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Can the end times described in the bible happen?

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Masterhawk

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In the book of Revelation, the end times are described as an apocalyptic period, coinciding with the decline of christianity (like every other eschatology). For those who don't know what happens, it all starts with the rapture in which all born again christians' bodies dissipear. This is followed by the antichrist, a man who is possessed by Lucifer himself. He eventually forms a socialistic world order in which the mark of the beast replaces currency. The antichrist claims to be the messiah and likely fulfills many of Isaiah's prophesies. His world order will last 7 years in what is called the Tribulation. The first half is peaceful and construction begins on the third temple but the beast persecutes anyone who doesn't worship the antichrist (which includes christians who converted after the rapture). There will be two witnesses who either didn't get raptured or got sent back from heaven to convert lost souls to christ. At the end of the first half, the antichrist sacrifices a pig at the third temple, causing the jews to turn upon him, knowing that he is not the messiah. The second half will be a brutal war which sees the death of a third of the population. After 3 and a half years of fighting, Israel is on its last knees and victory is nigh for the beast when Jesus comes down from heaven and wipes out his entire army and topples the communist regime, beginning a thousand year reign.

So, could the events described in that timeframe happen anytime in the future? Well, the balance of power seems to be in favor of the democracies of the west and with the trend of the decline of authoritarian regimes, it is highly unlikely that the USA will be conquered by an authoritarian nation. Some christians think that the USA will be the host of the beast. To those people, I would like to say that europe can be largely seen as the future of the US and Belarus is the only dictatorship in the entire continent. So it stands to reason that the US is not moving towards a fascist or communist state. Probably the only way for a worldwide regime to form is for a global catastrophe such as nuclear war, pandemic, or overpopulation and that regime would be far more likely to end up under military rule than a theocratic communist state. If a worldwide regime did form because of a global cataclysm, it would more likely form out of necessity; this means that they won't force everyone to worship their leader nor will the military leader likely claim to be the messiah even if the regime persecuted anyone who spoke out against it.
 
If the bible couldn't get the origins of the world correct, what makes you believe it can predict the end?
 
Masterhawk said:
In the book of Revelation, the end times are described as an apocalyptic period, coinciding with the decline of christianity (like every other eschatology). For those who don't know what happens, it all starts with the rapture in which all born again christians' bodies dissipear. This is followed by the antichrist, a man who is possessed by Lucifer himself. He eventually forms a socialistic world order in which the mark of the beast replaces currency. The antichrist claims to be the messiah and likely fulfills many of Isaiah's prophesies. His world order will last 7 years in what is called the Tribulation. The first half is peaceful and construction begins on the third temple but the beast persecutes anyone who doesn't worship the antichrist (which includes christians who converted after the rapture). There will be two witnesses who either didn't get raptured or got sent back from heaven to convert lost souls to christ. At the end of the first half, the antichrist sacrifices a pig at the third temple, causing the jews to turn upon him, knowing that he is not the messiah. The second half will be a brutal war which sees the death of a third of the population. After 3 and a half years of fighting, Israel is on its last knees and victory is nigh for the beast when Jesus comes down from heaven and wipes out his entire army and topples the communist regime, beginning a thousand year reign.

So, could the events described in that timeframe happen anytime in the future? Well, the balance of power seems to be in favor of the democracies of the west and with the trend of the decline of authoritarian regimes, it is highly unlikely that the USA will be conquered by an authoritarian nation. Some christians think that the USA will be the host of the beast. To those people, I would like to say that europe can be largely seen as the future of the US and Belarus is the only dictatorship in the entire continent. So it stands to reason that the US is not moving towards a fascist or communist state. Probably the only way for a worldwide regime to form is for a global catastrophe such as nuclear war, pandemic, or overpopulation and that regime would be far more likely to end up under military rule than a theocratic communist state. If a worldwide regime did form because of a global cataclysm, it would more likely form out of necessity; this means that they won't force everyone to worship their leader nor will the military leader likely claim to be the messiah even if the regime persecuted anyone who spoke out against it.
Click to expand...

In one way or another and allowing the text is interpreted a little abstractly? Why not? Asa matter of fact, it is hard to see it not happening some time.
 
CMPancake said:
If the bible couldn't get the origins of the world correct, what makes you believe it can predict the end?
Click to expand...

In an abstract way, it did an okay job of it. At present physics doesn't have a much better explanation of it.
 
When it does (as it will in a comfortably distant future), there'll be nobody around giving a rat's ass about anybody's book of revelation.
 
Masterhawk said:
In the book of Revelation, the end times are described as an apocalyptic period, coinciding with the decline of christianity (like every other eschatology). For those who don't know what happens, it all starts with the rapture in which all born again christians' bodies dissipear. This is followed by the antichrist, a man who is possessed by Lucifer himself. He eventually forms a socialistic world order in which the mark of the beast replaces currency. The antichrist claims to be the messiah and likely fulfills many of Isaiah's prophesies. His world order will last 7 years in what is called the Tribulation. The first half is peaceful and construction begins on the third temple but the beast persecutes anyone who doesn't worship the antichrist (which includes christians who converted after the rapture). There will be two witnesses who either didn't get raptured or got sent back from heaven to convert lost souls to christ. At the end of the first half, the antichrist sacrifices a pig at the third temple, causing the jews to turn upon him, knowing that he is not the messiah. The second half will be a brutal war which sees the death of a third of the population. After 3 and a half years of fighting, Israel is on its last knees and victory is nigh for the beast when Jesus comes down from heaven and wipes out his entire army and topples the communist regime, beginning a thousand year reign.
Click to expand...

This does not accurately describe the book of Revelation or Christian eschatology in general. You are only describing dispensationalist pre-millennial eschatology. That eschatology was developed in the 1880s by Nelson Darby and only ever reached widespread acceptance within the evangelical community in the 20th Century. In fact, it was only in 1970 with the release of "The Late Great Planet Earth" that this view ever found widespread support. It never gained a foothold in: Catholic, Orthodox, or mainline protestant traditions. In other words, you are describing a view of the end times that is very new, very different from the views the Church held for over 1,900 years, and not well accepted outside a small segment of Christianity.

To more directly answer your question, of course it can happen. Anything is possible. You are assuming that the world will always look the way it does now; but there is no reason to hold that belief. Perhaps the world government arises from the radiated ashes of the post-nuclear annihilation world. Perhaps the US doesn't even really exist by then because it was the main target of the nuclear attacks that changed the world order leading up to that point. But...I don't care to speculate about what may or may not actually happen, because I find such a reading of Revelation to be a bad reading that does not accurately reflect what the book actually says.
 
CMPancake said:
If the bible couldn't get the origins of the world correct, what makes you believe it can predict the end?
Click to expand...

The Biblical Creation story is entirely correct. The theory of evolution is not correct.
 
Masterhawk said:
could the events described in that timeframe happen anytime in the future?
Click to expand...
No.

By the way, pretty much everyone who has predicted the Christian end of the world so far? They've been wrong.

Next question?
 
The "Christian" end of the world as discribed in the Bible is clearly presented as follows: "No one will know the day or time." Those who set a date are not paying the Bible's words any mind ---- I dare say that is true even of yourself (Christian or not).

Matthew 24:36

Matthew 24:36 ►
Parallel Verses
New International Version
"But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

New Living Translation
"However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.

English Standard Version
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

Berean Study Bible
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Berean Literal Bible
But concerning that day and hour, no one knows, not even the angels of the heavens, nor the Son, except the Father only.

New American Standard Bible
"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

King James Bible
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
"Now concerning that day and hour no one knows--neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son--except the Father only.

International Standard Version
"No one knows when that day or hour will come —not the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father,

NET Bible
"But as for that day and hour no one knows it--not even the angels in heaven--except the Father alone.

New Heart English Bible
But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but my Father only.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But about that day and about that hour no one knows, not even the Angels of Heaven, but The Father alone.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"No one knows when that day or hour will come. Even the angels in heaven and the Son don't know. Only the Father knows.

New American Standard 1977
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

Jubilee Bible 2000
But of that day and hour no one knows, no, not even the angels of the heavens, but my Father only.

King James 2000 Bible
But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

American King James Version
But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

American Standard Version
But of that day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But of that day and hour no one knoweth, not the angels of heaven, but the Father alone.

Darby Bible Translation
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of the heavens, but [my] Father alone.

English Revised Version
But of that day and hour knoweth no one, not even the angels of heaven, neither the Son, but the Father only.

Webster's Bible Translation
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Weymouth New Testament
"But as to that day and the exact time no one knows--not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

World English Bible
But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Young's Literal Translation
'And concerning that day and the hour no one hath known -- not even the messengers of the heavens -- except my Father only;
 
Mark 13:32 ►
Parallel Verses
New International Version
"But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

New Living Translation
"However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.

English Standard Version
“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Berean Study Bible
But as for that day or hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Berean Literal Bible
And concerning that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

New American Standard Bible
"But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

King James Bible
But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
"Now concerning that day or hour no one knows--neither the angels in heaven nor the Son--except the Father.

International Standard Version
"No one knows when that day or hour will come —not the angels in heaven, not the Son, but only the Father.

NET Bible
"But as for that day or hour no one knows it--neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son--except the Father.

New Heart English Bible
But of that day or the hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But of that day and of that hour no man knows, neither the Angels of Heaven, neither The Son, but The Father only.”

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"No one knows when that day or hour will come. Even the angels in heaven and the Son don't know. Only the Father knows.

New American Standard 1977
“But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

Jubilee Bible 2000
But of that day and that hour no one knows, no, not even the angels who are in the heaven, neither the Son, but only the Father.

King James 2000 Bible
But of that day and that hour knows no man, no, not the angels who are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

American King James Version
But of that day and that hour knows no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

American Standard Version
But of that day or that hour knoweth no one, not even the angels in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But of that day or hour no man knoweth, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father.

Darby Bible Translation
But of that day or of that hour no one knows, neither the angels who are in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father.

English Revised Version
But of that day or that hour knoweth no one, not even the angels in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Webster's Bible Translation
But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Weymouth New Testament
"But as to that day or the exact time no one knows--not even the angels in Heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

World English Bible
But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Young's Literal Translation
'And concerning that day and the hour no one hath known -- not even the messengers who are in the heaven, not even the Son -- except the Father.
 
So many versions. It must be true.
 
Don't worry; be happy. Whether there will be "End Times" or an apocalypse a'coming or a meteor crashing and consuming the earth or an alien invasion, there is nothing any one of us can do but keep his or her own little lamp lit. ;)
 
Masterhawk said:
In the book of Revelation, the end times are described as an apocalyptic period, coinciding with the decline of christianity (like every other eschatology). For those who don't know what happens, it all starts with the rapture in which all born again christians' bodies dissipear. This is followed by the antichrist, a man who is possessed by Lucifer himself. He eventually forms a socialistic world order in which the mark of the beast replaces currency. The antichrist claims to be the messiah and likely fulfills many of Isaiah's prophesies. His world order will last 7 years in what is called the Tribulation. The first half is peaceful and construction begins on the third temple but the beast persecutes anyone who doesn't worship the antichrist (which includes christians who converted after the rapture). There will be two witnesses who either didn't get raptured or got sent back from heaven to convert lost souls to christ. At the end of the first half, the antichrist sacrifices a pig at the third temple, causing the jews to turn upon him, knowing that he is not the messiah. The second half will be a brutal war which sees the death of a third of the population. After 3 and a half years of fighting, Israel is on its last knees and victory is nigh for the beast when Jesus comes down from heaven and wipes out his entire army and topples the communist regime, beginning a thousand year reign.

So, could the events described in that timeframe happen anytime in the future? Well, the balance of power seems to be in favor of the democracies of the west and with the trend of the decline of authoritarian regimes, it is highly unlikely that the USA will be conquered by an authoritarian nation. Some christians think that the USA will be the host of the beast. To those people, I would like to say that europe can be largely seen as the future of the US and Belarus is the only dictatorship in the entire continent. So it stands to reason that the US is not moving towards a fascist or communist state. Probably the only way for a worldwide regime to form is for a global catastrophe such as nuclear war, pandemic, or overpopulation and that regime would be far more likely to end up under military rule than a theocratic communist state. If a worldwide regime did form because of a global cataclysm, it would more likely form out of necessity; this means that they won't force everyone to worship their leader nor will the military leader likely claim to be the messiah even if the regime persecuted anyone who spoke out against it.
Click to expand...

Nobody will know including folks here.

Stupid post is stupid.
 
Visbek said:
No.

By the way, pretty much everyone who has predicted the Christian end of the world so far? They've been wrong.

Next question?
Click to expand...

What!?

Harold Camping was wrong at least thrice. :mrgreen:
 
zyzygy said:
So many versions. It must be true.
Click to expand...
So many translations, but they all seem to agree in this case. Berean Literal Bible
But concerning that day and hour, no one knows, not even the angels of the heavens, nor the Son, except the Father only.
 
Masterhawk said:
In the book of Revelation, the end times are described as an apocalyptic period, coinciding with the decline of christianity (like every other eschatology). For those who don't know what happens, it all starts with the rapture in which all born again christians' bodies dissipear. This is followed by the antichrist, a man who is possessed by Lucifer himself. He eventually forms a socialistic world order in which the mark of the beast replaces currency. The antichrist claims to be the messiah and likely fulfills many of Isaiah's prophesies. His world order will last 7 years in what is called the Tribulation. The first half is peaceful and construction begins on the third temple but the beast persecutes anyone who doesn't worship the antichrist (which includes christians who converted after the rapture). There will be two witnesses who either didn't get raptured or got sent back from heaven to convert lost souls to christ. At the end of the first half, the antichrist sacrifices a pig at the third temple, causing the jews to turn upon him, knowing that he is not the messiah. The second half will be a brutal war which sees the death of a third of the population. After 3 and a half years of fighting, Israel is on its last knees and victory is nigh for the beast when Jesus comes down from heaven and wipes out his entire army and topples the communist regime, beginning a thousand year reign.

So, could the events described in that timeframe happen anytime in the future? Well, the balance of power seems to be in favor of the democracies of the west and with the trend of the decline of authoritarian regimes, it is highly unlikely that the USA will be conquered by an authoritarian nation. Some christians think that the USA will be the host of the beast. To those people, I would like to say that europe can be largely seen as the future of the US and Belarus is the only dictatorship in the entire continent. So it stands to reason that the US is not moving towards a fascist or communist state. Probably the only way for a worldwide regime to form is for a global catastrophe such as nuclear war, pandemic, or overpopulation and that regime would be far more likely to end up under military rule than a theocratic communist state. If a worldwide regime did form because of a global cataclysm, it would more likely form out of necessity; this means that they won't force everyone to worship their leader nor will the military leader likely claim to be the messiah even if the regime persecuted anyone who spoke out against it.
Click to expand...

No, its bronze aged fiction which is just baloney.
 
LittleNipper said:
So many translations, but they all seem to agree in this case. Berean Literal Bible
But concerning that day and hour, no one knows, not even the angels of the heavens, nor the Son, except the Father only.
Click to expand...

Nobody knows because it's never going to happen. The bible is fiction.
 
LittleNipper said:
Prove it.
Click to expand...

Prove what, exactly? The mountains of evidence of biological change over time? Or the mountains of geographic evidence that contradicts almost every element of the biblical explanation of the Earth's origin?
 
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