Signs we are not at the end of times?

[mchale]

I’m looking at the first half of the 20th century, regardless of the horrific events, there still was left in tact, our core set of beliefs that have largely fizzled away. Example, we used to pray in public school, God was still proclaimed within our governments, family values were still largely in tact as they should have been. Our technology was also quite limited, people were not able to communicate as they do now, and take note as to how often this communication leads to sin.

Just remember, the good old days often are not as good as we remember them being. I will agree that to a certain extent, sexual mores are more relaxed now than they have been in the past, but that does not mean that family values dominated in the past. Fornication and extra-marital affairs were common enough in the past, even celebrated. Read any of the matter of King Arthur – Lancelot is not the villain even though it is his affair with Gueniveire that brings down the King. In the Three Musketeers, D’Artanian spends much of the novel trying to save his mistress who is married to another man and the villains try to bring down the queen through the affair she has with another man.

It is tragic, but also true that various virtues fall in and out of fashion.

I stopped watching tv several years ago, when ever I popped in and watched it afterwards for a short time, I was appauled how it has became so much worse. I remember when there was clear limitations as to what was allowed to be broadcasted, it’s no more and the vile nature of it, even with the channels that are supposably family friendly are still packed full of corrupted messages, pornographic imagry, anti christian agenda’s, and in general, totally accepted by mainstream society. You don’t notice it so much if you watch on a regular basis, you very much do when you leave it as I have. This again was not that way at all during the first half of the 20th century.

Along fire coming out of the sky, if a large enough meteor impacts the earth, it will indeed kick up enough molten debree to cause fire to come down from the sky accross the whole planet. I’d think by the time the sun burns out, we would have the technology to leave the solar system long before hand.

I’m not seeing the proof I’ve been looking for that the end of times are not near. We have been given plenty to go by from biblical references to know what to look out for, they have been given to us for a reason. They exact day and hour, that I very much agree upon, but the correlation of what’s going on is unprecedented throughout the entirety of history.

With respect, if you believe the current events are unprecedented throughout history, you really do need to study history more closely.

Consider the following; at least these days it is considered scandalous when a public official has an affair. President Clinton almost had his administration brought down by an affair. In the past it was simply expected that great men would have affairs.

Also what is worse, the lack of chastity shown by many today or the lack of charity that was often shown by many in the past?

Mind you, I am not trying to condemn the past nor praise the present. Each generation seems to have a set of sins that it finds particularly attractive.

–
Bill

 

[prodigalson12]

Just remember, the good old days often are not as good as we remember them being. I will agree that to a certain extent, sexual mores are more relaxed now than they have been in the past, but that does not mean that family values dominated in the past. Fornication and extra-marital affairs were common enough in the past, even celebrated. Read any of the matter of King Arthur – Lancelot is not the villain even though it is his affair with Gueniveire that brings down the King. In the Three Musketeers, D’Artanian spends much of the novel trying to save his mistress who is married to another man and the villains try to bring down the queen through the affair she has with another man.

It is tragic, but also true that various virtues fall in and out of fashion.

With respect, if you believe the current events are unprecedented throughout history, you really do need to study history more closely.

Consider the following; at least these days it is considered scandalous when a public official has an affair. President Clinton almost had his administration brought down by an affair. In the past it was simply expected that great men would have affairs.

Also what is worse, the lack of chastity shown by many today or the lack of charity that was often shown by many in the past?

Mind you, I am not trying to condemn the past nor praise the present. Each generation seems to have a set of sins that it finds particularly attractive.

–
Bill

Clinton was only brought to the light because the media had him in their spotlight, they were bored, couldn’t find anything else to publish, so focused on that. Bush had his affair with Rice, yet this was swept under the table, so kind of double standards there and probably not a good example to use.

King Arther as well as the 3 musketeers were myths, only folklore, so don’t count as real world examples. We have many fictional stories passed down through the generations, they are works of fiction and remain that way and are meant only for entertainment. The reality being during those times, if you were to act out those circumstances in the real world, you would be severely punished, thus the reason they only remained as stories.

 

[mchale]

Clinton was only brought to the light because the media had him in their spotlight, they were bored, couldn’t find anything else to publish, so focused on that. Bush had his affair with Rice, yet this was swept under the table, so kind of double standards there and probably not a good example to use.

Umm, your evidence for the Bush/Rice affair? I was hardly a fan of the last President, but I never saw any credible evidence that he was anything other than faithful to his wife. Certainly an unfriendly media would have loved the ammunition to use against him.

I think a better example is the fact that John and Robert Kennedy both appear to have had affairs that were actively covered up by the media. In other words 40-50 years ago the press turned a blind eye to the affairs of great leaders, now the affairs are used against the leader.

Even more importantly, further in the past, Heads of State often openly displayed their mistresses. Madame de Pompadour is the most famous, but hardly a unique example.

King Arther as well as the 3 musketeers were myths, only folklore, so don’t count as real world examples. We have many fictional stories passed down through the generations, they are works of fiction and remain that way and are meant only for entertainment. The reality being during those times, if you were to act out those circumstances in the real world, you would be severely punished, thus the reason they only remained as stories.

I think you are missing the point here. You were talking about how salacious TV is these days… but in contrast, the popular entertainment of the past was every bit as salacious, perhaps even more so. Lancelot was held up to Medieval Chivalry as an example to emulate; the 3 musketeers were regarded as popular heroes; their sexual exploits as celebrated as their heroic deeds.

Knights frequently had extra-marital affairs. William the Conqueror was known as William the Bastard first… and not because he was tough. When Henry II of England died, he was attended by his mistress and one of his bastard sons, not his legitimate sons, with which he had just lost a war to nor his wife, whom he had held as a prisoner.

–
Bill

 

[LilyM]

I think a better example is the fact that John and Robert Kennedy both appear to have had affairs that were actively covered up by the media. In other words 40-50 years ago the press turned a blind eye to the affairs of great leaders, now the affairs are used against the leader.

Even more importantly, further in the past, Heads of State often openly displayed their mistresses. Madame de Pompadour is the most famous, but hardly a unique example.

Exactly - Kings of France didn’t just have individual affairs that they kept hidden, they were expected to (and did for the most part) have an ‘official’ mistress - ‘maitresse en titre’, who was openly lodged in the palace and acknowledged by courtiers etc etc - AS WELL AS other dalliances ‘on the side’ - Pompadour as she got older even used to procure young girls for her King Louis XV.

I think you are missing the point here. You were talking about how salacious TV is these days… but in contrast, the popular entertainment of the past was every bit as salacious, perhaps even more so. Lancelot was held up to Medieval Chivalry as an example to emulate; the 3 musketeers were regarded as popular heroes; their sexual exploits as celebrated as their heroic deeds.

Read popular songs and look at popular cartoons of, for example, the time of Charles II in England, or the Regency period, or just prior to the Revolution in France. Very graphic and detailed about the alleged amatory exploits of the royals - and Charles was certainly celebrated for his prowess as a lover!

 

[elvisman]

Clinton was only brought to the light because the media had him in their spotlight, they were bored, couldn’t find anything else to publish, so focused on that. ***Bush *had his affair with Rice, yet this was swept under the table, so kind of double standards there and probably not a good example to use./**quote]
Provide proof of this alleged affair before you go around spewing lies.
That is the sin of calumny and is a direct violation of the 8th Commandment.

You go around accusing others of bearing false witness on just about every thread you post on, yet you’re the one who’s guilty.

 

[elvisman]

Clinton was only brought to the light because the media had him in their spotlight, they were bored, couldn’t find anything else to publish, so focused on that. Bush had his affair with Rice, yet this was swept under the table, so kind of double standards there and probably not a good example to use.

Provide proof of this alleged affair before you go around spewing lies.
That is the sin of calumny and is a direct violation of the 8th Commandment.

You go around accusing others of bearing false witness on just about every thread you post on, yet you’re the one who’s guilty.

 

[divinedisciple7]

There is something very important that is being missed. No, the whole world has not been evangelized to. Jesus said that the gospel will be preached to the whole world, then the end will come. The interiors of India have not been reached and those are millions of people. Also all the highly muslim anti-christian nations have not been preached and then you have all the people in europe and america who were raised on mtv and secular society who truly never had the chance to trly hear the word of God. This is the utmost part the need be happening and it is not. An excellent book to read is called “Trial, Tribulation and Triumph” by Desmond A Birch. He uses only vatican approved material and even went to rome to study on this topic of eschatololgy. And according to him, there are still many things that need happening.

Lastly what is most important ? That you live your life according to Christ and keep reaching to holiness. For if you have Christ truly in your life, the “end” is nothing to be worried about.

God bless

 

[prodigalson12]

Provide proof of this alleged affair before you go around spewing lies.
That is the sin of calumny and is a direct violation of the 8th Commandment.

You go around accusing others of bearing false witness on just about every thread you post on, yet you’re the one who’s guilty.

I have several sources on it shown in the past, CNN being one of them, google it up, you want to learn more on that matter. Then again, I wish these boards had rules against trolling and cyberstalking here, you are doing just that.

 

[prodigalson12]

I do look into historical context here, it’s largely the elite that had affairs because they had the power to get away with them. The common folk were not able to do so, their core values were much more scrutinized. Just a short while ago, it was taboo to become pregnet before marriage, you would be looked upon like an outcast, and if you did, the man was always obligated to marry the gal he got pregnet, now a days, it’s totally optional to even be together at all, much get married. It’s a free for all when it comes down to it. Where I find it most disturbing, the children are the ones that get hurt the most, for it’s a well known fact, they always turn out better when both parents are together.

 

[elvisman]

I have several sources on it shown in the past, CNN being one of them, google it up, you want to learn more on that matter. Then again, I wish these boards had rules against trolling and cyberstalking here, you are doing just that.

**Then provide a source. **
You’re the one who made the allegation so the burden of proof is on you.

CNN never alleged that President Bush was having an affair with Condoleeza Rice or provided proof of it. If they did report it - provide the link. If you can’t - you’re nothing but a liar.

 

[GodLovesTheSpek]

Spend as much time as one can to be ready for judgment. Live the faith, store treasure in heaven, be joyful. Trust that God will do the right thing at the right time. No one is promised another breath of air or even the next eyeblink. The end of time will come, this has been foretold. Do not waste time with when or where – that’s God’s business.

 

[mchale]

I do look into historical context here, it’s largely the elite that had affairs because they had the power to get away with them. The common folk were not able to do so, their core values were much more scrutinized. Just a short while ago, it was taboo to become pregnet before marriage, you would be looked upon like an outcast, and if you did, the man was always obligated to marry the gal he got pregnet, now a days, it’s totally optional to even be together at all, much get married. It’s a free for all when it comes down to it. Where I find it most disturbing, the children are the ones that get hurt the most, for it’s a well known fact, they always turn out better when both parents are together.

I agree there were times and places where it was considered unacceptable to have sexual relations before marriage or outside of marriage. That however was hardly a universal in the past; there are plenty of examples of open prostitution in every boom town in the Western parts of the United States to disprove the notion that the past was a period of special virtue.

Mind you, I am not claiming that modern times are good: I too abhor much of the current popular entertainment for its lax morals. I just don’t think it is terribly exceptional in our history. We have fare more often than we cared to remember chosen Sodom over the new Jerusalem as our place of residence.

–
Bill

 

[FCEGM]

I agree there were times and places where it was considered unacceptable to have sexual relations before marriage or outside of marriage. That however was hardly a universal in the past; there are plenty of examples of open prostitution in every boom town in the Western parts of the United States to disprove the notion that the past was a period of special virtue.

Mind you, I am not claiming that modern times are good: I too abhor much of the current popular entertainment for its lax morals. I just don’t think it is terribly exceptional in our history. We have fare more often than we cared to remember chosen Sodom over the new Jerusalem as our place of residence.

–
Bill

Bill, I think that, indeed, our times are exceptional and terribly so. In earlier ages, no matter how perverse the culture, most people acknowledged a power of intellect(s) beyond themselves and paid obeisance to the gods, however dimly conceived. Even the Romans with their persecutions of Christians were doing this. And while previous ages had as much moral decay as we see in our culture, what we see now is a concerted anti-God force growing, the effort of which is to eradicate God in whatever way men acknowledge Him from men’s minds and hearts. Communism and the usual garden-variety atheism are just the tips of the iceberg that is growing larger in our view.

 

[mchale]

Bill, I think that, indeed, our times are exceptional and terribly so. In earlier ages, no matter how perverse the culture, most people acknowledged a power of intellect(s) beyond themselves and paid obeisance to the gods, however dimly conceived. Even the Romans with their persecutions of Christians were doing this. And while previous ages had as much moral decay as we see in our culture, what we see now is a concerted anti-God force growing, the effort of which is to eradicate God in whatever way men acknowledge Him from men’s minds and hearts. Communism and the usual garden-variety atheism are just the tips of the iceberg that is growing larger in our view.

I am not sure how Roman Paganism, with its deification of emperors (i.e. men) is suppose to be preferable to the current strains of atheism. I think we are simply looking at a different angle of attack by the forces of Evil.

I think the simple fact of the matter is that historically, the true Church has been really just a small subset of of all who claimed to be to believe. Now, its easier for those who don’t really believe to opt out. Does that make those forces stronger? I don’t think so. I would prefer know that when I am in Church, the people around me are there because they really want to be, not because they feel they need to for social or business reasons.

I think a far bigger threat to Christianity than Atheism is the materialism that masks itself as Christianity (i.e., the God wants you to be rich philosophy).

–
Bill

–
Bill

 

[RosaryFan]

I’m watching this world running forward like a freight train being dropped from Niagra Falls. Everything I’m observing correlates with all of the predictions from the bible when describing the end of times. If it were just a few things, I wouldn’t be all that concerned, but every angle, every aspect, all are coming forth at once and gaining momentum with nothing stopping it. The world economy itself is ready and willing and able to accommodate an Anti Christ style one world government to get it back in track, people have adopted other gods on a rampant scale including too many that hide behind their churches. We are murdering on unprecedented scale, the planet itself is grumbling underneath our feet and from the seas to the sky itself, all showing signs that the end is near, right around the corner.

I’d like to know, are there any signs that it’s NOT near, anything at all? I can’t find any, none at all.

Of course we’re in the end times. We’re certainly not in the beginning

The question is, will it happen a week from Tuesday, or in 100 years? Either way is quite possible. Why worry about it. All these things must happen for Jesus to come in His glory. Keep on being faithful, keep on praying, keep on having hope and protecting your family as well as you can and everything will be fine. Jesus says He’s coming like a thief in the night, so I think He wants us to act like every day could be judgment day.

But c’mon - Aren’t you the least bit excited to be able to finally say “I tolja so!!!” (LOL!)

 

[colliric]

I am of the belief that the “end of times” is perpetually here.

Every human being experiences the end of times at some stage in our lives. There will be a general end one day, but it will probally not be for a long long time

 

[HereticAmI]

So making disciples of all nations simply means preaching to them? Whether or not that preaching actually converts them, or converts them in numbers? Weren’t they supposed to BAPTISE them as well?

With more than two-thirds of the world not being Christian, I’d argue that we’re a long ways from making disciples of all nations yet.

Take it a step back. Maybe some aren’t truly speaking the good news. Maybe they only think that they are. There isn’t a church on earth, yours included, that hasn’t added onto the good news of Christ. So there’s still plenty of time left, since almost no one is preaching the good news. And in contrast to some, what’s the rush? Our Lord died once for all, and so why not include as many humans in the all as we can, and so let our humanity live long.

 

[Dchsknight]

You guys are all missing something Major… MAJOR…

I am not worried about the end times or anything of that Nature. I am a Son of the King and Knight of The Catholic Church. God takes care of his Children.

Wars… La-di-da! Plagues Whoop-de- freaking-do! When you see Peace in Israel, That is when the Poop will hit the fan. Specifically in Daniel and in Revelations it speaks of The Temple Being Rebuilt and peace In Israel between Issac and Ishmael. AKA Israel and Palestine. Who cares about what is going on now! We need to be Spreading the Gospel and Sharing Jesus with every single person we can! Because the moment that we hear of LASTING peace in Israel, we better get ready for true War. We better be ready to face the demons and evil that will be unleashed on this world. We better be ready to be hunters because we Love Jesus. BUT only when we hear of LASTING peace in Israel.

AND in those moments I will stand in Dea.th 's way and Laugh at the Devil! All of God’s Children can laugh at the Arrogance of Satan. I would GLADLY stand and bring the sword against Satan, Because i Know who is with us, and When God is with us, Who can be against us!

So all those people who are afraid of the End Times! STAND UNAFRAID! Isaiah says Fear not, For i Redeamed you, i have summoned you and i have called you by name! WE ARE his who cares what Satan can do to us!

There is a Song i am Reminded of when i hear this stuff being Talked about, It is By The Band, Show Down it is called [Nemisis] Give us this day. The song says this ( it is a little Hard to read I know)

"Awake the sleeping giant
Laid to rest this world
Be baptized in justice
Let forth your hand
A race born to failure
Delivered Armageddon in the womb
Snakes 'round all our necks, we suffocate in truth

This is a call to the end of time
Death rattles, come bring us the fate
We tire of this world
Its snakes, its charms, its Who.re s
Death rattles, come bring us destruction

Virus rot creation
We the waking plague
Destroyers, usurpers
Give us this day
To Ra.pe , burn and plunder
To spit in the face of what we’ve embraced
Give us justice, give us hell for we await

This is a call to the end of time
Death rattles, come bring us the fate
We tire of this world
Its snakes, its charms, its Who.re s
Death rattles, come bring us destruction

Bring us total annihilation
Bring us total obliteration
Bring snakes
Bring plagues
Bring drought
Bring boils
Disease and war
Bring floods to our doors [2x]

BRING IT!

Bring us total annihilation"

This whole Song is about Us, the knights and Soldiers of Christ Fighting agianst the Devil So AS the Song says in Bold I say to the Devil “BRING IT!”

 

[spectrm]

Though I would like to see all those atheists’ reactions to the end times.

Gladly (I know you just love me to death, airliner…admit it

I most certainly believe in an ‘end of days’ - far too many cultures have revelations, many of which are directly tied to the estimated times of projected geographical/astrological phenomenon. Around 2012, all the planets in our solar system will be in line with the center of the milky way with the moon at 90 degrees from that, and down that line (directly) will be andromeda.

All kinds of theories are proposed for the effects, but likliest of all is a massive tectonic shift, but wide-scale flooding is highly likely as well. Others are as benign as 'radio and satellite communications may be in-and-out or unavailable.

I don’t think the ‘end of days’ is the literal event that dominates revelation talk. I think it will be not only a new geographical/atronomical/astrological era for mankind, but will bring some enlightenment to us. Jesus fortold of and ‘age of aquarius’, just as he was leader of the ‘age of pisces’ - the ‘jesus fish’ has more than mere christian meaning…it’s a very old sign just as the cross is.

Anyways, that’s this atheists $0.02

 

[Peter_Dawson]

Clinton was only brought to the light because the media had him in their spotlight, they were bored, couldn’t find anything else to publish, so focused on that. Bush had his affair with Rice, yet this was swept under the table, so kind of double standards there and probably not a good example to use.

King Arther as well as the 3 musketeers were myths, only folklore, so don’t count as real world examples. We have many fictional stories passed down through the generations, they are works of fiction and remain that way and are meant only for entertainment. The reality being during those times, if you were to act out those circumstances in the real world, you would be severely punished, thus the reason they only remained as stories.

FORGET Bush and Rice!!! How about THIS!!!..

dailyhaha.com/_pics/obama_palin_dancing_stars.jpg