Every end time prophecy has been fulfilled - yet we seem to be no closer to the return of our Lord.

[Eddie Deepfield]

And what complicates things even further is that he was expected to come back two thousand years go.

Matthew 16:27-28, For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. 28 "Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.

Mark 9:1 9 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power

Matthew 24:33-34 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

He explained that was coming back soon in their lifetimes to set up his earthly kingdom. The apostles knew this and taught it (James 5:7-8, 1 Peter 4:7, Revelation

22:12), with the Apostle Paul even denigrating marriage because the end was so near and Jesus was on his way. (1 Corinthians 7:25-31).

St Peter tells us that :-
“you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.

They will say,

“Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.

Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:3-4, 8-9

Yet Matthew 24:35 says

But no one knows the day or the hour. No! Not even the angels in heaven know. The Son does not know. Only the Father knows.

 

[B-A-C]

2Pet 3:3; Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,
2Pet 3:4; and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation."
2Pet 3:5; For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water,

2Thes 2:1; Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,
2Thes 2:2; that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
2Thes 2:3; Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
2Thes 2:4; who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

I know Jesus said He didn't know when He was coming back, but yet He gave signs of things that will be happening right before He returns, including 2Thess 2:3; above.
Maybe He didn't know when it would be 2,000 years ago. But I have a feeling He'll know when the time is close.

Matt 24:3; As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"
Matt 24:4; And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you.
Matt 24:5; "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many.
Matt 24:6; "You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.
Matt 24:7; "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.
Matt 24:8; "But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
Matt 24:9; "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
Matt 24:10; "At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.
Matt 24:11; "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.
Matt 24:12; "Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold.
Matt 24:13; "But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.
Matt 24:14; "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

According to some people I know at Wycliff, the kingdom hasn't been preached in the "whole" world quite just yet. There are still a few countries that are closed off to the gospel, and still some unknown languages
yet to be known to spread the gospel.

Depending on your view of pre-trib/post trib, this may have to happen first.

Matt 24:15; "Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
Mark 13:14; "But when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.

The Bible doesn't say what the abomination of desolation is exactly, other than to say it has to do with sacrifice in the temple, and it will last a little over 3 1/2 years. But Jewish tradition says Antiochus Epiphanes III
sacrificed swine on the altar of the temple some time around 200-170BC. Something similar will happen again in the future, but many believe the temple would have to be rebuilt before this could happen.

Dan 11:31; "Forces from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress, and do away with the regular sacrifice. And they will set up the abomination of desolation.
Dan 12:10; "Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.
Dan 12:11; "From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.

Some people say this was Nero, and this happened in 70ad. But Nero was already dead in 70ad. And temple was destroyed in 70ad, so the abomination of desolation could not
have lasted for 1,290 days at that time. Not to mention the fact that Jesus didn't return in 70ad or even 71ad.

Another point of speculation.
Rev 16:12; The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, so that the way would be prepared for the kings from the east.

In Pictures: Disaster looms in Syria as Euphrates dwindles

Experts warn of impending humanitarian ‘catastrophe’ in northeast Syria, where waning river flow is rapidly waning.

www.aljazeera.com

 

[Eddie Deepfield]

2Pet 3:3; Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,
2Pet 3:4; and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation."
2Pet 3:5; For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water,

2Thes 2:1; Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,
2Thes 2:2; that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.
2Thes 2:3; Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,
2Thes 2:4; who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

I know Jesus said He didn't know when He was coming back, but yet He gave signs of things that will be happening right before He returns, including 2Thess 2:3; above.
Maybe He didn't know when it would be 2,000 years ago. But I have a feeling He'll know when the time is close.

Matt 24:3; As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"
Matt 24:4; And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you.
Matt 24:5; "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will mislead many.
Matt 24:6; "You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.
Matt 24:7; "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.
Matt 24:8; "But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.
Matt 24:9; "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
Matt 24:10; "At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.
Matt 24:11; "Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many.
Matt 24:12; "Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold.
Matt 24:13; "But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved.
Matt 24:14; "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

According to some people I know at Wycliff, the kingdom hasn't been preached in the "whole" world quite just yet. There are still a few countries that are closed off to the gospel, and still some unknown languages
yet to be known to spread the gospel.

Depending on your view of pre-trib/post trib, this may have to happen first.

Matt 24:15; "Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),
Mark 13:14; "But when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.

The Bible doesn't say what the abomination of desolation is exactly, other than to say it has to do with sacrifice in the temple, and it will last a little over 3 1/2 years. But Jewish tradition says Antiochus Epiphanes III
sacrificed swine on the altar of the temple some time around 200-170BC. Something similar will happen again in the future, but many believe the temple would have to be rebuilt before this could happen.

Dan 11:31; "Forces from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress, and do away with the regular sacrifice. And they will set up the abomination of desolation.
Dan 12:10; "Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.
Dan 12:11; "From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.

Some people say this was Nero, and this happened in 70ad. But Nero was already dead in 70ad. And temple was destroyed in 70ad, so the abomination of desolation could not
have lasted for 1,290 days at that time. Not to mention the fact that Jesus didn't return in 70ad or even 71ad.

Another point of speculation.
Rev 16:12; The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, so that the way would be prepared for the kings from the east.

In Pictures: Disaster looms in Syria as Euphrates dwindles

Experts warn of impending humanitarian ‘catastrophe’ in northeast Syria, where waning river flow is rapidly waning.

www.aljazeera.com

Thanks - Yep - so no one knows- except every generation expected Jesus to come back.

I know some people that think the rapture will happen soon so that they do not fix the house or plan for pension and such.

My research brought this up:

" Irenaeus (2nd century), one of the important early Church fathers, said the end would come in the year 500.

Martin of Tours, a well-known 4th century bishop, claimed it would occur before the year 400, and, at the time he wrote, had no doubt that the Antichrist had already been born.

Many, of course, predicted the year 1000 would be it, including Pope Sylvester II, who was undoubtedly surprised that he lived until 1003.

Pope Innocent III (13th century) said it would happen in 1284, exactly 666 years after the founding of the Muslim faith.

Martin Luther said it would occur by 1600.

James Usher — the “earth was created in 4004 BC” guy — said it would be on October 23, 1997. (He had said that the creation was on the evening of October 22.)

Cotton Mather, famous for being one of the principal instigators of the Salem Witch trials, predicted the end would come in 1697, and then revised it twice when his predictions didn’t come through.

Jonathan Edwards, the influential 18th century clergyman, said (along with many others) that the millennium would begin in 2000. (Maybe he thought it had something to do with Y2K?)

For John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, it would begin in 1836.

William Miller, leader of a group known as the Millerites, taught that the end times would start on March 21, 1844. After that didn’t pan out, he revised it to October 22. When that prediction also surprisingly failed, the Millerites called it the “Great Disappointment”.

One of Miller’s followers, Ellen White, co-founder of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, explained the great disappointment with her revelation that, actually, what happened was that on that date, Jesus began his work of “investigative judgment” — examining Christians one by one to see who does and who doesn’t merit salvation.

Wilbur Voliva, famous as the autocratic leader of the early 20th-century flat earth community of Zion, Illinois, after five previous failed predictions, said the Earth would disappear in September of 1935. He also predicted he would live to 120, which would have put his death in 1990.

Herbert Armstrong, founder of the Worldwide Church of God and an influential broadcaster, predicted the end for 1936, then revised it three times, all the way to 1975.

Pat Robertson, predicted the end would come in 1982. Later, he said it would occur on April 29, 2007. More amazingly, according to one of his assistants, he actually thought he might televise Jesus’ appearance in the skies.

Jerry Falwell was so certain he would be raptured that he didn't think there was any reason to get a burial plot. He died in May of 2007.

And of course many thought they would be raptured this year of 2024."

The confusion and all the predictions should be ignored and we should live and occupy till it happens. Even so come quickly Lord Jesus..

 

[KingJ]

And what complicates things even further is that he was expected to come back two thousand years go.

Matthew 16:27-28, For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. 28 "Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.

Mark 9:1 9 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power

Misinterpretation.

Matt 16:21 makes clear the fact that He is speaking only to the disciples. ''From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples''

The fact that they would not pass before they see Him and His kingdom. They did as recorded in Matt 17 at the transfiguration of Jesus.

Jesus says 'some' as He knew Judas would betray Him and die.

Matthew 24:33-34 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

This passage is a cherry picking. You have to consider all of Matt 24.

In Matt 24:2 Jesus prophecies the destruction of the temple. Then in Matt 24:15 he speaks of the anti-christ standing in the temple (that was previously destroyed).

Matt 24 speaks of suffering that the generation who will see the anti-christ will experience. Now Matt 24:33 is the last verse in this chapter, so it is clearly referencing the generation that sees the newly built temple.

 

[KingJ]

He explained that was coming back soon in their lifetimes to set up his earthly kingdom. The apostles knew this and taught it (James 5:7-8, 1 Peter 4:7, Revelation

Misteaching.

James 5 is a teaching to brethren. A generic statement to a congregation. James 5:7 Brethren be patient until the end. It is akin to Paul's exhortation to run the race until the end in Phil 3:13-14.

with the Apostle Paul even denigrating marriage because the end was so near and Jesus was on his way. (1 Corinthians 7:25-31).

1 Cor 7:25-31 25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. 26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be. 27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. 28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you. 29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; 30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; 31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

I don't agree with your statement. He is making a generic statement that time is short in verse 29. He is not stating specifically that Jesus is coming anyday.

Now we know from simple math that to God, angels and those who have visited heaven (Paul), time on earth is very short in comparison to heaven where time is eternal. Or a day is as a thousand years.

St Peter tells us that :-
“you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.

They will say,

“Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.

Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:3-4, 8-9

Yet Matthew 24:35 says

But no one knows the day or the hour. No! Not even the angels in heaven know. The Son does not know. Only the Father knows.

Not sure what your point here is? Are you implying Peter knows the day and the hour?

 

[KingJ]

Every end time prophecy has been fulfilled - yet we seem to be no closer to the return of our Lord​

I disagree.

There are two prophecies missing.

1. Matt 24:15 The abomination of desolation revealing himself in the holy place.

2. Luke 17:25-37 As in the days of Noah and Sodom.

Gen 18:20 explains that the sins of Sodom were grievous. We are seeing these sins more and more today. The world is also more of a global village everyday.

----------------------

We are certainly in the last days going by the prophecy in point 2 above. To deny this would very likely make you a scoffer as warned of by Jesus in Matt 24.

This is one time, we cannot mock end time prophecies and the need to be ready .

 

[hopefulson]

I disagree.

There are two prophecies missing.

1. Matt 24:15 The abomination of desolation revealing himself in the holy place.

2. Luke 17:25-37 As in the days of Noah and Sodom.

Gen 18:20 explains that the sins of Sodom were grievous. We are seeing these sins more and more today. The world is also more of a global village everyday.

----------------------

We are certainly in the last days going by the prophecy in point 2 above. To deny this would very likely make you a scoffer as warned of by Jesus in Matt 24.

This is one time, we cannot mock end time prophecies and the need to be ready .

Hi All
Off hand I would say that these verses have yet to be fulfilled as stated but to punctuate the status with a period alone would stall the search for fulfillment to a large degree. A very good scholar and well versed as far as wading through the many verses that reflect on our time is Ken Johnson. There are so many jumping off the pages that are unfolding right now and that we are living through today. The Obadiah Hamas prophesy, the Psalm 83 prophetic portrayal right down to the thoughts in the minds and the attitude of Israel's current enemies as well as their conspiratorial bent. Isaiah 17 and the destruction of Damascus and Jeremiah's prophecy concerning Elam which is southern Iran in chapter 49 and there is so much more. It is a faith inspiring study for those who wish to take the time. I know some of you will and will be inspired by what you find. God Bless