I wonder did christians in all times think the end is really near?

In this post at least you are thinking things through. Open your Bible. There are specific passages dealing with quitting work, hiding in the mountains, etc. There are specific instances of early followers of Christ, including counterfeits, who taught that the endtimes occurred in 70 a.d. It's all in the Book. Read it. In history there are instances of some setting specific dates. Don't read their books.

:thumbs:

 

How "soon" do they appear to view the second coming?

 

Personally, I think "generation" means "generation" and "soon" means "soon." Others (especially those who claim to be literalists) may believe that these words are more symbolic. In other words, that "generation" doesn't really mean "generation," it means an unknown period of time.

You may want to read RC Sproul's book "The Last Days According to Jesus." Interesting book and examines the various preterist views of the second coming. There is also a primer in the back that explores the many millenial positions.

Godspeed in readings,

FOS

 

xdisciplex said:
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Younger people will be sensitive to the scare-factor and maybe even repent because of an "the end is near" sermon but the older christians may just smile about it.
What do you think? Is it possible that most of the christians live in an "the end is near" deception which makes them totally focus on the end instead of focusing on their lives? When you think that the end is near you also lose motivation. If I knew that the end is very close then I wouldn't go to the university anymore and deal with boring stuff, why should I?
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The end is near for everybody so there is no deception... whether they fly (in the rapture) or die. The bible says that our lives are but a vapor...
James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

I suppose this is why the older crowd gets that smile on their faces. When I was a teenager I used to get scared at hearing about the end times and the rapture also until I got saved... now all I can do is get excited! As a teen I was like there was so much I haven't got to do. Older now and its like let me do as much as I can! Live life... and remember Jesus came so that we could live life more abundantly.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

BTW,
1John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. :flower:

 

This is why we ought to live like Jesus could come any minuet (no sinning) and work like he'll never show up. (Tell as many as we can about Jesus) In the mean time get our education and provide for our families. I have to admit back in the 80's I did take a side trip like what you discribed so I didn't go for a teaching career. I am not bitter nor disappointed because I still substitute taugh for a few years and taught Sunday school and was a daycare teacher. I still believe Jesus is comming soon. :flower:

 

"The END" comes for EVERYONE when they die and very few people "plan to die today".

Beyond that - the "END" will come upon those in the last days who will all die AT the same time - AT the 2nd coming.

Those who are alive and remain are those who are "in Christ" and saved - and who will be caught up in the air after the dead in Christ have risen and are also taken up to Be with Christ forever.

Those people pre-flood that lived 900+ years before dying - had to "remain faithful" for century after century -- today it is not even one century that is required. But God "helps" us to know that ONLY by "looking up" continually - "looking for and hastening the day of the Lord" Titus 2 are we able to maintain and persevere in a state of "Being ready".

 

There is no such thing according to Scripture.

But you have to be willing to "read some scripture" on that topic.

The first resurrection of Rev 20 takes place at the start of the 1000 years and is described in 1Thess 4 as the "Resurrection of the dead in Christ" along with the rapture of the living. Rev 19 already shows that the rest of the living are "destroyed". sooo - nobody here while the saints are rapture up to be with Christ in heaven.

Satan and his angels will be alone.

 

I don't think that "the end is near" is so much a deception as is some of the popular theology today that speculates on end times. To the contrary, the Bible instructs,

Notice that while we are instructed to look forward to "our blessed hope" - which is the appearance of our Lord - we are to do so while living godly, balanced lives in this present age. To not carry on as usual - to avoid the "boring stuff" - is to embrace the very error that the Apostle Paul was trying to correct in his letter to the Thessalonians.

 

I think this world wll be around for 100,000 years minimum.

 

Even before Christianity was known, the "last days" were preached. We are in those "last days" and have been when that "kingdom is at hand" was preached. But we know the very "last days" cannot come until we are caught up to Him in the air. Then those last days will begin, and the "kingdom gospel will be preached to all the world", Matthew 24:14.

The world will continue to marry, and give in marriage, as in the days of Noah. This is man and woman's function in this world, and we are to continue planning and looking ahead to the future as we know it, but realize and come to the understanding that things could end for any of us in just minutes from now, and we should be ready to go. But we are not to plan on it being tomorrow or some set day. Just be ready when our time comes. I believe if we worry about it, perhaps we may not be saved, for after all we are to look to be with Him. That assurance will ease our minds, giving us incentive to university, or work for if He doesn't come for us, we are as the "drunk", or the sluggard - not prepared for this world, or the next.

 

We have reached "the Time of the End" mentioned in Daniel 8 -- which is clearly the reference to the end of the 2300 year prophecy identified in that chapter.

 

Agree if you mean we are in the "end time", but the "time of the end" looks to be in the vision. I take the 2300 days to mean days within the 7 year tribulation, which I believe to be the "time of the end.