Are These the End Times? (Newsweek Interviews Tim LaHaye)

Newsweek ^ | August 2, 2006 | Brian Braker

[rightwingintelligentsia]

When Tim LaHaye talks, the faithful listen—by the millions. The conservative Protestant minister is the coauthor of the wildly popular apocalyptic “Left Behind” novels. The controversial books, which have sold more than 60 million copies, depict the biblical end of the world: the Christian eschatology of the upheaval that precedes the second coming of Jesus Christ, known also as “end times.” LaHaye recently spoke with NEWSWEEK’s Brian Braiker about why he believes the events currently unfolding in the Middle East reflect biblical prophesy.

[Quix]

EXTREMELY EXCELLENT, BIBLICAL AND WISE POINTS, BRO. THANKS TONS.

I think I'll keep my peace rather than pontificating beyond what your excellent words have said. God knows His own. And He knows the attitudes and Spirit HE wants HIS KIDS to walk in.

[Quix]

You seem to be inferring a decrease in hours, then?

Thanks much.

[Just mythoughts]

Consider there are prophecies given in days and in months, one references the solar and the other the lunar.

Christ said specifically that the *days* would be shortened.

[tang-soo]

Christ specifically warned that we're not entitled to know when He's going to return.

By the way, the name is Dr. LaHaye and yes, Christ said we will not know the day or the hour, not even He would know the time but only The Father. Many people quote that passage and miss the point by implying it is usless to consider the timing of the "coming day." Of course we are not to claim to be able to set a date, however, this passage from Mark 13 ...

28) Now learn this lesson from the fig tree:

29) Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.

30) I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.

31) Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

32) "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

33)Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.

It's clear that the fig tree metaphor strongly implies that we should recognize the "season" as it approaches. Like my Bible Study leader says, "It's time to get ready and to get others ready!". That's the important message.

Many point to war as the leading factor of End Times and as you rightly say, there have been larger catostrophic times than these days. However, there are many other factors that are significant such as 1) Israel is in the land - Ezekiel 37, 2) Only the last few decades have we had world-wide communication that would allow the simultaneous worldwide observation of the two witnesses

For three and a half days men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. Revelation 11:9 (NIV).

3) The Gospel approaching worldwide proliferation for the first time "The Gospel will be heard by every tribe", 4)Nahum 2 says

The chariots storm through the streets,
rushing back and forth through the squares.
They look like flaming torches;
they dart about like lightning

Sounds like modern day travel to me.

5) Never has Paul's words to Timothy about men loving themselves been more true, 6) A great usage of Sorcery (actually in the original Greek Pharmacia or Drugs), and 7) The Earth is literally groaning with "birth pangs" awaiting the coming of Christ. This is a sign representing increasing frequency and magnitude (just like giving birth - so I'm told) that foretells the coming event. I'm no geologist but I've been told the number of severe earthquakes have dramatically increased over the last 50-60 years (and this takes into account the enhanced technology that detects earthquakes).

I too would critisize a "date setter", however, I would be just as critical of one who says we should not seek out and recognize the coming time. Just my $0.02.

[Quix]

So, then, you're inferring fewer days than would otherwise be the case?

[tang-soo]

IF the Antichrist were to appear in this day and age - is that he isn't going to be a Muslim.

Daniel Chapter 9 (See my tag line) implies he is either genetically or politically Roman ...

The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary... Daniel 9:26 NIV

According to the prophecy, this happened in 70 AD by the hands of the Romans. There are other passages in the OT that implies he will be Assyrian.

[P-Marlowe]

I too would critisize a "date setter", however, I would be just as critical of one who says we should not seek out and recognize the coming time. Just my $0.02.

I've always been a consistent "date setter". If anyone says he's going to come back on a date certain, you can be certain that he will not come back on that date. Jesus said that he comes at a time when ye think not. So if you think so, then I think not.

So when everyone has pretty much given up on the idea that he's going to be coming, then he will come as a thief. Just my $.02. :-)

[Quix]

GREAT POINTS.

REGARDING A KEY END TIMES SIGN:

BTW, my pastor just returned recently from a visit to Albuquerque and a pastor's meeting with Hosanna music org and the--I think--American Bible society who are collaborating to get wind-up/solar MP3 players with Scriptures in their language. If my memory serves me right, they expect to have 96% or more of the remaining people groups without a Bible--to have at least major portions of The Bible within 8-12 years. They calculate it will take $25,000 to provide one people group with the Scriptures orally in their language--rather essential since many such groups have no written language and most individuals would be illiterate anyway.

A wonderful serendipity thing . . . they group requires that the people group/tribe

CHOOSE THE PERSON OF PEACE--WHO IN THE TRIBE IS KNOWN AS A "PERSON OF PEACE" AND THAT PERSON IS THEN CONTRACTED TO HOST ONCE A WEEK 1 HOUR OR SO OF LISTENING TO THE BIBLE ORALLY AND 1 HOUR OR SO DISCUSSING IT.

They discovered that just doing that--in one case, going back a year later--there were 60+ quality churches already up and going just from the Scriptures and Holy Spirit leading the people from The Scriptures.

PRAISE GOD!

[Just mythoughts]

Yes much fewer days. Look at the reference to *days* of Noah used by Christ. Matthew 24:37-39

Notice how much of the sign of His return is about deception, now in spiritual terms what would be the worst possible deception for a Christian?

[Seamoth]

And, if the Whore of Babylon does exist, his wife is it.

Then, you have his prophet that spreads his words everywhere and pumps the crowds up like there's no tomorrow, Michael Moore.

Helen Thomas is the king of locusts in Revelation chapter 9.

It all fits.

[Quix]

Interesting.

I think my bias is that The Lord still wants those who earnestly and faithfully truly love Him . . . to be alert, prepared, ready and not caught by surprise all that much.

We shall see.

For now, off to bed.

Thanks all for your comments. . . . till another day.

[tang-soo]

The ironic thing is that for all of LaHaye's insistence on literalism, the word "rapture" doesn't appear ANYWHERE in the Bible.

This comes from I Thessalonians 4:17

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

The original Greek word for "caught up" or more acurately "snatched up" is Harpotso (spelling) which was translated into the Latin Vulgate as Raptos or Raptured. So yes, you can say "Rapture is not in the Bible", but only in the same way you could say "The word 'city' is not in the Bible" ie not in the original Greek. The concept of Rapture certainly is in the Bible.

[Seamoth]

Notice how much of the sign of His return is about deception, now in spiritual terms what would be the worst possible deception for a Christian?

Not sure... care to elaborate?

[tang-soo]

The belief in a literal 144,000 sounds an awful lot like the Jehovah's witnesses (Michael Jackson's religion).

You must mean the Russelites. Why would you discount the literal interpretation of Revelation when the Bible says what it means, and means what is says (to quote Chuck Missler)? Why dismiss the literal 12000 from each named tribe because of a crackpot several centries later claimed it as his own?

[tang-soo]

While you are at it, read Revelations

A minor pick, but one that irks me. The name of the book is Revelation. As it says in Chapter 1, there is one Revelation given by The Father to The Son.

[tang-soo]

You can listen to all twelve volumes of the Left Behind Series in dramatic audio (free) here.

[tang-soo]

It's what we do for others that counts

No, it's our faith in Him that counts and that only.

8) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

9) not by works, so that no one can boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9

God treats our self-rightousness as filthy rags (litearlly in the Hebrew - menstrual rags)

All of us have become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;
we all shrivel up like a leaf,
and like the wind our sins sweep us away - Isaiah 64:6

[Just mythoughts]

Christ said over and over again do not be deceived, so what is the *deception*? For a Christian that would be to follow another christ the instead of christ or what is commonly called the *anti-christ*, the pretender, the one that shows up first claiming to be Christ.

If Christians think they are not going to have to go through that tribulation cause they are sooooo good they are ripe for a deception of the one that is said will show up first, the pretender, crying Peace, Peace, Peace.

For a Christian to have Christ come as a thief in the night means they think He is already here cause they are no longer watching for His return.

Christ said there will be wars and rumor of wars, fear ye not. So if we are not to fear wars and rumor of wars what is the opposite, big daddy peacemaker.

Obviously the pretender is going to put on a deceptive show else why for the elect's sake would the *days* be shortened.

Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21 all basically tell the signs of His Return.

[Zechariah11]

Bookmark for later. Thanks.

[Liberty Valance]

The End times?"