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The “End of the World” again? Believe it. . . .

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For more than 40 years I have been following the views of prophecy speculation and the claims made by people about end-of-the-world scenarios. People have short memories, or have no memory, about prophecy speculators who have assured an anxious public that Jesus would return by this or that date. His coming is always said to be “near.” Despite scores of failures, there is yet a new confident prediction of “an ancient biblical warning” called “the Great Sign” that is “foretold to precede a series of disastrous global events.”

But here is why Christians should not be anxious at all about this alleged prophecy.

A Track Record of Lies

The 1980s was described as the “terminal generation.” In 1970, Hal Lindsey wrote The Late Great Planet Earth which included a prophetic teaser that something called the “rapture” would take place before 1988. It was based on the claim that when Israel became a nation again in 1948 that the “rapture” would occur within a 40-year prophetic window. Lindsey’s book sold around 30 million copies.

In 1988, NASA engineer Edgar Whisenant wrote 88 Reasons Why the Rapture is in 1988. When the “rapture” didn’t occur, he revised his book with 89 reasons why the rapture would be in 1989.

Christians still fell for it.

Following a similar prophetic script, Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel in California wrote in his 1976 book The Soon to be Revealed Antichrist that “we are living in the last generation which began with the rebirth of Israel in 1948 (see Matt. 24:32–34).” He repeated the claim in his 1978 book End Times:

If I understand Scripture correctly, Jesus taught us that the generation which sees the ‘budding of the fig tree,’ the birth of the nation of Israel, will be the generation that sees the Lord’s return. I believe that the generation of 1948 is the last generation. Since a generation of judgment is forty years and the Tribulation period lasts seven years, I believe the Lord could come back for His Church any time before the Tribulation starts, which would mean any time before 1981. (1948 + 40 – 7 = 1981).

If this prophetic math sounds familiar, it’s because the same end-time logic had been used by Hal Lindsey in The Late Great Planet Earth in 1970.

On December 31, 1979, Smith told those who had gathered on the last day of the year that the “rapture” would take place before the end of 1981. He went on to say that because of ozone depletion Revelation 16:8 would be fulfilled during the tribulation period: “And the fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun; and it was given to it to scorch men with fire.”

In addition, Halley’s Comet would pass near Earth in 1986 and would wreak havoc on those left behind as debris from its million-mile-long tail pummeled the planet. Here’s how Smith explained the prophetic scenario in his book Future Survival which is nearly identical to what appears on the taped message:

The Lord said that towards the end of the Tribulation period the sun would scorch men who dwell upon the face of the earth (Rev. 16). The year 1986 would fit just about right! We’re getting close to the Tribulation and the return of Christ in glory. All the pieces of the puzzle are coming together.

Nothing significant happened in 1986 related to Halley’s Comet, and there is no reason why it should have since it’s been a predictable phenomenon for more than two millennia as it makes its way around the sun every 75 to 76 years.

Do you remember all the hype and hysteria generated over the planetary phenomenon called the Jupiter Effect? No? Let me refresh your memory. In 1982, there was to be an unusual alignment of the planets. The planets would be in a straight-line formation perpendicular to the sun. This alignment — an event that occurs every 179 years according to Gribbin and Plagemann in The Jupiter Effect — supposedly exerts an uncommon gravitational pull on the planets. Hal Lindsey saw eschatological significance in the Jupiter Effect.

He wrote in 1980, “This alignment causes great storms on the sun’s surface, which in turn affect each of the planets. The sun storms will not only affect our atmosphere, as was previously mentioned, but they will slow down the Earth’s axis slightly.” This slowdown, according to Lindsey and his “author-experts,” would mean putting “a tremendous strain on the Earth’s faults, touching off earthquakes.” This new wave of earthquakes was to bring about great floods because dams have been built over fault lines. In addition, we were to see “nuclear power plant meltdowns at facilities built on or near the Earth’s faults.” But what happened?

Nothing.

I could offer example after example of these types of prophetic speculation. I have shelves full of books on the subject.

The Latest End Times Hoax

Here’s the latest. September 23, 2017, is said to be prophetically significant for “the End of Days.” Similar to the Jupiter Non-Effect and the faded Blood Moon phenomena, this prophecy is said to be written in the stars. The “prophecy” is from Prophecy News Watch:

On September 23, 2017 a sign will form in the heavens that fits the description of Revelation 12. According to computer models, this is the only time this sign will occur in history. Will this sign in the heavens literally fulfill the ‘Great Sign’ of Revelation? And if so, what does this mean?

What does Revelation 12:1-2 say?: “And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”

The prophecy seems to be more about astrological signs than biblical signs.

Anyone looking at the illustration of what’s supposedly going to happen can see at least one problem. Can you spot it?

Three of the “stars” are planets. Planets are not stars. In addition, constellations are manufactured. The stars are linked together in order to follow an already developed pattern. With enough imagination, you could build any image out of the thousands of stars that appear on a clear evening.

The bigger problem, however, is the biblical symbolism. Where does the image of the sun, moon, and 12 stars come from? Not from astrology. It comes from the Bible:

“Now [Joseph] had still another dream, and related it to his brothers, and said, ‘Lo, I have had still another dream; and behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me’” (Gen. 37:9). Joseph makes the 12th star with his father (Jacob) being the sun and his mother (Rachel) the moon (37:10). The image, therefore, is symbolic (Rachel was dead: 35:19), representing Israel.

What does Israel, represented by a woman who stands on the moon, is draped with the sun, and has a crown of 12 stars, do? She gives birth to a child: “and she was with child; and she ‘cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth’” (Rev. 12:2).

And what is there to devour the child upon his birth?

Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems. And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child (12:3-4).

Revelation is describing the first coming of Jesus. The woman is unbelieving Israel. The child is Jesus. The dragon is Rome/Herod. The Herods are descendants of Esau and are the Bible’s Edomites and Amalekites: “Now the first came forth red, all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau” (Gen. 25:25).

Jesus is born, the great deliverer, but an Edomite/Amalekite, Herod, tries to take him out at the beginning; Jesus is rescued to safety in Egypt.

By following biblical theology rather than astrology, the Bible interpreter finds an actual biblical interpretive methodology without having to engage in prophetic speculation.

There is, therefore, no reason at all to be anxious about this alleged “prophecy” or this astronomical “Great Sign.” What Revelation speaks of in chapter 12 was fulfilled in the first century. We need not fear anything like it today. You may safely ignore the latest fearmongering in the long track record of failed End of Days predictions.

Notes:

American Vision’s mission is to Restore America to its Biblical Foundation—from Genesis to Revelation. American Vision (AV) has been at the heart of worldview study since 1978, providing resources to exhort Christian families and individuals to live by a Biblically based worldview. Visit www.AmericanVision.org for more information, content and resources


Source: https://americanvision.org/14308/the-end-of-the-world-again-believe-it/


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    Total 6 comments
    • unidentified

      these end dates are getting tiresome :lol:

    • goastdale

      It is a biblical fact according to the bibles own figures that last days are the last 70 years of the number of years between BC596…to AD70 = 666 yrs the period of time outlined once as a MAN and once as a BEAST in Daniel Ch 2 & 7 respectively .as the time the 7 fold (7 seals/trumps vials) curse of the law of Moses was poured out on the physical seed of Israel purified until only a spiritual seed was left…

      This is also how we know slam dunk that Muhammad was a false teacher…just like most “bible teaching Christians”…….THE SECOND COMING Thou Fool! “I come quickly” so “Hold fast till i come”… NOT …“in another 2000 yrs I might be coming soon any time now, so hold fast”!?! …those that deny the second coming of Christ in that first generation are practicing a damnable heresy in denying the lord that bought them ( 2Peter 2:1-2 ;2Tim 4:8)…….Mat 7:23..”I NEVER KNEW YOU” …..Mat 10:33. But whosoever shall deny me before men……..sound familiar?…. ……. If I said I am coming to your house in this generation when these things happen but no one knows the day or hour what fool would think I might be coming in 2000 years latter!?!? ..2 Tim 4: 4. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be TURNED UNTO FABLES.

      Gal 1: 8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

      The book of Revelation offers us an interesting Theological dilemma. It states Rev 22:16. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. Revelation also states it is “the true sayings” of Jesus and that it is “the testimony of Christ”. If this is not “the gospel of Jesus Christ” then what is it and should we consider it accursed testimony of an angel? If it is not to be considered accursed, then it cannot be some other gospel message then what was already given previously. However, this is the conundrum, for if this is the gospel message, then why do so few understand it? There is a possibility which few consider but is the overall thesis of this apology. The reason people don’t understand revelation is because they never understood what the gospel message was in the first place! In that case, where does that put those who claim it is not essential for salvation? Do you not find it quite curious that the most “Personally” given NT book By Jesus himself, is the least understood and given the least importance for Salvation in Christendom?….There are numerous preachers and bible exegetes but as Paul said “… I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge” . Most who profess the name of Christ are feeding on doctrines of devils and the ignorant.. There are, without question, many “qualified” teachers and scholars with many years of “dedication” and “solid education”. However, teachers, no matter how well lettered or numbered in degrees; if obtained from others; who are just as equally ignorant in such matters, are just “ blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”………………

      Revelation the First Gospel of the Kingdom
      978-1-4907-0590-3 (ISBN)

      Those looking for a physical return of Christ and your physical body to “leave the dirt” resurrected (1Cor 15:36-37) you are carnal mined & or living in prov 26:12

      DAY OF THE LORD”/ YEAR OF THE LORD – does NOT last for 24 hours!?!..Also means the day of resurrection & judgment do not last for one hour or one day either! They only begin (NOT END) in a certain hour & on a certain 24 hour day ….”SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS to arise”…..NOT..”come & get (your new resurrected body) it while it is still hot, only 24 hours of solar power left”!?!

      https://www.scribd.com/doc/308485609/Day-of-Lord-Not-24-Hours-I-Come-Quickly

      The second coming took place already and Christ promised that only HIS PEOPLE would see him ….John 14:19. Yet a little while, and THE WORLD SEETH ME NO MORE;….. [2 Cor 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ AFTER THE FLESH, yet NOW HENCEFORTH KNOW WE HIM NO MORE….(here the Context of John 14 is his second coming)…..continued…..but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20. AT THAT DAY .. 21. He that hath my commandments, and KEEPETH THEM, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and WILL MANIFEST MYSELF TO HIM……(again taking note “as he is” or 1Jn 3:2)

      22. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, HOW IS IT THAT THOU WILT MANIFEST THYSELF UNTO US AND NOT UNTO THE WORLD? 23. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, HE WILL KEEP MY WORDS: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.( Rev 3:20) 24. He that loveth me not.. (1Cor 16:22)…. KEEPETH NOT MY SAYINGS: ( REV 9:16-20)

      REVELATION 1:7. Behold, HE COMETH WITH CLOUDS; and EVERY EYE SHALL SEE HIM, …. There is a parallel here with ………….Exodus 24:10. And THEY SAW THE GOD OF ISRAEL : and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. 11. And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also THEY SAW GOD, and did eat and drink………..But Christ said….. John 1:18. NO MAN HATH SEEN GOD AT ANY TIME; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. A person can see with their understanding and or see with their eyes…. It can see “seen” for certain that everything that Christ described was seen by the folks of that day in His coming but do they perceive that was him? …So what Christ said is true every eye saw him but the world does not see him….. With the eye they and folks still today can see everything Christ described to have taken place, but they do not “keep” ( believe and understand) his words as such they do not see him nor shall they ever.

      The saints who have physical died faithful in the flesh (every man in his own order) are changed in the blink of an eye & caught up to sit on that Great white throne ( this congregation of the saints is the body of Christ that folks will answer to at the judgment and these saints will judge all men who cannot see Christ along with the rest of the world……Folks think they are waiting to see Jesus but they will NEVER see Jesus himself they will only see the body of Christ condemn them the saints judge the world (Rev 3:21; 1 Cor 6:2 et al) the saints are the body of Christ…that is the only part of Christ they shall see….only the saints shall see God face to face…..most peoples idea of the second coming & day of the Lord and the judgment is completely wrong

      https://www.scribd.com/doc/305366745/Revelation-the-First-Gospel-of-the-Kingdom

      or

      https://www.academia.edu/23464127/REVELATION_THE_FIRST_GOSPEL_OF_THE_KINGDOM

      978-1-4907-0590-3 (SC ISBN)

    • No Body

      LOL everything in time is circular and has repeated itself many times…..just like the clock on your wall
      36 the clock on the wall
      360 the earth, the calendar
      3600 the ages, the solar systems orbit inside the galaxy
      36000 the galaxy, the galaxies orbit inside the universe
      360000 the universe, the universe’s orbit inside???????????????
      ANU CIRCLES OF ALL CIRCLES or GOD OF ALL GODS ….
      also all are divide by 12

      • No Body

        also if there was a 3.6 the moon would spin on its axis..

    • tatsmaki

      Cleanup of Earth & 20,000 planets by the Creators is imminent
      May 7, 2017 T. Tatsmaki (Japan)
      All ruling layers of all nations on Earth are shapeshifters of reptilian humanoids of the Lizard (4-D reptile type humanoids covered whole body with scales). D. Trump, B. Obama, Bushes, etc., T. May, le Pen, E. Macron, A. Merkel, V. Puchin, Hi Jinping, Kim JonUn, Abe shinzo, etc.- All tey are shapeshifters of reptilian humanoids.
      Thus, Earth has been taken over by reptilian humanoids of the Lizard and their bosses, draconian lizards of the Draco planet (5-D flying lizards walking with 2 legs: the official emblem of UK capital London).
      Under the invasion and domination by them, our Earth is under tyranny of plutocratic slave domination, refusing transition to the new society of everythig gratuitous services in all areas, though the Creators have given everything gratuitously for Earth too, though no such evil and corrupt civilization as Earth on about 20,000 planets of advanced civilizations forming the Garaxy Federation.
      The 5 times larger planet NIBIRU is now rapidly approaching to Earth due to cleanup of Earth by the Creators. Under its influence the pole shift of Earth occurs soon. Earthers and Earth society will suffer the major disaster since the extincton of dinosaurs.
      The USA East including NYC, Washington DC and the West: CA State sink into the sea. Then, the north American continent sinks into the sea, together with British Islands, The East and the South of China, Korean peninsula, Russian Moscow and Petersburg, Japanese Islands, etc.
      Moreover, the cleanup of about 20,000 planets being under the evil and corrupt civilizations, including our Earth, has been promoted by the Creators for normalization of our space order. Those will be swept away and disappear from our Space. It occurs soon.

    • Boo

      New one on me. Interesting take.

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