In the Bible, are we always in 'the last times'?

[Kmal]

im beginning to think the Bible doesnt predict anything in outside history or future, but rather your own history and future. it seems to be for your self so you can develop and strengthen your own connection with God. it will of course show in the outside of you, which is all of us, but it starts with you.

 

[FindingMyself]

Typically, when referring to the Bible, the "end times" is an evangelical Christian term used to describe what they believe will happen at the end of the world, when Jesus comes back to rescue his followers (called "the Second Coming") and bring God's Kingdom on Earth. In their view, most of these events are laid out in the book of Revelations. There are varying schools of thought within the Christian community, depending on whether the scholars and denominations you are talking about are more conservative or more liberal, that believe that Revelations either was written for a specific timeframe and it has all already happened; that it is currently happening now, and God's Kingdom, etc. is already present(similar to what New Thought believes, if I remember correctly). And, as the evangelical conservatives believe, that it is a future event and hasn't happened yet. When these particular people talk about 'end times', they typically see the ills of the world as being prophetic fulfillment of Revelations, where God says certain things will occur before Jesus' return.

In no school of thought or denomination that I know of, does it refer to anything within the body.

 

[Kmal]

Typically, when referring to the Bible, the "end times" is an evangelical Christian term used to describe what they believe will happen at the end of the world, when Jesus comes back to rescue his followers (called "the Second Coming") and bring God's Kingdom on Earth. In their view, most of these events are laid out in the book of Revelations. There are varying schools of thought within the Christian community, depending on whether the scholars and denominations you are talking about are more conservative or more liberal, that believe that Revelations either was written for a specific timeframe and it has all already happened; that it is currently happening now, and God's Kingdom, etc. is already present(similar to what New Thought believes, if I remember correctly). And, as the evangelical conservatives believe, that it is a future event and hasn't happened yet. When these particular people talk about 'end times', they typically see the ills of the world as being prophetic fulfillment of Revelations, where God says certain things will occur before Jesus' return.

In no school of thought or denomination that I know of, does it refer to anything within the body.

dont we house the Kingdom of God in our body? how can the body left out when it is the Temple? how can there be an end of the world if you are eternal through God and His Son?

 

[just me]

Kmal, I have tried to avoid this thread because of my current limited time. You understand how the Bible has shadows throughout it referencing one thing then manifesting itself in another, I would think. I need to get back in bed and try to at least close my eyes some more before the alarm clock goes off, but wanted you to take note how we can see temporal things relating to eternal things.

Please remember you just used a few words but added the word "world" in with them. That word does not necessarily fit in with the subject, but I do catch what you have been alluring to. In another statement you almost said you are beginning to think the Bible does not refer to the future in the world but just in each person's own body. I'm sure you have seen prophecies fulfilled if you stop and think about it.

I think you may be hearing about how important our time is and how we use it while on this earth. I think you may be hearing how your spirit will live on beyond this earth. I feel you may be feeling to be a part of the Body of Christ, and thus see no limitations concerning time anymore relating to your being part of this. I will revisit when time permits with my take on the end times.

Just for a good laugh, you might see the pics and advertisements for the new Nosler varmint load called Varmageddon. Talk with you in a few days again about this. Have a great one.

 

[just me]

I think in Bible prophecy, words were given to the prophets concerning things to come. There were many things shared with prophets; some to share with the people, and some to keep as a reference or record of what had been said until such event or events happened. Time was a key element in the fulfilling of these prophecies.

There were, for example, words given denoting a virgin birth of Christ: the Son of God. Wise men watched for the signs and duly noted the signs, traveling looking to bring gifts to the Messiah. To me, the birth of Jesus was the end of times regarding His birth. The end of times denoted the fulfilling of the prophesy. Same as His death and resurrection: many years before these things had been shared with man through angels and prophets.

For example, in Galations 4:4-5 it speaks of God sending His Son to redeem those under the law. It says it in a manner worth sharing; "But when the fulness of the time was come". Same as the destruction of the Temple: the fulness of the time had come when it was destroyed. That was the end of days of those scriptures we saw as warning of that happening. I see the end of days as the end of those things shared, and the beginning of new things being ushered in.

I would like to talk regarding Revelations at a later date, if I may. I would also warn many people out there in the world act almost like they want to see a war to end the world. I would like to hear others' take on this, too, if I may.

 

[the]

From a prophecy study that I did a long time ago I learned that at least a few prophecies tend to have had two fulfillments so if they had another (making 3 fulfillments) I wouldnt be surprised.

 

[hush]

If you mean that we're in a constant state of change and rebirth, perhaps. I'm not sure this has to be death; instead, I think of it more so as a continuous stream of life, of consciousness. That's just my agnostic-yish something or another take on it. I'm not too sold on the concept of a god, any god (and there are a bunch to choose from), but I do believe in something... more. I'm still exploring the possibilities of what that "more" is, and probably always will be.

Who knows? That "more" could be always being in the last times, or strengthening one's connection with God.

 

[just me]

I must disclose my translation is just that and not an opinion.

 

[Kmal]

[MENTION=680]just me[/MENTION]
i'm seeing the Adversary as your own earthly and non eternal desires. i've seen many illustrations in the Bible call it the devil, and i believe that the devil is just used as a symbol for that which is already in us. as when Jesus was led in to the wilderness in the spirit, the devil tempted him with the stones to bread, and with all of the kingdoms of the earth. someone like Jesus could have ruled the world then with his Light, yet he glorifed God for us, not the finite desires of earth, the Adversary. i believe when the Adversary is made known to the world, it speaks of your world, how you see the world. it must start from within each of us before it does reach the entirety of the globe.

 

[just me]

@just me
i'm seeing the Adversary as your own earthly and non eternal desires. i've seen many illustrations in the Bible call it the devil, and i believe that the devil is just used as a symbol for that which is already in us. as when Jesus was led in to the wilderness in the spirit, the devil tempted him with the stones to bread, and with all of the kingdoms of the earth. someone like Jesus could have ruled the world then with his Light, yet he glorifed God for us, not the finite desires of earth, the Adversary. i believe when the Adversary is made known to the world, it speaks of your world, how you see the world. it must start from within each of us before it does reach the entirety of the globe.

The way you see things right now is alright. Can you back your train of thought with scriptures?

 

[Kmal]

The way you see things right now is alright. Can you back your train of thought with scriptures?

1 Then Jesus was led up to the wilderness by the Spirit, to be tempted by the Devil, 2 and having fasted forty days and forty nights, afterwards he did hunger. 3 And the Tempter having come to him said, 'If Son thou art of God -- speak that these stones may become loaves.' 4 But he answering said, 'It hath been written, Not upon bread alone doth man live, but upon every word coming forth from the mouth of God.'5 Then doth the Devil take him to the holy city, and doth set him on the pinnacle of the temple,6 and saith to him, 'If Son thou art of God -- cast thyself down, for it hath been written, that, His messengers He shall charge concerning thee, and on hands they shall bear thee up, that thou mayest not dash on a stone thy foot.'7 Jesus said to him again, 'It hath been written, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.'8 Again doth the Devil take him to a very high mount, and doth shew to him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, 9 and saith to him, 'All these to thee I will give, if falling down thou mayest bow to me.' 10 Then saith Jesus to him, 'Go -- Adversary, for it hath been written, The Lord thy God thou shalt bow to, and Him only thou shalt serve.' 11 Then doth the Devil leave him, and lo, messengers came and were ministering to him.

and now, what is keeping down ye have known, for his being revealed in his own time, 7 for the secret of the lawlessness doth already work, only he who is keeping down now will hinder -- till he may be out of the way, 8 and then shall be revealed the Lawless One, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the manifestation of his presence,

verse 8 being of importance regarding revelations.

7 And when the thousand years may be finished, the Adversary shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 and he shall go forth to lead the nations astray, that are in the four corners of the earth -- Gog and Magog -- to gather them together to war, of whom the number is as the sand of the sea; 9 and they did go up over the breadth of the land, and did surround the camp of the saints, and the beloved city, and there came down fire from God out of the heaven, and devoured them; 10 and the Devil, who is leading them astray, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where are the beast and the false prophet, and they shall be tormented day and night -- to the ages of the ages.

seems so similar

 

[just me]

@just me
i'm seeing the Adversary as your own earthly and non eternal desires. i've seen many illustrations in the Bible call it the devil, and i believe that the devil is just used as a symbol for that which is already in us. as when Jesus was led in to the wilderness in the spirit, the devil tempted him with the stones to bread, and with all of the kingdoms of the earth. someone like Jesus could have ruled the world then with his Light, yet he glorifed God for us, not the finite desires of earth, the Adversary. i believe when the Adversary is made known to the world, it speaks of your world, how you see the world. it must start from within each of us before it does reach the entirety of the globe.

Similarities can get one sidetracked when trying to translate scripture. It would do one well to stay between the lines.
Σατανᾶς from diabolos
SATAN
Christ and Satan cannot dwell together in the Temple of God.

 

[Kmal]

Christ and Satan cannot dwell together in the Temple of God. not finished yet

i'm not sure what you mean here, would you explain please? why did you say Christ instead of Jesus? you're referring to the Temple of God as the body, right? see, these darn similarities!

 

[Quiet]

Typically, when referring to the Bible, the "end times" is an evangelical Christian term used to describe what they believe will happen at the end of the world, when Jesus comes back to rescue his followers (called "the Second Coming") and bring God's Kingdom on Earth. In their view, most of these events are laid out in the book of Revelations. There are varying schools of thought within the Christian community, depending on whether the scholars and denominations you are talking about are more conservative or more liberal, that believe that Revelations either was written for a specific timeframe and it has all already happened; that it is currently happening now, and God's Kingdom, etc. is already present(similar to what New Thought believes, if I remember correctly). And, as the evangelical conservatives believe, that it is a future event and hasn't happened yet. When these particular people talk about 'end times', they typically see the ills of the world as being prophetic fulfillment of Revelations, where God says certain things will occur before Jesus' return.

In no school of thought or denomination that I know of, does it refer to anything within the body.

This has been my experience from most traditional denominations, and also:
- those that believe the last times started when Jesus was born
- those that believe that last times are happening now and thats why the world is so chaotic now
- those that believe that the last times are yet to come, God has a different timeline to us, 1000 years is a blink of his eye so just because it was written thousands of years ago it is still a current prophesy.


There are branches of Gnostic and New age Christianity that believe that:
The last times signal a new age/era for humanity where we must create a kingdom of heaven on Earth. This is intepreted through Jesus' teachings of brotherly love, forgiveness, community and the abolition of rich and poor. Jesus teachings have been interpreted to assert that we must all surrender our wealth to the church (community centres), and then divide the wealth equally among all brothers (all humans). like socialism

im beginning to think the Bible doesnt predict anything in outside history or future, but rather your own history and future. it seems to be for your self so you can develop and strengthen your own connection with God. it will of course show in the outside of you, which is all of us, but it starts with you.

This is very much along the lines of Gnostic Christianity and New age Christianity. It takes the parables and the symbolism from Biblical teachings and other Christian texts and inteprets it as practical advice and life guidance for the individual and the community in the here and now.

I really like your interpretation of the last times as referring to the limited mortality of our physical bodies. I havent heard that one yet, and its pretty clever.
The Bible is very open to interpretation and there are many Christian texts that have been omitted or removed from the current Bible. There is also the issue of the many times it has been translated, the loss of original meaning, and of course the context and culture that it was written in. The Bible has changed throughout history as humans and cultures have changed. If you look into the history of the Bible it can touch you much about the world today and how we got here. A book always tells you more about the author and publisher than anything else.
There are so many denominations and contrary schools of thought within Christianity, let alone Catholisim and other Abrahamic religions. The Bible and other Abrahamic texts are a valuable wealth of information that teaches us much about humanity, history, culture and how people have chosen to write history. The beauty of the Bible is that it has much wisdom, guidance, salvation and enlightenment to offer when one reads it with open eyes.