What got you interested in eschatology and what was your learning process?

[Wynona]

Reading the posts in this section makes me feel like end times prophecy is the Bible topic that separates the dummies and the scholars.

How did you get interested in it? What was it like learning and coming up with views on it all?

 

[Randy Kluth]

Reading the posts in this section makes me feel like end times prophecy is the Bible topic that separates the dummies and the scholars.

How did you get interested in it? What was it like learning and coming up with views on it all?

I was raised in a Christian family. As we heard about Israel's rise as a new nation, we entertained ideas about biblical prophecy being fulfilled. In my mid-adolescence I became interested in the symbolism in the book of Revelation, and read straight through it.

When I fully committed to Christ, the Pentecostals I associated with had a certain prophetic interest mixed in with it. Hal Lindsey came out with a book that applied biblical prophecy to contemporary events. I began to memorize Scriptures, and found my interest veering towards prophetic material in the Bible, 2 Thessalonians, the Olivet Discourse, the book of Revelation were some of the material I at least partly memorized.

Later I got my hands on Maureen Gaglardi's interesting perspective on prophetic allusions contained in the Tabernacle and in the High Priestly garments. In memorizing 2 Thessalonians I switched my Pretrib position to Postrib. Later when I moved to S. CA and listened to Chuck Smith's radio program I read his Pretrib book, a commentary on Revelation, which threw me into confusion over my Postrib belief.

In the end I came out much stronger for Postrib, and became interested, generally, in how biblical prophecy may apply to the developments in world history. Etc. etc. I've never lost my interest and fascination.

I should probably add the interest I had in Gordon Lindsay's books on biblical prophecy, Daniel, and Revelation. He was Pretrib, as was I back when I read his books back in the 70s. But he gave me a great sense of Daniel, and I still hold to some of his views to this day.

 

[Jay Ross]

My starting epiphany was that a "thousand" was just the corruption of "those hands," when said. It is possible to count to 1,024 on the ten digits on our two hands with good dexterity. If we then consider where we place our two hands, it is possible to count to 16,384.

This got me thinking so I started to look at the Old Testament Chronologically to see if these numbers popped up in the chronology that I constructed from the Biblical record and so I began to more carefully, in the study and understanding of the Hebrew and Greek texts and the light began to come on with respect to what the context was that I found embedded within the Biblical story. Things that were hidden in the text began to stand out, such as one could see that the second death was something that would happen when Christ returned for His second Advent. This began to draw me draw me into eschatological study.

Shalom

 

[quietthinker]

Daniel two got me started, 'The Metal Man', which I'm sure we all know of piqued my interest. Daniel 7's four beasts continued the
curiosity/ interest....and further it went.
Ultimately, Jesus gave perspective in his Revelation to John.

 

[Zao is life]

Daniel two got me started, 'The Metal Man', which I'm sure we all know of piqued my interest. Daniel 7's four beasts continued the
curiosity/ interest....and further it went.
Ultimately, Jesus gave perspective in his Revelation to John.

There are no dummies to separate from the scholars. I could be a scholar in my own estimation and be the biggest dummy of all, but I'm interested in prophecy only because:

"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Mat.4:4.

There are a whole lot of words Jesus spoke that have nothing to do with prophecy, and there are words of His apostles that are of paramount importance too, like:

"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification" 1 Thess.4:3,

We should study it all and seek by God's grace to put it into practice, but the scriptures are holistic - and Jesus said a whole lot that is prophetic - and it was all about His return, and "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Mat.4:4.

 

[Michiah-Imla]

“Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” (Proverbs 3:7, KJV)

 

[Douggg]

How did you get interested in it? What was it like learning and coming up with views on it all?

When I first became a Christian, born again, in an army barracks, and not long after, a fellow soldier gave me a book by Hal Lindsey that just came out - the Late Great Planet Earth. He also gave me a "The Way" modern english translation bible. So I spent 2 1/2 years reading and studying the bible about end time prophecy for the remainder of my three year army stint. That was over 50 years ago.

I reviewed many theories and scenarios over that time, to arrive at my current position about ten years ago. A lot gained from discussing with and arguing with Jews (Judaism) of what they belief, at their sites, since 2004, over 10,000 posts.

Foremost, a lot of prayer to God to help me understand end time bible prophecy, which He has led me, in His infinite mercy and grace.

 

[marks]

Reading the posts in this section makes me feel like end times prophecy is the Bible topic that separates the dummies and the scholars.

How did you get interested in it? What was it like learning and coming up with views on it all?

I first became Christian because I realized the end-times prophecies were accurate, being clearly on their way to being fulfilled. I found the Bible accurately described the world I was living in. This caused me to recognize the validity of the Bible in the whole, and I believed.

After that I began to read, and study, and I've had since then a strong interest in end times prophecy. I've used various methods to study, from repetition of reading, to cataloging on charts the prophecies, reading commentaries, and many years of discussing and debating with others, particularly on forums.

Remember, though, If I understand all mysteries . . . and have not love . . . I am nothing. That's what counts!

Much love!

 

[Keraz]

The facts; without any self promotion;
I spent 1968 -1970 building for the Methodist Missions on Bougainville Island and in my building career, much time in other Church projects.
At retirement from the construction industry, age 60; I was called to the Mission field to help the long term missioners in various locations, which my wife, a teacher and myself; as a handyman were able to do. But I found the main reason for us to work alongside them, was to encourage and just be someone they could talk to.
Before taking up work and teaching in Amman, Jordan, we spent 3 months in the Jewish State of Israel. We travelled all over and one day went to Nablus, where ancient Shechem was and where Joshua led the Israelites to, after crossing the Jordan.
I received a vision there, which motivated me to intensively study Bible Prophecy and write articles on what the Lord has planned for our future.
I know I have a big advantage, as I have had no training -call it brainwashing; from any body or organization on Prophecy. The Lord has helped me, a non academic, to write over 1000 articles.

I just hope and pray that what I do to help people understand the Prophetic Word, has given some at least, a better idea of what I am sure will commence soon and end with the glorious Return of Jesus, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

 

[Wynona]

Thank you all who have shared!

 

[Gottservant]

Revelation was the first book of the Bible that I ever read.

After I confessed that I had sinned, in a Church, the Holy Spirit to wait for me to do something - so I read Revelation.

As my faith has progressed, it (Revelation) has become a key, through which I enter into the spiritual, for the sake of a relationship with God (Lord willing).

 

[Brakelite]

I grew up a Catholic, became completely disinterested after leaving school, but met Jesus in my early 20s. Joined the Assemblies of God and discovered prophecy. Hal Lindsay's book, as mentioned elsewhere on this thread, became a second Bible almost. I think I read it more than a dozen times, and referred to it constantly when sharing my faith. But after a few years, and noticing that preachers in Pentecostal churches all over were preaching the same message, but with many inconsistencies, I began to ask questions, especially after 1988, when the 40 year generation since 1948 (Israel's commencement) was complete. The ultimate question was, where was the proof? While the prophecies used in the book and sermons were in scripture, they seemed to me to be plucked out of context, and had little or no connections to other prophecies purportedly belonging in the same time frame and same end time context. There seemed to be too much disconnect. No pattern. No scriptural links from one prophecy to another, no uniformity. Yet prophecy still fascinated me, and I wanted to know more. I left those churches, but never entirely from my faith. But due to my own inconsistency and compromising, my faith eventually suffered, and my family also as a result.
Time came to return to Jesus. This was 1997. I poured out my heart and soul on behalf of my family and my marriage which was on the edge of a deep cliff. We need help. I asked the Lord to start again. To help me discard everything I had thought I knew, and start fresh. Urgently. A scripture came to mind, "seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things (for which you just prayed) will be added unto you". It was after that, just a few weeks later, that I discovered a system of prophetic understanding that made sense. It was logical. It harmonized. Everything linked together. Everything was kept in context. And most of all, it was deep, it was unafraid of criticism, and it withstood all manner of critique and challenges. It answered all my questions.
It was at that time I found out that there were three major methods of understanding prophecy... They were called hermeneutics... Preterism, futurism, and historicism. It was historicism that the reformers used to identify the Papacy as the Antichrist. It was historicism that the early church used to be able to warn others of the coming of Antichrist, and identify from where it was coming. It is historicism that today gives me so much confidence and faith in Jesus and the Father that regardless of the crisis that is coming upon the world very soon, culminating in the second coming, I know where I and my family now stand in the stream of time...I know who the major protagonists are in the controversy between good and evil, Christ and Satan, and who the major players are in the world today in the context of end times. And I know that if I live long enough, God will protect me and all who put their faith and trust in him, from falling, despite being witnesses to the mayhem. (No secret rapture).
My conclusion...
The Late Great Planet Earth, and the resultant movies and books to this day, got it all wrong.

 

[Jack]

The restoration of Israel in 1948 was a tremendous miracle. And then when 7 Nations attacked Israel and were soundly defeated by TINY Israel, how can that be ignored? And since Israel is the heart of the Bible, The God of Israel lives!

 

[Brakelite]

The restoration of Israel in 1948 was a tremendous miracle. And then when 7 Nations attacked Israel and were soundly defeated by TINY Israel, how can that be ignored? And since Israel is the heart of the Bible, The God of Israel lives!

I wouldn't argue that the restoration of Israel has been a blessing for many people, not excluding the secret societies and globalists that made it happen. However, there is no biblical evidence that such a thing was God's plan, or His doing. Nevertheless, God can certainly use such an event for good. Still waiting for that to happen. I wouldn't include the building of a temple to be on the good side.

 

[Brakelite]

The restoration of Israel in 1948 was a tremendous miracle. And then when 7 Nations attacked Israel and were soundly defeated by TINY Israel, how can that be ignored? And since Israel is the heart of the Bible, The God of Israel lives!

Israel is not the heart of the Bible. Jesus is. And the followers of Jesus are the apple of God's eye, not a political entity. And that would include the USA

 

[covenantee]

Israel is not the heart of the Bible. Jesus is. And the followers of Jesus are the apple of God's eye, not a political entity. And that would include the USA

Amen bro.

 

[Jack]

I wouldn't argue that the restoration of Israel has been a blessing for many people, not excluding the secret societies and globalists that made it happen. However, there is no biblical evidence that such a thing was God's plan, or His doing. Nevertheless, God can certainly use such an event for good. Still waiting for that to happen. I wouldn't include the building of a temple to be on the good side.

Israel is the HEART of the Christian Bible. And Jesus is the God of Israel.

Luke 1:68
68 "Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people,

And that's where Jesus will return.

 

[Brakelite]

Israel is the HEART of the Christian Bible. And Jesus is the God of Israel.

Luke 1:68
68 "Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people,

And that's where Jesus will return.

The big question is...
Who is the real Israel? When you find the answer to that, then you will know who, or what, Jesus is returning to, or for.
My recommendation, don't rely on your futurist pastors and teachers for truth. Nor on their misleading, misguided, rapture movies and delusional end time fiction books. They are the blind leading the blind.
"To the law and to the testimony. If they speak not according to this word, there is no light in them". Isaiah 8:20

 

[Jack]

The big question is...
Who is the real Israel? When you find the answer to that, then you will know who, or what, Jesus is returning to, or for.
My recommendation, don't rely on your futurist pastors and teachers for truth. Nor on their misleading, misguided, rapture movies and delusional end time fiction books. They are the blind leading the blind.
"To the law and to the testimony. If they speak not according to this word, there is no light in them". Isaiah 8:20

Get a map. It's the Land of the Bible, Israel where Jesus will return and fight for.

 

[Keraz]

Get a map. It's the Land of the Bible, Israel where Jesus will return and fight for.

Get a Bible! The Prophetic Word says Jewish Israel will be wiped out and only a remnant will survive, Isaiah 22:14, Romans 9:27