Right now..Lawless Days of Prophecy?

[nzlaws]

International examples of corruption, crime, etc include Nations perceived to be the least corrupt - what conclusions do theological observers come to based upon this amateur observation of evidence?

And more importantly what is the likely response from organised religions to this reality or how much worse before evidence quantifies prophecy?

I have worked a little in the mental health arena some years ago and am aware of the number of confused individuals that believe that they are "Jesus" and seen the organised Christian response to this (medication) so the likelihood of the real "Christ" Identifying himself to any religion in real time would be rather slim.

I personally suspect that saving the Planet from humanities stupidity would be Christs first goal in serving God- "This would require a new form of Government"... if not the solution then I am open to being impressed- are there any other thoughts on another possible methodology for saving the environment for Life that God provided

I see concepts of ownership as being the biggest hurdle - but couldn't find anywhere in the bible where ownership was transferred to the occupants- be it the family of mankind or the other families- all of which are Gods Creations- "Domain over" does not suggest or confer Disposition but rather highlights the difference between Stewardship and Ownership- one of these concepts does not include Disposition...

Come on folk enlighten me- Where are religions going? over and over the same ground year after year? what is new on the horizon- communications have evolved in the last few years- from this we can grow (am I wrong?).

[Adstar]

International examples of corruption, crime, etc include Nations perceived to be the least corrupt - what conclusions do theological observers come to based upon this amateur observation of evidence?

Well the world has been corrupt for a very long time. So nothing has changed there. Of course the widespread breakdown in Law and Order in many parts of the world and the rise of extreme violence is all prophesised for the times near the return of the Messiah Jesus. So seeking all this is no surprise, we have been told it would come. Of course what you see now is nothing compared to how things are going to be in a few years time.

And more importantly what is the likely response from organised religions to this reality or how much worse before evidence quantifies prophecy?

A lot worse, and what kind of response do you think should be produced anyway?

The world is going to get a lot worse, people of faith who believe Jesus are becoming a very small minority. We can only make a difference from one individual with a Message to another individual needing peace of mind. We cannot change the course the world is headed. Anyone who seems to offer a change on a world wide scale will more likely be a deceiver leading the worlds population to even greater disaster.

I have worked a little in the mental health arena some years ago and am aware of the number of confused individuals that believe that they are "Jesus" and seen the organised Christian response to this (medication) so the likelihood of the real "Christ" Identifying himself to any religion in real time would be rather slim.

As a Christian i believe He will not need to "announce" Himself. When He comes it will be gob smacking obvious who He is. No questions needed.

I personally suspect that saving the Planet from humanities stupidity would be Christs first goal in serving God- "This would require a new form of Government"... if not the solution then I am open to being impressed- are there any other thoughts on another possible methodology for saving the environment for Life that God provided

Absolute Monarchy is the closest thing on this planet to what the rulership of the Messiah Jesus will be. And God can renew this world in a moment. cleaning and clearing up all the damage of mankind in an instant, if He so wills.

I see concepts of ownership as being the biggest hurdle - but couldn't find anywhere in the bible where ownership was transferred to the occupants- be it the family of mankind or the other families- all of which are Gods Creations- "Domain over" does not suggest or confer Disposition but rather highlights the difference between Stewardship and Ownership- one of these concepts does not include Disposition...

Stewardship is the correct Biblical concept. But each person in Biblical Israel was given exclusive Stewardship to a portion of land, this they could pass onto their descendants. Stewardship is a temporary use of a resource owned by another but include personal responsibility in the maintaining of that resource for the next Steward. In reality we all die and no one can take any material things with them when they go.

Come on folk enlighten me- Where are religions going? over and over the same ground year after year? what is new on the horizon- communications have evolved in the last few years- from this we can grow (am I wrong?).

Are you wrong?? Have you made any point? What is your conclusion?



All Praise The Ancient Of Days

[EasternSP]

Come on folk enlighten me- Where are religions going? over and over the same ground year after year? what is new on the horizon- communications have evolved in the last few years- from this we can grow (am I wrong?).

I can speak from a Christian perspective. We are waiting for the return of Jesus Christ which will be an unmistaken event. Every eye shall see, every knee will bow kind of event. I think at that point, belief in Christ will spike.

[JehovahsWitness]

Come on folk enlighten me- Where are religions going?

According to the bible, all religions (identified in the bible book of revelation as the "the harlot, babylon the great", will soon be destroyed.

Further ...

[Adstar]

Come on folk enlighten me- Where are religions going? over and over the same ground year after year? what is new on the horizon- communications have evolved in the last few years- from this we can grow (am I wrong?).

I can speak from a Christian perspective. We are waiting for the return of Jesus Christ which will be an unmistaken event. Every eye shall see, every knee will bow kind of event. I think at that point, belief in Christ will spike.

I believe belief in Christ will spike some years before the return of the Messiah Jesus. Because before the return of the Messiah Jesus will come the great deceiver and the people of the world will worship him as god on earth. I think that's what the great deception will be. People believing the anti-christ is the Messiah Jesus.

Atheists will be as rare as hens teeth the day Jesus shows Himself to all men.


All Praise The Ancient Of Days

[Slopeshoulder]

According to the bible, all religions (identified in the bible book of revelation as the "the harlot, babylon the great", will soon be destroyed.

Actually, that phrase, "the harlot, babylon the great" was referring to Babylon, and likening it to a harlot.

And at this time the hebrews were working out their monotheism, claiming their god was better, and predicting and wishing that their god would destroy babylon, their captor, who they believed was whoring itself to a false, evil, or weaker god.

It had nothing to do with other religions today or what God will do to them in the future. What you say the bible says in not what the bible says but merely what a buncha folks have done with the bible.

The bible isn't a playbook for the future, and prophecy is speaking truth to power with insight and courage, not soothsaying. You've been misled by ignorami.

[Goat]

According to the bible, all religions (identified in the bible book of revelation as the "the harlot, babylon the great", will soon be destroyed.

Actually, that phrase, "the harlot, babylon the great" was referring to Babylon, and likening it to a harlot.

And at this time the hebrews were working out their monotheism, claiming their god was better, and predicting and wishing that their god would destroy babylon, their captor, who they believed was whoring itself to a false, evil, or weaker god.

It had nothing to do with other religions today or what God will do to them in the future. What you say the bible says in not what the bible says but merely what a buncha folks have done with the bible.

The bible isn't a playbook for the future, and prophecy is speaking truth to power with insight and courage, not soothsaying. You've been misled by ignorami.

You have hit to the core about one aspect of Christianity that I personally have lots of problems with.. the concept that 'prophecies' prove xxx or yyy. The prophecies I have the most problem with is the Armageddon prophecies.. since it seems to drive at least some of these people to paranoia, and a lack of respect for the environment (it's all going to end anyway soon). This is followed closely by claiming the Jewish scriptures predicted Jesus (using mistranslations and out of context quotes).

Now, the concept of Prophecy speaking truth to power with insight and courage I can totally dig. That does show why prophets had the reputation of being prosecuted, the Powers that Be do not like to be told they are corrupt and sinful.

That is the same back then as it is today... and we need more people to bluntly and courageously tell the Powers that Be that they are corrupt , and have lost connection with the rest of mankind

[Slopeshoulder]

You have hit to the core about one aspect of Christianity that I personally have lots of problems with.. the concept that 'prophecies' prove xxx or yyy. The prophecies I have the most problem with is the Armageddon prophecies.. since it seems to drive at least some of these people to paranoia, and a lack of respect for the environment (it's all going to end anyway soon). This is followed closely by claiming the Jewish scriptures predicted Jesus (using mistranslations and out of context quotes).

Now, the concept of Prophecy speaking truth to power with insight and courage I can totally dig. That does show why prophets had the reputation of being prosecuted, the Powers that Be do not like to be told they are corrupt and sinful.

That is the same back then as it is today... and we need more people to bluntly and courageously tell the Powers that Be that they are corrupt , and have lost connection with the rest of mankind

Here's the kicker: I was taught this as both an undergraduate at a catholic college and later in a divinity school. AND it was mainstream, non-controversial stuff, in every textbook, every scholarly article, and in the training of clergy. A huge part of the whole peace and justice movement too. Sure, there are pockets of belief regarding "God's plan woven into scripture," and certainly there is the notion that God is active and in and behind all events (which can be interpreted in various ways and was a basic belief of the prophets), but the prophets were the people who courageously and insightfully saw what others didn't and called people back to their best aspirations and in this case covenant with God. They had deep and broad vision and "saw" stuff and expressed it in powerful terms, crafting the narrative of a people and their experience.
All this soothsaying nonsense is stuff for kids and idiots. They come alive when we see them for what they were: beacons of justice, fidelity, and meaning.
The prophets rock, but they were more like MLK and Ghandi than Carnack the Magnificent or Nostradamus.

Trust me, if you take classes at great seminaries, divinity schools, or university theology or religion departments, or read the literature, about prophets and prophecy, you don't spend your time memorizing fortune telling and end times, you study a tradition of insight, wisdom, meaning, social coherence, challenges, justice, covenant, etc. And that's as it should be. End times my butt.

[JehovahsWitness]

Actually, that phrase, "the harlot, babylon the great" was referring to Babylon, and likening it to a harlot.

And at this time the hebrews were working out their monotheism, claiming their god was better, and predicting and wishing that their god would destroy babylon, their captor, who they believed was whoring itself to a false, evil, or weaker god.

It had nothing to do with other religions today or what God will do to them in the future. What you say the bible says in not what the bible says but merely what a buncha folks have done with the bible.

The bible isn't a playbook for the future, and prophecy is speaking truth to power with insight and courage, not soothsaying. You've been misled by ignorami.

I don't suppose that you are assuming your particular interpretation of any one passage, verse or book is the only one possible or that, by simply stating your personal view, it becomes true. Biblical scholars have debated the identity of "Babylon the Great" for milleniums and your adding your opinion has zero impact on what the writer actually meant.

Indeed I have little regard for the popular concensus when it comes to biblical prophecy being more than capable of analysing its content myself, and less for an individual that fails give any evidence of a solid bibilcal knowledge. You are course welcome to state your opinion (as indeed have I) on the understanding that readers like myself will chose reject it as foundless opinion should they so chose. Unless you are in fact the Pope, in which case there may well be a few million Catholics that may give your opinion more than a passing glance.

Respect
JW

[Slopeshoulder]

Actually, that phrase, "the harlot, babylon the great" was referring to Babylon, and likening it to a harlot.

And at this time the hebrews were working out their monotheism, claiming their god was better, and predicting and wishing that their god would destroy babylon, their captor, who they believed was whoring itself to a false, evil, or weaker god.

It had nothing to do with other religions today or what God will do to them in the future. What you say the bible says in not what the bible says but merely what a buncha folks have done with the bible.

The bible isn't a playbook for the future, and prophecy is speaking truth to power with insight and courage, not soothsaying. You've been misled by ignorami.

I don't suppose that you are assuming your particular interpretation of any one passage, verse or book is the only one possible or that, by simply stating your personal view, it becomes true. Biblical scholars have debated the identity of "Babylon the Great" for milleniums and your adding your opinion has zero impact on what the writer actually meant.

Indeed I have little regard for the popular concensus when it comes to biblical prophecy being more than capable of analysing its content myself, and less for an individual that fails give any evidence of a solid bibilcal knowledge. You are course welcome to state your opinion (as indeed have I) on the understanding that readers like myself will chose reject it as foundless opinion should they so chose. Unless you are in fact the Pope, in which case there may well be a few million Catholics that may give your opinion more than a passing glance.

Respect
JW

My point is that prophecy doesn't predict the future, the bible does not predict the destruction of other religons, and the harlot babylon does not refer to religions today.
It's a formally and elite educated opinion. That's not the same as base opinion (hold mirror).
Actually it's a summary of educated opinion outside fringe circles.
Test that opinion in any respected lab and get back to me.
I'll let readers make their own judgments.