CAN WE KNOW ABOUT THE TIMING OF THE RETURN OF CHRIST? (01)

mycreation0801 · Newbie Alert Joined: 27 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

Thief in the Night

We read in Daniel 12:9-10 And he said [God], Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

Because we are close to the last day of the history of the world (the day God will bring final judgment on all those on the earth), many who are diligently studying the bible are finding information in the bible about the time of the end (information including the timing of the return of Christ, and the nature of God's judgment and salvation). The bible in its entirety is the laws and commandments of God.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. As the above verses state, the entire bible is given to man by God. Both the New Testament and the Old Testament make up one book called “the bible”, and the bible in its entirety completes the words of God for the human race.

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Deuteronomy 28:58-59 If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD; Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance.

Ecclesiastes 8:5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment. In this verse in Ecclesiastes God tells us that "the wise" (in the bible, the wise are those that have become saved by God) will know "time" and judgment.

It is very important to take notice of the fact that God informs those reading the bible that the wise will understand “time”. We read in Ecclesiastes 8:6 Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him. Because God informs that to every purpose there is “time” and also that those who are studying the bible can know time (Ecclesiastes 8:5), it is no great surprise for us to learn about time information from the bible. The question is: “can we learn about time information leading to the return of Christ”?

Throughout church history we have been taught correctly that Christ would come upon the earth as a thief in the night. 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

It is true that all throughout the history of the church, the bible has taught that Christ is coming as a thief in the night; but that is not all the word of God, the bible said. There is also information in the bible that there will come a time when those who are saying He is coming as a thief in the night (there is peace and safety) will meet "sudden destruction";

1 Thessalonians 5:2-8 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

In the above verses God distinguishes between two groups of people. For one group the last day will come as a thief in the night and sudden destruction will follow them; but for another group who are watching that day will not overtake them as a thief. Revelation 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

In the above verse we are told that if we "do not watch", then Christ will come for us as a thief..."and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee". HOUR in this verse has to do with "time". This also strongly implies that if we do "watch", we will KNOW WHAT HOUR HE WILL COME. Matthew 24:43-46 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Mark 13:34-37 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

The facts are plain and simple: “we are commanded to watch”. As we read in Revelation 3:3 …If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. For those who are not watching, they cannot know when Christ will return and consequently be met with sudden destruction (1 Thessalonians 5:3-6).

It is only because we are now very close to the end of time spoken of in Daniel 12 that we can begin to understand these facts from the bible. The question now remaining is: “what does it mean to ‘watch’, and what is the purpose of a watchman”. Does watching simply mean to go about my business trying my best to follow the bible until Christ returns? The Answer of course in a big NO! The bible gives us a very clear idea of what it means to watch in Ezekiel chapter 33.

Please watch for part two of this topic...which will be posted soon.

45degreeN · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 11:15 am Post subject:

This thread belongs in the end times forum not here. Where is Admin when you need them?
_________________
My boss is a Jewish carpenter.

Read the
www.Christian-Thinktank.com

Joebob787 · Rattlesnake Joined: 26 May 2008 Posts: 435 Location: Nj

So, Mycreation0801, Do you believe in a Pre-trib, Post-trib, Mid-trib, Pre wrath, Partial Rapture, or no rapture at all?
_________________
Romans 1:16a I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes

handermann · Big Guppy Joined: 27 May 2008 Posts: 48

mycreation,

So you think "we are now very close"? So you are talking maybe 2000 more years? Because that is what John meant when he said that the time is "near," "at hand," "close" in Revelation.

I find it hard to believe that Christ would return in 2000 years.

Joebob787 · Rattlesnake Joined: 26 May 2008 Posts: 435 Location: Nj

Two words Handermann.

Mount Olives.

This is all
_________________
Romans 1:16a I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes

45degreeN · Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 7:19 pm Post subject:

Well there is a Jewish state called Israel and for the last nearly 2000 there wasn't one. Isn't this a sign of the times? If there had been anywhere else in the whole world during the intervening years tell me about it.
_________________
My boss is a Jewish carpenter.

Read the
www.Christian-Thinktank.com

mycreation0801 · Newbie Alert Joined: 27 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

All the information about this post comes directly out of the bible. Today we know the calender of history that comes directly out of the bible. All this information has been compiled in a book called "time has an end" and also, "we are almost there". You can get these books free of charge (you don't pay a penny) from familyradio . com or call toll free 1800.543.1495

The time information that God has given us in the bible is very accurate. Remember we read in Daniel 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Because we are in this last days we can know a lot about time. God tells us that we can know time!!! Ecclesiastes 8:5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.

joman · Tiger Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 848

Quotes are mycreation0801's

I liked your post.

JonMarie · Grizzly Bear Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 731 Location: Pa.

Welcome mycreation0801. Interesting post. You will find not everyone on this forum takes the bible for the Word of God, I am glad you do.

History reveals to us that God has a limit to the length of time He will tolerate evil. It would not surprise me at all to find that we are living in the end times.

I exclusively listen to family radio, when I listen to the radio, and it has been/is a blessing, however I am not a fan or believer of H.C. predictions and I am sure you realize that this is not the first time he predicted a date for the end.
_________________
Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

ChristianWoman1 · Labrador Joined: 22 May 2008 Posts: 300

JonMarie...who is HC? Embarassed

_________________
____________________

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
ROMANS 12:2

T.L. Means (Thomas) · House Cat Joined: 06 Aug 2008 Posts: 154

The fact of the matter is the scriptures you are preferring to are indeed for someone left in a terrible situation known as the The Tribulation of Time. I learned a hard lessen when reading and accepting others interpretations of Prophecies.

Rev 22:18 For I testify together to everyone who hears the Words of the prophecy of this Book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add on him the plagues that have been written in this Book.
Rev 22:19 And if anyone takes away from the Words of the Book of this prophecy, God will take away his part out of the Book of Life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which have been written in this Book.
Rev 22:20 He who testifies these things says, Yes, I am coming quickly, Amen. Yes, come, Lord Jesus.
Rev 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you. Amen.

So it is safe to say I have come into the Light of knowledge, of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ. The only thing that matters is that we are walking in the Spirit then our days are safe from the Day of the Lord.

Remember the parable of the ten virgins that only five entered through the door and how that parable is reflective to John in Revelation being in the Spirit and caught away;

Rev 4:1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door was opened in Heaven. And the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me, saying, Come up here, and I will show you what must occur after these things.
Rev 4:2 And immediately I became in spirit. And behold, a throne was set in Heaven, and One sat upon the throne.

I am pretrib and rightfully so: John's representation that day was our (Church in the Spirit) position to stand on the catching away theology we believe in. Then after chapter 5 of Revelation the Church is spoken of no more until later on in scripture we find that great mutitude.

JonMarie · Grizzly Bear Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 731 Location: Pa.

JonMarie...who is HC?

Harold Camping, President and cofounder of Family Stations, Inc. Family Radio Worldwide is a nondenominational nonprofit Christian ministry.
_________________
Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Silver Surfer

shepreach · Cobra Joined: 08 Nov 2003 Posts: 493 Location: ga

i really dont know why there is so much disscussion about the end. somewhere in the book of matthew there is a chapter where the disciples ask Jesus himself when he will come.

his answer---only the Father knows when. so when i see a topic i can't help but feel that what i'm reading id wrong.
_________________
a servant in Christ

I'm wounded sore but not yet slain, I'll lie and bleed awhile then rise to fight again.
--?

doctrellor · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 6:30 am Post subject: