My assessment of recent events in the Muslim world related to end times

self | 06/26/2014 | RaceBannon

[RaceBannon]

My assessment of recent events in the Muslim world related to end times prophesies and the nation of Israel. Each Christian tries to see his generation and it's comparison to end times prophesies. Since my childhood, the writings of Hal Lindsay seemed to rule in Christian thought, the teachings of the rapture and the teachings of the Soviet Union invading Israel in the end times along with an Islamic invasion by Egypt, Syria, Iran, Ethiopia and Libya. The presence of Israel in the land was the final identifier for most Christians that the end times are upon us, so all events relating to Israel hold the attention dearly, with those nations mentioned by reference or name in Daniel and Ezekiel. Among the comparisons of scripture with world events were the alignment of nations and peace treaties, comparing scripture with that event, what the possible meaning was and what the possible next step was. Because of the capture of Jerusalem in 1967 and the Temple Mount being in Israeli hands for the first time since the Diaspora, Bible readers and those who studied Eschatology were aroused in their attention and natural prognosticating.

[redleghunter]

World events certainly have changed since the Hal Lindsey days and I don’t recall that islam was even considered a player in the end times scenarios in those days.

Lindsey looked at the 70s and 80s and the ongoing cold war and made his (and others did too) assumptions on end times prophecy. Thats fine as long as folks don't say "this IS how it will happen." If they do, then they go down the road of the Harold Campings of the world. Discredited false teachers.

Last year when there was an online Christian discussion forum getting hot over rapture before, during or after tribulation; and who/what is Gog, MaGog etc. and if that happens before other certain prophetic events, I decided to look at what the 'old guys' thought before the late 19th Century dispensationalists penned their works.

What I found is not many focused on prophetic events other than to point out the tribulation would happen, Christ will gather His bride, and His Kingdom would be established forever. I noted that the well known types like John Gill, Matthew Henry and others 'used' prophecy to further the Gospel of Christ by pointing out judgment would come to those not in Christ Jesus. An important noted event as many of the prophecy ministries out there are no more than current events trackers who point and say 'yep this is it.'

Take a look at the commentaries of Gill and Henry. If I remember correctly, one of them goes into a bit of detail that Gog/Magog=Turkey. Back in their day the 'big bad Turk' was feared as an unknown. Now we see folks going back to pinning the rose on Islam and the imposing geopolitical figure of Turkey. Interesting how these things keep rotating in and out of prophecy circles.

Then take a look at the works of Charles H. Spurgeon. If someone can find a sermon by him going into prophecy I would be interested because I don't think he ever opined on the subject other than Christians would see tribulation like no other time and judgment will come and then Christ will rule on earth. I think that summarizes what Spurgeon opined on and that's it. I think he avoided the prophecy surge in his time and focused on what Christ actually commanded us---Preach the Gospel.

Now does that mean we should not look at these prophecies and teach them as yet to be fulfilled? No of course not, because showing folks the prophecies leads many to the gospel and for those already Christians, it provides us with the command to live pure lives and be watchful and be ready.

So the 'old guys' focused on preaching the Gospel, I think we should too. Can we use prophecy of the coming judgment for those who do not put on Christ to warn them? Sure, I think that is why we are left with so many prophecies already fulfilled and yet to be fulfilled. Should we have Christian Bible studies on prophecy? Of course, because in them is a reminder we are to labor daily for the Gospel of Christ and to remind us to walk in Christ's foot steps and most important to remind us of the Glory that IS to come where we will be with Him forever, Amen!

[RaceBannon]

I doubt there is going to be a mass revival, when mass revivals happen, people get right with God and God heals their land and forgivves them

if that is our state, one of healing, I do not see the anti-christ taking over

I see us as going downhill faster and faster

[Salvation]

“Few Americans hate the Catholic Church,. but millions hate what they think is the Catholic Church.” —Bishop Fulton Sheen

[Gamecock]

He is a fool.

[metmom]

Yeah. That’s the problem I have with the mass revival POV.

God did spare Nineveh when they repented, but it only pushed back the time line. It did not prevent it.

At some point, there will be no more mercy. Some generation or other is going to see what prophecy predicts. While it would be great if there was a mass revival, it will only forestall the inevitable.

IMO, at this point, better to get it over with.

[metmom]

Is that the best you can do? I didn't think so because there is no Scripture verse that names the Catholic church by name. I am constantly made aware of the vast hypocrisy that the Catholic church and Catholics engage in.

Sola Scriptura is disallowed by Catholics because it doesn't say in Scripture in the words they each individually want to hear, that it is the case.

And yet there are scores of Catholic doctrines, disciplines, teachings, whatever you want to call them, that are not named by name in Scripture that the Catholic church teaches as true.

For example, show me in Scripture where the following Catholic teachings are found by name.

catholic

pope

eucharist

sacraments

annulment

assumption

immaculate conception

mass

purgatory

magisterium

infallible

confirmation

crucifix

rosary

mortal sin

venial sin

perpetual virginity

apostolic succession

indulgences

hyperdulia

catechism

real presence

transubstantiation

liturgy

And then explain to me why exactly, sola Scriptura is not valid.....

[Gamecock]

Me! I know!!!

Because if they admit Sola Scripture is valid the entire Roman Catholic system goes down the tubes. They like the system as is because it helps them control people and makes their god managable.

[steve86]

And then explain to me why exactly, sola Scriptura is not valid.....

That's easy. Because Scripture doesn't explicitly include by name the above Catholic teachings.

[metmom]

How does that answer the question?

If those teachings are acceptable to the RCC without being named by name, then why is sola Scritpura disallowed BECAUSE it is not named by name?

If SS is disallowed because it’s not explicitly spelled out in Scritpura and named by name, then why do those Catholic doctrines get a pass?

[boatbums]

But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (II Peter 3:8,9)

[boatbums]

Vaticanus Mons (or Vaticanus Collis[6]) was most often a name in Classical Latin for the Janiculum.[7] Cicero uses the plural form Vaticani Montes in a context that seems to include the modern Vatican Hill as well as the Monte Mario and the Janiculan hill.[8]

The Vaticanum or Campus Vaticanus was originally a level area between the Vaticanus Mons and the Tiber. During the Republican era, it was an unwholesome site frequented by the destitute.[9] Caligula and Nero used the area for chariot exercises, as at the Gaianum, and renewal was encouraged by the building of the Circus of Nero, also known as the Circus Vaticanus or simply the Vaticanum. The location of tombs near the Circus Vaticanus is mentioned in a few late sources.[10]

Vaticanus Mons came to refer to the modern Vatican Hill as a result of calling the whole area the "Vatican" (Vaticanum) through its identification with the circus. Christian usage of the name was spurred by the martyrdom of St. Peter there.[11] Beginning in the early 4th century AD, construction began on the Old St. Peter's Basilica[12] over a cemetery that is the traditional site of St. Peter's tomb. Around this time, the name Vaticanus Mons was established in its modern usage, and the Janiculum hill was distinguished from it as the Ianiculensis Mons.

Another cemetery nearby was opened to the public on 10 October 2006 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Vatican Museums.[13]

Christian history
The Vatican Hill was included within the city limits of Rome during the reign of Pope Leo IV, who, between 848 and 852, expanded the city walls to protect St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican. Thus, Vatican Hill has been within the walls and city limits of Rome for over 1100 years. Until the Lateran Treaties in 1929 it was part of the Rione of Borgo.

Before the Avignon Papacy (1305–1378), the headquarters of the Holy See were located at the Lateran Palace. After the Avignon Papacy the church administration moved to Vatican Hill and the papal palace was (until 1871) the Quirinal Palace, upon the Quirinal Hill. Since 1929, part of the Vatican Hill is the site of the State of the Vatican City. However, the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope, is not St. Peter's in the Vatican, but Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, which is extra-territorially linked, as indicated in the Lateran Pacts signed with the Italian state in 1929, with the Holy See. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vatican_Hill

[Karl Spooner]

I can see God making one last effort to spare people from the horrors of the tribulation, but am not sure of what Scriptural support there is for that. Metmon

What I initially thought would be a fairly quick occurrence once we hit the new millennium I perceive now that while it is at the doorstep, God is giving people plenty of opportunity and time to open their eyes and their hearts before it all takes place... Iscool

Good communications you guys! God is so patient with those that he created.

[Karl Spooner]

“Few Americans hate the Catholic Church,. but millions hate what they think is the Catholic Church.” —Bishop Fulton Sheen

That the numbers game, which is where Satan is doing a good job. No problem, have a nice trip.

[Iscool]

Muslims worship the God of Abraham. As do Jews. Both reject Christ. Their understanding of the nature of God as Trinity is imperfect. Christ came for all, even those who "don't get it".

Apparently that's what your Church tells you but that is not what Jesus teaches in the scriptures...Those who 'don't get it' won't get it...They'll burn in hell for eternity...Imperfect understanding??? Not at all...It's called total rejection...

[Iscool]

Christ founded the Church right after his Resurrection as he breathed on the Apostles and made the first bishops to forgive and bind sin.

I find it puzzling that Non-Catholics selectively do not believe this from the Bible.

You post obscure scripture but then reject scripture that is crystal clear...

1Jn_1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

There is no priest anywhere who can stop Jesus from forgiving any sins that anyone commits...

Joh_5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

And that is more clear scripture that convinces us to reject anything put out by your religion that contradicts this scripture and hundreds of others...

Now you know why we don't accept your religion's false interpretation of scripture...

[CynicalBear]

I agree Race. There is no “revival” coming, only a “falling away”.

[CynicalBear]

>> I can see God making one last effort to spare people from the horrors of the tribulation, but am not sure of what Scriptural support there is for that.<<

There is no scriptural support for that. There is however support for a “falling away” prior.

2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Things will get worse and worse from now on. “Religions” will draw closer and closer to agreement or compromise until there is just one recognized religion.

[Starstruck]

If Mitt Romney is elected president in 2016, I will tell you about the end of times.