Do you honestly believe that the current events are a sign the end of the world?

Question

Before you answer, consider this: I grew up with a father that constantly obsessed about the Book of Revelation and compared each verse and chapter to the news events of the times. I was told constantly throughout my childhood that I would never reach adulthood. I'm 47 years old now. What should that tell you?

To Soccergt and bettermyself: Reported for harassment.

Answer 1

It's easy to take prophetic works and match them up piece by piece to current events when we're inundated with events. Every day there are dozens of things happening. Surely sooner or later we'll find some remote, random, purely coincidental connection to some prophetic sentence written 2000 years ago. And people don't just do it with the book of Revelation. They do it with their own horoscopes, with things TV psychics tell them, and with books by people like Nostradomus.

One interesting tidbit about the Book of Revelation is that Martin Luther, who started the Protestant churches, considered it to have almost no truth to it. Thus, today, most Lutherans pay little attention to Revelation. I grew up Lutheran and had no idea what the rapture was.

So to answer your question, No, I don't believe that it's sign of end times, at least not prophetically. (I think there are plenty of bad things happening, however, and if we're not careful, we may *cause* an end to the world, though. But that has nothing to do with an ancient prophecy.)

UPDATE - p.s. I think it's sad and tragic when parents do that to their children.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

No, I do not. They still could be, but I just don't think so. Well, you reached adulthood. I am an atheist, but I will tell you do not let that one fact that your father was incorrect about one thing change your belief. Believe whatever makes you comfortable, motivated, and happy. Mine is non-belief, yours should be whatever it is. Though I can't see how motivating believing in the Book of Revelation can be, knowing that whatever accomplishments you have in life, however you change the world for the better, or help people, will be taken away by the end of the world or God will say it was a big meaningless test. Well, I mean to say the test has meaning, but your effects on the world did not actually matter to the world anymore, only to your selfish salvation, and I'm not ok with that. But the Book of Revelation is unique, it is not a common thread throughout all historical world religions. That tells me that it may not be true and may have been added to the Bible by an overeager Pope, Council of Nicea, Bible translator, scribe, or just another anonymous Bible writer (not God).

Answer 4

If you truly believe the Bible, there are two things to keep in mind. First, Jesus said that we wouldn't know when he returns, which of course, will be at the end time. Jesus said he would come like a thief in the night. People have been interpreting signs of Armageddon for 2000 years now and they haven't been right yet. So, maybe the end of the world is upon us or maybe not. Second, if you're a Christian, then it really shouldn't matter if the end of the world is coming or not. If you've been saved, you're all set. You're not going to be here for any of the rough stuff anyway.

Although... I did see a headline from the Weekly World News at the supermarket last week that said Armageddon begins next month... so maybe we should be ready.

Answer 5

Yes, I believe the current events are a sign of the times. We live in the last days, no doubt about it. As to WHEN the revelations in the Book of Revelations come to pass, I don't know the exact date. I think things happen a little at a time over several hundred years as well as quickly as in the blink of an eye. There are many other things that need to happen before Christ comes to reign personally upon the Earth, but who's to say WHEN that will be. I personally think that I will not see the Millienium, but that at some point in my life the people that will, will be born.

Answer 6

Jesus saiid all these things have always happned but their are certain ones that are signs..

and yes one of the prophecies is that the holy land would be invaded and that a Nation with divine military power will be its guardian now we are tryin to help isreal because isreal is finding a two front war and we are also dealing with a nuclear war that might happen in the near futuyre between North Korea and Iran. and the Mark of the beast says that the beast shall rise in a young Nation the Usa is the youngest Nation this nation shall be powerful above all others we are more militarical advanced then any other this Nation will be a christian Nation, we were founded as a christian nation in 1892.
it also says the scouffers non believers will dominate the world also a siogn of the near end is that the last generation will be the worst of all generations never has their been so many wars rumors of wars and all that we are the worst generatioon of them all.

Answer 7

I believe your father had a misunderstanding of the Book of Revelation. It does mention the "End of the Age" rather than the "End of the World"
On May 5 of th year 2000 we departed the Piscean age and entered the age of Aqrarius.
Incidentally, unless your father was a language scholar, and was reading of the original biblical text, he was merely reading someones interpretation of what that original text bespoke.
Try for yourself....... find a website that will translate language. Write a 8-10 line paragraph about anything. Now translate that into Latin, then German, then Swahili, then Spanish, then from Spanish back to your native tongue. It doesn't come back quite right does it? and it is even worse with historical languages and colloquialisms. Word meanings change. The word 'gay' in English once meant happy or carefree. If you were trying to translate 'smog' (the conjugal smoke and fog) into something to be understood by Columbus what would you say? This works both ways. Then consider geography: Dry-goods, in England, means, “non liquid goods, as corn” (i. e., wheat); in the United States the term means “textile fabrics or wares.” Are you beginning to get a picture of what I mean?

Answer 8

A couple of things, to answer your question in a general way, yes they are signs. More specifically, the bible also says that there will be war in the middle east until the end of time. There will never be a peace in that part of the world until Jesus comes. And if you look at prophecy, every major thing prophicied has come to pass, what is God waiting on then? He is waiting on us, his people to spread the gospel and let everyone be satisfied with the choices they have made in their own lives. If you want to do a detailed study of prophecy with me, i will be glad to do so, that is beyond the scope of this question, or the time I have this afternoon. But whether people understand prophecy or not, has little to do with their salvation. It is about accepting the gift of salvation from Jesus, believing in Him, and developing a daily relationship with Christ. I remember in the mid to late 80's when the stock market crashed and things were going on with Russia, people at my church were asking the pastor if this was the end. And it happens frequently, any time there is unrest and wars and rumors of wars. I couldn't find it, but there was a description of the world by Martin Luther, when you read it, it sounds like much like the world of today, and he is wondering if the end will soon come. That was almost 500 years ago. So do I believe we are in the last days, yes. Are the current events unique and special, not exactly.

Answer 9

Even if you Dad was wrong in judging the day and the hour, there are signs that tell us when it is near.

There are many Bible prophecies that have come true. This is verified by many valid historical and archaelogical sources, and it verifies the validity of the Bible.

There are many Bible prophecies that are coming true right before our very eyes!

There are only a few Bible prophecies left that have not yet come true, and they deal with end time events. It's very exciting!

If you would like to learn more about Bible Prophecy and End Time Events, click on the link below and watch the FINAL EVENTS docudrama online! The special effects are outstanding and the Biblical truth is eye-opening. After you do that, take their free online Bible Prophecy studies! They are FASCINATING! While you are there, check out the article entitled “What Left Behind Left Behind” for the truth on the rapture and final events.

Answer 10

Everyone sees all the bad news on television today and thinks, "The world is in a mess! It must be near the end." They forget that ever since the first volcano or earthquake or flood or plague decimated a group of people, humans have been predicting "the end of the world." It will indeed end someday, but we're still here right now.

The Myan calendar ends in December, 2012. The I Ching will no longer apply after the same date. The "Bible Codes" indicate much the same thing. All I can say is, "We'll see." :)