Someone asked for this a long time ago, and I totally flaked on it. So since this topic came back up, here's an outline overview of the signs of the times from the Bible: I. Signs of Nature (Matthew 24:7; Mark 13: 8; and Luke 21:11) 1) Famine 2) Earthquakes 3) Plagues 4) Signs in the Heavens (Unusual weather, new discoveries in space, etc.) II. Signs of Society (Matthew 24:12,37-39 & 2 Timothy 3:1-4) 1) Lawlessness 2) Violence 3) Immorality 4) Greed 5) Selfishness 6) Hedonism 7) Rebellion 8) Despair III. Spiritual Signs 1) Negative Signs a) False Christs & Prophets and their cultic groups (Matthew 24:5,11,2-4; Mark 13:6,21-22; and Luke 21:8). b) Apostasy in the professing church (2 Thessalonians 2:3; and 2 Timothy 3:5, 4:3-4). c) Widespread heresy in the church (2 Timothy 4:1-4). d) Movement toward a one world religion (Revelation 17). e) Persecution of true believers (Matthew 24:9-10; Mark 13:9,11-13; and Luke 21:12-19). f) Outbreak of demonic and occultic activity (1 Timothy 4:1). 2) Positive Signs a) Outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28-29). b) Revival of Davidic worship (1 Chronicles 16:1-39; Psalm 150; and Amos 9:11). (music playing, singing, dancing, arm waving praise worship) c) Worldwide evangelism (Matthew 24:14 and Mark 13:10). d) Understanding of Bible prophecy (Daniel 12:4,8-9). IV. World Political Signs 1) Re-establishment of Israel. (Ezekiel 36:22 - 37:1-2; Zechariah 12:1-6; Matthew 24:32-34; Mark 13:28- 30; and Luke 21:29-31). 2) Arab hostility toward Israel (Ezekiel 35:1 - 36:7). 3) Russia as a menacing power to Israel (Ezekiel 38:1 - 39:16). 4) Asian nations capable of fielding an army of 200 million (Revelation 9:15-16 and 16:12). 5) Wars and rumors of wars (Matthew 24:6-7; Mark 13:7-8; and Luke 21:10). 6) Kingdom against kingdom -- that is, civil wars and ethnic wars (Matthew 24:7; Mark 13:8; and Luke 21:10). 7) Reunification of Europe (Daniel 2:41-44, 7:8, 24-25, and 9:26). 8) Movement toward a one world economy (Revelation 18). V. Technological Signs 1) Nuclear weapons (weapons of mass destruction) (Matthew 24:22; Luke 21: 25-26; and Revelation 6:8, 8:7 and 16: 2-). 2) Television and satellite transmission (Revelation 11:3-12). 3) Robotics/Cloning (Revelation 13:14-15). 4) Computer /Laser technology (Revelation 13:16-18). 5) High speed transportation (Daniel 12:4). VI. The Accelerator Sign 1) Population explosion (Revelation 9: 15-16 and 16:12). 2) Increase in knowledge (Dan-iel 12:4). 3) Increase in violence (Matthew 24:12). 4) Increase in transportation (Daniel 12:4). 5) Rapid disintegration of society (1 Timothy 3:1-4). 6) Signs in general to be like birth pangs' that is, increasing in frequency and intensity (Matthew 24:8). VII. Signs of Israel 1) Regathering of the people (Isaiah 11:10-12 and Ezekiel 37:1-12). 2) Re-establishment of the state (Isaiah 66:7-8; Zechariah 12:1-6; and Matthew 24:32-35). 3) Reclamation of the land (Isaiah 35:1-2,7 and Ezekiel 36:34-35). 4) Revival of the Hebrew language (Zephaniah 3:9). 5) Resurgence of the military (Zechariah 12:6) 6) Refocusing of world politics on Israel (Zechariah 12:2-3). 7) Reoccupation of Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:2-6). God never pours out His wrath without warning because "He does not wish that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). Jesus said that when we see all these signs come together, He will be "right at the door," ready to return (Matthew 24: 33)
I - Nature has only been studied in the past 150 years. There is no true strength to this. II- I would believe things have gotten better than worse. All of this has been here since day one. III- Once again, we have had this from the beginning of times. IV -I would have to check some of these scriptures. I never heard of a couple of these. Wars and rumors of wars/Civil wars have been around since the beginning of times. #2 Everyone is hostile towards the jews since the beginning of times. V-Never heard of these. I would have to read these scriptures VI-As the world grows, this is to be expected? #5 - Once again, we seen worse days on this planet as a whole. #6 - ?????? VII-If it weren't for this, I would not believe in "the last days". My mom is all into the End Time. I was raised this way. your VII is the only thing that holds true credibility that we are in The Last Days. I don't want there to be peace in the middle east but THERE WILL BE PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST! When this time comes, be aware. Be ready! Armageddon is around the corner.
I looked up some Bible verses with this site: http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible? 8) Movement toward a one world economy (Revelation 18). Couldn't find anything about it. Says merchants who had been profiting richly would no longer profit. V. Technological Signs 1) Nuclear weapons (weapons of mass destruction) (Matthew 24:22; Luke 21: 25-26; and Revelation 6:8, 8:7 and 16: 2-). From Luke: That sounds like they are talking about the Coming itself, not nukes. 2) Television and satellite transmission (Revelation 11:3-12). Television? 4) Revival of the Hebrew language (Zephaniah 3:9). I at least understand what the appeal is, but it seems a stretch to say 'purify the lips' has something to do with the particular language they are speaking. It seems to me it has more to do with the things they have to say. Obviously, some of these prophecies really are in the Bible, but others seem like quite a reach. Some I posted here (and others I didn't bother to) I would read and couldn't even find what they were stretching to reach the conclusion. It seems to me that these interpretations are working backwards: 1) End Times are near. 2) We have satellites. 3) There must be a passage somewhere that alludes to satellites existing near the End Times.
There have been doom predictors and naysayers from time immemorial, and not all of them were Christians. The most telling thing about all these portents and warnings is that the men writing these things nearly 2000 years ago thought the "end times" were, you know, really really *nigh*. They saw all of these signs occurring contemporaneously with their writings. I don't think any of them assumed that God's creation would even last long enough for us to be debating this subject. So how can the Book of Revelations still be relevant? Also (this isn't very flattering, but it's a thought), keep in mind that literate, ascetic Christians were the most devout part of an internally divided, relatively recent, obscure new religion... how do you win converts and save lots of souls? Write some amazing, frothy stuff which will scare both your followers and the heathens. Ta-dah! Book of Revelations, among other things. (By the way, of *course* they're going to be obsessed with the political/religious problems in the Middle East. They're *from* the Middle East! Where *else* would they see all these immensely significant things happening?)
Space Ghost - I- VI - Matthew 24:8 talks about all these things happening with increased intensity. Think of a woman in labor having contractions. They are more frequent when she is about to give birth. So all these things may have existed, but will be more evident and more frequent as the end times draw near. Of course this may be due to the increase in population and newer technology. (II- I'm not sure you're right on a global scale.) JuanValdez - I apologize. I got lazy and my presentation isn't that great. I put some key words/phrases that I interpreted them as instead of more generic/correct interpretations (longer explanations = more typing). I wasn't sure how interested everyone would be, so I left clarification to further discussion. Sorry I'm lazy. 8) Movement toward a one world economy (Revelation 18) - I was actually thinking about Iraq(Babylon) having an industry that other people would really care about if it suddenly ceased to exist. (oil/terrorism) So I guess the title should read "Iraq is going to bite it, and people will take notice financially." V. Technological Signs 1) Nuclear weapons (weapons of mass destruction) I'm more focused on Luke 21:26 than verse 27 for that selection. So I guess the title should read, "Something that will make men faint in terror". 2) Television and satellite transmission - I'm focused on Rev 11:9. So the title should be, "Technology that will allow the whole world to see someone at one time", unless you believe they'll be mummified and go on a world tour, then the title would be, "Time when whole world sadisticly celebrates death of two preachers". 4) Revival of the Hebrew language (Zephaniah 3). - Now that I reread it with the addition of your insight, I believe you're right. When the Jews were dispersed (Diaspora) the Hebrew language was mixed with whatever local language they were exposed to. (Russian, Polish, English, etc.) it was not until recently they revived the use of the Hebrew language. So your logic on this is right. Thank you for making me reread that chapter. It encourages me about the fate of Jerusalem. Keep in mind when these things were written. Could they really imagine the type of technology or hugeness of the world population? So again, some of those interpretations were my interpretations and should have been described differently. So let's discuss the other problems you had. It would help me out. dimsie - Hi, how are you doing? Please enlighten me on what these new Christians of an obscure new religion had to gain from growing their church on lies? Death and persecution? Do you really think they were "suicide preachers"?
Some folks claim the prophesy concerning 'one world economy' came true with the creation of the Euro-dollar.
End of time, this is funny stuff guys keep it up. Make baseless predictions on a book that was written by man to explain things he did not understand. Brilliant. DaDakota
Funny, the most persuasive case I ever read concerning revelations argued that it was political allegory for Roman persecution... ...according to doom-sayers, the world has been close to its end for nigh on... well, probably since humans have been making predictions. Yet it hasn't happened yet, and I find it unlikely that these doomsayers are more right than any others.
DaDakota - I think you should have worded your criticism as "Interpret a book written by a man trying to explain baseless predictions he did not understand". At least it would be logical and accurate. JayZ750- Demographers estimate that the population of the world at the time of Christ was only 200 million. It took 1,650 years for the world's population to double. But thereafter it began to double very rapidly because the Industrial Revolution produced modern medicine, which, in turn, reduced infant mortality rates and increased longevity. Time of Christ -- 200 million 1,650 years to 1650 AD -- 500 million 200 years to 1850 AD -- 1.3 billion 100 years to 1950 AD -- 2.5 billion 30 years to 1980 AD -- 4.5 billion 20 years to now > 6 billion As the statistics indicate, the rate of doubling has now reached exponential proportions. So, yeah, I do think it's funny they could have imagined a 200 million man army anywhere in the world at that time.
dimsie -- just my personal view...but...you can can call the apostles idiots, but I don't believe you can call them liars. most of these men suffered severe hardships and many suffered death. They didn't run from this...instead they embraced it. They saw him crucified, and no one stepped up...he was crucified alone (at least among his followers -- none of them went to death with him)...but then they saw something (or at least thought they saw something) and they took actions that changed the course of history. They went around the known world preaching and teaching about what they were a witness to. They might have been foolish...they might have been fools...I doubt quite seriously they simply made all this up. People don't typically willingly go to their deaths for things they know are lies. Hell, in recent polls on this very website, it seems few people would willingly go to their deaths for things they know to be truths.
I believe they considered themselves to be telling the truth... but they weren't really... they couldn't be. While Mark, Matthew, and Luke are all fairly similar... they do contain several contradictions of fact (not theology, but fact). John is completely out in left-field. Paul represents not only different facts, but a totally different theological truth. Much of the great debate in theology today is over synoptic Christianity versus Pauline Christianity. These differences came from the fact that they all wanted to prove something different through the life of Jesus... and they distorted facts a bit to fit their interpretation. Not necessarily intentionall.. but sub-consciously. Mark is probably the most reliable - he was more of a historian. Luke wanted to show Jesus' links to the outcasts. Matthew wanted to link him to the traditional Jewish beliefs. John wanted to demonstrate his divinity. Would it be possible to simply emphasize these different elements? Yes, they're not mutually exclusive. But when contradiction, occurs... well, oops. For more on contradictions... check out a book by Clayton Sullivan... he's a Southern Baptist minister, so he can't be accused of being a crazy liberal unbeliever . He catalogued several hundred factual contradictions. I'm not sure if one is "lying" if one's subconscious distorts the past to fit one's perspective... but it's close.
Given the difficulty our current demographers have in estimating the population, I don't see how anyone back then, with very limited means, were able to gauge how many people were in the world. For all they know, they could have thought that there were already 100 million people in Asia, etc. The fact that they chose a specific continent makes it even more ridiculous. Why not Africa? Why not Europe?
haven -- haven't we been through this before??? the books aren't entirely similar. they were written at least 30 years after the events took place by different people separated (at that point) by thousands of miles. what's remarkable is that they are even remotely similar!!! let's say an event happened today that you, Jeff, rimbaud and I all witnessed. don't you think 30 years later we would have different remembrances of it??? don't you think we might be off on exactly where some certain event happened??? or how many other people were there with us??? example: a lady at church last week got a new car...she's an older lady. i asked her, "so what kind of car did you get?" she said, "a red one!" "A red one?? what kind, though??", I asked. She said..."I don't know...one of those Japanese cars...anyway, it was red!!" I thought that was hilarious...to her it was important that the car was red...that was the information that was important to her. But ask her husband and he could tell you make, model and what he paid for it. Ask their son, a mechanic, and he could tell you all about the engine in it...but he might not remember what color it was. These were human beings, though divinely inspired I believe, writing these accounts. They were certainly influenced by their own personalities. You and I talk quite differently about baseball...you're a numbers guy...stats are hugely important to you. Stats aren't unimportant to me, but I'm more interested in following players through the emotional ups and downs of a season...it's those things that I pay attention to. Ask us both to write a story, just off our own memory, of the 2001 Houston Astros, and they would look vastly different, though the spirit of the message would certainly be intact. And there are certain highlight items of the season that would probably look identical in each of our accounts...but there would be inherent differences. I don't believe these guys altered facts intentionally to fit the story they way they wanted it to be...I believe they were unique individuals, specifically chosen by God to tell His story in different ways...to some people the royal conqueror imagery in John is moving..to others the suffering servant imagery of other gospels is moving...the Holy Spirit works through those accounts.
There's a difference between somewhat different and contradictory. Here is the key: if they were completely "true," contradictions could not exist. A statement's truth value is either T or F. Hence, of two contradictory statements, one must be false. But one of is still write and another is wrong. And in matters of truthness or falseness, one was right and the other was wrong. heh... I follow players, too . I liek the stats in addition. I'm very emotionally attached to my Astros . (and yes, I used the word my... though you're welcome to have them, too!) Hehe... the peculiar thing ab out you and I, is we always disagree on less than it seems. I don't believe they intentionally changed a word. I think that when you approach things differently, memory has a way of playing tricks. Like those studies, in which people are shown an image. Some people are simply asked to describe it. Others are giving leading questions. The people with leading questions usually tend to gradually convince themselves of the truth of the lead. I don't think that they "intentionally" lied. And I don't even think the contradictiosn prove that the Gospels were falese. Refer to the pastor Clayton Sullivan . I just think that it proves that you can't take them word-for-word as truth.
haven -- i will readily admit that the books have certain contradictions about certain details...they do not contradict the message of christ, however...they do not contradict the resurrection...you are right that we can assume one is "right" and one is "wrong"...you might even assume that none are "perfectly right" while also saying none are "perfectly wrong." do i make sense??? i mean, it's possible that event a didn't happen exactly the way any of them described it...maybe it happened at some other place, at some other time, in front of another group of people.. i was at the championship game when the rockets won in 94 and 95...i get the details of some of my experiences at both of those games mixed up some times...and i'm sure the friends i was with at both might remember different things...but we know we had fun...we know the rockets were the champs...that's the essence of the story.
