Just a Concern...

[Xtreme Cowboy]

Okay, I tend to watch a lot of Christian television, just to see what is going on. EVERYONE that is preaching is going with the "end times" preaching right now. My question:

Has anyone looked into any of this yet, and if they have, is every pastor jumping on the "bandwagon" because they REALLY feel what they are preaching, or are they going with the flow. I really don't believe it's my job to judge (that's God's place), but I'm trying to use as much wisdom as God has given me.

I feel with as many pastors that are now currently preaching that God is working to complete his prophesies, he REALLY has to be coming, I just hope and pray that's it's being done properly. With so many of them actually putting the "fear" in everyone right now...they're basically saying it's tomorrow (from what I've been hearing), I'm concerned if it doesn't happen this year, it's gonna be like the boy that cried wolf, and hope it doesn't hurt all of our evangelism.

When I talk to people about it, I tell them I think it's REAL soon, but that could be 10 years from now, or maybe even longer...BUT it's here. Even putting a year or a timeline on it, as I'm hearing from many pastors seems to bother me. Anyone feel the same way?

[ub4war]

i think something is up

but if all the pastors jump on the band wagon--beware--

many pastors welcomed rick warren at first too

[SoftTouch]

Well, if the False Teachers are claiming this then I'm suspect of it. There does indeed seem to be many indications that we're close but none of us knows how close. Like you said, could be 10 years or more away, we just don't know - but God does! :)

It wouldn't be the first time people have said 'it's here, it's here' only to have it not be here yet... kinda kills credibility (Look at the SDA history) ;)

[Remnant]

The Lord is preapairing the church for His return and He will use false prophets and teachers along with the true worshipers and believers in the Lord. I do not think it is just another do as others are doing. We must always remember, He rains on the just and the unjust.

[BuzzardHut]

Okay, I tend to watch a lot of Christian television, just to see what is going on. EVERYONE that is preaching is going with the "end times" preaching right now. My question:

Has anyone looked into any of this yet, and if they have, is every pastor jumping on the "bandwagon" because they REALLY feel what they are preaching, or are they going with the flow. I really don't believe it's my job to judge (that's God's place), but I'm trying to use as much wisdom as God has given me.

I feel with as many pastors that are now currently preaching that God is working to complete his prophesies, he REALLY has to be coming, I just hope and pray that's it's being done properly. With so many of them actually putting the "fear" in everyone right now...they're basically saying it's tomorrow (from what I've been hearing), I'm concerned if it doesn't happen this year, it's gonna be like the boy that cried wolf, and hope it doesn't hurt all of our evangelism.

When I talk to people about it, I tell them I think it's REAL soon, but that could be 10 years from now, or maybe even longer...BUT it's here. Even putting a year or a timeline on it, as I'm hearing from many pastors seems to bother me. Anyone feel the same way?

Prophecy is a $$$$ maker just like Word of Faith

[Xtreme Cowboy]

Prophecy is a $$$$ maker just like Word of Faith

Good call.

[Adelphe]

In MHO the big difference with all the talk of the soon return of the Lord this go 'round as apposed to all the times before is that it's not just one or two little groups here or there, i.e. the millerites. From what I have seen and read over the past few years this seems to be an overwelming general consensus worldwide among many faiths, belief systems, and what have you. This is a big road sign, to me, in and of itself. I agree with the above statement that the Lord is able to use the just and unjust to His glory and purposes b/c as scripture tells us He would that none perish, I think this is yet another display of the awesome love and mercy of our Lord. Praise be unto His Holy Name.

[TomT]

In MHO the big difference with all the talk of the soon return of the Lord this go 'round as apposed to all the times before is that it's not just one or two little groups here or there, i.e. the millerites. From what I have seen and read over the past few years this seems to be an overwelming general consensus worldwide among many faiths, belief systems, and what have you. This is a big road sign, to me, in and of itself. I agree with the above statement that the Lord is able to use the just and unjust to His glory and purposes b/c as scripture tells us He would that none perish, I think this is yet another display of the awesome love and mercy of our Lord. Praise be unto His Holy Name.

I agree - good assessment...

While I agree that is some instances "prophecy" books and CDs etc are used as $$ makers -

.... to me the key difference is that in times past the vast majority of preachers tended to state (or infer) that any actual fulfillment was at least several years into the future - i.e. otherwise their concern was that donations and financial support would dry up in the face of imminent Rapture...

...Now lately it seems that even this crowd has shifted over to agreement that time has all but run out....

[justme]

Prophecy is a $$$$ maker just like Word of Faith

My pastor also says that many people are into prophecy these days and because of that, that is why so many preachers are jumping on the "prophecy bandwagon".....for the money......it sells cds, dvd's, etc. and they know it.

He very well remembers the 80's and the "88 reasons why Jesus will return in 1988" and then "89 reasons why Jesus will return in 1989". He also remembers how many preachers jumped on the y2k scare for profit. No offense to anyone, but I believe Jack Van Impe was one of them. It sold cd's, tapes, dvd's and drew a large audience.

My pastor mentions the rapture often, but it isn't his main focus every time the doors are open. We all know that we're 1 day closer today to the Lord's return than we were yesterday and it's true that we 'born again' believers looooong for the return of the Lord, but at the same time, we all need to be about the Father's business on a daily basis.

Not 1 single person will be left behind that the Lord intends to be raptured when that time comes........regardless of when it occurs or whether we are alive or asleep in Christ.

[bghtnpd4]

In MHO the big difference with all the talk of the soon return of the Lord this go 'round as apposed to all the times before is that it's not just one or two little groups here or there, i.e. the millerites. From what I have seen and read over the past few years this seems to be an overwelming general consensus worldwide among many faiths, belief systems, and what have you. This is a big road sign, to me, in and of itself. I agree with the above statement that the Lord is able to use the just and unjust to His glory and purposes b/c as scripture tells us He would that none perish, I think this is yet another display of the awesome love and mercy of our Lord. Praise be unto His Holy Name.

Absolutely! I'm with you. The Lord will accomplish His plan, with or without man...

[Suzanne]

I agree - good assessment...

While I agree that is some instances "prophecy" books and CDs etc are used as $$ makers -

.... to me the key difference is that in times past the vast majority of preachers tended to state (or infer) that any actual fulfillment was at least several years into the future - i.e. otherwise their concern was that donations and financial support would dry up in the face of imminent Rapture...

...Now lately it seems that even this crowd has shifted over to agreement that time has all but run out....

I think that the reason so many preachers are focusing on end-time prophecies are the signs all around us that say Jesus Christ's return for His church is near. Those signs are: Israel becoming a nation in 1948; Israel gaining control of Jerusalem in 1967; Israel's beginning to give away its land for peace (Gaza and the West Bank); earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, fires, melting glaciers and other climatic disasters; the situation in the ME--alignment for G/MG, a world-wide clamour for a lasting peace treaty between Israel and Palestine, Israel being virtually surrounded by armies, etc.; wars and rumors of wars--Iraq, Iran, NK, Sudan, Lebanon, etc.; the MOB technology; satellite TV; the increase of countries having nuclear power; the rise of the Roman Empire. There are just so many prohecies that are in the process of being fulfilled that they are impossible to ignore anymore.

When I tell someone that Jesus will rapture us soon, I say that soon could mean 5 or 10 years from now. I also tell that person that only God knows when the rapture will happen.

[FedExRazorback]

As our Pastor says, "The Rapture could happen today or 10,000 todays from now, we do not know. Time seems to be short but none of us are guarenteed another moment here on earth. We need to be about the Father's business and reaching out to those who are not Christians until we are called home....either by the Rapture or by physical death.