Originally Posted by lycanthrope

just an example of what my church members believe and wat i have to deal with..

http://papaphysix.nutang.com/

"...I'm typing in the dark now (thankfully, my keyboard glows in the dark).

everyone is asleep now (i'm tired but i thought i should blog a little to get some things off my mind).

I have been doing quite a bit of reading and research about prophesies in the Bible (100% accuracy based on whatever has happened so far!) and the current affairs. Based on what I discovered and what is happening right now in the middle east, it seems to me that there is probably less than 10 years (gut feeling) before the whole world will undergo the worst period of time in history:

3.5 years of Great Tribulation, where a person (known as the man of lawlessness who will exalt himself above all) and his counterpart (known as the false prophet who will deceive many) will rule the whole world through a world-wide financial, political and religious system. Nearly half the world's population will fall during this period of trial on earth. If it was not restricted to 3.5 years, no one will actually be able to survive it!

details are too much to be given but if you see a great battle happening in Israel, with Israel almost defeated but delivered at the end through God's intervention and there are many people (Christians) who disappear (aka the rapture) and there is a 7 years peace treaty made with Israel and there is the re-building of the third temple of God in Jerusalem, then you know that the end of time is very near because the peace treaty will be broken at the middle of the 7 years to begin the 3.5 years of Great Tribulation.

Nevertheless, I'm not really worried about it cos' I believe that I'm one of the many who won't be around to witness it since I will be caught up to be with God (not because of my own merits but simply because I believe in His way of salvation) but I'm just praying and hoping that many more will come to know of this loving God who has provided the way of escape and has longed for us to know Him, to love Him, to enjoy Him and to experience Him in countless number of ways in life!

though outwardly I'm wearing away because of the demands of life, yet inwardly I'm being renewed day by day through Him who totally understands the deepest and darkest side of me but yet accepts me just as I am in spite of all my failures and weaknesses and creates in me a sense of purpose and direction! what else can I ask for in a friend? YOU are simply the best! "

Originally Posted by bacht

This is the same kind of thinking that led to the destruction of Judaea in the first place. Do you really want to be on the same team as suicidal Zealots?

The rest of us want the world to continue for another few billion years, thank you very much. Wishing for the destruction of everything is not healthy brother. God wants us to live!

If you don't know already, apocalyptic and eschatology are fringe areas of religion. They usually appeal to the socially and politically marginalized. They may help a person get through some difficult emotional times, but it's a dead-end.

Originally Posted by Clivedurdle

Are rapturists like dungeon and dragon players who think their role is reality?

Originally Posted by Withered

Originally Posted by Blackclaw

All praise 3.5!

Originally Posted by Clivedurdle

And referring to above post.

Gaming, play, fantasy, horror, imaginary friends are critically important for oursanity. This imaginary stuff is not the dead end, what is dangerous is confusing reality and fantasy.

This apocalypse stuff is ancient dungeons and dragons, which probably goes back to our experience of day and night - Lord protect us through the night.

Originally Posted by SeekingKnowledge

All praise 3.5!

Originally Posted by Blackclaw

:notworthy: I still have my old first editions, though I haven't played in years..

Originally Posted by Withered

Right. I couldnt agree more that a bit make believe and fantasy make for a healthy individual.


May all your dice roll twenties.

Why do you hate Gygax? Why have you turned your back on Gygax?

People want to be special and they will embrace an archaic and brutal mythology, and live their lives in the hope that they will be among the chosen few taken to heaven for eternal reward.

The alternative is that they are...mundane, and for some reason, that is simply unacceptable?

The entire concept of the rapture smacks of desperation to me. As though this life is so unbearable that being left behind, so to speak, would be the most cruel punishment of all.

All in all, it makes me feel as if rapturists (is that even a word?) consider the rest of us as subhuman, or somehow beastial.

Or am i just being too sensitive?