Did I speak end-times heresy?

[DaisymaeD]

Here’s the situation. Some scientists assert that as the universe ages, the sun will swell and possibly engulf the earth, our galaxy will collide with Andromeda, and in about a bazillion years from now there will be “heat death” which is essentially all he particles of the universe spread out, but no more planets or stars.

So I was talking recently to an Evangelical and a Coptic about end-times, and I said that maybe Jesus could return after the natural destruction of the Earth by natural aging processes. After all, God can do anything He likes–I believe in the Second Coming, I was just speculating on the timing.

Well, these two ladies were HORRIFIED and acted as if I had blasphemed. The Evangelical is a young-earth creationist, and the Coptic has a bit of a language barrier–good with conversational English, but technical terms give her trouble.

Are they right? Are we bound to believe that the end times will happen within human history? Cannot God wait until the end of the universe? He will make all things new–it is totally possible for Him to create the New Earth and raise our bodies from any material He likes.

I didn’t think there was a teaching on this.

 

[ProdglArchitect]

I think we can reasonably conclude that it will happen within the span of human history because Revelations makes it perfectly clear that there are still people alive when Christ comes again.

I think the mistake both you and your Protestant friends are making is to assume that we won’t be here if and when that potential end of our planet does occur. God could easily both wait until the end of the “natural” end of the universe and still act within human history.

 

[Micosil]

I think the mistake both you and your Protestant friends are making…

Just a small quibble, hope you don’t mind; the Evangelical could be classed as a “Protestant”, but Coptic Christians aren’t usually considered Protestants, as far as I know; they’re part of the Oriental Orthodox family of churches.

 

[Micosil]

I think the mistake both you and your Protestant friends are…

Just a small quibble, assuming by “Protestant friends” you mean both the Evangelical and the Coptic Christian DaisymaeD is talking to; hope you don’t mind. The Evangelical could be classed as a “Protestant”, but Coptic Christians aren’t usually considered Protestants, as far as I know; they’re part of the Oriental Orthodox family of churches. If I am mistaken in having understood you, then I am sorry for any misunderstanding.

 

[DaisymaeD]

Thanks, Prodigal–that makes sense.
And the creed does say “judge the living and the dead”.

 

[GEddie]

I think we can reasonably conclude that it will happen within the span of human history because Revelations makes it perfectly clear that there are still people alive when Christ comes again.

I think the mistake both you and your Protestant friends are making is to assume that we won’t be here if and when that potential end of our planet does occur. God could easily both wait until the end of the “natural” end of the universe and still act within human history.

???

Are you theorizing that human life will still be around when the universe runs down in billions of years??

I doubt it very much, as these dear old human bodies are bound to extremely narrow physical conditions of temperature, pressure, hydration, oxygenation, etc, which will not apply as the cosmos runs down.

BTW, the collision of this galaxy with Andromeda might not matter much, as galaxies are mostly empty space.

ICXC NIKA

 

[ProdglArchitect]

Just a small quibble, assuming by “Protestant friends” you mean both the Evangelical and the Coptic Christian DaisymaeD is talking to; hope you don’t mind. The Evangelical could be classed as a “Protestant”, but Coptic Christians aren’t usually considered Protestants, as far as I know; they’re part of the Oriental Orthodox family of churches. If I am mistaken in having understood you, then I am sorry for any misunderstanding.

Thank you for the correction, I missed that. I saw Evangelical and must have glossed over the second denomination. My apologies.

(I hope this doesn’t sound mocking. It’s really hard to say I apologize on the internet and make it seem sincere. >_>)

 

[ProdglArchitect]

???

Are you theorizing that human life will still be around when the universe runs down in billions of years??

I doubt it very much, as these dear old human bodies are bound to extremely narrow physical conditions of temperature, pressure, hydration, oxygenation, etc, which will not apply as the cosmos runs down.

BTW, the collision of this galaxy with Andromeda might not matter much, as galaxies are mostly empty space.

ICXC NIKA

I think it’s possible. We’re a very smart lot, regardless of how stupid we can be. I don’t necessarily think we’ll still be on Earth, I expect it will become uninhabitable long before the actual end of the universe.

I personally doubt that the second coming will occur at the end of the Universe, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible. It’s up to God to determine how long we’re here. I do think the second coming will be when we’re about to go extinct though. This is born of my belief that God wants as many souls in Heaven as possible, and therefore will not bring about the end of the world until every soul that will be created has been created. I’d like to stress that this is a personal view though, neither supported nor (I believe) denounced by any Church teaching.