The End Times.....Again?!

Happy Easter! 

I am confident that some of the messages in churches today mentioned not only the Easter story but also the end times.  It seems as though everyone is talking about the end times nowadays.  Earthquakes, wars, protests of governments around the world, a push towards one currency and a one world order are all things that individuals point to as signs of the end of days. 

Most people reference the books of Mathew, Daniel, and Revelations in the bible when talking about end times.  Most bible prophecy "experts" refer to a 70 week period (the book of Daniel) that will take place as the signaling of the end of times.  And most of the end times 'scholars" say that 69 weeks have passed and we are waiting for the 70th week, which will signal the beginning of the end. 

But what if the experts are wrong?  What if the 70th week has already occurred?  The problem with saying that there is a "gap" between the 69th and 70th weeks is that the bible indicates absolutely no gap.  And Jesus said to his disciples and followers, in Mathew 24:34, 'Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place".  It seems to me like Jesus is saying to the people with whom He was speaking that they would live to see and experience the events described in Matthew 24.  But that is impossible!  Right?! I don't know, but I have learned that today's prophetic scenario that is so popular on the radio and with TV evangelists, and multi-million copy best sellers has a very, very short history.  The system of prophetic interpretation that is familiar to most Christians today had it's beginnings in 1830. 

Everyone from Billy Graham to Barbra Streisand states that the end is near.  But what do they mean by near?  The book of Revelation states that the time was "near" for those who first read the prophecy (Rev. 1:1,3).  Since the book of Revelations was written during Nero's reign, prior to the total destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, common sense would say that the prophetic events of Revelation were fulfilled during the lifetime of those who first read the prophecy.

In his book, Last Days Madness, author Gary DeMar states, "As early as the second century, prophets were suggesting dates for the bodily return of Christ. The lesson of history are recorded for all to heed  For many, however, the past is a distant memory.  All that counts is the present.  Sure, they were wrong, the prophecy "experts" warn us, but it will be different with us".

While I have not come to a definitive conclusion regarding the information presented in this book, I have been greatly challenged.  If you don't want to be challenged, I would not suggest reading Last Days Madness.