked so much destruction upon his own people, and he and his cohorts did indeed take over the temple and used it as a base to wreck their havoc upon the people.
Wow....how is postmill even relevant today?
22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
24Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
28And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
So, you are saying that John of Gischala was destroyed with the brightness of Christs coming?
And then shall that Wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth,
and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming - 2 Thes 2:8