The Last Days

by homme perdu 11 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • homme perdu
    homme perdu

    Did the last days begin after Jesus' death and continues today. Because I am starting to believe that. I dont believe in 1914 or that Israel becoming a nation started the last days as believed by many fundamentalist.

  • Deputy Dog
    Deputy Dog

    homme

    Heb 1:1

    God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

    Looks like Paul agrees with you.

    D Dog

  • Narkissos
    Narkissos

    All the NT mentions of the "last days" (and similar phrases) obviously refer to the present, i.e. the time when the speakers were speaking or the writers were writing. And in the earliest texts referring to such "last days" those are supposed to be short ("this generation", etc.). Which leaves later readers with the following choice: either twist the scriptures (by making the last days future or long) or understand them as a mistake.

    On the other hand, there is a definite trend in the later texts of the NT (e.g. Luke-Acts, the Pastorals or 2 Peter) to reinterpret the "last days" as still present but indefinitely long.

  • Honesty
    Honesty

    That's also the impression I have regarding "The Last Days".

  • DHL
    DHL

    I would really like to know why you believe or want to believe in "the last days" at all.

    When I look around I can see changes happening all the time. Some things change for the better, some for the worse. Mankind explores in all kind of directions. I can see great things happening, just for example scientific successes in curing diseases are achieved constantly. But I don't see anything that would proof the expectation to live in any kind of "last days".

    It seems like whoever makes statements as "We are living in the last days" always includes advice on how to "escape" or "win" or be "on the right side", i.e. we are put under pressure to react in a certain way to "survive". Actually this is a very effective method sales representatives use every day to make people buy certain things. But are the buyings always worth the price?

  • Alwayshere
    Alwayshere

    I don't believe in 1914 either but I think Hebrews 1:2 is talking about the last days of the Jewish system which came to an end in 70 C.E. At Matthew 24 when Jesus was giving the early Christains the signs to look for, He said at verse 34 "THIS generation will by no means pass away till all these things are fullfilled." He was talking to them and when he said "This generation" they knew he meant their generation. Society tries to make it look like everything has a greater fullfillment but no where does Jesus say it does. Verse 14 where Jesus said "The good news will be preached in all the earth", At Colossians 1:23, Paul said it had been done.We are not obligated to preach but to keep the two greatest commandments. Jesus said if we do this we will get life.[Luke 10:25-28] I am not saying this is right but it is what I believe is right. I never believed it mattered when the last days begin.

  • mnb77
    mnb77

    Now, for some time we have been in the last day. Just last week when I was at a confrence in Florida for Campus Crusade for Christ we had a speaker Rosenberg (i think?) He was talking on the signs of the last days and what is included below is an expanded version of what he spoke on during our meetings.

    Let's prove the Bible is true and we are nearing the end of the last generation before Christ returns.

    1. The Jewish people would be scattered worldwide; yet Israel would become a nation again after a long time and at a time the Bible calls the "latter days"-ref Isa 66:8; Mic 5:3; Ezek 38:8. Against what appeared to be impossible odds, this prophecy has been fulfilled. It happened as predicted on May 14, 1948 after about 2500 years. That?s 1 out of 1.
    Note:

    2. shall be brought forth in one day, at once-ref Isa 66:8. Prophecy fulfilled-May 14, 1948. That?s 2 out of 2.
    Note: On Nov. 29, 1947, the General Assembly of the U.N. approved a resolution calling for the establishment of a Jewish state in . On the morning of May 14, 1948 (the last day of the British mandate), a meeting of the People?s Council took place in to decide on the name of the state and to finalize the declaration. At precisely 4 pm, the proclamation ceremony began at the Tel Aviv museum. The 979 Hebrew words of the Scroll of Independence were read. All stood, and the scroll was adopted. The notorious White Paper, issued by the British in 1930 restricting Jewish immigration, was declared null and void. Members of the People?s Council signed the proclamation. David Ben-Gurion rapped his gavel, declaring, "The State of Israel is established. This meeting is ended." was brought forth as a nation in one day, at once, exactly as predicted. At midnight, the British soldiers and high commissioner would leave. President Truman was swift in announcing recognition of . The following morning, on May 15, was under attack by the Egyptian, Syrian, Lebanese, Jordanian, and Iraqi forces.

    3. would be brought forth (or reborn) "out of the nations"-Ezek 38:8. Prophecy fulfilled-May 14, 1948. That?s 3 out of 3.
    Note: As previously stated, on Nov. 29, 1947, the General Assembly of the "United Nations" approved a resolution calling for the establishment of a Jewish state in . This prophecy was perfectly fulfilled. Consider, for centuries the had been occupied by many nations. was "brought forth out of the nations"?the children of from many nations have been returning to their ancient homeland.

    4. must regain the city of 2:32; Isa 28:14; Ezek 22:19. This happened just as predicted in 1967. That?s 4 out of 4.
    Note: The Bible gives us two methods so we would know
    the time we are in. One is by ?s rebirth. The other, by a precise line of events that would all come together at one time. was reborn on May 14 th , 1948. The Bible indicates that from ?s rebirth a generation would not pass till all be fulfilled. We are not setting any date; however, it seems clear from ?s rebirth and the signs of the times? that we are living in the generation in which the Rapture and Tribulation will come and catch most people by surprise. Are you ready?

    5. The Christian church at the time of the end would be lukewarm, neither cold nor hot for Jesus. Prophecy fulfilled. That?s 5 out of 5.
    Note: God will spew them out. Many ministers and people that call themselves a Christian will not be going to heaven. The Bible tells us?you have acquired wealth, but your true condition is wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked and you don?t know it-Rev 3:14-22. This is today?s church. Most preachers use little Scripture, but lots of worldly stories. Many sing a great deal, but put little emphasis on repentance, obeying, serving, and fearing God, on the fruits of the Spirit, Bible prophecy, water baptism by immersion, and studying your Bible faithfully every day. Many are only entertainment centers that teach what their members want to hear. Many (so-called Christians) are so lukewarm or dead, they don?t even bring their Bibles with them to the house of God. Some famous ministers and Bible schools think this is the best church age ever, yet the Bible clearly shows it is the worst and most deceived.

    6.

    The Bible gives us over 50 descriptions about the people at the time of the end. These fit the
    people of today perfectly, but did not fit the people of fifty years ago. Here are some:

    A.

    Some would depart from the faith and go into devil worship -1 Tim 4:1. This is perfect.

    B.

    People would mock about the last days and not believe -2 Pe 3:3; Jude 18.

    C.

    People would become lovers of themselves -2 Tim 3:1,2. Remember the TV commercials?"I do it for me"?

    D.

    People would be disobeying their parents -2 Tim 3:1,2.

    E.

    People would be grateful for nothing -2 Tim 3:1,2.

    F.

    Homosexuality would increase -Lk 17:28,30; ref Gen 19:5; Ro 1:24,26,27.

    G.

    People would be without self-control in sex -2 Tim 3:1,2,6; Rev 9:21, Lk 17:28,30; Jude 7. Is this not the great sex generation?

    H.

    People would love pleasures more than God -2 Tim 3:1,2,4. This is true. Shall we go on a picnic, watch football, or sleep. Church??we can go another time. Our American motto "In God we trust" has become a joke. Remember, these were all predicted centuries ago as part of the signs that we are at the time of the end.

    I.

    People would be taking drugs -Rev 9:21. The Greek word for sorceries, in Rev 9:21, means pharmaceuticals or drugs. God?s Word is 100% right on every one. That?s 6 out of 6. How could you have any doubts at this point?
    Note: Fifty years ago, many people seldom locked their doors at night. There was little or no profanity on television, radio, or in the movies. One of the biggest problems in public school was gum chewing. Those days are long gone.

    7. There would be weapons that could destroy the world-Mk 13:20; Rev 6:8; Rev 9:18; Zech 14:8,12. Incredibly, this prophecy was written in the days of spears and arrows, yet today it is true. That?s 7 out of 7.
    Note: It is estimated that the combined nuclear arsenals of the and (as of the year 2004) could kill every living thing on earth 6 times over.

    8. The Gospel must be published in all the world-Mk 13:10. This seemingly impossible prophecy was written when there was no printing press, but today it is true. That's 8 out of 8.
    Note: In this last generation, to our knowledge, the Gospel is being published (or is about to be published) in the primary language of every nation of the world or "among all nations." In addition, the Gospel is available by short-wave radio nearly everywhere in the world.

    9. In the "latter days" when Israel was once again a nation, there would be a great military power to the extreme north of Israel in the land of Magog (which is modern-day Russia)-Ezek 38:2-4,8,15,16. Incredible. That?s 9 out of 9.
    Note: How could the Bible have foretold the location of this nation, facts about its military, and even the time period it would come to pass? As was already said in Lk 24:25-O FOOLS, AND SLOW OF HEART TO BELIEVE ALL THAT THE PROPHETS HAVE SPOKEN.

    10. There would be a nation to the far east of , to the end of the earth. This nation would have an army of 200 million. This is astounding. How could the Bible have told the location of a nation and given such a huge figure regarding the size of its army nearly 2000 years ago? has boasted that they could field an army of this exact figure. That?s 10 out of 10.

    11. There would be an economic alliance of the nations of the Old . It would have a military capability. This is an exact description of the today (the EEC), which has already adopted the one-currency system for many of their member nations. It is written, IN THE DAYS OF THESE KINGS (these nations, which is now) SHALL THE GOD OF HEAVEN SET UP A KINGDOM-Dan 2:44. That?s 11 out of 11. We have just reached the point that seemed impossible?11 perfect predictions made thousands of years ago?with God nothing is impossible. Certainly, at this point, even the biggest skeptic should see the Bible is true, there is a God, and we are nearing the time of the end.

    About 22 prophecies in 11 sets have been given, all perfect and all written centuries ago. The chance that any person could do this 2000 years into the future is not possible. The Bible is the Word of God, and we have just proved it. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Repent and get baptized by full immersion. Read and obey the Gospel. God loves you. He is not willing that any should perish, yet many do. The Rapture is close. Most people are not ready and will not be taken. However, "YOU" cannot say you did not know. Know and understand, Mt 16:26-WHAT IS A MAN PROFITED, IF HE SHALL GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD, AND LOSE HIS OWN SOUL? OR WHAT SHALL A MAN GIVE IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS SOUL? (Note: The Encyclopedia of Bible Prophecy has the complete list of 365 prophecies. http://www.whatliesahead.com/)

    way cool if you ask me !!

  • Narkissos
    Narkissos

    mnb77,

    Thanks for reminding us that historical stupidity and dishonest use of the Bible are not limited to JWs.

    http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/11/87361/1.ashx

  • IT Support
    IT Support

    If there was a 'last days' at all, I think they probably began when Jesus died, and ended with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.

    Now these things went on befalling them as examples, and they were written for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have arrived. (1 Corinthians 10:11)
  • Flash
    Flash

    I am a '1914, Last Generation' hold-out!

    Yes, there are 2 Last Days, ancient Israel's and the whole world's. Jesus regularly stressed the lateness of the Hour that He would Return for the latter. Matthew 20: 1-16, 24: 48 and 25: 1-13 (note vs. 5&6) Matthew 25: 14-19 (note vs. 19), Mark 13: 32-37, Luke 12: 36-40,

    The fact that Jesus repeatedly illustrated the lateness and/or delay of His coming should cause a red flag to go up in our minds now that we are here in 2005 thinking 'He's probably not coming now.' Matthew 24:44b

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