English Deutsch Français Italiano Español Português 繁體中文 Bahasa Indonesia Tiếng Việt ภาษาไทย
All categories

2006-06-14 14:14:16 · 41 answers · asked by sirzoddxx 1 in Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality

41 answers

What indicates that we today are living in “the last days”?

The Bible describes events and conditions that mark this significant time period. “The sign” is a composite one made up of many evidences; thus its fulfillment requires that all aspects of the sign be clearly in evidence during one generation. The various aspects of the sign are recorded at Matthew chapters 24, 25, Mark 13, and Luke 21; there are further details at 2 Timothy 3:1-5, 2 Peter 3:3, 4, and Revelation 6:1-8. By way of illustration, we will consider a few outstanding portions of the sign.

“Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom” (Matt. 24:7)

War has marred life on the earth for thousands of years. International wars and wars within nations have been fought. But beginning in 1914 the first world war was fought. This was not merely a conflict between two armies on the battlefield. For the first time, all the major powers were at war. Entire nations—including civilian populations—were mobilized to support the war effort. It is estimated that by the end of the war 93 percent of the population of the world was involved. (Regarding the historical significance of 1914.

As foretold at Revelation 6:4, ‘peace was taken away from the earth.’ Thus the world has continued to be in a state of upheaval ever since 1914. World War II was fought from 1939 to 1945. According to retired Admiral Gene La Rocque, as of 1982 there had been another 270 wars since 1945. Upwards of 100 million persons have been slaughtered in warfare during this century. Also, according to the 1982 edition of World Military and Social Expenditures, there were in that year 100 million people engaged directly or indirectly in military activities.
Is more required in order to fulfill this aspect of the prophecy? There are tens of thousands of nuclear weapons deployed for immediate use. Leading scientists have said that if the nations were to use even a fraction of their nuclear arsenals, civilization and possibly the entire human species would be destroyed. But that is not the outcome to which Bible prophecy points.

“There will be food shortages . . . in one place after another” (Matt. 24:7)

There have been many famines in human history. To what extent has the 20th century been afflicted by them? World war led to widespread starvation in Europe and Asia. Africa has been stricken by drought, resulting in extensive food shortages. Late in 1980 the Food and Agriculture Organization estimated that 450 million people were hungry to the point of starvation, and up to a billion did not have enough to eat. Of these, some 40 million a year actually die—in some years as many as 50 million—because of the shortage of food.
Is anything different about these food shortages? Revelation 6:6 indicated that a small quantity of such staples as wheat or barley would be selling for a day’s wage (a denarius; see Matthew 20:2) but that supplies of such items as olive oil and wine used by people who are well-to-do would not be harmed. So apparently many would suffer shortage while others could still get what they wanted. This situation is no longer local, but global. In 1981 The New York Times reported: “The improvement in living standards and the growing demand for food around the world have put pressure on food prices, making it harder for the poorest countries to import their food needs.” In many lands the production of food, even with the aid of modern science, has not been able to keep pace with the increase in total population. Modern food experts see no real solution to the problem.

“There will be great earthquakes” (Luke 21:11)

It is true that there were major quakes in centuries past; furthermore, with their sensitive equipment scientists now detect more than a million quakes a year. But no special instruments are needed for people to know when there is a great earthquake.
Has there actually been a significant number of major earthquakes since 1914? With data obtained from the National Geophysical Data Center in Boulder, Colorado, supplemented by a number of standard reference works, a tabulation was made in 1984 that included only earthquakes that measured 7.5 or more on the Richter scale, or that resulted in destruction of five million dollars (U.S.) or more in property, or that caused 100 or more deaths. It was calculated that there had been 856 of such earthquakes during the 2,000 years before 1914. The same tabulation showed that in just 69 years following 1914 there were 605 of such quakes. That means that, in comparison with the previous 2,000 years, the average per year has been 20 times as great since 1914.

“In one place after another pestilences” (Luke 21:11)

At the close of the first world war the Spanish flu swept around the globe, claiming upwards of 20 million lives and at a rate unparalleled in the history of disease. Despite advances in medical science, a heavy toll is exacted every year by cancer, heart disease, numerous sexually transmitted diseases, multiple sclerosis, malaria, river blindness, and Chagas’ disease.

‘Increased lawlessness accompanied by a cooling off of love on the part of the greater number’ (Matt. 24:11, 12)

A leading criminologist says: “The one thing that hits you in the eye when you look at crime on the world scale is a pervasive and persistent increase everywhere. Such exceptions as there are stand out in splendid isolation, and may soon be swamped in the rising tide.” (The Growth of Crime, New York, 1977, Sir Leon Radzinowicz and Joan King, pp. 4, 5) The increase is real; it is not merely a matter of better reporting. It is true, past generations had criminals too, but never before has crime been as pervasive as it is now. Persons who are up in years know that from personal experience.

The lawlessness referred to in the prophecy includes contempt for the known laws of God, a placing of self instead of God at the center of one’s life. As a result of this attitude, divorce rates are skyrocketing, sex outside of marriage and homosexuality are widely accepted, and tens of millions of abortions are performed every year. Such lawlessness is associated (in Matthew 24:11, 12) with the influence of false prophets, those who set aside God’s Word in favor of their own teachings. Heeding their philosophies instead of holding to the Bible contributes toward a loveless world. (1 John 4:8) Read the description of it at 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

“Men become faint out of fear and expectation of the things coming upon the inhabited earth” (Luke 21:25, 26)

“The fact is that today the biggest single emotion which dominates our lives is fear,” said U.S. News & World Report. (October 11, 1965, p. 144) “Never before has mankind been as fearful as at present,” reported the German magazine Hörzu.—No. 25, June 20, 1980, p. 22.

Many factors contribute to this global atmosphere of fear: violent crime, unemployment, economic instability because so many nations are hopelessly in debt, worldwide pollution of the environment, lack of strong and loving family ties, and the overwhelming feeling that mankind is in imminent danger of nuclear annihilation. Luke 21:25 mentions ‘signs in sun, moon, and stars, and roaring of the seas’ in connection with the anguish felt by the nations. The rising of the sun often causes, not happy anticipation, but fear of what the day may bring; when the moon and stars shine, fear of crime makes people stay behind locked doors. In the 20th century, but not before, planes and missiles have been used to send destruction streaking down from the heavens. Submarines carrying deadly loads of missiles prowl the seas, just one such submarine being equipped to annihilate 160 cities. No wonder the nations are in anguish!

‘Christ’s true followers to be objects of hatred by all nations on account of his name’ (Matt. 24:9)

This persecution is not because of political meddling but ‘on account of the name of Jesus Christ,’ because his followers adhere to him as Jehovah’s Messianic King, because of their obeying Christ ahead of any earthly ruler, because of their loyally adhering to his Kingdom and not becoming involved in the affairs of human governments. As modern-day history testifies, that has been the experience of Jehovah’s Witnesses in all parts of the earth.

‘This good news of the kingdom preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness’ (Matt. 24:14)

The message that would be preached is that God’s Kingdom in the hands of Jesus Christ has begun to rule in the heavens, that soon it will put an end to the entire wicked system of things, that under its rule mankind will be brought to perfection and earth will become a paradise. That good news is being preached today in over 200 lands and island groups, to the most distant parts of the earth. Jehovah’s Witnesses devote hundreds of millions of hours to this activity each year, making repeated house-to-house visits so that everyone possible is given the opportunity to hear.

To what do all these events of “the last days” point?

Luke 21:31, 32: “When you see these things occurring, know that the kingdom of God is near [that is, the time when it will destroy the present wicked world and itself take full charge of earth’s affairs]. Truly I say to you, This generation will by no means pass away until all things occur.” (The “generation” that was alive at the beginning of fulfillment of the sign in 1914 is now well along in years. The time remaining must be very short. World conditions give every indication that this is the case.)

2006-06-14 14:21:53 · answer #1 · answered by jvitne 4 · 0 3

Has there actually been a significant number of major earthquakes since 1914? With data obtained from the National Geophysical Data Center in Boulder, Colorado, supplemented by a number of standard reference works, a tabulation was made in 1984 that included only earthquakes that measured 7.5 or more on the Richter scale, or that resulted in destruction of five million dollars (U.S.) or more in property, or that caused 100 or more deaths. It was calculated that there had been 856 of such earthquakes during the 2,000 years before 1914. The same tabulation showed that in just 69 years following 1914 there were 605 of such quakes. That means that, in comparison with the previous 2,000 years, the average per year has been 20 times as great since 1914.

2016-02-17 14:45:32 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

the top will be a replace of the present state of the international .It received't quit to exist . that is going to fall into the shortcoming of life solar at the same time as it would become a White dwarf and merge with it including to its gravity.this can no longer ensue in 2012. at the same time as it does no longer ensue as predicted through some stupid people , Will the people of the international and of all religions call those who predicted the doom of the international through 2012 because the splendid fools of the 21 St century and record it for the suggestions of the destiny era Manythings the bible contains , fairly those in the Genesis were proved pretend already and now this actual prediction with regard to the destruction of the international in 2012 will be a clean addtion to that record no one would ever stay to make sure and write about the top of the international ..Scientists calculate that it's going to take numerous million years for the gasoline of the solar to exhaust .So the top remains a strategies off. Who is familiar with , what number cases this international has been made and unmade !

2016-10-30 22:08:43 · answer #3 · answered by harib 4 · 0 0

No, why is everybody expecting the world to end? People have been over this for centuries, if you would all learn a little history, there has always been violence, there has always been corruption, homosexuality, child abuse, and all the other corrupted things you can name. The world is not gonna end, and it won't end for a long long time if ever, as long as you people are expecting it, it won't happen, so lay back and relax while you live in many more years of misery brought on by yourself, I hope your happy.

2006-06-14 14:28:31 · answer #4 · answered by Joel 2 · 0 0

No. People have been saying we're at "the end of days" since over 2000 years ago. Revelations, if that's where your getting your information, isn't meant to predict the end of the world. It's meant to send messages to Christians without having them persecuted.

2006-06-14 14:18:29 · answer #5 · answered by Mandi 6 · 0 0

I believe we are at the end times, end of days-no. http://www.prophecyupdate.com/

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. Matthew 24:6-8

2006-06-14 14:20:43 · answer #6 · answered by rapturefuture 7 · 0 0

Yes. just look around at the world we live in today,look at the hearts of people everyone seem to only care about themselves.One of the greatest commandments God gave was to Love One Another. Now how much love do you really see in this world today?

2006-06-14 14:30:35 · answer #7 · answered by shortie 1 · 0 0

We are in the eleventh hour.
Every scandal is "shouted from the rooftops" (Just turn on the TV)
People's shameful deeds are as visible as foam on the ocean waves.
There are people who say: "This is He! He is here!"
There are rumors of war and tribulation from far away.

Yes. According to that, we are.
Haven't seen the horsemen of the apocalypse though. Have NO idea what the heck they are or represent.

2006-06-14 14:26:46 · answer #8 · answered by Shinigami 7 · 0 0

Where I come from it's 9:49 pm. I guess the day is almost over. Pleasant dreams. Peace and Love

2006-06-14 14:50:16 · answer #9 · answered by digilook 2 · 0 0

Well,i cant say because i dont know.But if we are you better be ready because jesus is coming you dont need no ticket just get on board and all you need is faith to hear the diesels humming you dont need no luggage just thank the lord....that is if youre going to heaven..But i dont know if were at the end of days but i do know that im gonna be ready when jesus comes.

2006-06-14 14:24:48 · answer #10 · answered by Crazygirlie 2 · 0 0

No, I don't belive anything. I also don't BELIEVE we are currently living the last days.

2006-06-14 14:17:22 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

fedest.com, questions and answers