Gerald Creasy wrote:pastorables wrote:I would generally not be overly concerned with stock market or dow jones talk, but when you see several hundred jobs lost at multiple local companies in one week... it causes one to take notice. When global financial woes impact local economies, one becomes connected by default.
pa
Where I work we are working 24/6 and may go to 24/7 and they are hiring left and right.
I'm more concered about our possible first Socialist President, than looking for "signs" that are the same "signs" since the world began.
Hey Gerald, it's no big secret that you don't put must stock in "end times" talk. But to act as if it's just ignorant to waste precious time and energy on looking and watching for the end is just foolish imho.
I am going to copy and paste a little statement I found that I believe captures the essance of how we, as believers should be watching.
Jesus first expressed this idea that He would return “like a thief in the night” in the Olivet Discourse. Four of His disciples came to Him on the Mount of Olives and asked, “what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3). During His response Jesus described the signs that will take place before His return, providing a way for us to determine the general time of His return.
Repeatedly, Jesus told of the increasing deception that will come in the Last Days. He commanded us to watch and stay alert so we would not be deceived and get caught off guard.
Today many people are confused and deceived regarding the meaning of the expression “like a thief in the night.” They mistakenly believe that Jesus will come “like a thief in the night” to the Church. Meaning that the Church will not know the general time of Christ’s return. However, this is totally incorrect. Both Jesus and the apostle Paul clearly tell us that the Church will know the general time of Christ’s return. Jesus said,
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him (Matthew 24:42-44).
But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him (Luke 12:39-40).
Paul, wrote that, “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” when reminding the Thessalonians of his previous instructions to them about the Second Coming. Here is what Paul wrote.
Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness (1 Thessalonians 5:1-5).
When Paul says, “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night,” notice that he is referring to “people,” “them,” and “they,” Paul is making a distinction between the believers and the unbelievers. Consider what Paul says to the believers in verse four - “But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.” He is telling them that the Day of the Lord will not surprise the believers, because they know what will happen first. On the other hand, Christ’s return on the Day of the Lord will surprise the unbelieving world.
Again, in Revelation, Jesus reminds and warns His followers that if they do not stay awake, His return will surprise them like a thief..
Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you (Revelation 3:3).
"Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed" (Revelation 16:15
Believers will be aware of the general time of Christ’s return but unbelievers will be caught off guard when Jesus Christ returns to earth “like a thief in the night.” Therefore, don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, many signs will occur before Jesus Christ returns to gather up His Church.
If the coming of the Lord catches you by surprise, you will be treated as an unbeliever.
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour (Matthew 25:13).
Richard H Perry
http://www.lastdaysmystery.info/like_a_thief_in_the_night.htm
Gerald, you are correct in your findings that no will will know the day or hour of Christ's return but to speak as if we shouldn't be paying attention is a bit rejecting of Christs' own words.
One day the end will come Gerald. I personally don't see that Christ's return has already happened because that leaves us kinda stuck doesn't it?
I also understand your difficulty with the scriptures you have used that talk about "you standing here will not taste death until you see me coming", etc. etc. But you yourself must also see the difficulty of where we are today in relation to the times. And I believe you have said such to me before.
I am like you insofaras not knowing exactly what time dispinsation we are currently in. (mainly because my lack of study in the area) but I try not to speak so difinitively about where we are not if I don't know where we are.
Like I said, one day the end will come. One day the time we are in now will change. It only stands to reason that whatever situation we find ourselves in that Christ gives us wisdom to seek and look and know so we as His followers and children will not be caught unaware.
God bless
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