Why do Christians continue to fall for the 'End Times' nonsense?

Question

You've racked up 2,000 years of being wrong with amazing consistency.

At this point, even if something happened, it would seem anti-climactic.

You claim that Jesus warned you about the 'future' but neglected to mention everything else that was going to happen along the way, like Christianity actually taking over Rome.

That's unbelievably ridiculous.

mementomoron, I think I would like your Pastor. ;)

Answer 1

The end of your world may be waiting at the end of your driveway.......or that last bit of cholesterol finding its way to your heart. Christians aren't supposed to worry about the end of the world if they live correctly each day. There are predictions about what the end times will be like throughout the Bible. Some may be recognized, some may not. To believe human conjecture, prone to error, is silly. You may as well put on some new Nikes and wait for the next comet. Seriously, if you must find someone to predict that the end of the world is near, pick the guy that just took out a thirty year loan. At least he's covered his bases

Answer 2

End Times scenarios are projections of the human experience. Birth, life, death. Assume your final demise, and generalize the contributing factors. Generally, people die from combat, starvation, disease, and accidents. These are the exact attributes of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Charismatic leaders can play hob with the fears we all share as humans.

The book of Revelation is not about the world's future. It's about the process of redemption in the individual. The same parallels that are exploited by bogus prophets, are actually a guidebook for pastors. If understood, and used righteously, a minister can nurture his congregation. It's like 'Cliff's Notes', or 'Salvation for Dummies'.

I think the Revelation is the oldest example of disinformation in existence. Real shepherds are left to their work, while all the gullible powers and principalities are diverted by wars, mass migrations, and such that would likely happen anyway. People die, so do empires. But, there is Providence....

Answer 3

i'm with Rachel's answer. you ought to be able to have a dissenting opinion without absolutely everyone getting offended. in the experience that they do get offended that is in all probability a issue they have with their personal faith. I recommend i have considered some solutions on R&S that i might want to stay faraway from (i.e., Rachel's sky daddy remark, or the "I manage christians like toddlers becuase they have shown that they can't reason, etc). the right words: you've had an experience which skill something to you. i will savor that. I really have not had this experience. i will't stress it. i will't make myself believe. for this reason it really is what i believe. it really is clearly would not change your beliefs, yet i wish you could understand why i believe the way I do. something like that perchance.

Answer 4

Some do, some don't. True enough that 2000 years have gone by and religious Christians the world over are still waiting for the 'second coming'.
But there are those of us that have a bit of a better understanding, and some of those you could say were Christian, if an obscure branch of it. It is funny how Christianity went from being a mystical practice in the 1st Cent AD to a religion in the present... what went wrong?

Answer 5

All prophecy has been born out to be true. We do not know the date and time but are supposed to live each day as if it were our last and always be ready for the Lord to come. Me? I'm sure ready but will have to be patient and wait until the Lord is ready. If He comes in my lifetime I will rejoice. I will tell you why many feel that these are the end times. It stems from the prophecy that the end would begin (and I say begin because if you look at the whole thing it takes over 7 years) before the generation that re-establishes Israel passes away. That was in 1948 and even someone concieved on that day is getting up there. So.........we keep looking up "For our redemption draweth nigh........"

Answer 6

what saith the scriptures the kingdom don't come with observation
Luk 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or, lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

(Luke 11:50-51 KJV) That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation.
It shall be required of this generation in other words the old man,Adam's generation as it is written

1Co15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.1Co 15:47 The first man is of the earth, made of dust. The second man is the Lord from heaven. 46 Howbeit that [was] not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man , which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Col 3:10 And have put on the new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Yes anyone in Christ is a new creation, Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.2Co 5:17

Answer 7

I can't answer (well) why SOME do, but I'd like to point out that many Christians DO NOT believe we can predict when life on earth will end.

I'm a Methodist. Two weeks ago our pastor addressed this (round about) in his sermon. He's a Garrison Keillor type--love this guy.

His message was brief. He said the bible instructs us that we do not know when. Period. He kind of implied that "some" like to stir this all up to feel powerful, for their own agenda.

Answer 8

It's not just Christian's, there is a huge belief in the "New Ager's" too. Lots of talk about 2012, having to ascend, etc.

I think there are many reasons why people grasp onto these thoughts...to control others through fear, to shake up dull lives, and to want to see a change in the world.

There is proof that the earth has shifted on it's axis before and I think it's only a matter of time it happens again. It would be one way for earth to cleanse herself.

Answer 9

The end of times will happen in 4 billion years when the sun expands as it fuses the last of its core hydrogen. I doubt it will have anything to do with Jesus or Christianity.

Answer 10

I don't think it's as ridiculous as it is self-absorbed.

The big message of Jesus, the message we "modern" Christians have gotten away from is LOVE.

Love one another as I have loved you.

In the early days Christians lived together in communities. Religion means community. Those communities supported each and every person around them. Both those who were part of their community and those who were not.

They gave anything and everything they had to help the needy. There are writings by non-Christians at the time - who were in awe of the wonderful deeds done by Christians -- even to those who persecuted them.

We don't want to feed the poor any more. We want to hoard food for when the tribulation comes. We don't want to clothe the naked any more. We want to hoard clothes for when the tribulation comes. We don't want to donate money any more. We want to hoard it.

Yadda yadda yadda.

It's all wrong.