End of the world, a good thing?

[InJesusItrust]

If anyone has seen or read the sensationalistic picture of the EOTW in Jehova Witness or Seventh Day Adventist liturature they would be terrified.

When I was small we had a series of “bible story” books published the the SDAs, it was left in pediatritions offfices even tho were weren’t SDAs.

To this day I am terrified by the pictures which are engraved in my memory.

Like I said, the EOTW was supposed to be a joyful event but artists made it seem scary. It is all the tribulations before the end that would be horrible, not the end itself. God will be coming to rescue His sheep and give them their greatest desire. I do understand that if the sign of the cross is seen in the sky most scoffers will be terrified though.

In the Apocalypse John writes “Come Lord Jesus”, not “Stay away Lord Jesus”.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

In any case, to desire the coming of ICXC is natural and scriptural, as opposed to the expectation of doom and destruction associated with the “survival” crowd, among others.

The end of time doesn’t mean the end of life. It means the begining of everlasting life. What is more, it is the greatest good that could even happen. All Christians are called to await the return of Jesus.

Perhaps I was not being clear enough. I bolded the portion of this post so you’ll know more specifically what I’m talking about:

Like I said, the EOTW was supposed to be a joyful event but artists made it seem scary. It is all the tribulations before the end that would be horrible, not the end itself. God will be coming to rescue His sheep and give them their greatest desire. I do understand that if the sign of the cross is seen in the sky most scoffers will be terrified though.

That’s it isn’t it? Isn’t that what end-timers celebrate? Isn’t this the great irony that the sign of the end times is the very world we are called to prevent?

 

[InJesusItrust]

I don’t know anyone who takes joy in tribulation. I think people are excited about the return of Jesus and the bliss that comes when He returns. That’s a mistaken assumption of what motivates people when they want the world to end.

If a doctor needs to inject you with something before you get healed, you would not be as bothered by the pain of the needle because you look forward to the healing. If you look forward to the injection it is not because you are a masochistic.

 

[sojo]

I have a confession - I usually have just a pinch of worry before each “prophetic” end of the world announcement. Just a teeny bit right before the BIG DAY. I guess I’m just a bit superstitious.

But the last one was different. I was totally calm and thought, almost wistfully, “wouldn’t it be nice if the world did end on this day.” You see, we have a disabled son and no family who gives a rip so we worry all the time what will happen to him when we die. And my husband and I also worry about when one of us goes first and the other has the entire burden to deal with alone. And we are starting to have the usual aging health problems and Lord knows, we are financially strapped so there’s no hope of a normal retirement in our future. Just more work, more worry.

So for the first time, the idea of the 3 of us going all at once, was appealing. My husband even had the day off on the projected date, and I figured – how nice, we would all be together, could say a prayer together and hug and kiss and then… onto our next adventure, hopefully together. Then I laughed at my own silliness and sure enough, the sun rose the next day, same as always.

That sounds really awful, I guess. But its true. I wasn’t hoping for the end, but for the first time ever, it held no particular fear or sense of loss. So yes, I can easily imagine folks who long for the end of the world. After all, my life isn’t all that bad, and I’m generally very happy and feel blessed. So many people are downright miserable in their life, in their skin, in their heart. So sure, someone is bound to want to hurry things along.

And remember, some Evangelicals make no bones about their desire to help Israel is firmly routed in their belief that it will hasten the end of the world.

 

[Sam_777]

You don’t make that problem worse by wanting all life to end. That’s not how a Catholic thinks.

Living in The Most High realm :heaven: is far more superior than anything in this life, when asking for this life to end it means seeing JESUS second coming, because He is one of that realm.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Living in The Most High realm :heaven: is far more superior than anything in this life, when asking for this life to end it means seeing JESUS second coming, because He is one of that realm.

I hate to be blunt but if you replace Jesus with Muhammed or Allah, you’ll sound like a certain type of imam. Please don’t make me go there.

If a doctor needs to inject you with something before you get healed, you would not be as bothered by the pain of the needle because you look forward to the healing. If you look forward to the injection it is not because you are a masochistic.

We have anesthesia to numb pain just as we try our best to mitigate the suffering in this world. This is the suffering that many end-timers actually cry to the heavens to receive.

Your analogy is also still inaccurate. I’m talking about people who rejoice in the pain because of the healing.

 

[Sam_777]

I hate to be blunt but if you replace Jesus with Muhammed or Allah, you’ll sound like a certain type of imam. Please don’t make me go there.

what Muhammed has to do with that !!! Muhammed is a dead person and has nothing to do with the end of the world…

 

[andrewstx]

Like I said, the EOTW was supposed to be a joyful event but artists made it seem scary. It is all the tribulations before the end that would be horrible, not the end itself. God will be coming to rescue His sheep and give them their greatest desire. I do understand that if the sign of the cross is seen in the sky most scoffers will be terrified though.

In the Apocalypse John writes “Come Lord Jesus”, not “Stay away Lord Jesus”.

I think what really fightened me is that SDAs don’t beleive in a general ressurection, I think what they teach is that at the bloody fiery end they say that only the righteous (their defininition of righteous) will be raised and the huge majority will be anihalated, cast into the burning pit and cease to exist. That point was made with lurid pictures. Aventistsat the same time belive in “soul sleep”.

Very scary to a confused 9 year old.

 

[Hunter24]

I’m not sure where to put this, but since it involves Protestant Fundamentalist I put it here.

I think their are many people who want to foment war between Christians and Muslims due to their interpretation of biblical prophecy which they seem to interpret as literal Jean Dixon fortune prediction.

So they make videos making fun of Islam and Mohammed to try to get the ball rolling and start the war they think will lead to the end. That is a real possibility with most of the world and all the major powers with nuclear arsenals that would assure the end.

Why do many see the end of the world as a positive? I certainly do not.

Who are these people to decide when the world ends? If the four horseman style apocolypse in revelation was to happen it would a hellish time, who would desire to live there besides sadists and hardcore survivalists.

 

[SteveVH]

The world will end for all of us at some point, of that we can be assured. I think I’d rather be on the other side when it happens, but I do believe it is going to be wonderful beyond imagination in the end. Many saints have had visions of the end and it doesn’t look real pretty, but we know there will be a new heaven and a new earth when the dust settles, so to speak.

 

[FrRob]

I just had to comment on this one! Another big LOL.The truth of the matter is:

Glory be to the Father,and to the Son,and to the Holy Spirit
As is was in the beginning,is now,and ever shall be
WORLD WITHOUT END,amen.

Yeah . . . I keep meaning to look into that “world without end” business, to see just where it comes from.

Unfortunately, my Latin is BARELY passable (means I can decipher stuff if it is kinda close to the Spanish). I chose Spanish study as more useful in ministry.

In Spanish, the prayer is “For the centuries of the centuries.” That is the poetic way of saying “a very long time,” which is what we mean by “forever and ever.”

Jesus taught very c
early that there WILL be an ending to this world, and a transformed age to come. So that “world without end” phrase bothers me a bit. It does not sem to fit well with Catholic teaching on the matter.

I really DO need to do a bit of research, to see where hat comes from.

Fr. Rob

 

[cjforJesus]

Yeah . . . I keep meaning to look into that “world without end” business, to see just where it comes from.

Unfortunately, my Latin is BARELY passable (means I can decipher stuff if it is kinda close to the Spanish). I chose Spanish study as more useful in ministry.

In Spanish, the prayer is “For the centuries of the centuries.” That is the poetic way of saying “a very long time,” which is what we mean by “forever and ever.”

Jesus taught very c
early that there WILL be an ending to this world, and a transformed age to come. So that “world without end” phrase bothers me a bit. It does not sem to fit well with Catholic teaching on the matter.

I really DO need to do a bit of research, to see where hat comes from.

Fr. Rob

Rob. I think the Gloria is referring to not this actual physical world in the sense we know it,
I do believe in a transformation as such because the transfigration foretold what our glorified bodies will be. Many readings concerning the saints also describe a luminous glow about them when they were experiencing ecstasy or a close communion with God.

I do not believe in the “as above so below” theory of trying to unite that which is incorruptible with that which is corruptible.

We have a taste of heaven every time we do the will of God.When we reach out to the poor,make sacrifices for our family,and engage in acts of charity and mercy.

 

[cjforJesus]

Like I said, the EOTW was supposed to be a joyful event but artists made it seem scary. It is all the tribulations before the end that would be horrible, not the end itself. God will be coming to rescue His sheep and give them their greatest desire. I do understand that if the sign of the cross is seen in the sky most scoffers will be terrified though.

In the Apocalypse John writes “Come Lord Jesus”, not “Stay away Lord Jesus”.

Jesus told St Faustina the sign of the cross in the sky will herald his final coming.He also made references to someone from Poland being the spark that prepares the world.Many believe that spark was Bl JP2 who united the world and worked for true intereligious dialogue and acceptance.

Private revelation is not part of the deposit of faith,yet I truly believe we are in the last times which have already commenced 2000 years ago.I truly await the blessed hope of His coming.

 

[YaelQ]

Yeah . . . I keep meaning to look into that “world without end” business, to see just where it comes from.

Unfortunately, my Latin is BARELY passable (means I can decipher stuff if it is kinda close to the Spanish). I chose Spanish study as more useful in ministry.

In Spanish, the prayer is “For the centuries of the centuries.” That is the poetic way of saying “a very long time,” which is what we mean by “forever and ever.”

Jesus taught very c
early that there WILL be an ending to this world, and a transformed age to come. So that “world without end” phrase bothers me a bit. It does not sem to fit well with Catholic teaching on the matter.

I really DO need to do a bit of research, to see where hat comes from.

Fr. Rob

Actually, the English sounds a lot like the Hebrew for the same thing, which meaning is also basically the same as the Spanish you mentioned.

Hebrew: ’ l’olam va’ed ’
‘Olam’ means world, universe, or everything in existence, depending on the context.
However, ’ l’olam ’ means forever.

‘Va’ed’ means either council/committee or eternity, depending on the context.

So the entire phrase, which is fairly common in Hebrew liturgy and the Hebrew Bible, basically means “for all eternity.”

“World without end” would be a more literal translation of the phrase.

(For those concerned, I offer my 18 years of Hebrew prayer and Bible-reading experience and 8 (recent) years of living in Israel as credentials.)

• Yael

 

[Bible_Light]

I’m not sure where to put this, but since it involves Protestant Fundamentalist I put it here.

I think their are many people who want to foment war between Christians and Muslims due to their interpretation of biblical prophecy which they seem to interpret as literal Jean Dixon fortune prediction.

So they make videos making fun of Islam and Mohammed to try to get the ball rolling and start the war they think will lead to the end. That is a real possibility with most of the world and all the major powers with nuclear arsenals that would assure the end.

Why do many see the end of the world as a positive? I certainly do not.

If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, why would you not think of the end of the world as a positive?

John 14
14 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

1Cor15
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

 

[Ion]

I’m not sure where to put this, but since it involves Protestant Fundamentalist I put it here.

I think their are many people who want to foment war between Christians and Muslims due to their interpretation of biblical prophecy which they seem to interpret as literal Jean Dixon fortune prediction.

So they make videos making fun of Islam and Mohammed to try to get the ball rolling and start the war they think will lead to the end. That is a real possibility with most of the world and all the major powers with nuclear arsenals that would assure the end.

Why do many see the end of the world as a positive? I certainly do not.

I think what he meant is: it is wrong to push towards ending this world eventualy by a nuclear war with the muslims, for the sake of the end of the world.
I have to say that i am glad to see the jew people back in Israel because it is prephesied.
On the other hand how much did the arabs and israel spend on war?
How much better they could have used that money…

 

[andrewstx]

I think what he meant is: it is wrong to push towards ending this world eventualy by a nuclear war with the muslims, for the sake of the end of the world.
I have to say that i am glad to see the jew people back in Israel because it is prephesied.
On the other hand how much did the arabs and israel spend on war?
How much better they could have used that money…

That is pretty much it, but I would not be so insensitive to call the Jewish people “jew people”, I chalk that up to perhaps English maybe being a second languague to Ion.

What is really object to is the apochalpalytic version of a bloody, fiery parousia. That is the fundamentalist interpretation of the end of the world I find negative and dissagree with.

I also dissagree with the fundamental vision of prophecy as nothing but Jean Dixon as solely fortune telling. If you read Isaia as only that I think you are missing out on his message.

The Jws and SDAs tend to focus on two books mostly for their message of the end, interpretated litterally, Daniel and Revelation.

 

[Ion]

I think the book of revelation was given to us to help us not to loose heart when it happens.

 

[Bible_Light]

What is really object to is the apochalpalytic version of a bloody, fiery parousia. That is the fundamentalist interpretation of the end of the world I find negative and dissagree with.

So you don’t agree with this?
2Peter
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

I also dissagree with the fundamental vision of prophecy as nothing but Jean Dixon as solely fortune telling.

I’m not quite sure what you mean by this.

If you read Isaia as only that I think you are missing out on his message.

What? as “Jean Dixon as solely fortune telling.” I don’t think that many do.

The Jws and SDAs tend to focus on two books mostly for their message of the end, interpretated litterally, Daniel and Revelation.

Probably because these two books contain comprehensive prophecies of the end times, and I don’t know of anyone who takes them literally.

BL

 

[Ion]

The interesting thing, as I have seen a documentary about Israel, is that some of them consider themselves Judaic as religion and believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and He will come a second time. How can be this? My english is not that good, I might have misunderstood.