End Times

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“But on that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mk 13:32)
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Was thinking about these words from this morning’s gospel – and at the same time remembering people that may have tried to “forecast” the end-of times.

Reading St. John of the Cross, one might conclude that God is greatly displeased by this behavior:
“God has fixed natural and rational limits by which humans are to be ruled. A desire to transcend them is unlawful, and to desire to investigate and arrive at knowledge in a supernatural way is to go beyond the natural limits… God is offended”
(Ascent, Bk 2, Ch. 21 #1)
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To those individuals that choose to do so regardless, John suggests they are prone to failure:
“The Lord has mingled in their midst a spirit of misconstruing everything… because they were desirous of knowing what was naturally unattainable” (Ascent, Bk 2, Ch. 21 #12)
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zgraf said:
Was thinking about these words from this morning’s gospel – and at the same time remembering people that may have tried to “forecast” the end-of times.

Reading St. John of the Cross, one might conclude that God is greatly displeased by this behavior:
““God has fixed natural and rational limits by which humans are to be ruled. A desire to transcend them is unlawful, and to desire to investigate and arrive at knowledge in a supernatural way is to go beyond the natural limits… God is offended”
(Ascent, Bk 2, Ch. 21 #1)”

To those individuals that choose to do so regardless, John suggests they are prone to failure…
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I think maybe you might be confusing the intent of that quote. That quote refers to those who seek knowledge through supernatural (vs. inspired) means - like charms and witchcraft or other kinds of divining, which is strictly forbidden. And it must be true that anyone who uses this is prone to failure, because they are not walking in God’s ways.

As to the end times - they events surrounding this are prophesied, and to spend time thinking on them, cross-referencing scripture in order to discern God’s word on this issue, and to even take it up as a particular interest - I don’t think that can be compared to trying to “transcend the supernatural limits” - or, use magic, charms, witchcraft, etc. While we don’t all like to think of the end times prophecies and what they mean, and also many of us tune it out because we don’t feel we can keep up with the people who study it and who may be telling us what we should conclude (since we don’t feel confident at proof-texting their arguments), I don’t think its right to imply that those taking up an interest in end times and the outcome of such prophecies in our times are violating a God’s ways.
 
**“The Lord has mingled in their midst a spirit of misconstruing everything… because they were desirous of knowing what was naturally unattainable” (Ascent, Bk 2, Ch. 21 #12) **

I understand why this was done and the reason, but its odd God had to do this, that implies the methods those people were using WAS successful. if something was not even possible, no need to create a law against it…that would be like creating a law saying no one can time travel because its too dangerous…well its not even possible to begin with.

Regarding no one knowing the time of the second coming, that is true, ONLY God knows this, but important to keep in mind, there are many verses where Jesus gave us very specific signs to watch for, so that we can know when he is ‘at the door’, plus in Daniel, it is clear, when the end times are here, knowledge about such things will be increased, so no one may know the exact day or time, but simply paying attention to whats going on in the world should be enough for anyone.

I wish the Vatican would acknowledge that we are living in the end times now, I think the failure to do so is not going to be a good thing.
 
mikekle said:
[Jesus gave us very specific signs to watch for, so that we can know when he is ‘at the door’, plus in Daniel, it is clear, when the end times are here, knowledge about such things will be increased, so no one may know the exact day or time, but simply paying attention to whats going on in the world should be enough for anyone.

**I wish the Vatican would acknowledge that we are living in the end times now, I think the failure to do so is not going to be a good thing
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.

That’s an interesting thought…do you suppose it is trying not to cause panic, or that true believers do not need to be warned…? :hmmm:
 
cross-referencing scripture in order to discern God’s word on this issue, and to even take it up as a particular interest - I don’t think that can be compared to trying to “transcend the supernatural limits” - or, use magic, charms, witchcraft, etc…
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I don’t think its right to imply that those taking up an interest in end times and the outcome of such prophecies in our times are violating a God’s ways.
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Perhaps you are right.

But then we should look at the effects. What are the fruits?

As one example, the Harold Camping predictions a few years ago probably did damage to Christianity, by causing a number of well-minded individuals to question their belief in Bible teachings – and perhaps even their ideas about Christianity in general…

Although I know very little of God, I might imagine God was not entirely pleased with those efforts…
 
SMH_2015 said:
That’s an interesting thought…do you suppose it is trying not to cause panic, or that true believers do not need to be warned…? :hmmm:
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Oh, its definitely so there is not a panic, think about it, if the Vatican was to come out and publically announce the end of times is HERE, there would be mass panic, people would stop going to work, stop paying bills, etc. There would be all kinds of crazy things going on.

However I do think when it gets real close, and there are signs starting to happen more frequently, specifically signs in the sky, they probably will come out and warn people they need to get right with God RIGHT NOW.
 
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