dieseltrooper
Inactive
I've wondered about that too. Who or what do you think it is?
REL GENRL Do you feel like the presence/power of spiritual darkness/demonic forces is fast growing?
- Thread starter Betty_Rose
- Start date
I've wondered about that too. Who or what do you think it is?
Blacknarwhal
Let's Go Brandon!
Some believe that that's when the Rapture kicks off. After all, if the Holy Spirit is pulled off the planet, but Jesus will never leave nor forsake, then maybe we get pulled off too.
Of course, that requires belief in a pre-trib Rapture, which is itself a controversial viewpoint. Ironically, so is a mid-trib and post-trib Rapture.
dieseltrooper
Inactive
Sounds much like the treatment you get here from the baptists if you challenge their beliefs. Heretic has been thrown like a stone at my head,lol.. I stay away from churches too. I just rest in his grace and choose to be at peace.
God is in control 100%. Pop some corn, apply liberal amounts of butter and enjoy the show.
oyster_777
Veteran Member
Im experiencing the complete opposite. Lots of people coming back into a relationship with God, Jesus and Holy Spirit.... Tsunami!
Funny thing about the Cross-it is simply an Unsharpened Sword.
This world has never been a "Good" place.
We, in America, are soft and blinded to reality. Much of the Western World is.
Satan does not have to do anything but sit and watch as he drinks a Latte. Given enough time humans will self-destruct.
This world has never been a "Good" place.
We, in America, are soft and blinded to reality. Much of the Western World is.
Satan does not have to do anything but sit and watch as he drinks a Latte. Given enough time humans will self-destruct.
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I'm not sure. Just a restrainer is mentioned in 2 Thess 2: 5-7. The Scripture does tell us, though, that all believers are indwelt with the Holy Spirit. If believers are still present during the Tribulation, the Holy Spirit still resides in them, and will be present until the end. That's why I said that other's interpretation of Scriptures will vary. Some believe that the Holy Spirit will be taken away at the Rapture of all believers, before the Tribulation begins. I guess it depends on when you believe the rapture of the church takes place. I'm not one for discussing rapture timing. BTDT, and it only causes problems.
Shadow
Swift, Silent,...Sleepy
I was on an island resort and had a pervading sense of evil the entire time I was there. I do not know who else was there or what they were doing but that sense only left when I was gone from the island. I never had that same sense since then. But in the last few years I have often been aware of it at a near distance. In the background, closer, more than before.
Maybe it is the in your face stuff that would have been in the back rooms, hidden or in a plain brown wrapper in my youth. There are so many visible manifestations of evil that may have been known about by my parents generation but were not shamelessly out in the open.
I do not know when the end times will be but I am sure they are one day closer than they were yesterday! Technology may be part of it. In days past there there would be things happening that were only known locally, though maybe rumored outside the area. Today everything (it seems) is knowable everywhere. That familiarity lends a normality to things that would be scandalous in the past. It desensitizes people, and I especially fear for the young people. I got into enough trouble without being exposed to all the temptation and corruption out there today.
I see President Trump as evidence of a great outpouring of Gods grace on our country. And I am sure others outside our country benefit as well. I also see people coming to God. However, the willingness of evil people to be confrontational, and the level of their vitriolic expression is far greater than anything I can compare it to in my past (60+ years).
Maybe it has always been there but I am convinced that the presence of evil and its expression are getting greater.
Shadow
Maybe it is the in your face stuff that would have been in the back rooms, hidden or in a plain brown wrapper in my youth. There are so many visible manifestations of evil that may have been known about by my parents generation but were not shamelessly out in the open.
I do not know when the end times will be but I am sure they are one day closer than they were yesterday! Technology may be part of it. In days past there there would be things happening that were only known locally, though maybe rumored outside the area. Today everything (it seems) is knowable everywhere. That familiarity lends a normality to things that would be scandalous in the past. It desensitizes people, and I especially fear for the young people. I got into enough trouble without being exposed to all the temptation and corruption out there today.
I see President Trump as evidence of a great outpouring of Gods grace on our country. And I am sure others outside our country benefit as well. I also see people coming to God. However, the willingness of evil people to be confrontational, and the level of their vitriolic expression is far greater than anything I can compare it to in my past (60+ years).
Maybe it has always been there but I am convinced that the presence of evil and its expression are getting greater.
Shadow
Ragnarok
On and On, South of Heaven
Agree
Ragnarok
On and On, South of Heaven
CaryC
Has No Life - Lives on TB
My take on "The Restrainer" is he is the Holy Spirit.
Check those verses carefully, no where does it say He leaves planet earth, nowhere, it only says He stops restraining the evil, or evil one. As you will note in Job and Matthew the Evil One must ask permission to do this or that. Then he will not have to, he is set free to do as he wills.
The Holy Spirit IMHO is the 3rd person of the Trinity/Triune God. Therefore He is Omnipresence, just like the Father. If God were to leave earth, would it even stay intact?
Evil is allowed, or set free, to rule and reign. Rev. shows us that is true, Demons come up out of the pit, and cover the earth as locust. There are strong influences in the world today, which is noted in many places in the Bible, and it is our war. But there hasn't been anything like the days of Tribulation in the history of mankind.
Now that is my opinion, and I won't debate it, because it doesn't matter what you believe it will happen as God means for it to.
Check those verses carefully, no where does it say He leaves planet earth, nowhere, it only says He stops restraining the evil, or evil one. As you will note in Job and Matthew the Evil One must ask permission to do this or that. Then he will not have to, he is set free to do as he wills.
The Holy Spirit IMHO is the 3rd person of the Trinity/Triune God. Therefore He is Omnipresence, just like the Father. If God were to leave earth, would it even stay intact?
Evil is allowed, or set free, to rule and reign. Rev. shows us that is true, Demons come up out of the pit, and cover the earth as locust. There are strong influences in the world today, which is noted in many places in the Bible, and it is our war. But there hasn't been anything like the days of Tribulation in the history of mankind.
Now that is my opinion, and I won't debate it, because it doesn't matter what you believe it will happen as God means for it to.
I like your opinion and it is close along the lines of how I see it all.
I still want to know if any body besides me will be defending their loved ones like me when we as Christians are hunted down like wild rabid dogs.
danielboon
TB Fanatic
2 Timothy 3:4
“Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers
2 Timothy 3:4 Context
1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
© 2018 King James Bible Online™
“Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers
2 Timothy 3:4 Context
1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
© 2018 King James Bible Online™
Blacknarwhal
Let's Go Brandon!
What answer would there be? Do you think anyone on this board doesn't already believe in self-defense?
danielboon
TB Fanatic
It is time. And we are fast approaching the end of time
danielboon
TB Fanatic
The devil has but a short time
No I'm just woundering if I'm the only one who thinks it is ok to save/defend my own, that's all.
I know some feel that we should turn the other cheek and all, I don't think when it goes to hell and we are being hunted that I should do that, and I want to se what others think about that aspect of it all.
Blacknarwhal
Let's Go Brandon!
Fair enough. I don't think we're talking about "turning the other cheek" when self-defense becomes required. A slap may be a slap, but slaps don't kill.
I fight with these thoughts all the time should I fight for them or just let us be taken and be tortured and die for what we believe in.
Blacknarwhal
Let's Go Brandon!
Can't guarantee my own rightness here, but it strikes me that if you're down to a gun battle with "the authorities" over such a thing, you're ALREADY dying for what you believe in.
Just sayin.
Yep true that.
yes, definitely more "IN YOUR FACE" evil running rampant...……..the devils are in frenzy cause the Word says the evil one's time on earth is short and he will be wrathful...…….his eternity and all those who reject the grace of God will be separated from all that is of God forever...….they get what they want...
The days of Noah are likened to the days just before Jesus reappears...…….is that when He sets foot on Mt. of Olives or is it pre-trib...…...debatable...….but the level of perversion/violence/sin/unrighteousness/filth/etc...…..IMO is escalating daily...…...WHATEVER TIME IT IS OUR TIME ON EARTH IS SHORT JESUS IS THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE...……..
The days of Noah are likened to the days just before Jesus reappears...…….is that when He sets foot on Mt. of Olives or is it pre-trib...…...debatable...….but the level of perversion/violence/sin/unrighteousness/filth/etc...…..IMO is escalating daily...…...WHATEVER TIME IT IS OUR TIME ON EARTH IS SHORT JESUS IS THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE...……..
Inthewoods
Adapting to the new paradigm
Yes, I do, for sure.....but I truly believe it will be stamped out.
Flippper
Time Traveler
I believe the Restrainer is the Holy Spirit, which is removed when the Harpazo/Rapture/Rapturos occurs at some time prior to the 70th Week of Daniel (Great Tribulation). At this point there will be no Christians left on the earth, but also at this point amazing signs and wonders begin on both the side of evil and of God. The 2 Witnesses will roam the earth proselytizing and any who try to hurt them will be killed by fire from the mouths of the Witnesses. I'm not sure what the gap of time is that is from the Rapture to the first Christian of the Great Tribulation happening, it is a new era, the Church Age having ended I'm not sure that new converts will have the Holy Spirit indwelling-it's something I've not pondered before. I'm not sure how long a Christian will have to live during the Great Tribulation, it may be only moments or hours, the Bible does not specify but we know that satan would want them dead ASAP to stop their spreading of the Gospel. We do know that in Revelation chapter 6, those who have died for the testimony and word of God are under the altar asking God why He's not judging and avenging their deaths (which indicates to me they did not have Bibles on earth or they would know why OR that the Holy Spirit was not in them to help them understand what was in the Bible).
Yes, I get the impression that God is calling and gathering His sheep. I've felt it too the last few months, to get more focused on what is really important as time is very short.
I think satan has much to do with society's decay-during the thousand year reign of Jesus on earth, satan is bound with chains in the bottomless pit so he can not interfere with people on earth-it's not until he's let out at the end of that 1000 years that he is allowed to meddle in the affairs of men, at which time those who choose to go with him, but not before. People still have the sin nature I assume but satan seems to be what tempts them to do evil. Don't quote me on that, as it's just my opinion from what I've read, and it deserves much more study.
Betty Rose, yes, evil seems to be more prevalent IMO as a sign of the times as well as from satan pushing his toes over the start line to be ready when God removes the Restrainer and his 7 years (or 3.5 years as some believe) of full on power is finally granted him. It's not just the church that is at fault, but the seminaries, the lack of God's Bible being taught there is shameful and they are turning out men (and women) who do not even believe God exists! An internet friend was married twice to two different pastors. The first one went to seminary, upon graduation they had a big party where alcohol and drugs were used in plain sight. That pastor and my friend had 2 boys, the pastor was a full on drug addict and thief, and got the two sons addicted to drugs as well. One boy is in prison for his crimes, the mother had to disown both of them as they were a constant issue for her, and I think the husband also ended up in prison at one time. He's had many churches and been kicked out of all due to his theft. He was apparently just given another church and is on the verge of being booted out of that one as well.
The 2nd husband pastor was addicted to booze and porn. REcently this internet friend was 'visited' by demons, one was a fully visible (very powerful) demon with red hair smoking a cigarette, which she used to burn kids who appeared all around her-this was at night as the internet friend had just gone to bed. She was petrified with fear so badly she couldn't speak out to command it out so prayed and eventually it went away. She had another demon or demons come into her bedroom and start pushing down on her bed, then touching her all over (fairly common theme of certain demons), her sister called at that time and she shrieked to pray for her and what was happening, and between them both they were able to command those demons out. This was 2 years ago, and she'd never ever had anything like this happen before, and she's in her 60s. They have not returned, nor have any others visited her to her knowledge.
The only good thing about a demonic attack is that it really cements your mind in the fact that we are in a spiritual war, and that satan is real. IMO wickedness is increasing AND becoming more mainstream thanks to TV and movies, as Anton Lavey said years ago, tv is the best thing that ever happened to satanism.
The churches are infiltrated, and that may be why folks are leaving them, they are seeing the hypocrisy and realize a home study is more valuable.
dieseltrooper
Inactive
bev
Has No Life - Lives on TB
And please quit posting it on Main!
Walrus Whisperer
Hope in chains...
Wow. For about a month now, Ive been thinking that something bad is coming. Like REALLY bad. I also avoid churches, none have ever had anything for me. On that thread about Strozck and the little evil show whatever is in him was putting on for those who could see spooked the bejeebers out of me. One of the things is that evil is VERY vain and LOVES to put on a show, so sometimes its pretty obvious what you are looking at.
I even have started listening to christian radio music. I have seen things my whole life, and one sister has too. The other sister does NOT believe and I think prolly never will. I only have a couple friends in other states who believe and they are both aware of pretty much the same things as I am. Both of them are in their 80s and Im only 64 so they will someday leave me alone. My daughter and her rotten husband dont believe and I am sure the 4 kids dont/wont either- 1 is 2 mos old and they go up to 8 yrs old. I have bibles in hidey places all over. I prefer the older ones because Ive seen that the changes made in the writing changes the meaning. I want them OLD so that they say as close as possible to original intentions despite the translations..Yep, I do very much feel that something wicked this way comes, xcept I think its already HERE.
edited to add, I think the Restrainer is an Angel.
I even have started listening to christian radio music. I have seen things my whole life, and one sister has too. The other sister does NOT believe and I think prolly never will. I only have a couple friends in other states who believe and they are both aware of pretty much the same things as I am. Both of them are in their 80s and Im only 64 so they will someday leave me alone. My daughter and her rotten husband dont believe and I am sure the 4 kids dont/wont either- 1 is 2 mos old and they go up to 8 yrs old. I have bibles in hidey places all over. I prefer the older ones because Ive seen that the changes made in the writing changes the meaning. I want them OLD so that they say as close as possible to original intentions despite the translations..Yep, I do very much feel that something wicked this way comes, xcept I think its already HERE.
edited to add, I think the Restrainer is an Angel.
ainitfunny
Saved, to glorify God.
Have you seen this (deleted scenes) of the openly demonic celebration of the opening of a CERN (Hadron collider?) tunnel in Switzerland? No shame no hiding it. NATIONAL LEADERS from across the world were there to witness it. Taxpayers across Europe and probably the USA paid for it.
(from the comments below the video)
Limo with 666 plates at 50:00(Ed: actually BE 235 666)plates can be read later at 57:07
here is the link to the second way more disgusting part of this ritual
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcRsoxozcPM length=(22 minutes)
uncut first part of the demonic ritual at the tunnel opening with sound.I personally advice not to listen to the audio because it can have negative influence.(NOT my comment:aif)
Category
Entertainment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSDeExBtGGU (length=1hour and 3 minutes)
(from the comments below the video)
Limo with 666 plates at 50:00(Ed: actually BE 235 666)plates can be read later at 57:07
here is the link to the second way more disgusting part of this ritual
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcRsoxozcPM length=(22 minutes)
uncut first part of the demonic ritual at the tunnel opening with sound.I personally advice not to listen to the audio because it can have negative influence.(NOT my comment:aif)
Category
Entertainment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSDeExBtGGU (length=1hour and 3 minutes)
Last edited:
JF&P
Deceased
My Spiritual Warfare experience did more to cement my faith than any other test. I saw the Holy Spirit do things to defeat the demons that I'll never forget.
Someday I should blog here on exactly how the demons work amongst us....their powers are limited, if they weren't I'd have been fried long ago,,,,LOL
To me, its obvious that Satan has stepped on the Gas these last few years....Look at the democratic party, just one example, but I see it everywhere....we are at WAR!!!
Unfortunately, most churches don't teach spiritual warfare so the body of Christ is missing important tools....Oh well, I can't change that so I have to let it go.
Terriannie
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I remember that and one can only come to one conclusion. This was no, artsy "ceremony." This was an announcement of portals from HELL opening!!!
This tunnel has a very important connection to CERN which also "coincidentally" had a very strange, demonic "celebration" of its own. No audience, but the professional filmed "message" is very clear, with its classified, Hadron Collider as the backdrop.
SYMMETRY CERN - Shiva 'Dance of Destruction' v.2 -- Opening a Portal 1080p run time:1:58 min.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0N8atdV28I
Of course it doesn't end there. At the CERN labratory compound a mock sacrifce was held.
Mock 'human sacrifice' filmed at CERN causes internet storm - Daily Mail
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtfGId6GOQo
CaryC
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Just for my part:
I would say initially Yes I would. I say "initially" because we really don't know what we would do, we just hope, and guess. My view about then is, I'm not going looking for trouble, but if it finds me, well it's on.
I'm the same way now. If there is an active shooter in a Mall, I'm not going to go looking for the guy, but if he comes looking for me...… Initially it will be duck, and cover, or run.
BTW my personal interpretation in turning the other cheek, has more to do with "insults" than defense.
Wise Owl
Deceased
Amen to this ^^^^
Some days I can't even stand to read the stuff on the main it's so disgusting.
China Connection
TB Fanatic
The Times of the Gentiles
Article contributed by www.walvoord.com
Recent events in the Middle East have focused attention on the political and prophetic significance of Israel’s possession of their ancient capital of Jerusalem. For the first time since A.D. 70, Israel is in complete possession of the city of Jerusalem and its surrounding territory. Under these circumstances, it is only natural that attention should be focused upon the prophecy recorded in Luke 21:24, “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations; and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” Does the present occupation of Jerusalem signify, in keeping with this prophecy, that the times of the Gentiles have come to an end? A superficial study of this passage would seem to indicate that this is the case, and that now Israel is moving into a new phase of its long history. Careful students, acquainted with the history of the interpretation of this verse , however, sense the danger of reaching too hasty a conclusion. As a matter of fact, there are a number of important considerations which affect the interpretation of this passage.
The Question of Definition of Terms
Expositors, pondering the meaning of Luke 21:24, soon become aware of the fact that this term, “the times of the Gentiles,” is found only here in the Bible. The problem of definition of terms, therefore, becomes an acute one, inasmuch as in this passage we have only the description that Jerusalem “shall be trodden down by the Gentiles” as indicating the character of this period. Under these circumstances, a variety of definitions may be expected depending upon the theological presuppositions of the interpreter. the Gentiles. Normally, this is not related to inheritance of spiritual blessings, although premillenarians recognize that during the period of the times of the Gentiles there may be special blessings allotted to Gentile believers. Alford considers the times of the Gentiles as “the end of the Gentile dispensation.”5 Alford finds that the plural of times corresponds to the plural of Gentiles,6 and ridicules Meyer’s view that the time indicated is the period in which the Gentiles shall have completed their experience of wrath.
Under premillennial interpretation, the physical possession of Jerusalem becomes of central importance. The fact that Israel was dispossessed of their ancient city in A.D. 70, and has today repossessed the city, therefore, becomes a matter of physical and prophetic significance.
Relation to “The Fullness of the Gentiles”
In attempting to define the expression “the times of the Gentiles,” it becomes exegetically important to determine what relation, if any, there is between this term and that found in Romans 11:25 where it is stated: “Blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” The tendency on the part of many postmillennial and amillennial writers is to equate this with the times of the Gentiles, making them both refer to the same period of time.
The determination of the meaning of the phrase “the fullness of the Gentiles” is, in itself, an exegetical problem of no small moment. There are just as many divergent views of this term as there is of the expression “the times of the Gentiles.” Because of their interrelationship, however, it is impossible to clarify one without defining the other.
The eleventh chapter of Romans deals with the subject of Israel’s future. The chapter is introduced with the question, “Hath God cast away his people?” The point of view is taken that Israel, for the moment, has been set aside and that Gentiles are in the place of primary blessing. The theme of the chapter , however, is that the time will come when Gentile blessing will cease and Israel again will be blessed of God. The argument is summarized in Romans 11:12: “Now if the fall of them [Israel] be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles, how much more their fullness?” In other words, the present “fullness” of the Gentiles is contrasted with the future “fullness” of Israel.
It is with this background that we come to Romans 11:25, where it is stated, “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own, conceits: that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” It is clear from the passage that the contrast is between the culmination of present state of the Gentiles and the future state of Israel.
The word fullness (Gr. pleroma) is given a variety of meanings by expositors. Some envision a great revival among the Gentiles at the close of the age, as does Charles Hodge in keeping with his postmillennial point of view.7 Hodge states, “It is not Paul’s doctrine that all Gentiles who ever lived are to be introduced into the kingdom of Christ. Nor does it mean that all the Gentiles who may be alive when the Jews are converted shall be true Christians. All that can be safely inferred from this language is, that the Gentiles, as a body, the mass of the Gentile world, will be converted before the restoration of the Jews, as a nation.”8 A number of other expositors take it as referring to the large number of Gentiles who are saved with the emphasis on quantity rather than time.
The time element, however, is clearly indicated by the word “until.” This definitely introduces a time factor, contrasting the present situation to that which will follow when the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.
When the two concepts, “the times of the Gentiles” and “the fullness of the Gentiles” are compared, it becomes evident that the times of the Gentiles is primarily a political term and has to do with the political overlordship of Jerusalem. By contrast, the term “the fullness of the Gentiles” refers to the present age in which Gentiles predominate in the church and far exceed Israel in present spiritual blessing. It becomes clear, therefore, that, while the two concepts may be contemporaneous at least for much of their fulfillment, the termini of the two periods are somewhat different. The times of the Gentiles will end only when Israel will permanently gain political control of Jerusalem at the second advent of Christ, whereas the fullness of the Gentiles will be completed when God’s present task of winning Jew and Gentile to Christ is completed.
The final decision presupposes a system of theology, and the interpretation necessarily depends upon it. Accordingly, amillenarians and postmillenarians usually make the two periods end at the same time, namely, at the second coming of Christ. Premillenarians, who distinguish the rapture occurring before the time of tribulation from the second coming of Christ to the earth which follows the tribulation, bring the period of the fullness of the Gentiles to a close at the rapture of the church. Obviously, because the passages in themselves are not completely definitive, any expositor necessarily has to refer by way of reference to his larger scheme of prophecy and its fulfillment and interpret the passages accordingly. However, in the nature of the fact that the close of the interadvent period will bring terrible judgment upon the Gentile world, it is reasonable to assume that the period of Gentile blessing will end before the period of Gentile judgment comes. In any event, it is safe to say that the two terms do not mean precisely the same thing and do not have the same characteristics, and it is better, therefore, to interpret the two terms in the light of their context.
Termini of the Times of the Gentiles
As already indicated, the time period involved in the times of the Gentiles varies greatly with many expositors. Generally speaking, most expositors bring the times of the Gentiles to a close with the second coming of Christ, and the variety of opinions concentrate more upon the time of its beginning. Because the expression is cast in the context of a future time when Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies and destroyed, a prophecy fulfilled in A.D. 70, many have concluded that the times of the Gentiles will begin at that time, as does Lenski.9
A close examination of the passage in Luke 21, however, does not indicate that the times of the Gentiles began with the destruction of Jerusalem. The passage deals only with the time of conclusion of the times of the Gentiles, not its beginning. For this reason, a sound judgment in the matter must be based upon the total teaching of the Bible concerning the relationship between Gentiles and the people of Israel.
Here, many expositors find the answer in the prophecies of the book of Daniel which trace the course of Gentile power from Nebuchadnezzar, 600 B.C., to the coming of the Son of Man from heaven which, according to the premillennial interpretation, is fulfilled by the second coming of Jesus Christ to the earth to reign. Both from the prophecies of Daniel and the New Testament, however, it is clear that Gentile dominion does not end until the second coming of of Jesus Christ to the earth. The tensions between Israel and the Gentile world cannot be finally resolved until Jesus Christ Himself returns to reign. This, accordingly, casts its light upon the interpretation of Luke 21:24.
With this as a background, the question now can fairly be faced. Is the present occupation of Jerusalem by Israel the terminus ad quem indicated in Luke 21:24? Has, as a matter of fact, the predicted sway of Gentiles over Israel ceased?
A careful survey of the Scriptures indicates that the present occupation of Jerusalem must necessarily be temporary. Gentiles are still in a dominant position in world politics and the fullness of the Gentiles has not yet been brought in. The rapture of the church has not taken place.
According to the premillennial interpretation of the end of the age, there is a period still ahead, anticipated in Daniel 9:27, in which a future ruler in the Mediterranean area will make a covenant with the people of Israel for seven years. If this futuristic interpretation is correct, Israel, in the nature of this covenant, will still be under Gentile supervision in the broad sense of the term. As commonly interpreted, the period of peace introduced by the covenant will terminate after it has run half its course and the period of great tribulation will follow. According to the predictions of Christ Himself, Israel will then be forced to flee to the mountains (Matt 24:16) and Jerusalem will again come under the tramp of Gentile feet. It is also clear from Zechariah 14 that Jerusalem will become the bone of contention and the source of a great battle just before the second coming of Christ.
In view of these prophecies, it can hardly be said that Jerusalem, today, is delivered forever from the overlordship of Gentile political power. The fact is that the entire Holy Land will be overrun by the Gentile forces in the final great world conflict. Under these circumstances, it may be concluded that it is hasty to assume that the times of the Gentiles have been completed. If the term itself refers to the entire period of Gentile overlordship over Israel, it can hardly be construed as being completed in contemporary events.
The study of the Scriptures, however, does support the idea that the present reoccupation of Jerusalem by Israel is a matter of tremendous Biblical and prophetic importance. This is not that the times of political overlordship are ended, but it does provide the necessary interlude of Jewish possession to make possible the situation described at the end of the age where Israel, for a time at least, is at peace under covenant relationship with her Gentile neighbors and able to have a temple in which sacrifices once again are offered as indicated in Daniel 9:27. The presence of the Jews in Jerusalem, their ancient city, may be the last preparatory step prior to the important sequence of events that lead to the second coming of Jesus Christ. Christians who believe that the rapture of the church will occur before these events find their ultimate fulfillment have additional reason to hope that the coming of the Lord is indeed near.
This article was taken from the Theological Journal Library CD and posted with permission of Galaxie Software.
5 Henry Alford, The Greek Testament, I, 637.
6 Ibid.
7 Charles Hodge, A Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, p. 588.
8 Ibid.
9 Lenski, p. 1021.
https://bible.org/article/times-gentiles
Article contributed by www.walvoord.com
Recent events in the Middle East have focused attention on the political and prophetic significance of Israel’s possession of their ancient capital of Jerusalem. For the first time since A.D. 70, Israel is in complete possession of the city of Jerusalem and its surrounding territory. Under these circumstances, it is only natural that attention should be focused upon the prophecy recorded in Luke 21:24, “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations; and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” Does the present occupation of Jerusalem signify, in keeping with this prophecy, that the times of the Gentiles have come to an end? A superficial study of this passage would seem to indicate that this is the case, and that now Israel is moving into a new phase of its long history. Careful students, acquainted with the history of the interpretation of this verse , however, sense the danger of reaching too hasty a conclusion. As a matter of fact, there are a number of important considerations which affect the interpretation of this passage.
The Question of Definition of Terms
Expositors, pondering the meaning of Luke 21:24, soon become aware of the fact that this term, “the times of the Gentiles,” is found only here in the Bible. The problem of definition of terms, therefore, becomes an acute one, inasmuch as in this passage we have only the description that Jerusalem “shall be trodden down by the Gentiles” as indicating the character of this period. Under these circumstances, a variety of definitions may be expected depending upon the theological presuppositions of the interpreter. the Gentiles. Normally, this is not related to inheritance of spiritual blessings, although premillenarians recognize that during the period of the times of the Gentiles there may be special blessings allotted to Gentile believers. Alford considers the times of the Gentiles as “the end of the Gentile dispensation.”5 Alford finds that the plural of times corresponds to the plural of Gentiles,6 and ridicules Meyer’s view that the time indicated is the period in which the Gentiles shall have completed their experience of wrath.
Under premillennial interpretation, the physical possession of Jerusalem becomes of central importance. The fact that Israel was dispossessed of their ancient city in A.D. 70, and has today repossessed the city, therefore, becomes a matter of physical and prophetic significance.
Relation to “The Fullness of the Gentiles”
In attempting to define the expression “the times of the Gentiles,” it becomes exegetically important to determine what relation, if any, there is between this term and that found in Romans 11:25 where it is stated: “Blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” The tendency on the part of many postmillennial and amillennial writers is to equate this with the times of the Gentiles, making them both refer to the same period of time.
The determination of the meaning of the phrase “the fullness of the Gentiles” is, in itself, an exegetical problem of no small moment. There are just as many divergent views of this term as there is of the expression “the times of the Gentiles.” Because of their interrelationship, however, it is impossible to clarify one without defining the other.
The eleventh chapter of Romans deals with the subject of Israel’s future. The chapter is introduced with the question, “Hath God cast away his people?” The point of view is taken that Israel, for the moment, has been set aside and that Gentiles are in the place of primary blessing. The theme of the chapter , however, is that the time will come when Gentile blessing will cease and Israel again will be blessed of God. The argument is summarized in Romans 11:12: “Now if the fall of them [Israel] be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles, how much more their fullness?” In other words, the present “fullness” of the Gentiles is contrasted with the future “fullness” of Israel.
It is with this background that we come to Romans 11:25, where it is stated, “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own, conceits: that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” It is clear from the passage that the contrast is between the culmination of present state of the Gentiles and the future state of Israel.
The word fullness (Gr. pleroma) is given a variety of meanings by expositors. Some envision a great revival among the Gentiles at the close of the age, as does Charles Hodge in keeping with his postmillennial point of view.7 Hodge states, “It is not Paul’s doctrine that all Gentiles who ever lived are to be introduced into the kingdom of Christ. Nor does it mean that all the Gentiles who may be alive when the Jews are converted shall be true Christians. All that can be safely inferred from this language is, that the Gentiles, as a body, the mass of the Gentile world, will be converted before the restoration of the Jews, as a nation.”8 A number of other expositors take it as referring to the large number of Gentiles who are saved with the emphasis on quantity rather than time.
The time element, however, is clearly indicated by the word “until.” This definitely introduces a time factor, contrasting the present situation to that which will follow when the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.
When the two concepts, “the times of the Gentiles” and “the fullness of the Gentiles” are compared, it becomes evident that the times of the Gentiles is primarily a political term and has to do with the political overlordship of Jerusalem. By contrast, the term “the fullness of the Gentiles” refers to the present age in which Gentiles predominate in the church and far exceed Israel in present spiritual blessing. It becomes clear, therefore, that, while the two concepts may be contemporaneous at least for much of their fulfillment, the termini of the two periods are somewhat different. The times of the Gentiles will end only when Israel will permanently gain political control of Jerusalem at the second advent of Christ, whereas the fullness of the Gentiles will be completed when God’s present task of winning Jew and Gentile to Christ is completed.
The final decision presupposes a system of theology, and the interpretation necessarily depends upon it. Accordingly, amillenarians and postmillenarians usually make the two periods end at the same time, namely, at the second coming of Christ. Premillenarians, who distinguish the rapture occurring before the time of tribulation from the second coming of Christ to the earth which follows the tribulation, bring the period of the fullness of the Gentiles to a close at the rapture of the church. Obviously, because the passages in themselves are not completely definitive, any expositor necessarily has to refer by way of reference to his larger scheme of prophecy and its fulfillment and interpret the passages accordingly. However, in the nature of the fact that the close of the interadvent period will bring terrible judgment upon the Gentile world, it is reasonable to assume that the period of Gentile blessing will end before the period of Gentile judgment comes. In any event, it is safe to say that the two terms do not mean precisely the same thing and do not have the same characteristics, and it is better, therefore, to interpret the two terms in the light of their context.
Termini of the Times of the Gentiles
As already indicated, the time period involved in the times of the Gentiles varies greatly with many expositors. Generally speaking, most expositors bring the times of the Gentiles to a close with the second coming of Christ, and the variety of opinions concentrate more upon the time of its beginning. Because the expression is cast in the context of a future time when Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies and destroyed, a prophecy fulfilled in A.D. 70, many have concluded that the times of the Gentiles will begin at that time, as does Lenski.9
A close examination of the passage in Luke 21, however, does not indicate that the times of the Gentiles began with the destruction of Jerusalem. The passage deals only with the time of conclusion of the times of the Gentiles, not its beginning. For this reason, a sound judgment in the matter must be based upon the total teaching of the Bible concerning the relationship between Gentiles and the people of Israel.
Here, many expositors find the answer in the prophecies of the book of Daniel which trace the course of Gentile power from Nebuchadnezzar, 600 B.C., to the coming of the Son of Man from heaven which, according to the premillennial interpretation, is fulfilled by the second coming of Jesus Christ to the earth to reign. Both from the prophecies of Daniel and the New Testament, however, it is clear that Gentile dominion does not end until the second coming of of Jesus Christ to the earth. The tensions between Israel and the Gentile world cannot be finally resolved until Jesus Christ Himself returns to reign. This, accordingly, casts its light upon the interpretation of Luke 21:24.
With this as a background, the question now can fairly be faced. Is the present occupation of Jerusalem by Israel the terminus ad quem indicated in Luke 21:24? Has, as a matter of fact, the predicted sway of Gentiles over Israel ceased?
A careful survey of the Scriptures indicates that the present occupation of Jerusalem must necessarily be temporary. Gentiles are still in a dominant position in world politics and the fullness of the Gentiles has not yet been brought in. The rapture of the church has not taken place.
According to the premillennial interpretation of the end of the age, there is a period still ahead, anticipated in Daniel 9:27, in which a future ruler in the Mediterranean area will make a covenant with the people of Israel for seven years. If this futuristic interpretation is correct, Israel, in the nature of this covenant, will still be under Gentile supervision in the broad sense of the term. As commonly interpreted, the period of peace introduced by the covenant will terminate after it has run half its course and the period of great tribulation will follow. According to the predictions of Christ Himself, Israel will then be forced to flee to the mountains (Matt 24:16) and Jerusalem will again come under the tramp of Gentile feet. It is also clear from Zechariah 14 that Jerusalem will become the bone of contention and the source of a great battle just before the second coming of Christ.
In view of these prophecies, it can hardly be said that Jerusalem, today, is delivered forever from the overlordship of Gentile political power. The fact is that the entire Holy Land will be overrun by the Gentile forces in the final great world conflict. Under these circumstances, it may be concluded that it is hasty to assume that the times of the Gentiles have been completed. If the term itself refers to the entire period of Gentile overlordship over Israel, it can hardly be construed as being completed in contemporary events.
The study of the Scriptures, however, does support the idea that the present reoccupation of Jerusalem by Israel is a matter of tremendous Biblical and prophetic importance. This is not that the times of political overlordship are ended, but it does provide the necessary interlude of Jewish possession to make possible the situation described at the end of the age where Israel, for a time at least, is at peace under covenant relationship with her Gentile neighbors and able to have a temple in which sacrifices once again are offered as indicated in Daniel 9:27. The presence of the Jews in Jerusalem, their ancient city, may be the last preparatory step prior to the important sequence of events that lead to the second coming of Jesus Christ. Christians who believe that the rapture of the church will occur before these events find their ultimate fulfillment have additional reason to hope that the coming of the Lord is indeed near.
This article was taken from the Theological Journal Library CD and posted with permission of Galaxie Software.
5 Henry Alford, The Greek Testament, I, 637.
6 Ibid.
7 Charles Hodge, A Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, p. 588.
8 Ibid.
9 Lenski, p. 1021.
https://bible.org/article/times-gentiles
China Connection
TB Fanatic
A Misconception Concerning the Church
Another popular misconception about the Tribulation is that the Church will go through it and suffer mightily at the hands of the Antichrist. This concept is based upon verses like Revelation 13:7 which says that the Antichrist will “make war with the saints.”
But I believe the saints referred to here are those who are saved during the Tribulation. There is going to be a great harvest of souls during the Tribulation. Some will be saved in response to the Rapture. Others will respond to the preaching of the Two Witnesses in Jerusalem (Revelation 11). The response of others will be stimulated by the Tribulation judgments which will motivate many to repent. Still others will respond to the special angel who will be sent by God near the end of the Tribulation to proclaim the Gospel to every living creature (Revelation 14:6-7). Many will be saved, but most of these will be martyred for their faith (Revelation 7:9-17).
There is no purpose for the Church during the Tribulation. This will be a time of God’s judgment upon the unbelieving Gentiles and Jews who have rejected God’s grace, love and mercy expressed in Jesus.
Some argue that the Church must go through the Tribulation to be purged or cleansed. But the true Church has already been purified by the blood of Jesus (Ephesians 5:25-27; 1 John 1:7; and Romans 8:1). The Tribulation is not a Protestant purgatory.
The symbolic imagery of the New Testament focuses on the Church as being the Bride of Christ. Is the Bridegroom going to beat up His Bride for seven years before He comes for her? I think not. The Bible says that Jesus is coming to deliver His Bride from the wrath that is to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10). Also, Revelation 19:8 and 14 pictures Jesus returning with His Church at the end of the Tribulation, indicating the Redeemed will be taken out of this world before the Tribulation begins.
Revelation focuses on the Church in its first three chapters. Beginning with chapter 4, there is no more mention of the Church during the entire period of the Tribulation. The Church is not referred to again until Revelation 22:16.
The Purpose
What’s it all about? Why is there going to be such carnage? How could a God of grace, mercy and love allow such an outbreak of unbridled terror and bloodshed?
One reason is to satisfy the justice of God. Yes, God is characterized by grace, mercy and love, but He is also a God of perfect justice, righteousness, and holiness. There fore, He must deal with sin. His justice demands it. Even His love compels it. How could a God of true love simply overlook the actions of a murderer or a pedophile?
The prophet Nahum understood the true nature of God. He wrote that “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him” (Nahum 1:7). That is the love and mercy of God. But the same prophet wrote (Nahum 1:2-3):
“A jealous and avenging God is the Lord;
The Lord is avenging and wrathful.
The Lord takes vengeance on His adversaries,
And He reserves wrath for His enemies.
The Lord is slow to anger and great in power,
And the Lord will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.”
Truly, the Lord is “slow to anger.” He allows the iniquities of Mankind to accumulate over long periods of time because He doesn’t wish that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). His desire, instead, is that all should come to repentance. But there is always a day of reckoning, just as there was in the days of Noah, and such a day has been set for this age. Paul referred to it in his sermon in Athens when he said, “He [God] has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:31).
A second reason for the Tribulation is to bring people to salvation. Amazingly, even when God pours out His wrath, His fundamental purpose is not to destroy but to save. Isaiah 26:9 explains it this way: “When the earth experiences Your judgments, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.”
The brutal fact is that God often has to hit us over the head with a two-by-four in order to get our attention and motivate us to repentance. The equally brutal fact is that most people respond to such discipline by either cursing God or continuing to ignore Him (Revelation 9:20-21). But some people always respond in humility and are saved. As Billy Graham has put it: “The same sun that melts the butter, hardens the clay.”
When God’s wrath is poured out during the Tribulation, some hearts will be melted, but most will be hardened, illustrating once again that nothing is as “deceitful” and “desperately sick” as the heart of Man (Jeremiah 17:9).
Man is frivolous about sin. God is serious. The Tribulation will be a graphic expression of how serious God is about Mankind’s rebellion against Him.
The signs of the times are shouting that we are standing on the threshold of the Tribulation. The message of the Holy Spirit is “Come out of Babylon” (Revelation 18:4). That message means for us to separate ourselves from the love of this world and prepare ourselves for eternity. For believers, it means a commitment to holiness. For unbelievers it means a commitment to Jesus as Lord and Savior before He returns as God’s avenger.
The time remaining is short. The time for action is now.
Complete article here on the link: http://christinprophecy.org/articles/the-great-tribulation/
Another popular misconception about the Tribulation is that the Church will go through it and suffer mightily at the hands of the Antichrist. This concept is based upon verses like Revelation 13:7 which says that the Antichrist will “make war with the saints.”
But I believe the saints referred to here are those who are saved during the Tribulation. There is going to be a great harvest of souls during the Tribulation. Some will be saved in response to the Rapture. Others will respond to the preaching of the Two Witnesses in Jerusalem (Revelation 11). The response of others will be stimulated by the Tribulation judgments which will motivate many to repent. Still others will respond to the special angel who will be sent by God near the end of the Tribulation to proclaim the Gospel to every living creature (Revelation 14:6-7). Many will be saved, but most of these will be martyred for their faith (Revelation 7:9-17).
There is no purpose for the Church during the Tribulation. This will be a time of God’s judgment upon the unbelieving Gentiles and Jews who have rejected God’s grace, love and mercy expressed in Jesus.
Some argue that the Church must go through the Tribulation to be purged or cleansed. But the true Church has already been purified by the blood of Jesus (Ephesians 5:25-27; 1 John 1:7; and Romans 8:1). The Tribulation is not a Protestant purgatory.
The symbolic imagery of the New Testament focuses on the Church as being the Bride of Christ. Is the Bridegroom going to beat up His Bride for seven years before He comes for her? I think not. The Bible says that Jesus is coming to deliver His Bride from the wrath that is to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10). Also, Revelation 19:8 and 14 pictures Jesus returning with His Church at the end of the Tribulation, indicating the Redeemed will be taken out of this world before the Tribulation begins.
Revelation focuses on the Church in its first three chapters. Beginning with chapter 4, there is no more mention of the Church during the entire period of the Tribulation. The Church is not referred to again until Revelation 22:16.
The Purpose
What’s it all about? Why is there going to be such carnage? How could a God of grace, mercy and love allow such an outbreak of unbridled terror and bloodshed?
One reason is to satisfy the justice of God. Yes, God is characterized by grace, mercy and love, but He is also a God of perfect justice, righteousness, and holiness. There fore, He must deal with sin. His justice demands it. Even His love compels it. How could a God of true love simply overlook the actions of a murderer or a pedophile?
The prophet Nahum understood the true nature of God. He wrote that “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him” (Nahum 1:7). That is the love and mercy of God. But the same prophet wrote (Nahum 1:2-3):
“A jealous and avenging God is the Lord;
The Lord is avenging and wrathful.
The Lord takes vengeance on His adversaries,
And He reserves wrath for His enemies.
The Lord is slow to anger and great in power,
And the Lord will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.”
Truly, the Lord is “slow to anger.” He allows the iniquities of Mankind to accumulate over long periods of time because He doesn’t wish that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). His desire, instead, is that all should come to repentance. But there is always a day of reckoning, just as there was in the days of Noah, and such a day has been set for this age. Paul referred to it in his sermon in Athens when he said, “He [God] has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:31).
A second reason for the Tribulation is to bring people to salvation. Amazingly, even when God pours out His wrath, His fundamental purpose is not to destroy but to save. Isaiah 26:9 explains it this way: “When the earth experiences Your judgments, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.”
The brutal fact is that God often has to hit us over the head with a two-by-four in order to get our attention and motivate us to repentance. The equally brutal fact is that most people respond to such discipline by either cursing God or continuing to ignore Him (Revelation 9:20-21). But some people always respond in humility and are saved. As Billy Graham has put it: “The same sun that melts the butter, hardens the clay.”
When God’s wrath is poured out during the Tribulation, some hearts will be melted, but most will be hardened, illustrating once again that nothing is as “deceitful” and “desperately sick” as the heart of Man (Jeremiah 17:9).
Man is frivolous about sin. God is serious. The Tribulation will be a graphic expression of how serious God is about Mankind’s rebellion against Him.
The signs of the times are shouting that we are standing on the threshold of the Tribulation. The message of the Holy Spirit is “Come out of Babylon” (Revelation 18:4). That message means for us to separate ourselves from the love of this world and prepare ourselves for eternity. For believers, it means a commitment to holiness. For unbelievers it means a commitment to Jesus as Lord and Savior before He returns as God’s avenger.
The time remaining is short. The time for action is now.
Complete article here on the link: http://christinprophecy.org/articles/the-great-tribulation/
China Connection
TB Fanatic
End Times as the Days of Noah
In Matthew 24 and Luke 17, Jesus gave us a clear warning and indication of what this world would be like near the time of His second coming. Looking forward to the time just before His return, Christ saw the scene of this world and it was a mirror of what it was like back in both Noah's and Lot's day.
Matthew 24:37-39 ...'But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.'
Luke 17:28-30 ...'Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.'
So what we need to find out now is what was it like back in the days of Noah and Lot.
IN NOAH's DAY - Genesis 6:5,11,12 ...'And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.'
IN LOT's DAY - Jude 1:7 ...'Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.'
As we can see, the world in Noah's day was full of wickedness with the thoughts of men continually evil. The earth was corrupt and FILLED with violence. Love had surely 'waxed cold' in Noah's day. Also, we can see from Jude that in Lot's day, sexual immorality and homosexuality had taken control of the people of Sodom. And Jesus tells us that these things would be COMBINED and all happening at once during the last days before His return. So does the day we live in fit with this description? YES!
Not only is this world today full of violence and sexual immorality, including homosexuality. These evils have now been turned into ENTERTAINMENT!! This world is now ENTERTAINED by the very things that God DESTROYED the old world and Sodom for in Noah's and Lot's day!
Let's take homosexuality as an example, or 'going after strange flesh' like they did in Sodom. Since 2001, 14 countries have fully legalized homosexual marriage - Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, New Zealand, Uraguay, France, with parts of North and South America doing the same. And the list is growing all the time.
2 Peter 2:4-6 ...'For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly.'
Do you see what the LORD is telling us here? He made an example of the wicked people in Noah's day who were filled with evil and showed violence to one another by destroying them with the flood. And He made an example of the sexually immoral people in Lot's day who practiced homosexuality by destroying them with fire. It is a warning to us that we should not follow in their footsteps by practicing the same sins. Otherwise, we will be destroyed too when Jesus returns.
Oh that the scenes of iniquity practiced in these last days would make a deep impression on the minds of God's professed people. God's Spirit is now being withdrawn from this world and the angel of mercy is about to depart! Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision; for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision! (Joel 3:14)
Just think about this sobering fact for a minute. There are many commentators that say the population back in Noah's day was in the millions. And yet only 8 people were saved! - Noah and his family. That's it! Just think about that, only 8 people truly trusted in God and followed His will. Being not that far from the creation account and Adam and Eve, there would have been many others who believed in God and 'in their own eyes' served God. But just as Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23, not every one who says to Him 'Lord, Lord' will be saved, but only those who DO the will of God. Many people in Noah's day probably 'professed' to be 'God's people'. But they continued to live in wilful sin.
I'm sure that Noah would have preached to the people watching as he built the ark, warning them of the judgment to come. And 2 Peter 2:7 confirms that Lot 'vexed his soul from day to day with the unlawful deeds' of Sodom. So Lot would also have been warning the people of Sodom of their wicked ways. But neither groups of people would listen to the 'present truth' of their time and judgment came swiftly upon them unawares!
And the same is happening around the world today! The people are dull of hearing the truth!
It doesn't take a genius to figure out that we are living in the time Jesus talked about. A time like the days of Noah and Lot where violence, wickedness, sexual immorality and homosexuality would control the minds of men and women alike. Take a look around you, turn on the TV and you will see a world FULL of evil, corruption, violence and sexual immorality.
God's Spirit is still striving with man, to convict him of sin and to turn to Christ Jesus and obey Him and keep His commandments. But as the verse in Genesis 6 says ... 'My spirit shall not always strive with man.' ... God will give everyone a chance, which He is doing right now, to turn to Him with all their hearts and to turn away from sin. But if they choose to continue to ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit and the warnings from God's Word, then His spirit will be withdrawn and the day of judgment will come upon them swiftly unawares.
The majority of people on this earth are choosing the 'broad way' that leads to destruction. They say you don't need to keep God's Commandments. They say that we can worship God any way we like. They say it is ok to like the things of this world and be a friend of the world. They say that we need to include people from different faiths. They say that homosexuality is ok and God accepts them as they are. They say many things that are clearly contrary to the Word of God. Why? Because they walk after the flesh rather than the Spirit. The constant indulgence of sin that existed in Noah's day and Lot's day, exists today. But take a look at something else that is true for today ...
Matthew 24:38 ...'For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage.'
2 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.'
This is also pointing to our day today. The world is full of people (INCLUDING professed Christians) who continue in their worldly lives as if nothing is going to happen. Also, there are many 'scoffers' today who reject the warnings of Jehovah and proclaim that 'all things continue as normal from the beginning'. And yet the signs are so clear that we are living right at the very end of time for this world.
We are living in the last days friends. NOW is the time to turn from your sins and submit your life to Christ Jesus.
Remember, only 8 people were saved in the days of Noah, and Jesus confirmed that only few will be saved in the end (Matthew 7:14). Will you heed the warning? Will you be ready for that 'great and dreadful day' when our Lord returns? Will you be with the saints at the end when Jesus returns?
Revelation 14:12 ...'Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.'
http://www.signs-of-end-times.com/days-of-noah.html
In Matthew 24 and Luke 17, Jesus gave us a clear warning and indication of what this world would be like near the time of His second coming. Looking forward to the time just before His return, Christ saw the scene of this world and it was a mirror of what it was like back in both Noah's and Lot's day.
Matthew 24:37-39 ...'But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.'
Luke 17:28-30 ...'Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.'
So what we need to find out now is what was it like back in the days of Noah and Lot.
IN NOAH's DAY - Genesis 6:5,11,12 ...'And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.'
IN LOT's DAY - Jude 1:7 ...'Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.'
As we can see, the world in Noah's day was full of wickedness with the thoughts of men continually evil. The earth was corrupt and FILLED with violence. Love had surely 'waxed cold' in Noah's day. Also, we can see from Jude that in Lot's day, sexual immorality and homosexuality had taken control of the people of Sodom. And Jesus tells us that these things would be COMBINED and all happening at once during the last days before His return. So does the day we live in fit with this description? YES!
Not only is this world today full of violence and sexual immorality, including homosexuality. These evils have now been turned into ENTERTAINMENT!! This world is now ENTERTAINED by the very things that God DESTROYED the old world and Sodom for in Noah's and Lot's day!
Let's take homosexuality as an example, or 'going after strange flesh' like they did in Sodom. Since 2001, 14 countries have fully legalized homosexual marriage - Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, New Zealand, Uraguay, France, with parts of North and South America doing the same. And the list is growing all the time.
2 Peter 2:4-6 ...'For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly.'
Do you see what the LORD is telling us here? He made an example of the wicked people in Noah's day who were filled with evil and showed violence to one another by destroying them with the flood. And He made an example of the sexually immoral people in Lot's day who practiced homosexuality by destroying them with fire. It is a warning to us that we should not follow in their footsteps by practicing the same sins. Otherwise, we will be destroyed too when Jesus returns.
Oh that the scenes of iniquity practiced in these last days would make a deep impression on the minds of God's professed people. God's Spirit is now being withdrawn from this world and the angel of mercy is about to depart! Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision; for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision! (Joel 3:14)
Just think about this sobering fact for a minute. There are many commentators that say the population back in Noah's day was in the millions. And yet only 8 people were saved! - Noah and his family. That's it! Just think about that, only 8 people truly trusted in God and followed His will. Being not that far from the creation account and Adam and Eve, there would have been many others who believed in God and 'in their own eyes' served God. But just as Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23, not every one who says to Him 'Lord, Lord' will be saved, but only those who DO the will of God. Many people in Noah's day probably 'professed' to be 'God's people'. But they continued to live in wilful sin.
I'm sure that Noah would have preached to the people watching as he built the ark, warning them of the judgment to come. And 2 Peter 2:7 confirms that Lot 'vexed his soul from day to day with the unlawful deeds' of Sodom. So Lot would also have been warning the people of Sodom of their wicked ways. But neither groups of people would listen to the 'present truth' of their time and judgment came swiftly upon them unawares!
And the same is happening around the world today! The people are dull of hearing the truth!
It doesn't take a genius to figure out that we are living in the time Jesus talked about. A time like the days of Noah and Lot where violence, wickedness, sexual immorality and homosexuality would control the minds of men and women alike. Take a look around you, turn on the TV and you will see a world FULL of evil, corruption, violence and sexual immorality.
God's Spirit is still striving with man, to convict him of sin and to turn to Christ Jesus and obey Him and keep His commandments. But as the verse in Genesis 6 says ... 'My spirit shall not always strive with man.' ... God will give everyone a chance, which He is doing right now, to turn to Him with all their hearts and to turn away from sin. But if they choose to continue to ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit and the warnings from God's Word, then His spirit will be withdrawn and the day of judgment will come upon them swiftly unawares.
The majority of people on this earth are choosing the 'broad way' that leads to destruction. They say you don't need to keep God's Commandments. They say that we can worship God any way we like. They say it is ok to like the things of this world and be a friend of the world. They say that we need to include people from different faiths. They say that homosexuality is ok and God accepts them as they are. They say many things that are clearly contrary to the Word of God. Why? Because they walk after the flesh rather than the Spirit. The constant indulgence of sin that existed in Noah's day and Lot's day, exists today. But take a look at something else that is true for today ...
Matthew 24:38 ...'For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage.'
2 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.'
This is also pointing to our day today. The world is full of people (INCLUDING professed Christians) who continue in their worldly lives as if nothing is going to happen. Also, there are many 'scoffers' today who reject the warnings of Jehovah and proclaim that 'all things continue as normal from the beginning'. And yet the signs are so clear that we are living right at the very end of time for this world.
We are living in the last days friends. NOW is the time to turn from your sins and submit your life to Christ Jesus.
Remember, only 8 people were saved in the days of Noah, and Jesus confirmed that only few will be saved in the end (Matthew 7:14). Will you heed the warning? Will you be ready for that 'great and dreadful day' when our Lord returns? Will you be with the saints at the end when Jesus returns?
Revelation 14:12 ...'Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.'
http://www.signs-of-end-times.com/days-of-noah.html
Muslims still have their mosque on what most Jews consider as their most holy site, the temple location. The Jews are not allowed to build the third temple on that location and are told how, where, and when they can worship at the site.
So yes, I'd say that Jerusalem is still trodden down by the Gentiles. Get rid of the pagan mosque on the temple site and the prophesy might be fulfilled.