Brandon Hughes Supporter Regular Worker Guy

Timothy sheds some light on the last days for us in the third chapter of his second letter:

1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

Our friends who dispute about pre-trib, mid-trib and post-trib raptures wrangle selected texts to fit their preferences or preconceived ideas. The truth is, we'll know when it comes. According to the passage above it sounds a lot like we're already in the end times.

Whatever be the case we are to be faithful to what God has commanded us, that we go into the world making disciples baptizing/teaching in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, proclaiming the message to all nations of the forgiveness of sins paid for by Jesus death on the cross and resurrection. Leave future events to the future, there is a world that needs to hear the good news before it is too late.

November 01 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Don Mesquit Supporter

Good question. In fact it was one of my questions years ago when I was first heard people talking about the last days. How will I know they are the last days?
We find in the Bible a list of events, which, when they happen together let us know that the Second Advent of Jesus is near, at the door.

False Christs - Mt. 24:5
False Prophets - Mt. 24:11,24
False Spirituality - Mt. 24:11
Wars & rumors of wars - Mt. 24:6
Famines - Mt. 24:7
Pestilences - Mt. 24:7
Love grows cold - Mt. 24:12
Families breaking up - Mt. 24:10
Increase in knowledge - Dan. 12:4
Economic uncertainties - James 5:1-3
Cries of Peace but `no peace.' - Jer. 8:11
False worship and prayers - Proverbs 28:9
Earthquakes - Mt. 24:7
Sexual immorality - Mt. 24:37,38
Violence - Mt. 24:12; Ezekiel 7:23.
Sudden destruction - 1Thess. 5:3.
Persecution, tribulation - Mt. 24:9,21
Gospel preached around the world - Mt. 24:14

As we watch the events above unfolding all over the world, in our government, and even in our neighborhoods we, in my opinion, can plainly see we are living in the last days, but as we are told, we won't know the day or the hour. So, always look up and watch, for our redemption draws near.

As far as the rapture is concerned, I believe it all depends on how you interpret the Bible. We have the pre-trib, mid-trib, and post-trib. What you believe will determine if the rapture will occur before, during, or after the great tribulation. I have my own beliefs on when the rapture might happen, but that might not be your belief. Perhaps someone else here can provide you a little more clarity, or a simple search on each one individually should bring you enough material to keep you busy weeks, if not months learning all the differing views on the subject. Then you can decide for yourself what makes the most sense to you.
I hope this helps some anyway. God Bless

November 01 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Seth Freeman Supporter

As a partial-preterist, I don't think there is a rapture so that's an easy question for me! I would say that Christians will go through the tribulation.

I think we need to remember a little something about Church history - Every single apostle was martyred and killed for their faith. Sure, John was banished to an island where he died, but he was boiled alive and lived, so there is that. Most all of the Early Church Fathers were also killed for their faith. 

Personally, I don't think that God is opposed to us going through difficult times and enduring hardships. Our hope is centered on a future restoration and redemption, not a temporary happiness now. 

R.C. Sproul has a free series available on his website that is called "The Last Days According to Jesus" I highly recommend it for anyone who's interested in it. 

You can either go directly to his website (www.ligonier.org) and find it there to listen to for free. Or he has an app that you can download and listen to it there also for free.

June 05 2014 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report