reply to post by Cor Leonis
Hi CorLeonis - I figured that a post I made on another thread might be useful in promoting some healthy discussion about the end times, so here it is,
copy & pasted:
Daniel 10:21
"...but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince.)"
Daniel 12:1
"At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the
beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.
The archangel Michael will 'rise' to make war against the antichrist and turn the people back to God. At that point in time - when great
signs appear in the sky and on earth, when Michael and his allies raid the high places of the earth's demonic leadership - God will be willing to
forgive and forget.
The Book of Life/Truth probably includes names of PTB members, current/soon to be demonically obsessed collaborators, who are destined (potentially
able, according to their free will) to turn from evil at the appropriate moment of opportunity.
Contrary to much popular doctrine, God will not condemn everyone who doesn't accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. There is no formal requirement to say
a little prayer of salvation in the Bible. Obviously there is an actual moment of salvation - it takes place when the decision is made to turn from
evil and commit to God. However, the crucial thing to remember is that salvation is a process, a gift that can be won or lost depending on how we
behave.
Think of the people who have only ever witnessed corruption and hypocrisy in the churches that profess His name. Will they be condemned for being
unable to reconcile the claims of the Christians with their actual behaviour and poor treatment of others / intolerance / materialistic ways /
judgmental attitudes..? How about:
- The Islamic devotee who prays sincerely to God each day as proscribed in the Q'uran.
- The man/woman that does charitable deeds, sets up charitable foundations, pays his employees fairly and refuses to partake in immoral or
questionable business arrangements (those that will harm people).
- The man/woman who lends money freely to their needy friend without charging interest, who supports widows and orphans from the guidance of their
conscience.
No such people will be condemned if their motives are pure and their hearts open to receive God, in whatever form/identity he ultimately transpires to
take in actuality.
Here's a prophecy spoken by Christ, talking about the time of the end:
Matthew, ch.24
3. As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be
the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"
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20. "Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning
of the world until now—and never to be equaled again."
*******
32. "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33. Even so,
when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. 34. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away
until all these things have happened."
An interpretation of the last part (32-34) shows that Jesus was giving us a massive clue about the approximate time of the 'End' -
though the day and hour were to remain unknown to all but God Himself:
The fig tree (in this instance) represents Israel. The use of this symbol to represent the Jewish nation-state has been proven time and again by
biblical scholars.
'twigs get tender and leaves come out'
= nation is re-established following 'winter' (pre-1948, the 'dark days' of Judaism)
'summer is near'
= establishment of Christ's kingship / The New Heaven & Earth
vs 33 = when the nation of Israel is re-established, the end times are very close.
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vs.34 = some folk alive in 1948 ('this generation') will live to see the Apocalypse.
A generation is held to be 70 years. 1948 + 70 = 2018.
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There are numerous indications that spiritual sensitivity (and acceptability of spiritual perceptions/ discussion etc) is growing amongst the people.
The 'Powers that Be' on Earth at this time are aware of this; the darkest of whom (being allied by oath to Satanic forces) are trying to disrupt the
spiritual tendencies of the masses with the materialism and sexual culture we see all around us in all our media etc.
In addition they are 'riding' the growth of social networking on the internet, manipulating/subverting the security measures of major internet
players (google, facebook, Myspace etc) as a means of controlling people's basic social tendencies and keeping tabs on rebellious types...
However - as everyone on ATS knows, the internet is still (at this time) a place where free speech reigns... (Thank Heavens for ATS..!)
It might not always stay like this - think of what's been going on in China.
In the words of the indie band Muse - "Use this chance to be heard...!" Speak up, spread the Word. At some point in the near future (highly possible
that it will be focused around 2012) all Hell will break loose, and people need to be able to cope.
Yes, some people are living through a 'hell' on Earth right now - impoverished nations and so forth. But if the PTB wanted to, that could be changed
for good in a massive proportion of the regions/ nations affected. Unfortunately for those suffering souls, it suits the PTB to retain power and
privilege for themselves while they have certainty of their station. If anything, they also trust that their current positions of authority and
knowledge will provide a sort of 'Get Out Of Jail Free' card for when the SHTF.
The meek shall inherit the Earth...!