Why are some Christians (& others) "Afraid" of the time we are 'Now Living'?
I answered a question recently. The person that asked said that everyday they are looking for hidden messages in music, films, etc. that give a clue as to what is going on in the world right now! And something about presenting it to their church group. Left me wondering if the 'church' itself even understood the scriptures. They did not have an email so I couldn't ask.
Do you feel that way?
Are you willing to admit that the world is in a bad way?
Is it obvious the time period we are living in, called "the last days"?
I understand why people are acting the way they are because it is propheised.
First of all "utter selfishness" and all it offers...critical times; 2 Tim. 3:1-5
Second; The many signs that show the time period we are living in. Jesus Christ even spoke of it in parables about fruit on a tree and the great apostasy which we see so rampant. Matt. Chapter 7 & Matt. 24:3-14
Third; Some cannot FACE the sad fact that the "Wicked one" is now allowed to rule, Until Christ battles with the Devil in Heaven and we will see the affects of this battle here on earth...before the end of this system and all the corruption as well. This can be good news for some as well. Daniel 2:44
1 John 5:19 New International Version (NIV)
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
2 Corinthians 4:3 King James Version (KJV)
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2 Corinthians 4:4 King James Version (KJV)
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Did you catch that???? I will repeat; "the god of this world hath blinded the minds".
No wonder the increase in groups like Illuminati and similar. http://www.illuminati-news.com/moriah.htm
Your thoughts...
2012-06-15T15:17:59Z
Melchiz: Always been, that is true, but NOT worldwide and this abundant. Consider Christ's illustration of the fig tree as to how we know a "time period", not an actual date however.
2012-06-19T22:21:13Z
Excellent answers all of you! I do understand what you are saying Melchz.
2012-06-21T17:02:11Z
I have so many good answers it truly is impossible to pick "best". I would to give an extra thanks to those that went out of their way to answer this Q. I know there are different trains of thought as to how bad it really is, but it is worth a further investigation into scriptures "if" anyone has even the slightest doubts.
I will pick the B/A later.
An Earthly Hope2012-06-14T19:33:01Z
Favorite Answer
Me personally I feel as those who are afraid of the times we are living are the ones who are not true christians and haven't got an accurate knowledge of what is coming. These are very exciting times we live in. There is a reason why this world is getting worse each minute. It is because Satan's days are almost up. And he knows it.
Rev 12:9 So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him.
Rev 12:12 On this account be glad, YOU heavens and YOU who reside in them! Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to YOU, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time
“Is it obvious the time period we are living in, called "the last days”? No it is not obvious nor do I believe we are in the ‘last days.’ So, a few things happen, particularly with the weather and one not only sees it as a bad omen, but also scripture fulfilling itself. The weather has for millennium and will continue to have bouts of aggression with its floods, earthquakes, and the like; it is a cycle in nature, a pattern reemerging. Others signs might be wars, famine, disease and the like, but these also are reemerging signs. Moreover, ‘days’ imply just that - ‘days,’ when the pattern has found its form; to be sure its barely in its infancy, it will happen in days, but those last days are many, many years off. There have always been selfish times, during the height of ‘free market economics’ selfishness had its boom years. The problem is that the selfishness of the boom years has stayed with us, just as its economic failings and greed has. There have always been those who have and those who have not, those who desire more and those who desire what is not theirs. Signs are everywhere, what signs exactly, like those signs mentioned above, signs can be quite ambiguous. The Battle in heaven has already been fought as can been seen in Revelation, this battle began when Christ died on the Cross, and for three days He fought with Satan and defeated him and then rose again at the end of the third day. All on Earth will see the next great battle. Nor do I believe the World is under the control of the evil one, if we as Christians say such, then we give power to him who should not have it and we forget our free will and in consequence, follow a wrong path, but no one made one follow such and such a path. The gospel is hid to those that are lost, then as Christians we must make known the gospel that is hid, so the light may come out from under the bushel and shine on all who are receptive to receive it. And should their minds be truly closed, then by all means close the book, but where Satan has closed a mind, God can open it. Finally, I would just add that when the ‘last days’ are with us, we would most certainly be fully aware of it, and those days are not with us yet. Edited on: Catastrophes have happened for millennium all over the world, if it wasn’t war and the destruction it brings, it has been the weather and the destruction it brings. Since recorded time there has not been a single century without a war somewhere on this planet; nor has there been a single century where the weather had not seen some extremes. I would say that is pretty worldwide and abundant. In the two readings on ‘Figs; Luke 13-6 and Matthew 21-19, there is not a hint of any ‘time-period,’ nor of any impeding danger on a catastrophic scale of which scripture speaks.
I am very concerned that people are blind to the truth. I know the Lord and his savior Jesus Christ so I am not fearful for this life. I live for the life to come.
Are you willing to admit that the world is in a bad way?
The world is perishing. The fukushima ongoing disaster is killing the pacific ocean which is a fulfillment of the third part of the waters destroyed on the earth and the radiation released is now more than chernobyl and will only increase as no human being can even be exposed to such high levels of radiation without death, after only a minute of exposure! Even the robots made for such things can not be used because they can not withstand the radiation exposure because of this the disaster at the nuclear reactors has not even been taken care of!
Is it obvious the time period we are living in, called "the last days"?
Absolutely we are in the last days. Prophecies are being fulfilled right in front of our faces and everyone seems to be under the strong delusion sent by God to judge those who did not receieve a love of the truth.
2 Thessalonians 2:11-12, "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
2 Timothy 3:1-7, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
It has recently come to my attention that I sincerely seek nothing but justice. The rest of this answer is focused exclusively on Religion, not because I harbor any ill-will towards it but because it complains a lot. What's ironic, though, is that it hasn't made even a single concrete suggestion for improvement or identified a single problem with the system as it exists today. Let me end by saying that I know that what I have written in this answer will send many readers (especially any who are big fans of Religion) into a tizzy or a tantrum. I am sorry, but I remind them that some poxy adulterers are hopelessly tetchy.
*** The Earth has Hadenough***2012-06-15T13:29:28Z
I'm afraid at times Because these are terrible times. No other time on earth (none) did mankind have the power to destroy most of the world -that power he has now. And that should scare us. That is different than any other time. Because of increase lawlessness many are afraid. We lock our doors, we are careful where we go. And even than you may not be safe. Because of a world where morals had slipped away so. And even worst most don't even see it. And often it's hard to tell the real good hearted person from the bad. And people have become experts at hiding there real lack of values
Over the years I’ve had many good reasons to fear at times. Some were great tests in many ways. But I have had a true hope in God. I do believe in him and I believe he has seen me through those times. The bible tells us the end times will be worst than all times before, I only hope I will be given strength enough to bear what I must and my faith will hold out. And I will be one he looks after always for I trust so few as much. And I hope to learn enough to be acceptable to his requirements which he does have. It's easy to say my faith will get me through and many do say their faith and love for God will see them through, They say it so easy. I don't think it is that easy. Not at all. I read and have seem many fail when tested strong on some things and I do wonder as these times do get worst as it is predicted (the worst ever) what will happen and how many will fall. I'll just keep praying for strenght and guidance and trust God will understand my fears
I might add how some say -people fear God (or to an organization like some say why some won't leave (they scare the people) ) and that keeps them believing in those conditions. I think they are so wrong. I don't find that fear with some while others think it is. In that case it's a love that keeps them there. And I think it's that love that will save them. I have seen that in some. And I admire that and am drawn to it. And its a love I see some don't understand at all and they call it fear.