Rapture Coming??

[Michael]

nateyboy said:

As for the end times... I highly doubt were close to the tribulation.

1.
It talks about being persicuted by all nations... there way to many nations that don't heavly persicute christins for it to be any time soon.
2.
Thesilonains talks about the resurection of the body and the dead at the sound of the last trumpet. Some people Link this to the 7 trumpets and seals in revealations in which case if that were ture we have quite a few plagues to go through before then.
3.
Many things have still not come to pass that are predicted... we only think we might have noted some currently happening.

I am just wondering if you are doing a study on this because I'd like to read what you are. Just because I'm curious.

In reference to 1: I'm not sure if you've heard of Voice of the Martyrs. More than likely so because it is so widespread and many churches support it through donations and such. Anyways, the VofM basically records all the persecutions that Christians go through, mostly in the middle east and oriental areas, due to the "only Islam" or "only Vishnu" and such. In those places [Malaysia, Indonesia, KOREA] Christianity has been outlawed and many churchs are broken up and the leaders sent to prison. The leaders are also brutally tortured and forced to do jobs, not even the un-Christians prisoners are told to do. Like cleaning the sewers without protection. There is also many other things they go through that are even worse. If you don't call that persecution, I'd like to know what it is then. If you'd like to read more, check out the VofM's website. I'm sure you'd be enlightened.

In reference to 2: The Bible says that at the sound of a trumpet will sound and the dead in Christ will rise. Then those that are alive will rise. The Seven Trumpets announce the Seven Bowl Judgements. I want to think that is what they are called. It's been a while since I've read in to it, but not that long. Only since last summer.

In reference to 3:
Not all things are taken as literal but metaphorical, however, the prophesies of the End Times in Matthew 24 are more literal and direct. Most signs are not as noticeable especially to the eye that is not watching for the Lord's return. Global Warming has caused the migration of many animals to parts of their native country that they usually don't go to. Gigantic ice bergs are melting in Antartica due to warming temperatures. Also, the same chapter said that many anti-christs will arise. Well, guess what. This past sunday, I read an article in the newspaper about a man named Luis De Jesus Miranda who claims to be the Jesus Christ. Not only that but he also claims to be the Antichrist and asks all of his followers to place a tattoo of "666" on their wrist [or anywhere else] to show their loyalty to him. Sound familiar? If you don't believe me, here is the official site: www.cegenglish.com/

Also, articles on him :
www.theconservativevoice.com/article/22970.html
cbs2.com/video/?id=[e-mail]&cid=71
www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA022607.secondcomingpreacher.KENS.1864300a.html
www1.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/MI39790/

And also, on the main site:

There is no sin? The what was the purpose of Christ coming for us? Why is it that we should repent of our sins continually? And there is no devil because he was destroyed? What about the battle of Gog and Magog where Jesus leads all believers in fighting Satan and those who did not come to Christ? THE BIBLE tells us about that and here he is, supposedly Jesus, contradicting the Word. HIMSELF, because the Bible says that in John, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word with God, and the Word WAS God." [John 1:1] Therefore, if he is Christ, he would be contradicting himself hence making himself a liar hence sinning. And Christ was the only one without sin which was why he was the living sacrifice that erased OUR sins.

This man IS an antichrist. Whether he is the one, I don't know. But just from what I wrote about about the image... he is an antichrist.

Back to the signs of the End Times:
In the last few years, we've had more earthquakes than before with higher Richter scale measurements. We've had hurricanes go higher North than usual. New Orleans was destroyed, basically annihilated. We are in war in Irag, Afganistan and the surrounding areas. Israel is constantly under attack by Lebanon and other surrounding Anti-Jew and Anti-Christianity countries. China and Russia [the kings of the north and of the east, remember in the bible?] are now joining forces. China has the highest number of men in the army. And according to this article "China’s 2.3 million-strong People’s Liberation Army is the world’s largest standing military..." Which would be the... "number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them." [Revelations 9:16 KJV].

Would those not count as signs? And that is just what I've posted with sources to back it in the last 30 minutes.

The Bible says that in those days there will be many who scoff the End Times and do not look for the Second Coming. And it is those who will be left. I wouldn't want to be caught in that group of scoffers.

Nateyboy, I am in no way calling you a scoffer or trying to demean, embarass, or show you up. I am just stating what I've learned over the past few months and how it contradicts with what you have posted. I'm not saying you are wrong or anything like that.

What I am saying however, is that I would keep my eyes open because unless you are looking for the signs, you will not see them.

That is all.