From the beginning Christianity claimed to be a religion
of redemption from the forces of evil and suffering.
The suffering of oppressed people transposes itself into a conviction that God is about to act.
He won't delay. He will come soon.

In various passages throughout the Bible, people find a clear anticipation of a period
which has become referred to as the “end times.”
This concept spans both Old and New Testaments, including
prophecies in Daniel (c12), Ezekiel, Zechariah,and the Gospels
(especially Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21 and the Book of Revelation.)
References to worldwide events, moral conditions, climatic changes, spiritual deception,
and the return of Christ provide a framework for identifying the signs
that are said to precede the final consummation of history.

The Rapture
The Rapture—the raising of the Church into heaven
is said to be preceded by signs:
1. The Sign of Deception
Many people will claim to be the Messiah and claim to have the answers for a troubled world.
2. The Sign of Disputes Among Nations
Tribulation will be filled with war—ceaseless, unending, terrible war, involving the entire world.
3. The Sign of Devastation
Famine will intensify as the Rapture draws near. Scripture also anticipates increasing earthquakes.
Finally, Christ spoke of pestilence and uncontrollable new diseases.
4. The Sign of Deliverance Into the Tribulation
Just before Jesus returns, there will be an explosion of persecution of Christians.

Human history is full of poignant hope for supernatural rescue.
In Christ's time it was from Roman domination; in the 1700s from slavery.
Each generation has, falsely, claimed that God will act (Jesus return) in their time.
In the 1970s, this again morphed into a conviction that the end was near.
To the Neo-Pentecostal movement, the signs of End Times were clear!
We should "use it before we lose it", was then their cry.
They welcomed signs of the degradation of the planet
and ignored the resultant turmoil for humanity.
Is this loving one's neighbour?

The problem with accepting the veracity of prophecy
is that it denies the reality of self-determination in humanity.
In fact the future is indeterminant, unknowable until it arrives.


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