here's a shocking video that links the concept of the mark of the beast directly to Islam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtquNNEO7Fw

Good post Jeff! I didn't look at your links yet, but I also feel this question is pertinent, so I posted "Preterism" a few days ago. A lot has been said lately about earthquakes, whether they are exclusively natural and "preset".

It's true, in a sense everything is "ordered from the beginning" where God, who knows everything, does everything after the council of his own will (Eph 1:11). But I really don't like the "feel" of deism (where God sets everything in motion and then steps back, almost as an uninvolved observer).

So maybe it's like it was for Elijah in 1 Kings 19:11 where the Lord said, "Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."

The "age" we are in is the "last times", but like Elijah we have a job to do. The big events like Hiroshima and others like 9/11 and Katrina may be like Elijah's wind, earthquake, and fire. The LORD may not be in them, but... do we really believe we are hearing the "still small voice"? Like Elijah in the cave, I don't think we are where we are supposed to be. "Strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

I'm very critical of all our denominational and hierarchical schisms. They are a total rule, and affect all vertical and horizontal relationships in "Christianity". "Vertical" in the sense of false leadership setting up lecture halls of cattle. "Horizontal" schisms are in the same spirit, denominationally. Is Christ divided? A house divided against itself can not stand. Whether it's the very end or not, "divisive works of the flesh" shall not allow inheritance in the kingdom of God (Eph 5:19). This is the most obvious sign of the times. Tom

Interesting post, Tom! Ever since Jesus ascended to Heaven after the Resurection, we have been in "the Last Days". What's of particular note is the timetable with events unfolding in Israel. That country was to come back & form a state before Christ's 2nd coming, so signs following that (1947) seem to indicate the generation following that milestone would see things become more & more prophetic taking place. The increase of earthquakes in just the past 2 yrs has been remarkable! And starting this year, they are just days or a couple weeks apart, & averaging 6.0 to 8.8 each time. Its also a time now that Israel is dealing with a radical Islamic regime that is flaunting its intention to destroy Israel & the United States as they proliferate their nuclear capabilities. I have a strong sense (as have many others I've heard) that God is getting the attention of the whole world with these devastating quakes by showing those of us looking on, that hey, this could of happened to YOU! And to realize its only by the Grace of God any of us walk around today & to REDEEM THE TIME we have left by being Salt & Light to a perishing world! The days are short, so no one who professes Christ should be idle- we need to share the hope that is in us with the lost at every opportunity in our daily lives, & go about doing good for the advancing of His Kingdom! We never know when the last day comes for US, so as a Christian, let's make every day COUNT! :)

I thought i would like to offer my opinion here. I consider these types of things actually to be ungodly. We know from scripture no man knows the day or the hour of the end of times. And we also know from scripture essentially what God tells us to do is to focus on being prepared. Remember the servant that is doing his masters work when the master returns is the one that will be blessed.

It makes no difference to me when he comes back, frankly i dont expect it to be in our lifetimes but I also dont believe it should matter to us at all. We should(again just my opinion) instead focus on humbling ourselves before God and one another, seeking the power that comes from the spirit of God so we are enabled to do Gods work in Gods power.

Just as a clarification, I am not saying that people who focus on this stuff are ungodly, just that i think its a complete waste of our time...which is to me ungodly. We should be working to ease any suffering we see, working to feed the poor, working to take care of orphans and widows(as God said this is the religion that pleases him) and working to teach the good news of the Gospel, the kingdom of God is at hand. We should be doing the work that Jesus commanded his disiples to do when he told them at the last supper, Go and do as i have done for you.

Maybe you could help me understand why people keep chasing after such things after Gods word tells us..no man knows? (i actually think this statment tells us that no man will ever know)

That is very true, Joeyru.
"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in Heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." Matt.24:36.
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." Matt.24:42.
This says to me, be aware of the signs you see, be expectant that our Master may appear ANY time, so to live our lives so as to be found doing good, at His appearing. :)

Good comment, Joey. I agree with you totally. I can hardly wait till Jesus returns. But whether that will be in our life times, our in the future doesn't matter. God gave us a lot of work to do here and now, and my hope is that I can obey God and do those things.

Jeff, I believe we're living in the endtimes. However, we do not know when Jesus will come back, for only God knows. All one needs to do is to look around us. Never before in history has there been so much uneasiness among people. Everybody seems to be walking on egg shells. Political correctness has basically silenced many Christians from being more outspoken about their faith. The order of the day is to be careful not to "offend" anyone, especially with the Bible.

Another good sign to the end times is the church itself. Besides what I stated above, many churches have abandoned Scripture all together and watered down the message from Christ that they're pretty much non-productive in getting other people to accept the Lord. Many Christians nowadays are stagnating.

Yes, the Lord is coming and in the back of my mind, I know I'll be here waiting should that time happen before I die. Either way it's a win-win situation for me. There's so much more reason to believe we're living in the endtimes, but I'll cut off over here. Have peace, knowing the victory has been won and while we're down here, let's try to reach other people to Christ.