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Post by Soulfyre on Oct 26, 2004 12:04:24 GMT -5
"What are the signs of your coming, and of the end of this age?" the disciples asked Jesus Christ. This topic will explore what is known as "eschatology", or the doctrine of last things. I hope we will be able to touch on such things as the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the various views on the Millennial Kingdom, what is meant by the "rapture" of the church, and the place of prophecy within the church C'mon on in. Let us learn together as we share with one another! God bless and keep you and yours, Matthew (soulfyre)
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Post by melinky on Oct 26, 2004 19:47:05 GMT -5
This is a topic that both fascinates and perplexes me immensely. It used to scare me to death until I took an in-depth Bible Study last year. I had always felt that when Christ returned all of the "Saved" people would more or less die and their bodies would immediately go to Heaven. That image didn't exactly give me a warm fuzzy feeling.
However, when I read these words, the warm, fuzzy feeling came:
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Post by melinky on Oct 28, 2004 9:14:16 GMT -5
This is probably one of my favorite topics, though I know very little about it. I've done a few searches on the internet and have found so many interpretations of the last days, end of times, rapture, second coming, etc., that it about made my head spin. On one site they have an Armageddon Clock, similar to the doomsday clock, that says we are currently at 3 minutes til midnight. I'm not sure what it means, but I'm ready! raptureready.com/rr-armageddon2.html On another, you can leave an email for someone you feel will be left behind. These emails are supposed to be sent the Friday following the rapture. I'm not sure what, or who is going to trigger their mailing, but I don't plan to be here to find out. www.google.com/url?sa=U&start=5&q=http://www.raptureletters.com/&e=912Some say the end has already begun, that the rapture has already occurred and that millions of people are already missing. Hmmm, I haven't noticed anyone disappearing lately; socks yes, people no. Other sites give dates that have been predicted for Christ to take us away, though some of these dates have passed and others are in the not-to-distant future. Personally, nothing would surprise me. It's going to happen in God's time, when He's ready and not a minute sooner. I've often wondered if God is waiting for something. You know, something like a certain percentage of the population to be saved, a kind of quota. Or does He already have the date set? Perhaps there is a particular alignment of the stars that will facilitate the dramatic events that will besiege the Earth during the days of the Tribulation. But I don't think He needs the stars for that, does He? If He had meant for us to know, He would have explained it to us very precisely; in the manner in which the Law was given to Moses, in the sure words of Paul as he preached to the early church or even from the lips of Christ himself. But this information is enshrouded in symbolism and mystery and it will not be revealed until the time is ripe. In the end, it really doesn't matter much to me. What does matter is that I'm ready, willing and able. My ducks are in a row and I feel confident that I will never awake to the news that millions have suddenly disappeared and no one can explain why. “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”<br>(Rev. 21:1-8, NIV)
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Post by worthily on Dec 29, 2004 7:27:25 GMT -5
has anyone else notice the frequency of natural disasters hitting the world? ive heard we are up to at least 600 per year now with earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tsunami's, volcanic eruptions, and tornadoes. The hystory channel had a special highlighting on this and how its becoming more apparent that the disasters are spacing together instead of distancing apart in comparing the biggest interval then down to intervals of 80yrs, 40yrs, 20yrs ect. In the area of natural disaster, this is abnormally signifigant.
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Post by melinky on Dec 29, 2004 18:09:09 GMT -5
has anyone else notice the frequency of natural disasters hitting the world? ive heard we are up to at least 600 per year now with earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tsunami's, volcanic eruptions, and tornadoes. The hystory channel had a special highlighting on this and how its becoming more apparent that the disasters are spacing together instead of distancing apart in comparing the biggest interval then down to intervals of 80yrs, 40yrs, 20yrs ect. In the area of natural disaster, this is abnormally signifigant. Yes, I too have noticed this, especially considering the earthquake in India over the weekend. Melinda
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