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| Could you answer this "Last Days" survey??? |
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My small group is going to start a study on the "last days". The goal of the person bringing it up is to arrive at the true position because according to this person there can only be one true position. So, I thought I'd like to bring this before you all and get your take, IOW, do a little poll. For lack of boring all to tears I'm not going to define the terms if you don't know what they mean Google the term (you might still not get clear definitions, even Ryrie study Bible can't get the stuff straight) or answer I don't know. OK, off the top of my head, here are the questions I'd like you to answer (as many as you'd like). - My position on the last days is that I am:
- Premil: PreTrib
- Premil: Mid-Trib
- Premil: Post-Trib
- Amil.
- Postmil.
- Panmil. (it will all pan out in the end)
- Pessimil. (pessimist)
- I don't know.
- Have your viewpoints on the "last days" ever changed? If so, how and what influenced the changes?
- Is a person's viewpoint on the "last days" important? If so, how/why?
I thank everyone who participates ahead of time. I want to use this survey merely as a pointing out to my small groups a rough, quick survey, of an online Christian group. Please don't vote more than once and what you think will not be held against you. For question number one above, it is actually possible to pick more than one number though some are mutually exclusive. They do not represent all possible viewpoints or nuances for sure, for instance, I've not included historicism. |
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1. 3/4 I haven't really come to a conclusion on this one, as I haven't given it as much attention as I used to. But, I know I am one of these two.
2. Yes. My POV used to be highly driven by the Left Behind series, therefore I thought there was only one view: Pre-Trib Dispensationalism. I was changed by the Bible and by a greater understanding of the Covenants and Christ's call to suffering. I quickly learned that there are many views.
3. No. I think too heavily an interest in Last Days can make us forget the things we are to be about every day (preaching the Gospel) and panic over the horrible things to come. However, too little an interest can make us lazy and lethargic, as if we have all the time in the world. I think an in-between view that causes us to be urgent, yet secure in Christ, is ideal. I do not think Eschatology (Last things) is a dividing issue, as much as Soteriology (God's role in Salvation) should be.
PS. You forgot Preterist... I think. That may be under Post Mil. |
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I have spent the majority of my relationship with The Lord concentrating on the great commission,fellowship and spiritual growth.I would hear these guys onTV talking about "when "He's coming" and think ,.."Hey man tell everyone to be ready and get on about the business of increasing the Kingdom because even He said He didnt know when" .
While I still feel that way , I began to study under a gifted theologian named Ed Stevens.My former junior High School teacher and present day mentor, Mr. Wilson, introduced us and I began to study what The Word says about "The Last Days".
Honestly, most people arent ready for what it really says. Forget these guys that try to fit the book of revelation to modern day Iraq or claim that today's babylon is The Catholic Church.To them I quote Jack Nicholson ," You can't handle the truth".
Before they can ever interpret the Bible,Scholars agree on certain truths,
The questions that have to be answered for true interpretation are:
Who said it ?
What time period did they say it in (cultural reference etc)?
Who heard it ?
What did they believe it meant?(again cultural references or time statements)
Was it poetic, a command, a statement of historical fact ,...?
I am saying here that not every part of The Bible is literal,despite how many people think it is.
There are a lot of intelligent people on this site and I think we can a gree that opening the Bible and randomly dropping your finger as a decision making method doesn't work.Yet , when it comes to the "last days" we ignore the rules of interpretation.
I would advise people to understand fully the basics of why we believe what we believe before getting into an area that is so easily abused.
Then I would say read matthew 24 and ask yourself how much of this has happened all ready ?Keep in mind that the temple was destroyed in AD 70 in the lifetime of some of the disciples.
Ever have someone say an old addage or proverb and claim it is in The Bible?
"God helps those who help themselves".... The Bible doesn't say that ,... Ben Franklin did. There was never a more Godless founding father than Franklin. But people quote it like scripture because they aren't familiar with The Book.
The same is true of Apocolyptic terminology.
The word Rapture isnt in The Bible and wasn't coined until the 19th century.Once Schofield picked upon it everyone followed suit. The word comes fromRapturis ,the latin for "caught up".
What about The antichrist? The word is singular only once! Let me say that again ,...once!
Fact is the other times it is mentioned it is plural ,"anti-Christs". Paul the apostle said , even now they are here.
Finally, The Lord did refer to the destruction of the temple as a metaphor for His own body but he also mentioned that the temple would be destroyed and NO stone unturned . Again, in their lifetime that happened! A prophetic statement that they were able to see come to fruition.
I'll stop there. I just dont think people are ready. Some are but most aren't. But if you really start reading your Bible you'll find things in there you never thought of .
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Hey...King of Cheese sounds like a preterist to me :-) I'm on board with a mostly preterist point of view except to say that everything has been fulfilled and Christ has already returned to get His people. I won't go that far.
As far as my view point having changed...I think it is in a constant state of refinement. There's not one point I can look back on and say "thats when I changed." Reading straight through the Bible has helped me to put some things into perspective. Go back to the Old Testament and see how many of the prophecies that Jesus fulfilled are somehow related to judgement. It is very eye opening.
I would say a person's veiw of eschatology is indeed important. In the great commission, Jesus told us that all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Him. What does it mean that Jesus has all the authority? That means that the Son of Man has come before the Ancient of Days (Daniel) and the Lamb has taken the scroll (Revelation). If Jesus isn't king and doesn't have the authority, we have no basis to go and make disciples. |
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Z&J- Good point.
Even R.C.Sproul is a partial-preterist. Both he and celebrated bible teacher ,John Mcarthur believe"most"of mathew 24 is fullfilled.They, like you , believe there is more to come. |
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jam137 |
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September 19, 2007 at 10:24am |
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1. #4 (Amil.)
2. Yes. When I was growing up, I held to some version of Premil, although the churches that I belonged to didn't talk about eschatology very much. My views changed because I decided to read books that covered all of the major points of view. Also, I talked to people who had strong opinions on the subject.
3. Fairly important, I think, for certain interrelated reasons. One reason is that there are helpful hermeneutical exercises that a person works through when studying the issue. Another is that eschatology is part of a "theological matrix" for thinking about the world and many points of Biblical doctrine: eschatology really is everywhere in the New Testament, found in statements like "such and such has been fulfilled" or "such and such is our hope," even if there are a few passages (e.g., Matthew 24-25) that are "seats of doctrine" on this topic. Finally, when done well, I think that the study of eschatology increases our faith and hope in God rather than confuses us or "puffs us up." |
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| I am pre mil, pre trib. However, what is important is that one believes that Jesus is going to return for his Church. |
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recon77 |
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September 19, 2007 at 12:01pm |
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Thankyou everyone so much for your answers so far. This will be quite valuable to get our small group topic on "last days" going! I am especially interested in looking at all the answers to the open ended questions 2 and 3. Again, thankyou all. |
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JessIAm |
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September 19, 2007 at 4:25pm |
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Howdy Recon
This seems more of a survey on opinions of the rapture?
1. My position on the last days is that I am:
9. Pan trib - I haven't settled on a specific option. I just know that Jesus will make it all Pan out in the end. I don't see this as a cop-out. I really just don't know.
2. I used to be very interested in pre- mid- post- trib. Then I realized I had more than enough to worry about learning to show Christ's love. I’m not criticizing the interest other people have. Many people seem to benefit from the discussion.
3. I think a person's viewpoint on the timing of the rapture is less important than a persons trust in Christ. Do I see Jesus as bigger than (and ultimately in charge of) my circumstances? I've heard some viewpoints expressed throughout the years that seem based on not wanting to go through the whole tribulation. I want to trust Jesus to the point I trust Him whatever He leads me through, even if He wants me to go through the tribulation. |
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recon77 |
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September 19, 2007 at 6:54pm |
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Jess, No, it's a survey on "last days" (in quotes). At least two of the positions probably say nothing about the "rapture" whatsoever. Your points are well taken EXCEPT the purpose of the survey is really to get an idea of what one's viewpoint is with the point being we are going to try to arrive at a consensus in our small group and discover the TRUTH. Do I think we will? Probably not! People get pretty settled in their viewpoints despite what the Bible might say below the surface readings. Thanks for your answers. |
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recon77 |
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September 19, 2007 at 6:56pm |
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King of Cheese I think you bring up some great points and questions that I'll have to bring up to my small group on Sunday. Really, again, all of you, this is going to be very valuable already as talking points during this Sunday's small group sessions. MyChurch really can come in handy. I'll report back next Monday or Tuesday on a follow up and maybe will post periodical summaries of our "study". |
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shane |
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September 20, 2007 at 8:52am |
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1. I am Amil.
2. Most of my life was spent holding the view of a Pre-trib. Pre-Mil. perspective. I changed because I began to be objective rather than completely subjective because of my personal experience. I changed because all other views on the issues have a problem or two with them. Besides this the predominant view throughout history is one of amil.
3. I think it is important to a degree. The degree being if it inspires us to live more like christ now. Pre-mil. in my opinion motivates out of fear. Post-Mil. has to many discrepancies with Scripture. Amil. doesn't contradict a single Scripture while all the while in studying it's theological pattern seems to inspire us to close dependence on God and leaves the majority of doctrinal discussion on the issue in God's hands.
Shane ><> |
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recon77 |
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September 20, 2007 at 10:35am |
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Shane, Thankyou for your rather stong opinions. At least you aren't wishy-washy.
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recon77 |
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September 22, 2007 at 2:43pm |
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| Anyone else?? I could use some more responses, the more the merrier. |
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Panmil. I don't recall seeing any others above that are of this viewpoint. The way I see it, there are men smarter and more learned than I on all sides of this debate, so I'm not about to go telling any of them that they are wrong. At least not yet. Give me 20-30 years and I might develop a concrete position. But for now, I'm simply ecstatic that I worship a God who has a plan. If we all agree on that, why split hairs over the details?
ps... Some family members really turned me off many years ago to this issue, and I have not had the desire to go near it ever since. |
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recon77 |
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September 22, 2007 at 8:25pm |
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| Susan appears to be cross-blogging or something??? Link?? |
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recon77 |
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September 22, 2007 at 8:27pm |
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Mike, I recall hearing a show recently where Hank Hanegraff made that very point. IOW, he was basically silent for 25 years or so on the subject and decided to spend the time studying rather than pontificating before he said anything on the subject. Very good! Your input is well taken. |
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Sue |
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September 22, 2007 at 9:25pm |
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- My position on the last days is that I am:
- Premil: Mid-Trib
- Have your viewpoints on the "last days" ever changed? If so, how and what influenced the changes? Yes, I once believed in pre-trib, just because I had been taught that in church. But as I got more into the Word, I saw a different view coming from the Bible. This was only about 6 months into my salvation, and 16 years later, I am convinced more than ever. The Bible and the Holy Spirit influenced the change.
- Is a person's viewpoint on the "last days" important? If so, how/why? I think it is important because I would not want people in the last days saying "what happened to the rapture?" "Aren't we supposed to be gone by now?" "If what I had been taught about the tribulation wasn't true, what is true that I have been taught?" I think people should be ready and willing to suffer the tribulation.
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| Messiah comes again at the end. No rapture. We all go through tribulations. I used to believe in a pre-trib and was brought up in that belief until one day I cried out for help in understanding and asked for his wisdom and he showed me I was wrong and so much more. There may be a rapture if that is what you want to call it but according to Matthew 24 it will be at the end and it will be the weeds removed just as in the days of Noah when the flood came and took away the sinners of that day. I believe it is very important to know this fact or how else would we know what season we are in and just how close we are to His return. It is aprt of the truth and G-d's people are destroyed for their lack of knowledge. |
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| I also want to add that the kigdom of G-d is here on earth as it is already in heaven. Heaven means sky and it is His throne and was not made for man and we are not going to heaven. We are suppose to seek the kingdom NOW here on earth and when the Messiah returns, all will be made new. Our father which art in heaven Sacred be thy name YHWH. THY KINGDOM COME thy will be done ON EARTH as it IS IN HEAVEN.... I never saw it until I asked and truly seeked His knowledge like it were gold and silver and precious treasures. It is for Him to hide a matter and for the noble to seek it out. |
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recon77 |
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September 23, 2007 at 1:56pm |
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Thankyou so much Sue, Nathania and Jack. Jack, I'll look at the link sometime this week. My small groups did not meet today as planned so I have one more week to get data on this blog. I will definitely look at your link though. Thanks. |
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recon77 |
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September 23, 2007 at 5:11pm |
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| Sorry if you've once again confused me. I'm just commenting that I had answered you on another blog and then you cross posted to this one and left no link back to your other one, that's all. No assumptions made here. |
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Whats up with Susan? This is a Christian website ... did we all forget that?? Her replies seem rather like shes taking you to task.
I have always said that the wrtten page doesn't always have a clear"tone". But she does seem ruffled. |
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recon77 |
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September 27, 2007 at 6:00am |
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| I haven't the slightest idea. I can't understand rambling illogic! Too close to postmodernism for me (actually, the old existentialism as Piper would say). |
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recon77 |
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September 27, 2007 at 6:02am |
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| Interesting thoughts Nathania!! |
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1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound unto us, even so our comfort also aboundeth through Christ.
I'm messin' up
Try 5
71:14 But I will hope continually, and will praise thee yet more and more.
There...(breathless...)
&
15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.
Sorry but>>> I’m going to go off on so many “rabbit trails” on this blog, (But limited in one (1) comment each….>>.) there won’t be enough “Hello Kitty’s” to keep the “pet population down” (See “JessIam” Hello Kitty picture for a visual)….
This blog… goes into so many facets of my own personal theology.
But I should maybe state up front – >>>> - I have no clue what those pre-mid…yadda;. yadaa;.terms mean – -even after looking them up under google…So>>
Yes, I have gotten to the point, that I see How messed up I was as a child, because the “Legalism” / “Control” of the church told Me what they wanted me to believe verses equipping me with tools to have the Holy Spirit lead me to the knowledge of the “Real Truth” God knows I personally need For my specific growth in this world, and just as important, to accomplish the goals & Commitments I made to others before I left “BABYLAND”
“BabyLand”….(I’m encouraging my Daughter Savannah, now 10, 2 hurry up & get this visual down on paper 4 others, B4 the whole memory of BABYLAND is forgotten in the older mind of this world.)
Maybe I’ll labeling the Rabbit trails” so this comment, and/or others wouldn’t get too long. NOT… Wish I could B that organized 4 all our “sakes”…..but I am who I am.. And I’m feeling more & more comfortable with that….continuum>>>>
Have your viewpoints on the "last days" ever changed? If so, how and what influenced the changes?
Of course….The Holy Spirit talks to be constantly…and over time, I start to get it more & more…See my blog on ?Fear of Dying…It’s all related N my opinion>>>>(I’m not 100% sure on that title…but, it’s good enough 4 U 2 find it if U want 2)
As for as “ON WHAT?” >>>>Countless insight that propogate and propel me into other insights…and B4 long…I’m praying out loud, in the pain I feel…the empathy…& then the MAN, protects me in the padded cell….where the Lord talks to me from His Living Well…
Is a person's viewpoint on the "last days" important? If so, how/why?
I respect others…we all should be respected…and treated with dignity…We R all on the same path, but different places on the path….I don’t know how behind I am…but I believe N lookin’ around and learning…. Yes, the “viewpoints” of others on the “last days” is important….My opinion>> |
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| You're doing ok Biker Babe, You're gettin' it. |
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Biker Babe, I thank you for your honesty and willingness to be open to truth. Many if not most on this survey have the same attitude and have changed their viewpoints in nearly every case by examining scripture more closely. The important thing is always to be teachable by the Holy Ghost. T hanks
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| I used to tow the line on pre-trib, but now echo the sentiments of "be reeady for His IMMEDIATE return; plan on His immenent return." I ran across Irvin Baxter and his radio show "Politics & Religion" and he is what I consider an expert in relating geo-political events (both major & minute) to scriptures. He makes an excellent case for post-trib rapture and the 2nd Coming being the same event. Some areas of scripture written by Paul & John seem to contradict each other on the chronology aspects. I guess I take Jesus' warnings in Matthew 24/Mark 13/Luke 24 as showing that we're living in the Last Days... especially with the re-birth of Israel in 1948 & the capture of Jerusalem in 1967 by Israel. Prominent "pre-trib" preachers make valid points for this view. As far as the amillinial views, I see no viable way to support those in light of the statements in both letters to the Thessolonican church by Paul. Please, don't label me as an expert on the "timing" of His return... just call me a preacher of the Good News and His promise that He WILL return! |
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The Wyatt:
I really...really liked that last statement....."that He WILL return!"
But, I don't want to wait...the KINGdom is near....His will B done on earth as it is N heaven....I'm a proud God chaser...and want Him 2 turn around and shallow me up N His arms as soon as I can come clean enough 4 Him to not get sick from my skinky flesh...
Maybe that's what Jesus meant that He didn't know the timing of the "RETURN",...He might of been saying w/a siyyy God only know when these people I died 4 will come clean , and let the Father B swipin' them up N His arms....The preists needed to anoint the Holy of Holies with thick smoke so that the sacrifice would be acceptable to Him...Jesus is the new smoke in my opinion, I just need to be couragous enought to use the flame of the Lord's feet to light the cleanin' smoke 2 work like Jesus die 4 me 2 give 2 me to use and work it if U can...or die if U don't so 2 speak...P.S.
Sorry that I'm such a gamblin' kind of woMAN.....Kenny Rogers...YES..I am that old>!!!>>>>> |
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Actually Wyatt, many would see Mt 24, Mark 13 and Luke 24 as evidence that they (the disciples) the generation Christ was talking to was living in the "last days". Do a study of the words "at hand", "in these last days", and/or just read the above scriptures in context and you might start seeing things quite differently. It is interesting to note that you've come off of a pretrib, premil to more of a posttrip, premil. I did the same myself years ago and now have come all the way to postmil. with time and understanding. Now, with this position it seems to all make sense. (Well, not air tight sense, there are still holes in the boat, but many less than with any premil. explanation IMHO and LOL). I would say, really, that the good news is that his Kingdom already IS and that he is ruling and reigning even right now from his throne at the right hand of God the Father almighty UNTIL His enemies are made a footstool for his feet. He won't come back one minute early and NOT until his enemies have been made into this footstool (by the church) and his Bride, thereby had made herself ready for that great and mighty Wedding Feast and Wedding. |
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This looks fun. 1. I am premil, proeminence ( I just made that term up) what it means is..I believe the return of Christ could be any moment, because that is what He said. Right now that would make me pre trib, if the tribulation starts, that would make me midish (any time durring) trib and if it is close to the end it would make me post trib. I do, however, strongly feel that I will cast my crown before Jesus and sing the song of the redeemed, and for that reason I would be classified as pretrib, But the biggest reason I am pretrib, is because Jesus commands me to be watching and ready. But because I am proeminence, I reserve the right to change my mind and be unhindered by foolish squabbles, should the tribulation start. 2. Yes when I first started to read the bible I figured we would experience the tribulation, I was right in that I wasn't a Christian yet and started with the book of Revelation. Regardless, as I studied and became more familiar with the bible I came to realize that Jesus could come back at any time, and because I take the Bible to be literal, unless clearly stated, I hold the opinion that there will be a tribulation, followed by a thousand year reign of Christ. Which forces me to be pretrib (unless of course the tribulation starts.) 3. I feel it is important in that we are watching and ready. If that wasn't important I don't think Jesus would have said it. Isreal was not watching and ready at his first coming and I believe that much of the Church isn't watching and ready now. I don't think that all of those who believe differently than I do will be cast into Tribulation, but two of the churches in Revelation 3 are warned that they will be, Not specifically because they weren't watching, but because they thought they were saved and they wern't.
I am not going to claim to "KNOW BECAUSE I STUDIED IT OUT" I have been influenced by many bible scholars, I have studied and by God's grace, I know what I know and I am sure I will be surprised about a lot, but for now we see through a glass darkly, but then... FACE TO FACE.. I am excited to be in heaven with you all and beholding the face of our savior. in the mean time, Watch and BE READY. I think the "be ready" part is the most important thing in the sense of keeping myself separate from the world. Blessings to you all!
Mike |
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Pray4emmet Yes, I've been using results of this survey to spur discussion in my small group that has been discussing the issues of "last days". Most in our group agree with pretty much your viewpoint though many may be starting to rethink things a little. Most in this survey have started at your point of view and have altered somewhat. Proeminence is an interesting term. I think maybe it is proiminence though? Now, your number 2 point is interesting because I used to believe the way you used to believe but I've never seen anyone go from post-trib to pre-trib. That is a first for me!! I've just never seen it. I'd be interested to see if anyone else on the list went that direction?? The question of literalism is at the root of many people's arguments though I'd argue that many "literalists" get quite symbolic in revelation and put their own symbols (such as cobra helicopters) into texts that describe locust-like creatures. So, in essence they are literalists until they feel symbolic. Other literalists (such as myself) would say that in many places the literal meaning of the scripture IS symbolic (such as in apocalyptic type texts), or that the literal meaning is poetic in poetic sections or the literal reading is historical in historical sections. IOW, literalism meaning to read it the way it was meant to be read literally. Ahhh, I'd also say that much of your ideas are the typical understanding of times. The reason I've been putting "last days" into quotes is that there is an assumption implicit in nearly everyone's conversations that we are either IN the "last days" now or that they are in the future. However, the Bible does not necessarily assume that to be the case and Revelation certainly does not assume that IN THAT about 1/2 of the scholars say that Revelation was written before 70AD and not around 100AD. Do you think John was about 100 years old when he wrote it? Do you think that he was told to measure the temple when the temple was already destroyed? Does that make any sense? And another question TO ALL, what does it mean to watch and be ready? How does this look? Does it look like we do nothing on this earth? Does it mean that we don't polish brass on a sinking ship? Does it mean we don't get rid of the sewage in the ship? What does it mean to be ready? |
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Other questions for emmett: Do you believe literally that 1/3 of the stars will fall out of the sky and kill 1/3 of the people? That a star will hit the earth and kill 1/3 of the people? That any stars will ever hit the earth and only do damage to 1/3 of anything? Do you think Jerusalem will again be surrounded by armies like the Romans did? Do you believe that the European Common market, no the European Union, whatever it is called now which was 10 nations during Hal Lindsey's early stardom (and first wife) which is now 35 nations, still represents the 10 horns of Revelation? Do you believe that Iran and Russia are now Gog and Magog when before we were told they were Russia and Turkey or earlier that Russia was the one to be surrounded and France was Gog and Magog? How can these things keep changing over time? Is Israel the chosen people of God the nation of Israel or the church (as Paul fairly clearlly states)? Just a few questions off the very tip of my head. |
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| I should have said for Mike. |
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Luke 21:20-24: “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. 22 For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. 23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
I have always looked at vs 24 here as the retaking of Jerusalem in June 1967, along with many prophecy experts. If this is the case, then this should indicate that we ARE the generation that will see the 2nd Coming/rapture. How do you explain this in light of your view, Recon77? Again, with ALL of the focus on Israel, its rebirth in 1948, retake of Jerusalem in 1967, and the subsequent events that surround its existence, everyone can agree that there must be something to this... |
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Brent |
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October 21, 2007 at 1:36am |
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1. 2/3 - I grew up being a dogmatic PreTrib, but as I have read the scriptures I don't think the arguments for pre trib hold out. Notice, I think that, and am perfectly willing to be corrected. 2. My viewpoints have changed as I have looked at the scripture and less on tradition. One of the points for a pre-trib was because God would not let his wrath pour out on the believers. The wrath we are protected from is eternal judgement and not temporal pain and anguish. 3. I am not sure what you are asking here. I think that our viewpoints on all of scripture are important. I don't think this is an issue to divide over. I like the it will all pan out thought regarding this. *grin* In all of the last days theories and viewpoints, we are told to use this as encouragement. We are to encourage each other as we see the day coming near. What is disheartening is that this can be a very devisive discussion. I pray that we will encourage each other as it says in 1 Thess 4:
4:17 then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. |
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Tropical, Actually I think it's more like 180 years ago around 1820. I've never heard of RC Sproul as being accused of being legalistic. I've listened to his sermons and certainly never picked up on ANY legalism whatsoever. Could you please define legalism? Or are you just saying that a Bible school he has is legalistic? And again, please define legalistic. |
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A day (month) late and a dollar short...
- My position on the last days is that I am:
- Premil: PreTrib
- Panmil. (it will all pan out in the end)
- Bullet list went weird on me!
- Have your viewpoints on the "last days" ever changed? If so, how and what influenced the changes? Nope...no change.
- Is a person's viewpoint on the "last days" important? If so, how/why? I want to miss out on God's wrath. I prefer to think of myself as not being raptured to meet Christ in the air and then immediately returning to earth --talk about turnaround time! I would rather "rolling around up in heaven*" for a little while.... is that important? Pro'lly not!
- Christ and Him crucified --and risen.... Now that's important!
*"Well she's rollin' around up in heaven,
Since the tornado tore up the town,
Yes, she's rollin' around up in heaven,
she ain't dead but we can't get her down." -Jim Stafford
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recon77 |
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November 26, 2007 at 1:16pm |
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Thank you Hal for answering this. My small group did a little study on this as mentioned in the start of the blog and these survey results were great for discussion. Interesting trends that I noticed were that your specific #1 position, though popular is the one most often departed from on this list (myself included) as Biblical studies ensue more. And, again, unlike your number 4, most people's viewpoints have changed. That's not to say that changing viewpoints are the correct ones but only that the majority that answered this survey have changed in time (myself included). As to number 5, as Christians we will miss out on his "wrath". However, as sons we will all be chastised and should welcome it, elsewise we'd be bastards. This is really the only time I recall I've answered much in this survey of my own but I would like to point out to all that multitudes of preacher's have set dates, Lindsey, Chuck Smith 1981, 88 for Christ's return. Many more have classified God and Magog as anything from France and Russia, to China and now Iran. I would just say that we should not interpret scriptures based upon the latest newspaper headlines. It will always add up to mistaken date setting and at times develop cults. |
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