Sunday 30th March 2008 Did you know?

Tomorrow is the last day of March for 2008. And I don't know what to put in this blog for today.
I have spent some time here The Conservative Life. It is a forum which I visit and occasionally, well frequently, post into. Just about everything gets talked about in there. The hot topic lately has been Eschatology. What's that funny word mean do I hear you say? Why, I am glad you asked. It study of the last days. Or prophecy if you please. It is one of those controversial subjects that lots of people avoid. Mainly because people get hot under the collar about it. You see, we all agree that Jesus will return one day and that this world as we know it, will cease to exist. We agree on this but get cranked up about the details. It's a bit like that other hot topic: Tongues. That's a hot topic as well. So, generally we agree to disagree, sort of. Then proceed to avoid the topic completely. We Christians are funny mob. We have signs that we hold above our head. They say "This (enter topic of your choice here) is out of bounds. I wont talk about it." We are so afraid of offending folks. So we just don't talk about it. And if they do then we mumble some meaningless dribble, which they see as being meaningless dribble and leave us alone. How's that for a lot of meaningless dribble.
So, prophecy wise, there are Amillennialist, preterorists, millennialists, pre tribulationists, post tribulationists, and mid tribulationist. And that's just for starters. Are you still with me? Not totally confused yet? Most are. In fact most so called believers wouldn't have a clue what I am talking about. Most are "feel good" Christian. But enough of that.
So, what "camp" do I fit into? None really. I will tell you shortly what I believe is the way in which I think Christ will return. Why don't I fit into a "camp"? Because I think I should wait and see what happens. I should wait and see if the people who believe the same things I believe are correct. We may be, we may not be.
These are what I see as being the main scriptures about this vexing subject.
1. Matthew 24;
2. Luke 21;
3. Mark 13;
4. Thessalonians 1 and 2;
5. Daniel 9;
6. Daniel 12;
7. Revelation the whole book.
This is a short summary of how I see events unfolding. I talk here of future events. And I also must add that Israel is the centre of it all.
1. The return of Jews to Israel. Israel was declared a nation again in 1948. So that event is past.
2. The removal of the Holy Spirit and His influence from the earth. See 2 Thessalonians 2 for that scripture reference. Of course with that goes all believers. That event is commonly known as the "rapture" of the church. Christ and Holy Spirit's main influence is through the church and of course the church is made up of believers. That event is referred to also in Daniel 12.
3. Next comes the Tribulation period, also known, incorrectly so, as the Great Tribulation. That term is not correct. The great tribulation is actually the last 3.5 years.
4. The thousand year reign of Christ.
5. The Great White Throne Judgement.
6. The creation of a New Heaven and a New Earth. I personally believe this heaven and earth will cease to exist.
7. Eternity.
That is what I believe is roughly how it will happen. Obviously there is a lot of detail that I have not put in. Why? I am lazy.
At the end of the day, it really doesn't matter what I believe. It will all happen according to the full council of God and in His timetable. What I, or you for that matter, may think doesn't matter a hill of beans.
And after we go to be with Christ what we have been having disagreements about here on earth, will not be thought of in heaven. Why? Because Christ will over shadow everything. For example, we are said to be given a crown of reward which we will give to Christ. Why will we return it to Him? Because He is all that matters. Nothing can compare with His loveliness. It's all about Jesus and we will be too busy enjoying Him to even give a passing thought to what ever caused us to disagree about at this time.