Posted on 04/06/2021 12:23:35 PM PDT by inpajamas
Firstly, by any standard of reasoning, whether it involves spiritual understandings, or knowledge of physical things, the logical conclusion for both believers, and nonbelievers in God is that the world as we know it in its present state, is temporal. At some point, whether it is near or very very far off, as surely as there was a beginning, there shall be an end. Indeed, and this reality holds even truer for the believer, who comprehends things by both spiritual understandings of the scriptures, and from a stand point of science and the physical realities of the universe.
Therefore, there should be almost no disagreement among reasonable parties that there is at some point an end to the present world as it is. For most secularists, there is no fixed time for the end, other than the ever changing arbitrary time frames assigned, in which all of humanity must act collectively if there is any hope at all to save the planet and the life forms on it. Accordingly, if we all surrender our lives and individualism to a global authority ruled, “scientifically”, by elite rulers, we shall be saved. However, should we resist, both we and our planet shall be destroyed. In essence, this is a Marxist inspired gospel of salvation which is dependent upon faith in elitist overlords for salvation.
On the other hand, there is the believer in God. The believer in most cases espouses that the end is known and fixed by God. Jesus said: “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only”. Nevertheless, almost immediately from the time of Christ’s ministry on earth, false prophets and teachers began espousing doctrines and beliefs detailing the end time, even going so far in many cases as to assign dates; which, for the most part, both they and their “prophesies” are now expired.
It is not for us to know exact times, but, it is given to those to whom it appertains to know the seasons, but only in the time given for their manifestation. When the disciples asked Jesus if he was at that time going to restore the kingdom again to Israel. He said unto them, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power”.
The specific time and season they had inquired about regarding the restoration of Israel and his coming did not pertain to them at that moment; for it would not be until 1948 that Israel would again regain sovereignty. Therefore, it was not given them to know, being that the ministries given them were to build the church and feed the flock.
Nonetheless, Jesus told them of signs that would precede the appearance of the things they had inquired about, followed by a command to watch and pray, that they be not taken unawares. It becomes evident then, that the seasons would be revealed in their own time; for he concludes by saying, “And what I say unto you I say unto all, watch.”
Daniel was given a book which also contained revelations of the end time, and being instructed was told: “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased”.
Of those revelations, Daniel inquired saying: “And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?” And what was the answer to Daniel concerning this matter? “...Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
So then, the wise shall understand; but all things in their own time.
But one may say, haven’t many of the signs given been of things that have almost always been present in the world down through history, such as pestilence, wars, and earthquakes? Indeed, but in the last days there will an increase. And it is also important that we understand what period of time the “Last Days” refers to; for the term has come to be both broadly or narrowly applied to different time frames.
Obviously, the end of the time frame would be, the end. Therefore, it is the beginning point that would be very important in determining an approximate length of the period of time spoken of. However, because the term, “last days”, is applied by users in different context, it is key we understand the term in the same context as applied in the scriptures.
What then do the scriptures say? In the Bible we are given a point of, or one very near, the beginning of the “Last Days” as understood by disciples of Christ. And this is confirmed by multiple witness.
In Acts chapter two, on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the followers of Christ which had gathered together in Jerusalem, and they began to speak in different tongues. As onlookers marveled in amazement and doubt, Peter addressed them explaining the meaning of what was taking place, and said:
“...[T]his is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Peter declared at that point in time, according to Joel’s prophesy, they were living in the last days. Being then, that point of time is now approaching nearer to a two thousand year anniversary, we can see a greater period of time, other than a brief period beginning near the end, being designated as the, “Last Days”, or, the “Last Time”.
The Book of Hebrews confirms this as it opens by proclaiming the time then present as being, “in these last days”:
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds…” – Hebrews 1
To this attests other writers of the scripture including Paul in his epistles. Jude speaks in regards to the end time as being an age with his admonishment, saying,
“But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.”
Take note of the use of the singular form, “last time”, as denoting an age. John also uses the singular form when writing in his first epistle to his disciples:
“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that anti-Christ shall come, even now are there many anti-Christs; whereby we know that it is the last time.”
John says clearly, “it is the last time”, signifying entrance into a new and final age. Thus, New Testament authors believed the last time had already begun, they were living in it, and spoke in terms of that age culminating with the coming of Christ.
Hereto, the objective has been to establish an age: the last age, a period of time beginning in the first part of the First Century AD, and ongoing for what now is almost two thousand years.
But is there then a specific event mentioned in the Bible that would signify the beginning of the last age? We read in Hebrews that God spoke in times past by his servants the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us through his own Son, the Word of God. The last age therefore is a spiritual age of the Word of God; “...[T]he words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” – John 6:63.
Peter’s statement during Pentecost citing the prophet Joel makes clear that the last age had begun. Therefore, the change of the ages would have occurred on Pentecost with the gift of the Holy Spirit, or before. The Resurrection of Christ from the dead, which was about fifty days before Pentecost, is most certainly another important event in bringing in of the age of the Spirit; for the resurrected Christ became the first born from the dead, and of many brethren when he rose the third day.
And there is yet another interesting event recorded in the scriptures in reference to John the Baptist which marks a changing of the times. Matthew and Luke both make mention of this division of time referring to a statement made by Jesus. We read in Luke 16:16, where Jesus said: “The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached...” (KJV).
When John baptized Jesus he gave witness saying: “...I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.” If then, the law and the prophets were until John—although it was the resting of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus that marked the greater event—what followed from that point? Notwithstanding, counting two thousand years from any of those events would have us approaching a two thousand year anniversary. All things are certainly to be revealed in their time.
If we are indeed now in the end time, which is nearing two thousand years since Christ’s ministry on earth, what were the ages prior? To address that, a continuation of this writing will be necessary to cover details; for the length of time of each age needs to be established. Therefore, in Part Two, signs and scripture, with additional evidence, will be set forth establishing a six thousand year time frame—six thousand years, consisting of three ages, each age consisting of two thousand years; and each two thousand years consisting of two one thousand year periods, corresponding to each day of the six days of creation in the Book of Genesis before God rested on the final seventh day.
All of God’s work was completed in six days. On the seventh day God rested from all his works; not that he was tired, but in that he was finished. No work was done on the seventh day; God declared it the Sabbath. Understanding the scriptures from this perspective creates a picture of biblical history, not just a past history from the beginning until now, but of the world from beginning to end: A world six thousand years from start to finish; and at the end, the Seventh Day.
Reiterating the words spoken to Daniel:
“...Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.”
And so it is; that to the wise, upon whom the time of the end is now come, it is given, not to know the day or hour, but to know the season and proximity of Christ’s coming.
.
For your end times ping list.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.