Are We In The End Times?

[Brother-Paul]

@SleepyEdwin

Thank you for adding the prophesy that nation with speak about peace, but there will not be peace.

Message to the brethren, the baptised, born again spirit filled believers in Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (NKJV)
1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.
2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.
8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Matthew 24:3-8 (NKJV)
3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"
4 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you.
5 For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.
6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

- Wars and rumours of wars - there have been more than ever before
- Nation will rise against nation - no one trusts anyone any more. Russia, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, China, North Korea, EU, America, and it is getting worse, it will get worse.
- Famines - they are reported on the news almost weekly
- Pestilences - we now hear of super bugs, echoli, and lots more and anti-biotics are not working.
- Earth quakes - statistically they are on the increase, more than ever year on year since records began, and they are getting stronger.

BUT the End is not yet, these are the birth pains of what is to come, the beginning of sorrows, prophesied for the latter days of the end times.

What do we understand by the scripture, the end times will be as the days of Noah were.

A none believer may think, I remember this from school, there was a flood, hard to believe.

A believer in Christ may think of the flood and about Sodom and Gomorrah.

But when we think about the statement we are blessed to be in this age, As the days of Noah were...

One hundred years ago and more people only had the story of Noah in scripture, today we see much more, scientist, who always think they have an answer for everything, call it Global Warming! What we see today, and have for some years, is the melting of the ice at the poles and the waters are rising. Although God said, He will never flood the whole world again, we are blessed to see how easy he did it. But we are told in the end time there will be raging waters, I must find this verse. The last ten years and more have seen flooding in diverse places around the world, all as was prophesied.

God tells us, He gives us prophesies so when they happen we know He said all along they would, He gave us prophesies that we may believe.

2 Timothy 3:1-7 (NKJV)
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,
7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

There are so many warnings and it is all very clear, we are also told...

It will appear the devil has domain... doesn't it just! But only for a short time longer.
O Come Lord Jesus. Amen

 

[Sue D.]

Even so it's been a wide spread myth to think people will get a chance to repent right before they pass away. People should know that those that rejected Him for most of their lives will get their hearts hardened, it'll be a true miracle if anybody could get saved by that moment. The moment to be born again I'd now that no (serious) illness prevents them from repenting. Recall people will even dare to utter blasphemous words while the Tribulation (especially during the second part) against God for the punishment will be quite severe, and they will know the Lord does exist and is the Creator. Be careful and don't wait till everything gets ugly to see if you will get any chance to accept the Lord as your Savior!

There's another sign he forgot to include, nations will speak about peace and safety! Guess what? Bush Sr and Jr, Obama and even politicians like Mike Pompeo have uttered such promises or compromises in the last few decades! As we already know, the world doesn't know what true peace and safety actually are for they don't know the Lord Jesus Christ. Sadly, they are already thinking about their own "strong leader" or the antichrist.

Actually I'm going to differ with you on your comment about not being saved at the end of a person's life. And possibly even right before dying. My uncle was a non-believer most of his life. He was a 'good' man which is why he was very content with his life for most of his life. One of my cousins had tried to talk with him over time and he wouldn't listen. Well -- my uncle got sick and was diagnosed with non-operable cancer. He was Finally willing to listen to my cousin / a pastor. He Finally did accept Christ because all of a sudden he was looking at the end of his life. All of a sudden he had a hunger for God's Word -- was sorry he hadn't listened for all those years. He died three weeks later. Obviously during those final few weeks , his condition continued to deteriorate.

My Dad was diagnosed with very fast acting liver cancer - he went in for gall bladder surgery and they found the liver cancer. He was given two weeks and he only lasted 1 1/2 weeks. And the last bit he was in no condition to do or say Anything. He was a believer all his life. But sometimes illness, cancer hit's fast and furious. And that's the Only thing that gets a person's attention. Facing their own mortality Very suddenly.

So the saying goes -- as long as a person is alive, there's hope.

 

[Christ4Ever]

@Sue D.
Sorry for your loss sister and rejoice in the knowledge of their Salvation.

 

[Brother-Paul]

100% agree with you Sue D.

I would repeat also and in agreement with @Christ4Ever

It is sad when someone leaves it so late, they have missed so much. But we rejoice with the angles in heaven for every soul that is saved.

 

[Brother-Paul]

Although many items have now been listed here regarding the end times and the latter days, there is at least one more.

The End Times
Daniel 12:1-13 (NKJV)
1 "At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.
2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.
4 "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."
5 Then I, Daniel, looked; and there stood two others, one on this riverbank and the other on that riverbank.
6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?"
7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.
8 Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, "My lord, what shall be the end of these things?"
9 And he said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
10 Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.
11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.
12 Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.
13 But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days."

Verse 4 prophesies in two parts and the first part has been translated to have possibly two meanings.

Possible meaning 1 - in the end times - there shall be an increase in travel - many shall run to and fro
If this is the correct meaning it would be true to say there has been an increase in travel, the aeroplane industry has grown and grown, space age and the motor car.

Possible meaning 2 - in the end times - there shall be an increase in travel - many shall run to and fro (possible meaning 2)
Others state that this part of the statement belongs with the second part, many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall increase.
Which ever way we look at this since the 1960's both of these have increased and year on year have both increased massively.

These are very important prophesies, along with all those already stated by our brothers and sisters on here, we can be certain time is running out.

WE ARE IN THE LATTER DAYS OF THE END TIMES
.
Beware, no one knows the day or hours, it will come like a thief in the night!

We are to keep watch, understand the scriptures and be ready.

Matthew 25:1-13 (NKJV)
1 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,
4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!'
7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'
9 But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'
12 But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'
13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

 

[only son]

There are so many signs prophecies and events to happen before the Lord Yahoshua the Anointing is to return to resurrect the dead in the anointing. No man or woman knows the hour or day but we are commanded to watch and to be ready.

Also. if we remember what the bible says, we are also to watch and be ready for the return of the father's manifestation, manifested in his son Yahoshua.

Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

 

[Brother-Paul]

There are so many signs prophecies and events to happen before the Lord Yahoshua the Anointing is to return to resurrect the dead in the anointing. No man or woman knows the hour or day but we are commanded to watch and to be ready.

Also. if we remember what the bible says, we are also to watch and be ready for the return of the father's manifestation, manifested in his son Yahoshua.

Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

@only son, I would disagree with you on this point, there are still prophesies to be fulfilled yes, but there are 'very few' prophesies to be fulfilled this side of the Rapture.

Most of the outstanding prophesies are after the Rapture, during the Tribulation periods.

Matt 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Time is short. What we are seeing is also, as the days of Noah, the sun was shining and Noah built the ark.

Everyone thought he was barmey, the Lord said the rains were coming but they were so much into their worldly lusts, and wicked and sinful ways they didn't want to know. If any did they would say as people tend to do today, not for a long time yet.

Starting with the declaration of the State of Israel on 15 May 1948, year on year prophesies have been fulfilled, and they are increasing all the time as 'it appears today' the devil has domain.

Time is seriously short, many cry 'O come Lord Jesus', but in their hearts they mean, they just have this to do, or that to do, or an holiday that is paid for etc!

Tomorrow could be to late, Jesus says where our heart is our treasure is also.

When we are lifted in the Rapture we will be with our Lord, we will have an Eternal Holiday, we will be in Eternity, with our most precious Lord and Saviour.
There will be no more crying, no more weeping, there will be no day and no night, God is the Light, there will be no male and no female, sex is not needed, we will not reproduce, meanwhile there is an harvest to collect and the workers are few, souls need Salvation, every soul needs forgiveness, every soul needs Jesus.

There are so many things advertised as FREE in this world, all have strings attached and usually for financial gain. Salvation is the only true Free Gift yet people run away from it. Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Cross and His blood is available as A FREE GIFT to all, whilst there is still time.

 

[Dave M]

Even so it's been a wide spread myth to think people will get a chance to repent right before they pass away. People should know that those that rejected Him for most of their lives will get their hearts hardened, it'll be a true miracle if anybody could get saved by that moment.

seems you are forgetting the thief on the cross. I do get what your saying and understand it, but the thief on the cross gives everyone hope

 

[SleepyEdwin]

seems you are forgetting the thief on the cross. I do get what your saying and understand it, but the thief on the cross gives everyone hope

Sadly, the Bible doesn't tell us if the thief stole stuff because he liked the idea of doing so or he just was hungry and couldn't get food the usual way for his mind was blinded by the world's lies. Still, we don't need hope for the very last day of our lives, we need it for the rest of our lives! That's what people should be thinking about here! That also means they need us to take them the Gospel and see if their minds get opened and their hearts warm up all by the Spirit's work.

 

[Dave M]

Sadly, the Bible doesn't tell us if the thief stole stuff because he liked the idea of doing so or he just was hungry and couldn't get food the usual way for his mind was blinded by the world's lies. Still, we don't need hope for the very last day of our lives, we need it for the rest of our lives! That's what people should be thinking about here! That also means they need us to take them the Gospel and see if their minds get opened and their hearts warm up all by the Spirit's work.

You are right brother, this so reminds me of a recent conversation I had with a old freind who I had not seen in at least a decade. He kept joking around with me because of how I have changed and calling me preacher blah blah, but as we had lunch he kept saying he could wait until old age when he was in hospice care to come to Christ, I was very sad about it, I asked him what if he got hit by car today, does he know where will go if he dies, and he just said I am not ready to commit yet.

 

[Sue D.]

Sadly, the Bible doesn't tell us if the thief stole stuff because he liked the idea of doing so or he just was hungry and couldn't get food the usual way for his mind was blinded by the world's lies. Still, we don't need hope for the very last day of our lives, we need it for the rest of our lives! That's what people should be thinking about here! That also means they need us to take them the Gospel and see if their minds get opened and their hearts warm up all by the Spirit's work.

The point of that episode of the thief on the cross is that he acknowledged his deserving of that punishment of his death. But that Jesus Christ did Not deserve to die. That account is in Luke 23 :39-43. According to the laws of that land, it didn't matter Why it simply states the crime and it's punishment.

And the Fact is -- that even at That late a time in that thieves life -- he could Still accept Christ as his Savior. And he Did.

 

[Brother-Paul]

We do not need to know the crime, we do not have to, it is irreverent, two men were being crucified for the crimes they had done, one our Lord, was being crucified for what he had not done.

What is interesting in this passage is not just that at near death the thief who 'called on the Lord' was saved, but that he was not baptised.

Taking the conversations above, all relevant, what I am seeing, forgive me if I am wrong, is that due to the thirst for saved souls and not wanting to lose a loved one, we are naturally keen to see/know our loved one is saved so late in life, and also that some who will fully reject Christ and Salvation all their lives don't deserve to be saved, and for sure there hearts will surely harden in most cases. The older we get the more set in our ways we become.

The Lord knows our hearts, He understands our heart felt feelings more than anyone, He understands our wishes and intercedes our prayers, we are His workers, we know there are few, we are doing what the Lord requests, but it is God who calls us, we do not call Him, the Holy Spirit will work on any heart that is opened to allow Jesus in, it is all in God's hands.

Over the last few years my wife lost both her mum and dad to dementia, it was hard with both of them with this disease/pestilence. They had rejected the Lord throughout their lives, prayers for their salvation were lifted in Jesus Name. Were they saved, no prayer returns void? We do not know, they may have been, at this point it is no use fooling ourselves, my wife grieved deeply, she still does but lesser so over time. We have to accept, we just have to wait and see, we will not know until we get there ourselves.

I think above we have a topic for possible further discussion, here it is again.

What is interesting in this passage is not just that at near death the thief who 'called on the Lord' was saved, but that he was not baptised.

Blessings ><> \o/

 

[Christ4Ever]

@Brother-Paul
My heart goes out to not only your wife but to you as well. The one does not suffer, that the other doesn't feel their hurt and pain as well.
My own Mother though I believe Saved, also had dementia and it is not something that is easy for those who love them to also go through. Let your wife know that we have no way of knowing that at a moment of lucidity, for they do have those moments, did not react to His calling to them. I rather place my Hope in the Lord that this was the case, instead of the alternative.

He has shown me this through a man I had witnessed to for years, to no affect. That though we might not know, He does, and to be comforted in that. Long story short. I felt moved by the Spirit to visit this man in the hospital, and he saw the Bible in my hand and smiled. He told me not to worry he knew the Lord as his Savior. He told me how he had come about being so, after so many years of not believing (he was in his 70's). He told me that he'd see me at work the next day that they were releasing him. I never saw him again. He died the next morning. I truly believe that it was God letting me know, and be comforted. This knowledge would not only help me out then, but in the future as well.

I have since lost another in the beginning of April, who I also had been witnessing to. However, God in this case did not allow me to know his standing one way or the other. I could easily say that he was not, but because God was so Gracious to allow me to see this other man's status of Salvation (so to speak), I could not and won't say that he in his final moments did not turn to Him our Savior Jesus Christ. So let you wife know that she doesn't have to be there, or see the evidence of it, for it to be so. We serve such an awesome God that if someone/anyone reaches out to Him through His Son if even for a moment. They won't be rejected!

I will pray for your wife's continued ease of memories in this and trust in our Father's Faithfulness.

With the Love of Christ Jesus Brother.
YBIC
Nick
<><

 

[Brother-Paul]

Bless you Nick and thank you.

My wife was close to her dad, she was an only one, when he died he asked Sandra to look after Dot his wife, she did, she took it on with every ounce of strength she had. Sandra was never close to her mum, but in the final year of caring for every hour and minute the caring took hold of her. Sandra hadn't accepted the Lord at his time but after they died she asked me, are they in Heaven. This is a point many will, with compassion, say all sorts of things to cushion the blow and make it easier to accept. I told her we will not know this side of going to heaven ourselves, we pray to God through Jesus Christ our saviour, our Lord, the intercessor of all prayer, God will answer prayer but He knows a persons heart. She then said, so they will not be in heaven, I told her gently, we do not know, we saw the occasional brighter days in the worsening of the dementia, so we do not know, we trust God He knows what is best and whether they did ask Jesus into their life. She has accepted this, but is still grieving the loss of them both.

They both had vascular dementia which is the more violent type of dementia, it was like throwing flammable fluid on a fire at times. When her dad died her mother got worse quite fast, she was seeing demons in her bungalow it was so hard, in the end she was put in a home and Sandra went to her for hours every day, I went twice a week so as to allow her quality time with her mum. Though there was no love, what love there was grew and grew, it was a real roller coaster between health in the home and in hospital, three times admitted to hospital A&E said she should be let go with dignity, they put her on a ward, pumped her up with drugs to get her strong enough to send back to the home.

God works in wonderful yet at times mysterious ways, His ways are not our ways, I believe what her mum and dad went through and the caring and love poured out was part of bringing Sandra to the Lord. She has accepted Jesus into her heart but wants it to be personal, in the closet on your own in prayer situation. God's speed this seed will also grow. I think many of her issues are that from her prospective I know to much, I have been a born again Christian almost 30 years and there was a mighty spiritual battle that almost split us up. We have been through a lot, but thanks be to God we have come through, Sandra now a babe in Christ, the rest of the family still lost. Over the years I have been a stumbling block, my enthusiasm for the Lord never reduces, my thirst for the Truth in The Word like a sponge.

God's speed, His will will be done and prayers do get answered, in God's time, according to His will.

Sandra's love for her mum and dad was for God, making good the relationship with her mum was an important part I believe, that love will have its rewards one way or another, we believe and trust in the Lord, in faith, soon all will be revealed.

May the Lord Bless you and keep you brother, you know the rest of the verse.

Blessings and Peace \o/

 

[Dave M]

you know all this talk about salvation at the last minute reminds me of the parable of the owner of the vineyard, the workers who all got paid the same amount, that is the worker who worked all day got the same amount as the worker who just worked for one hour, I think this parable is about hope for all to very end.

 

[SleepyEdwin]

Still, don't get used to the "last minute" type of salvation because doubts and pain and suffering are also involved in those last days of a dying person. If they do accept the Lord, then rejoice at once. Even so only the Lord knows if that was a true conversion or just some blabbing to make us stop talking about Him. (Sadly, some people are just like that.)

And in case anybody still insists on denying the rapture, you gotta know you haven't carefully read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-10 where it clearly mentions the Coming of the Lord as especial for believers because we will be saved, not merely protected but saved, while "they" or the unbelievers including the rebellious Jews will be punished. If you remember clearly, the Word also mentions that our redemption will be fulfilled once our corrupt bodies get dressed with new incorruptible bodies. So Salvation or Redemption = Being Raptured and Glorified! Since we're not called for wrath, we don't need to go through that hour of temptation. All of the above plus seeing the Lord as He really is and living with Him is what is called the blessed hope that's mentioned multiple times in the NT! And it's ratified by 1 Thessalonians 1:10.

 

[Sue D.]

Well -- dying can come from all sorts of reasons. People aren't necessarily in the midst of mind-numbing pain or 'whatever'. A person Might be innocently driving a car and get in an accident and someone shares the Gospel with them OR they realize that That is their end and Do accept Christ as their Savior. Maybe they are waiting for the jaws of life to rescue them but they die from blood loss -- whatever-- God doesn't accidentally loose people in the last minutes of their lives. He Can - in the end -- have mercy on them -- just like that thief on the cross. At the 'last minute' is better than No minute.

The rapture is when Jesus Christ meets all born-again believers - both dead and alive -- in the air. He appears and 'calls' us up to Him. You commented '"not merely protected but saved." What do you mean by that. Born-again believers will be raptured up Because 'we' are saved / have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal savior.

"While 'they' or the unbelievers including there rebellious Jews will be punished. --- the world conditions will gradually keep on getting worse during those next 7 yrs. The 144,000 sealed Jews will be evangelizing the Jewish population who haven't yet accepted Jesus Christ as their promised Messiah.

Well -- you're right in that believers will be spared from the wrath of God that He pours out on His Chosen People-- the Jews. And it's not simply their 'hour of temptation' It's His wrath Because as a group -- His chosen people -- the Jews rejected Him. He has a Promised land for them. And Many are in process of returning there Now.

There Are people who Do turn their eyes to God in the time of great distress in their lives. And that's pretty much what will be happening during those 7 yrs. of tribulation time. Well -- and then the final 3 1/2 yrs that will Really be Bad.

 

[SleepyEdwin]

The rapture is when Jesus Christ meets all born-again believers - both dead and alive -- in the air. He appears and 'calls' us up to Him. You commented '"not merely protected but saved." What do you mean by that. Born-again believers will be raptured up Because 'we' are saved / have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal savior.

You would have to recall previous posts where other members denied the rapture and how the terms that are usually translated as "protected from" and similar expressions implied salvation instead of getting in the fray and being smashed by any of the Lord's Punishments as some of the other users suggested before.

Well -- you're right in that believers will be spared from the wrath of God that He pours out on His Chosen People-- the Jews. And it's not simply their 'hour of temptation' It's His wrath Because as a group -- His chosen people -- the Jews rejected Him. He has a Promised land for them. And Many are in process of returning there Now.

Hour of temptation comes directly from one of the translations that handles a verse concerning both the rapture and the Wrath of God. I think it might not appear in several of the latest translations.

There Are people who Do turn their eyes to God in the time of great distress in their lives. And that's pretty much what will be happening during those 7 yrs. of tribulation time. Well -- and then the final 3 1/2 yrs that will Really be Bad.

Actually the second half will be as severe as to make it more difficult for people to repent for the Word clearly states they will dare to utter blasphemies because they cannot stand such a heavy burden.

 

[Sue D.]

Actually we Do agree on some of those points. Well -- the second half of the tribulation period is called the Great Tribulation for a reason. It's at That point that whomever is in the position of leadership is 'possessed' / satan enters him and really creates havoc.

 

[SleepyEdwin]

Actually we Do agree on some of those points. Well -- the second half of the tribulation period is called the Great Tribulation for a reason. It's at That point that whomever is in the position of leadership is 'possessed' / satan enters him and really creates havoc.

The antichrist will always be possessed, there is no Satan entering him later on. The difference is that in the second half the human part of the antichrist would have ceded all control to Satan for he had been wounded, meaning Satan, being a great liar, will never let him get his body back.