Why try to pinpoint the end times?

[seanD]

I'm not talking about setting a specific time (I've noticed date setters try to get around this by saying, it will happen this year, but we don't know what day!)... also a general time, such as your thread as to whether we are in the time of sorrows just preceding the tribulation.

"Pinpoint" suggests a specific date. Nonetheless, as Darfius stated, we're following the Lord's instructions. You're not repudiating us, you're actually repudiating the Lord's words. So if you can deal with that, have at it. I'm going to continue obeying his command. Also, the eschatology thread is here specifically to discuss the matter. If it bothers you, then take it up with the admins of the forum

[KingsGambit]

You said we are not to set the day or hour of the Lord's return. To my knowledge, no one has done that here since I joined in 2008.

I'm not talking about setting a specific time (I've noticed date setters try to get around this by saying, it will happen this year, but we don't know what day!)... also a general time, such as your thread as to whether we are in the time of sorrows just preceding the tribulation.

[Sparko]

My take is that we all will meet Jesus soon. Because we all will die and go to be with him. So whether he comes back tomorrow or in 10,000 years, I will meet my Lord personally soon enough!

[Cow Poke]

You said we are not to set the day or hour of the Lord's return.

Actually, I said "setting dates is futile", and I quoted Jesus from Mark's account.

To my knowledge, no one has done that here since I joined in 2008.

I am not aware of anybody doing that, either, nor did I say they did. What I said was "setting dates is futile".

[TimelessTheist]

Obviously many Christians since the time of Jesus have been fascinated by trying to determine the timing of the end, more specifically, whether their generation seems to be the last one. From a practical perspective, what is the purpose of it? I don't see how it should have an effect on how we live our lives as Christians. We are to live holy lives as if Jesus could return at any time (thus the parable of the foolish virgins), so of course it could end at any time. What is the purpose of obsessing further? The only practical effect I can see of this is discrediting Christianity in the eyes of others if the predictions don't come true.

Because I'm not sure if he'll let me keep my new Alienware laptop?

[seanD]

Read the title of the thread, Sean. Focus on "pinpoint".

You said we are not to set the day or hour of the Lord's return. To my knowledge, no one has done that here since I joined in 2008.

[Cow Poke]

Where and when was a date set? I don't recall one being set here in this section since I've been here.

Read the title of the thread, Sean. Focus on "pinpoint".

[seanD]

Discussing them is fine. Setting dates is futile.
Mark 13:32“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Be on guard! Be alerte ! You do not know when that time will come.

Where and when was a date set? I don't recall one being set here in this section since I've been here.

[Cow Poke]

Why have an eschatology thread if we're not supposed to discuss the end times?

Discussing them is fine. Setting dates is futile.
Mark 13:32“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Be on guard! Be alerte ! You do not know when that time will come.

[seanD]

Why have an eschatology thread if we're not supposed to discuss the end times?

[Cow Poke]

Wouldn't keeping watch involve being prepared at all times rather than engaging in the enterprise of speculation?

Yes.

[seanD]

Wouldn't keeping watch involve being prepared at all times rather than engaging in the enterprise of speculation? (Obviously, if it were clear that the tribulation actually were going on, this would be different, but this is not the case.)

If that were the case, what was the point of the signs given in the first place? Not just from Jesus and John, but Paul to the Thessalonians. Paul never told the Thessalonians they were wasting their time worrying about the end but corrected their misconceptions by giving them specific signs that were yet to occur.

Also, your argument implies futurists aren't prepared at all times (that they slack off when they think the end is not near), which is no more the case than your Christian walk.

[Obsidian]

I have serious doubt about whether the command to keep watch is really even dealing with a literal second coming. If that were all the command meant, then it would be irrelevant to the overwhelming majority of christians who do not make it until that point.

[KingsGambit]

We are commanded by the Lord Himself to "keep watch" and not be taken by surprised, as those living in darkness. In the time of tribulation, Christians will also have the responsibility of bearing witness to the truth in a time of "great deception."

Wouldn't keeping watch involve being prepared at all times rather than engaging in the enterprise of speculation? (Obviously, if it were clear that the tribulation actually were going on, this would be different, but this is not the case.)

[Darfius]

Obviously many Christians since the time of Jesus have been fascinated by trying to determine the timing of the end, more specifically, whether their generation seems to be the last one. From a practical perspective, what is the purpose of it? I don't see how it should have an effect on how we live our lives as Christians. We are to live holy lives as if Jesus could return at any time (thus the parable of the foolish virgins), so of course it could end at any time. What is the purpose of obsessing further? The only practical effect I can see of this is discrediting Christianity in the eyes of others if the predictions don't come true.

We are commanded by the Lord Himself to "keep watch" and not be taken by surprised, as those living in darkness. In the time of tribulation, Christians will also have the responsibility of bearing witness to the truth in a time of "great deception."