Are we meant to worry any further about end times than the teachings J

[Fez]

If Prophecy were not important it would not be in scripture.

But I know what the OP is talking about. I have several extended family members that just fret and fret about these things when there is NOTHING that they can do about them beyond growing in their own faith which is a good thing, not something to worry about.

It brings up a question though. Beyond growing in our own devotion and faith and spreading the Gospel is there something we are supposed to DO about responding to the end times or the anti-Christ or the Return of Christ?

I don't think there is anything we are supposed to DO, except Love and Obey Jesus.

What is Revelation about? It's actually about Jesus! How do I arrive at that conclusion? The first verse tells us it is about Jesus...

Rev 1:1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

14 of the 22 chapters mention the throne, and who sits on a throne but a King? Keep your dragons, anti christ, beasts, etc. When reading Revelation I will go for Jesus every time!

Revelation is from the Latin vellum or veil, and the tearing thereof. Just like the curtain was torn after His Crucifixion, and heaven was revealed. Again this will happen, and heaven will be revealed for eternity...

How it happens should not worry us too much, there is not much we can do about it anyway...

[Smalcald]

It brings up a question though. Beyond growing in our own devotion and faith and spreading the Gospel is there something we are supposed to DO about responding to the end times or the anti-Christ or the Return of Christ?

Such as......?

The correct politics, family self defense, preparing for fighting the forces of the anti-Christ, preparing for living off the grid, storing massive quantities of food; preparing to barter, getting ready to watch and resist anti-Christ tyranny, identifying what the mark of the beast is or is going to be so as not to accept that mark; all of these are things I have heard. But they seem to be a part of a frenetic high anxiety.

[Guest shiloh357]

Are we meant to worry any further about end times

No, but 1/3 of the Bible is prophecy, so prophecy is important.

[other one]

Don't worry, study .

What, maths?

String Physics....

[other one]

It brings up a question though. Beyond growing in our own devotion and faith and spreading the Gospel is there something we are supposed to DO about responding to the end times or the anti-Christ or the Return of Christ?

Such as......?

Prepare yourself spiritually for the things we are told are coming.... and take heart and be happy that we can be a part of what's coming. These are truly remarkable days

[Guest yod]

There is a balance between focusing too much on eschatological pursuit and being completely ignorant of 15% of the Bible.

Both of those extremes are wrong.

Do you believe it is possible to fully understand prophecy prior to it coming to pass?

No I don't and I don't think that the prophecies in the OT, even those about the coming of Jesus, were ever fully understood.

I agree. It seems that we should learn a lesson from the religious experts of the day that thought they have them fully understood.

If you're referring to the Pharisees, thousands of thousands of them came to faith after the resurrection. If you're referring to the Saducees, they were the liberals of their day who put no effort into studying the scriptures so they were ignorant of prophecy. If you're talking about the High Priest, they were more of a political office than a religious one.

But if no one had understood prophecy in that day, then no one would have recognized Jesus to be the promised Messiah. Matthew, Mark, Luke & John all quoted the prophetic scriptures to verify that Yeshua was the One Israel had been waiting for. Without prophecy, His life had no relevance to the Word of God.

Besides that, Jesus prophesied quite a bit, so my guess is that it's very important to understand what He was talking about.

[Guest]

From A Short Story About True Love, A Gentle Woman, A Jewish Mother-In-Law And A Kinsmen-Redeemer

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee:

for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. Ruth 1:16:17

And From My Youth Naomi's Kinsmen-Redeemer (Jesus) Is My Hope Too

>>>>>()<<<<<

There is a balance between focusing too much on eschatological pursuit and being completely ignorant of 15% of the Bible.

Both of those extremes are wrong.

Do you believe it is possible to fully understand prophecy prior to it coming to pass?

Yes! Well, Maybe Not To Fully Understand The Depths Of God's Word For Sure But To Fully Trust It, Yes!

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 3:36

And Only Because Of His Grace

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

For HE Is The Faithful One And True

But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.

For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion.

Joel 3:20-21

[Fez]

One crucial difference between the OT prophets and any prophecy Jesus gave is:

OT Prophets said "Thus sayeth the Lord" - they were imparting words given to them by God.

Jesus said - "I say unto you" - that is not prophecy, that is fact, from the very mouth of God Himself.

[Hawkins]

Since no one knows the exact day, there's nothing to worry about, except for my own readiness as we are warned that He might come like a thief and we should be ready for His coming.

Edited May 5, 2010 by Hawkins

[Guest shiloh357]

Are we meant to worry any further about end times

No, but 1/3 of the Bible is prophecy, so prophecy is important.

...as background only.

No, not as background. Most of the prophecies about Jesus have not come to pass yet, specifically His bodily return to planet earth.