Infidelettante

Perhaps the most important thing to realize when trying to understand Christian thinking about the end times is the linear nature of their view of history. The Christian knows when it all started. Among fundamentalists [who have the strongest doctrinal commitment to eschatology] this could be as little as 6,000 years ago.

They know as well when it will end. Of course the end has been expected by the early church and by each succeding generation through the last 2,000 years. Is must be obvious then that no one can know just when the expected end will arrive but this does not negate the benefit of knowing it will come. It only makes it more difficult for the individual to maintain the excitement. It does not diminish the the institutional expectation. So the end times remain through the generations and the centuries a fixed and powerful tool of the church to keep its' members motivated and under control.

That the exact timing of the end is not knowable does not allow the believer to question the validity of the doctrine. For the moment he need only refer to the signs that are the harbinger of the final days. These signs serve as a place marker that lets the believer find his own life on the time line at a point comfortably close to the end yet far enough away to allow for anticipation. So non-specific are they that any believer can locate the end within their own life time, This is true whether the believer lives now or lived 2,000 years ago.

The believer has the full and total scope of human history before him. He may rest in the assurance that God has all things in hand and the last days will play out in an orderly and determined manner. He also has the knowledge that whenever the end arrives it brings only fullfillment his way and damnation to all those who reject Gods plan. He has the benefit of knowing the begining and the end [even if the timing is undetermined] and where he fits along the time line. It is a powerful device that sets the believer apart from and above the world of sin. It promises reward for his perseverance and the punishment he as always anticipated for unbelievers.

It is interesting that this period in history [often called *The Age of Grace*] is not foretold as are so many aspects of Christianity. While belivers can claim prophecies for the virgin birth, crucifixion, and resurrection there are none for what is arguably the most eventful time in human existence. It was left to Paul, who never met Christ, to reveal it as a mystery. I would like to have one of the theists explain this lapse in the prophetic record. How can it be that 2,000 years of history was missed.

JT

Justin70

Wasn't this same situation present, say, ohhh, around the first century CE when the Romans were having their war with the Jews?

Another prophecy for 2000 years later? Try within the same generation.

I guess that's the difference between a Christian and myself. I try to make THIS life the absolute best I can to myself and the people that I call my friends and family whereas a Christian wants it all to end to get on with the after-party.

<sigh>

So sad.

CALDONIA

Satan. AntiChrist. Lake of Fire.

If any book were suitable for burning, it is the Book of Revelation.

Is there any account anywhere more full of wrath, hatred, vengeance and general peevishness?

Treacle Worshipper

And here we have the Rapture Index from the wonderful people at Rapture Ready. It's looking kind of middling-high today, so it's unlikely we'll see Xians zooming through the air in the next 24hrs.

Caldonia: :notworthy
TW

CALDONIA

Treacle Worshipper,

Do you agree with me that perhaps The Rapture Index ought to replace local TV stations' weather predictions?

After all, The Rapture Index appears to be more more scientific and predictible than weather forecasting!

Walross

Small price to pay to get rid of the fundies .

Magus55

Complete justice to a sadistic, hateful world of sinners. Look at your attitude right now, complete and total hate for God if he does exist, yet you blame him for executing rightful judgement on us?

Shame you feel that way. Just another example of how sick and hateful this world has gotten.

CALDONIA

So who is hateful, sir? Likely whoever wrote the fabulous book of Revelation.

I don't hate God. Neither do I hate Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, or unicorns. None of these entities exist.

Whatever became of "judge not, lest ye be judged," Christians? Keep your Heavens and Hells for yourselves, the rest of us don't want to be involved.

Fiach

I thought the teaching was that after the war of Armageddon that God would renew the Earth as the home of humanity. Humanity was originally placed on Earth with no comment made about going somewhere else until they sinned. Some would presumbably go to Hell as that concept gelled in later years.

But isn't one christian theory an idea that humans favoured by God will inherit a renewed Earth that will be equivalent of Heaven?

Fiach

Magus55

Prove they don't.

I'm not judging you and telling you, you are going to Hell. We all deserve Hell, Heaven is a gift from God.

You have always been involved.