Thursday, July 7, 2011

"Bible Prophecy: A Beginner's Guide"

Last May we were either: amused, confused, defused, stupefied, horrified, petrified, (or all of the above) when Harold Camping of Family Radio Ministries predicted the Rapture and the End of the World would occur on May 21, 2011.


What the--?! How come we're still here? Where's Armageddon and all the fire 'n brimstone and stuff?


Good question. And if you've ever asked yourself What's it all about (Alfie?), then this Blog's for you.


I'd like to take this opportunity to stop the madness, because let's face it, speculation about end times events is running rampant.
Some of it is true.
Some of it is fiction.
Is there any way to know the difference?

Yes, as long as one sticks to Scripture and avoids guesswork (unless clearly labeled, of course). It is quite possible to understand the framework of the end-time scenario. It actually makes alot of sense.


While I make no claims of expertise, I have put in 34 years studying the topic. (I've also written an award winning thriller now available @ amazon.com and virtualbookworm.com for your reading pleasure).


I believe the stage is being set for what the Bible calls the 'final hour'. Developments of great significance are coming together so fast it's hard to keep up with them all. But that doesn't mean it's all coming down tomorrow. Every generation of Christians has hoped to be the last generation. The Bible teaches that Christ's return is imminent. That means there is no prophetic event that remains to be fulfilled before He can return.


So how close are we? That, my friend, is what we hope to explore. If there is one thing we all learned from Mr. Camping's May 21st prediction, it's this: No man knows the day or the hour. And trying to speculate beyond what Scripture actually predicts is a fool's errand. But what we can (and should) do is watch, wait and be ready.


The Bible warns : ...that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and of the day. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint to us wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you are doing.             (1 Thessalonians 5: 2b-11)


The above scripture starts off with "when they say 'Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them." Paul is talking about unbelievers. The world will be asleep, lulled into a false sense of security; so busy with the cares of life, that even earthquakes, tsunamis and threats of war will fail to alarm them. In other words, the indifference of the people will cause them to turn a deaf ear and give no thought at all to their eternal destiny. They will be caught completely unready to give an account of their lives.


In contrast, Christians should be watching the times and the seasons, prepared at every moment to present the quality of her (or his) life before the judgment seat of Christ.


Hebrews 4:13 says, "There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account." If that doesn't freak you out then I doubt if you read it carefully enough. Let's face it gang, we've got some work to do.


I suggest we start by figuring out just what He expects of us. One thing's for sure, He expects us to know "the times and the seasons". If you stay with me, I'll do my best to boil it down to the very basics. But it's a complicated subject and I'll need lots of help (prayers!!!). So please take advantage of any extracurricular websites, blogs, books, etc. that might be linked to this site, and God willing, we will advance.

6 comments:

  1. Hey Family, I love your blog...great idea! I'll keep you in my prayers :)I love you both!Wendy
    Dear Jesus,
    Give them wisdom and insight into your Word. Please bless them with the ability to communicate your Word well.Even more then these, draw them deeper into relationship with you, let them love you above all else. Amen

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  2. Very good start to a very interesting and topical subject especially with all the events unfolding in the Middle East and the U.S. Can't wait for the next "installment!"

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  3. Great and timely blog. Can't wait until next one!

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  4. Great idea...an easy read for those who don't like things too complicated!!!

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  5. This is very helpful for beginners. It is easy to understand, but very interesting. Good job.

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  6. Hi Peg, So glad we reconnected after all these years. I look forward to reading your blogs & it's very encouraging considering the onslaught of hate towards Trump from very close friends of mine. It's not the hate towards Trump so much as it is my seeing how people will be easily duped by the Antichrist. I see the stage is already being set up.

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