The Apocalypse may not happen the way men see it.

[Stewardofthemystery]

Many people view the Apocalypse like a glorified Hollywood movie where the sky is falling and the world is in total pandemonium and chaos. But did you ever stop to think that prophecy may not happen the way men see it as happening? That is men view things more often than not based on outward appearances, but God views things differently.
 

For instance, what if many of the plagues and judgments prophesied have a deeper spiritual meaning? If something has a deeper spiritual meaning it does not mean it is not going to happen literally per say, it just means it may not be seen or understood in the natural sense of things.

Here is something you need to reconcile with the imagery you see in the Revelation along with other end time prophecy.
 

For instance we are told in 1 Thess. 5:3, For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them…” The saying "Peace and safety”does not sound like total pandemonium and chaos is happening before the final “sudden destruction”.

Jesus compared His coming to the days of Noah and the days of Lot. And even though I'm sure Noah and Lot warned others of the coming sudden destruction, the people in their day didn’t have a care or a clue to the sudden destruction that was about to destroy them all.

Notice what Jesus says “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

Jesus also said “Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be when the Son of man is revealed.”

What Jesus is describing above by themeating, drinking, buying, selling, planting and building, is everyday normal behavior.

So people may want to try to reconcile how there can be both all these judgments and plagues being poured out, but yet the world is not alarmed, nor does it have a clue as to what is happening, and is living life as it has always done for thousands of years.

Think about this, the apostles and Jesus said His coming would be like a thief in the night for those who did not watch and were ready. So clearly His coming is not going to obvious to the rest of the world.

Daniel was told that none of the wicked would understand, only the wise would understand.

Now I”m not saying there are not bad things happening, or will happen, but what I am saying is, prophecy may not happen the way many a man sees it as being fulfilled.

Prophecy is fulfilled in the way God sees it as being fulfilled, that is why we need to see things through the eyes of God and with the mind of Christ.

Peace

[Shilohsfoal]

Daniel 12

¹⁰ Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

[Diaste]

Maybe Jesus is describing a general ignorance, apathy and obliviousness to the times. 

[Desopixi Seilynam]

21 hours ago, Stewardofthemystery said:

how there can be both all these judgments and plagues being poured out, but yet the world is not alarmed, nor does it have a clue as to what is happening

By deception.

"he cast down the truth to the ground...
by his cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper in his hand."
Daniel 8:12, 25

I believe that when Revelation 8-9 is happening people will think of the events as 'random' 'asteroids' and 'aliens'.
The deceptions are deep rooted, but the Word of God is a sure guide.
 

[Shilohsfoal]

5 hours ago, Diaste said:

Maybe Jesus is describing a general ignorance, apathy and obliviousness to the times. 

People have been misled into expecting things to take place that are not going to.

Many people expect the mark of the beast to be worldwide when it's not.So when the Israeli government puts microchips in its citizens to be used for buying and selling,no one will even bat an eye.They will say it's not the mark of the beast because Israel is God's chosen people and the mark of the beast will be worldwide.

Even while the small number of christians in Israel are murdered or imprisoned,little help will they recieve because no one will even believe it is taking place.

[AdHoc]

22 hours ago, Stewardofthemystery said:

Many people view the Apocalypse like a glorified Hollywood movie where the sky is falling and the world is in total pandemonium and chaos. But did you ever stop to think that prophecy may not happen the way men see it as happening? That is men view things more often than not based on outward appearances, but God views things differently.
 

For instance, what if many of the plagues and judgments prophesied have a deeper spiritual meaning? If something has a deeper spiritual meaning it does not mean it is not going to happen literally per say, it just means it may not be seen or understood in the natural sense of things.

Here is something you need to reconcile with the imagery you see in the Revelation along with other end time prophecy.
 

For instance we are told in 1 Thess. 5:3, For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them…” The saying "Peace and safety”does not sound like total pandemonium and chaos is happening before the final “sudden destruction”.

Jesus compared His coming to the days of Noah and the days of Lot. And even though I'm sure Noah and Lot warned others of the coming sudden destruction, the people in their day didn’t have a care or a clue to the sudden destruction that was about to destroy them all.

Notice what Jesus says “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

Jesus also said “Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be when the Son of man is revealed.”

What Jesus is describing above by themeating, drinking, buying, selling, planting and building, is everyday normal behavior.

So people may want to try to reconcile how there can be both all these judgments and plagues being poured out, but yet the world is not alarmed, nor does it have a clue as to what is happening, and is living life as it has always done for thousands of years.

Think about this, the apostles and Jesus said His coming would be like a thief in the night for those who did not watch and were ready. So clearly His coming is not going to obvious to the rest of the world.

Daniel was told that none of the wicked would understand, only the wise would understand.

Now I”m not saying there are not bad things happening, or will happen, but what I am saying is, prophecy may not happen the way many a man sees it as being fulfilled.

Prophecy is fulfilled in the way God sees it as being fulfilled, that is why we need to see things through the eyes of God and with the mind of Christ.

Peace

You've got some good points there. The Lord warns of complacency. Complacency comes from nothing out of the ordinary happening. And that is perhaps why it is so dangerous. The day to day chores, trials and joys will be accomplished without thought for a sudden collapse. Matthew 24 predicts an increase in natural catastrophes, but says that they are but the "birth pangs". Then, a single event happens that unleashes total mayhem.

But the Christian should not be watching for wars and earthquakes. He is warned to look TO HIMSELF. Matthew 24:32 onward speaks of two serving at the mill, two serving in the field, a servant who starts well serving the Church and then falls away, servants who are given a talent for the profit of the Master, Virgins who all have oil in their lamps but need to BUY extra oil for their vessels. It speaks of some of these servants left behind. A Thief always takes what is valuable. Is not implied that those left are the "least of His brethren". And more so when we study the Greek for "taken". It is "Paralambano" and means "taken on a journey as a well known companion". Then, suddenly the value of things changes. the unfaithful servant is heavily chastised. The unwise virgins are still virgins, but not allowed into the Wedding Feast. And even when they have bought the required oil they are stil refused entry - based on their relationship with the Groom.

And who can deny that the greatest threat is not what happens just before Christ comes. It is what happens AFTER He comes. Waling, weeping, gnashing of teeth, outer darkness and eve stripes - FOR THE SERVANTS, NOT THE ENEMY!

I think that this should be expanded on. While the world slumbers in complacency, maybe we Christians are in for a shock. The Thief breaks up the House by TAKING some and LEAVING others OF THE SAME HOUSEHOLD!

[JoeCanada]

22 hours ago, Stewardofthemystery said:

Notice what Jesus says “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

Indeed!

Most people won't have a clue. Their minds have been 'blinded by the enemy'. And most people includes many in the churches.

I hear it taught that Noah was in the ark for seven days before God unleashed the flood waters. But a very careful reading of Gen 7 paints a different picture.

Jesus compares the days of Noah with the days of Lot...... "Likewise ALSO as it was in the days of Lot.....  the SAME DAY that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone.....even thus shall it be when the Son of Man is revealed"

'Likewise.... 'ALSO' .... 'the SAME DAY'..... One incident did not happen a week earlier, but on the SAME DAY that Noah and clan were sealed in the Ark.................... and Lot and clan went out of Sodom. Jesus is comparing the suddeness of the judgments.

This is the deceptive teaching that has crept into the churches. "We will be taken out a week (7 years) before all this trouble starts"

Jesus, among others, tells us that " When the Son of Man comes"...."even thus shall it be when the Son of Man is revealed"...... that is when fire and brimstone will rain from heaven, for the Lord comes with fire, hence the saying 'He comes as a thief in the night'!

Those of us who are watching, who have lifted our heads and looking towards the heavens for His sign, we won't be surprised. The earthdwellers, on the other hand, will be caught unawares of the judgment that comes upon them.

 

[Vine Abider]

@Stewardofthemystery I think you hit on some real good points here! Man (and the flesh) always tend to look at the outward.  And, as you mentioned, that's what Hollywood picks up on - the things that are seen.  That was one of my issues with the whole Left Behind series - all the outward events and not much regarding the Spirit or matters unseen (including the heart).  And movies tend to focus on the Roman Catholic Church, I think because that system of doing things is easily shown on film.

Planes falling from the sky because the pilot was raptured and utter pandemonium as all kinds of disasters occur, because suddenly believers were snatched away from taking care of all their normal, every day things - all outwardly spectacular things that are seen and easily depicted in movies.  

As you and @AdHoc point out, the Lord refers to Himself as a thief coming, which refers to a much more stealthy, off-the-radar sort of approach.  Many won't see this.

I must say that whenever the Lord has moved mightily in my life, there usually has not been huge, physical manifestations.  Oh, physical things were affected, but that wasn't His main modus operandi, at least in my experience. (He moved and spoke in my heart, and this then had a lot to do with how I handled various things)

[Stewardofthemystery]

1 hour ago, Vine Abider said:

@Stewardofthemystery I think you hit on some real good points here! Man (and the flesh) always tend to look at the outward.  And, as you mentioned, that's what Hollywood picks up on - the things that are seen.  That was one of my issues with the whole Left Behind series - all the outward events and not much regarding the Spirit or matters unseen (including the heart).  And movies tend to focus on the Roman Catholic Church, I think because that system of doing things is easily shown on film.

Planes falling from the sky because the pilot was raptured and utter pandemonium as all kinds of disasters occur, because suddenly believers were snatched away from taking care of all their normal, every day things - all outwardly spectacular things that are seen and easily depicted in movies.  

As you and @AdHoc point out, the Lord refers to Himself as a thief coming, which refers to a much more stealthy, off-the-radar sort of approach.  Many won't see this.

I must say that whenever the Lord has moved mightily in my life, there usually has not been huge, physical manifestations.  Oh, physical things were affected, but that wasn't His main modus operandi, at least in my experience. (He moved and spoke in my heart, and this then had a lot to do with how I handled various things)

Yes, those who are of the world, and those who are of “the flesh” have the same carnal mind and same spirit working in them, which often judges things based on outward appearances.  
 

This is why Jesus said…

John 8:15

Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.

 

John 7:24

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

 

Paul confirms…

 

2 Corinthians 10:7

Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's

 

Jesus said to those who could judge the weather based on appearances…

 

 

Matthew 16

 

King James Version

 

 

16 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.

² He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

³ And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?”

God does not have eyes of flesh, neither does He see things as men see things.

Job 10:4

Hast thou eyes of flesh? or seest thou as man seeth?

 

God told Samuel “the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 13, 2023 by Stewardofthemystery

[Diaste]

19 hours ago, Shilohsfoal said:

People have been misled into expecting things to take place that are not going to.

Oh for sure! But that's because of personal weakness and lack of trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Jesus speaks the truth, all others lie. imo.

19 hours ago, Shilohsfoal said:

Many people expect the mark of the beast to be worldwide when it's not.So when the Israeli government puts microchips in its citizens to be used for buying and selling,no one will even bat an eye.They will say it's not the mark of the beast because Israel is God's chosen people and the mark of the beast will be worldwide.

lol. it's world wide. 

19 hours ago, Shilohsfoal said:

Even while the small number of christians in Israel are murdered or imprisoned,little help will they recieve because no one will even believe it is taking place.

Haha. We'll know.