So you think we are in the end times? Very possible that is correct. Certainly seems like end times, but then again I am not the first person that has thought they were in the end times, when they were not. Time will tell I guess.
It’s very close to going home time!
I thought his book "The Islamic Antichrist" was very thought-provoking.
I have always been taught this.
When I was a kid, I would get bored during the sermon and read the Bible. Even as a child I figured out that it was talking about the Persian Empire and then Alexander.
Actually I think it says later who they were but I had already figured it out.
I believe Daniel’s time of the “end” is the same thing as the “day of the Lord” other prophets mention. Christ also uses the term in a specific way in the Olivet Discourse in answer to His disciples’ questions about the “end.” Christ specifically references Daniel when mentioning the abomination of desolation.
It is important to distinguish certain prophetic events: Daniel’s seventieth week, the beginning of sorrows, the Great Tribulation, the Day of the Lord / the End.
The Great Tribulation begins when Satan is cast out of Heaven by Michael in the middle of Daniel’s seventieth week. At that time, the antichrist will proclaim himself to be God and force the world to worship him. He will launch the greatest persecution of God’s people in history, but his efforts will fail because of God’s supernatural intervention, culminating in signs in the heavens, forcing all of the inhabitants of the world to take shelter underground. Christ will then gather His elect and unleash an ever-increasing sequence of judgments, mostly by fire, on those who remain on the earth. This is the second coming and the Day of the Lord.
The signs in the heavens, including the return of Christ, mark the end of the Great Tribulation and the onset of the Day of the Lord. These signs clearly take place at the end based on the Olivet Discourse. But they also fulfill Joel’s prophecies which show these same signs must happen BEFORE the Day of the Lord.
That the Day of the Lord is distinct and separate from the Great Tribulation is also supported by the fact that the antichrist exalts himself during the Great Tribulation, but in the Day of the Lord, only the Lord will be exalted.
While there are many things difficult to be understood in prophecy, it’s practical application is very important. We must watch expectantly AND wait patiently for Christ’s return. When we understand that persecution is normative for Christians, we can see how it is also to be expected that we will face the antichrist before Christ’s return. Those who are convinced otherwise may have their faith shaken when their expectation of Christ’s return to happen first (being taken out of the world before these things happen) turns out to be incorrect.
Here is my take. End times prophesy is interesting, but that’s about it. There is far too much speculation from far too many different groups. And they are all vastly different, and yet similar. I know TONS of people who were convinced during the Obama years, that it was the end times. Shoot, I even knew a guy who moved to New Zealand to escape the judgement coming to America. He’s in Texas somewhere now years later. I feel and always felt that opinion is extremely self-centered and foolish. It makes them, America, and it’s politics the center of the world.
It’s a Christians job to prepare for Christs second coming and expect persecution. To maintain the faith unto death if necessary. People can have all their speculation they want, until Kingdom literally comes. It doesn’t matter.
As it was in the days of Noah and the days of Lot, so shall it be, Jesus said.
The wicked were the ones taken, “the fire came and destroyed them all.”
The righteous were protected and remained.
Also, the Lord shall descend at the last trump scripture says. There are 7 trumpets in Revelation. Much happens during the 6 trumpets. The Lord descends at the last or 7th trumpet.
Paul says he was “caught up” to the third heaven. Yet, he was still on the earth. His spirit was caught up to a heavenly place. Shall those who remain be “caught up” in spirit to meet those who are coming back to earth with the Lord to rule and reign? And so shall we ever be with the Lord.