Your Thoughts on this article: Signs of Christ Return!!!

[Ed Edwards]

Ed's short writing on Eschatological Dispenstationalism:

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Dispensation in the NT, KJV1769 version:

1 Corinthians 9:17 (KJV1769):
For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward:
but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel
is committed unto me.

Ephesians 1:10 (KJV1769):
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might
gather together in one all things in Christ, both
which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

Ephesians 3:2 (KJV1769):
If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God
which is given me to you-ward:

Colossians 1:25 (KJV1769):
Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation
of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

The Holy Spirit hasn't shown me a lot more than is
here. I do know the Greek word being translated here
as 'dispensation' is the Greek word from which we get
'economy'.

I do know this is what the economy of God is like:

Bible Prophetic times:
'hour' = the appropriate time
'day' = the appropriate time
or '1 day' = 1,000 years
'½-week' = 3½-years
'1 day' = 'week' = 7 years
'month' = the appropriate time
year = the appropriate time

Other 'economy of God facts':

the blind see
the dead live
the deaf hear
the lame leap like deer
the first is last
the last is first
Jesus Saves (totally!)
There is still room for more in the Family of God
God Rules!!

Frequently the Bible discusses:

What is to be is discussed in either
present tense (is done) or past tense
(done already done).

 

[BobRyan]

Another sign that could be considered is the one given in Dan 7 regarding the judgment that takes place (according to that chapter) after the fall of the Roman Empire and just before the 2nd coming.

In Rev 14:6-7 it is shown to be given at the end of time, during a period like today when both good and bad people are still on the earth. "Fear God and give glory to him for the hour of his judgment HAS come".

Indeed - many have discovered that it "HAS come" and we are in that judgment hour - the final phase of which could bring us to the judgment of the living.

And as Peter notes "Judgment BEGINS with the house of God" - Ezek 9 makes the same point that "beginning with my sanctuary" and the elders that stand before the Lord - the sealing work begins.

The great tribulation of the dark ages mentioned in Matt 24 is already passed as also we see in Dan 7 and the 1260 years of the dark ages. We are passed that point today.

There is still the future matter of the Rev 16 seven-last plagues that has not happened. But we are running out of "more stuff to happen first"

in Christ,

Bob

 

[D28guy]

TaliOrlando,

"There will be scoffers:
The Bible tells us one of the key signs of the end times will be people doubting the return of Christ will ever happen.

2nd Peter 3:3-4: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

Humanity will be able to cross the globe rapidly and science will be advancing:
Daniel 12:4: But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Perilous times will come for mankind:
2nd Timothy 3:1: This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

Mankind will deny God once flooded the earth:
2nd Peter 3:5-6: For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

The earth will be swimming in a sea of violence:
As it was in the days of Noah (Luke 17:26), so it shall be at the end. How was the earth in Noah's time?

Look no further than Genesis 6:11: The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

There will be warfare all over the globe:
Mark 13:8: For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

Mankind will have the capability to destroy all life on the planet:
Unique to our generation, this prophecy could not have been fulfilled prior to the invention of weapons of mass destruction such as the nuclear bomb. Matthew 24: 22: And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Deadly diseases will be rampant:
Matthew 24:7: For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

Famines will be common:
Matthew 24:7: For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

Earthquakes will be occurring globally:
Matthew 24:7: For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

There will be violent weather:
Luke 21:25- And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

Children will be disobedient and rebellious:
2nd Timothy 3:2: For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Christians and Jews will be hated for their faith in and connection with Christ:
Luke 21:17: And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake."

Those certainly are...without question....some of the "signs of the times" that make very clear that we are currently in the *season* of the culmination of all things, and the bodily 2nd coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAISE GOD that those of us who are born again have been "sealed" into the body of Christ, permanently, for "the day of redemption"...as we wait patiently for our translation into the heavenly realm!

God bless,

Mike

 

[peterotto]

Those certainly are...without question....some of the "signs of the times" that make very clear that we are currently in the *season* of the culmination of all things, and the bodily 2nd coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 1:6-7 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.



I guess if the dispensationalist wants to get around this verse, they can say, "Jesus was talking to his disciples and not to us. So in reality we can know the season." Of course, I don't agree with their interpretation.

 

[D28guy]

Peterotto,

If God does not want us to know when we are in the season of Christs return, than why did He gives us multitudes of scriptures...with specific signs...that are expressly for the pupose of enabling us to identify when Christs return is very near?

In other words, why would God say to us....

"You are not to know the signs regarding when these things are near."

And then turn right around and say to us...

"Here are scores and scores of signs so you can identify when these events are near"

What we CANT do is identify *precisely* when...the day, month, year, etc...of Christs return.

But if God clearly gives us easilly understood "signs of the times", then He clearly wants us to be aware of when those "times" are near.

Grace and peace,

Mike

 

[peterotto]

If God does not want us to know when we are in the season of Christs return, than why did He gives us multitudes of scriptures...with specific signs...that are expressly for the pupose of enabling us to identify when Christs return is very near?

Mike

Do you have scripture to back up your claim? If you want me to agree with you, start with giving me Scriptures.

Revelation 1:3 [FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

[/FONT] Revelation [FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]22:10 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]And he said to me, Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.

[/FONT]Mike, when Christ says the "time is near", what does "near" mean to you?

 

[TaliOrlando]

Do you have scripture to back up your claim? If you want me to agree with you, start with giving me Scriptures.

Revelation 1:3 [FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

[/FONT] Revelation [FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]22:10 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]And he said to me, Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.

[/FONT]Mike, when Christ says the "time is near", what does "near" mean to you?

I means near to me, I mean if God wanted us to not worry of the time being near he could have said. The time might seem near to you but dont worry its not that near. He didnt say that, he said near. Also, we must remember that God doesnt have to function on our time, its when ever he says its going to happen. Maybe near to him is 1 million years or maybe near to him is 30 years but the bottom line is that he said near and we are living in that near right now.

Personally, I am not saying that the Rapture will happen today or tomorrow but at the same time I am not saying that it cant happen today or tomorrow because God can do as he pleases. To me when Christ says: TIME IS NEAR, it means exactly that the time is near and we need to get ready for him.

 

[webdog]

The best way to learn is by doing the homework yourself. You have to start thinking for yourself.
Stop reading what others have said and do your own research. Read Hebrews chapter 1 verses 1-4. Keep on reading and re-reading until you can answer the question of when did the "Last Days" take place. Come up with your own answer by sticking to Scripture.

I'm waiting for your answer.

They haven't taken place...they ARE taking place as I type this!

 

[webdog]

Do you have scripture to back up your claim? If you want me to agree with you, start with giving me Scriptures.

Revelation 1:3 [FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

[/FONT]Revelation [FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]22:10 [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]And he said to me, Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.

[/FONT]Mike, when Christ says the "time is near", what does "near" mean to you?

He gave you Scripture...rearead the post.

The "time is near" is Christ's return. Near means what it says...near. The time of Christ's return is close. It was close 2000 years ago, as 1000 years are as a day to God...and it's close today.

 

[peterotto]

It means near to me, I mean if God wanted us to not worry of the time being near he could have said. The time might seem near to you but dont worry its not that near. He didnt say that, he said near. Also, we must remember that God doesnt have to function on our time, its when ever he says its going to happen. Maybe near to him is 1 million years or maybe near to him is 30 years but the bottom line is that he said near and we are living in that near right now.

Personally, I am not saying that the Rapture will happen today or tomorrow but at the same time I am not saying that it cant happen today or tomorrow because God can do as he pleases. To me when Christ says: TIME IS NEAR, it means exactly that the time is near and we need to get ready for him.

The question was for Mike. And it still is.

TailOrlando, I have specifically asked you questions in other threads that you have not addressed. Maybe you should answer those first before jumping on others.


In summary TO, you are rendering the word 'near' meaningless. The time text phase like the ones in Revelation stand in stark contrast to your dispensationalist-rapture thinking. It forces you to disregard the words or even the verse, and come up with a spiritual meaning behind the word. When the plain, simple and literal approach would do just fine.

There is another problem to your thinking. In Genesis God created the World in 6 literal days. But wait! Dispensationalist like yourself will say 'Oh but a day to God could be a million years to us'. Do you now see the can of worms you have opened? Good luck defending your position.

I believe 'near' means 'near'........I know what you are thinking.......I know...I know....How can it be that simple?

Truly it is! Just think for a moment. God was speaking to us in a way we can understand. The time was 'near' to the disciples who first heard or read from Revelation. Not us.

 

[peterotto]

He gave you Scripture...rearead the post.

TO gave scriptures, but I was talking to Mike. But your point is well taken. Mike is using the same as TOs.

as 1000 years are as a day to God...

Ah yes. A dispensationalist displaying his true colors. If you are consistent with your interpretation, God created the world in 6000 years. Which is fine for you, but I disagree.

near definition - ' Close in time, space, position, or degree'. It was close to the first century disciples. Not 'near' enough for us.

 

[webdog]

Ah yes. A dispensationalist displaying his true colors. If you are consistent with your interpretation, God created the world in 6000 years. Which is fine for you, but I disagree.

Hey, it's what Scripture says, not this "dispensationalist". What is more consistant with Scripture...that God created everything in 7 days...or 400 trillion years?
If I recall, when Adam was 4 weeks old...he didn't look anything like my son did at 4 weeks old. Not too many 4 week olds need to shave

Bottom line...we know God creates with age. There is no reason to believe the world cannot be 6000 years old...but with the age of a trillion year old planet built in. A grown man was 1 day old. An event to happen in 2000+ years is "near". It's Scripture...just accept it.

 

[TaliOrlando]

The question was for Mike. And it still is.

TailOrlando, I have specifically asked you questions in other threads that you have not addressed. Maybe you should answer those first before jumping on others.


In summary TO, you are rendering the word 'near' meaningless. The time text phase like the ones in Revelation stand in stark contrast to your dispensationalist-rapture thinking. It forces you to disregard the words or even the verse, and come up with a spiritual meaning behind the word. When the plain, simple and literal approach would do just fine.

There is another problem to your thinking. In Genesis God created the World in 6 literal days. But wait! Dispensationalist like yourself will say 'Oh but a day to God could be a million years to us'. Do you now see the can of worms you have opened? Good luck defending your position.

I believe 'near' means 'near'........I know what you are thinking.......I know...I know....How can it be that simple?

Truly it is! Just think for a moment. God was speaking to us in a way we can understand. The time was 'near' to the disciples who first heard or read from Revelation. Not us.

:applause: Great job on showing the love of Christ in your life!!! Awesome Job buddy. I mean seriosly, why do you always act like this, I say this in love. Why? I mean, dude I have never done anything wrong to you yet you continue to always call me names like Dispensationalist and when I have asked you to take time to at least PM me and explain to me in detail what that means you havent. Dude, honestly you havent hurt my feelings :laugh: , however my fear is that you need to be carefull who you talk to in this way, why? Well, what if its a young person who is looking for Christ. Well, if he see's the way you talk to another brother like if he is a stranger, then why should I go to Church and be like that.

I know you probably dont mean to come off in that way but bro, have I ever done anything to offend you and if I have bro, I honestly apologize? If you want to take the time to PM me and please in detail break it down for me as to why you assume I am a Dispensationalist then that would be awesome bro!!! The bottom line is that we are washed by the blood of Christ and that means we have to united in him and if I am doing something incorrectly you are to take time and show me that in love.

 

[Born_in_Crewe]

That post/article did get me thinking, however some of those signs have been around for over 50 years as someone said. I do however feel we are into the last hundred years - just a feeling that I have. I once met someone who reckons we have less than 10 years, bit silly to predict that but still. :laugh:

I don't think we can really predict, but most of the prophecies have been or are being fulfilled, so it's not impossible it could happen in some of our lifetimes.