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This site is dedicated to addressing eschatology, particularly events of the end time as perceived in the Bible. It's primary objectives are to provide a comprehensive treatment of this subject and to comment on controversial issues surrounding it. Such objectives are quite ambitious, since much mystery surrounds this subject. However, it is this mystery that makes the subject worthy of study and clarification to dispel unwarranted anxiety or apprehension. Most would probably agree that they have heard or read a lot about the end time, but really know very little about it. Others may feel that they know a lot, but would like to see some additional clarification of some issues.
This site has therefore been prepared to assist both groups of interest. A comprehensive treatment is provided at some length that allows orderly progress in the clarification of the subject for those who wish to pursue the matter at length. This treatment is also indexed for those who would like to review comments on only selected topics. Either way it should be informative and thereby add some degree of comfort.
Towards these ends it has been written in a spirit of ecumenism for members of most religious sects. Nevertheless, it is recognized that any presentation of this kind will include some issues which address the belief of a particular sect. The "References" list herein therefore includes a website link to recognized representatives of any sect cited for confirmation of its beliefs. However, the material presented relies as much as possible on innate logic and rationale common to most of us. Thus, it is intended to improve unity among these sects by resolving differences that have existed without sufficient cause and to lay the groundwork for resolving other differences as well.
FORWARD
Much has been recently said in the media concerning “the end time” which is believed to usher in some rather foreboding events including worldwide calamities preceding the end of the world. Particular anxiety was generated by the arrival of the new millennium or the calendar year 2000 wherein many speculated that these events could well result from worldwide failure of computers, which were not programmed to handle the change in date format required by a new millennium. Fortunately, this change took place without any such catastrophe.
Nevertheless, these beliefs are based upon some worthwhile observations and are not to be dismissed as religious myth. The potential computer dilemma was only one of these observations and was in itself a convincing argument for these concerns. The prospect of such computer failure and the presence of computer-controlled nuclear weapons of mass destruction generated such concern that leaders of world nuclear powers took concerted effort to preclude such catastrophe. In retrospect, it should be noted that concern for such computer failure was initiated only a few years before the year 2000. These years were so few that quite a few businesses were not sure that they had enough time to modify their computers and avoid the consequences of being unprepared.
On the other hand, concern for the proximity of the end time has existed off and on for approximately 2000 years since the writing of the Book of Revelation and before. Similar scenarios of distress during this timeframe have caused noted authorities to forecast the proximity of the end time any number of times in the past. These forecasts, likewise, were erroneous which would tend to make the average believer more skeptical about each subsequent forecast. Their confidence in the credibility of these authorities would be progressively undermined by each erroneous forecast. That being the case, one must wonder why there has been much belief in the proximity of the end time in current times.
Aside from the change in the world environment which makes worldwide catastrophe now possible, the passage of time has availed the world of a prophet who has made convincing forecasts of events which took place centuries after his life span and who has also made forecasts of events for the new millennium concerning the end time. His forecasts have then been tested by time and his credibility enhanced with each success. Add to these successes the fact that he has made end time forecasts and the average believer would once again focus in on these forecasts. The authority referenced is the clairvoyant French seer Michael Nostradamus (1503-1566 AD) who made such prophecies in his book “Centuries”. These included past events related to the London fire of 1666, the French revolution in 1789, the rise and fall of Napoleon, Adolf Hitler, World War I, World War II outbreak over Poland and the fall of Russian Communism. Nostradamus then gained much recognition and credibility when these events transpired as he had prophesied.
It is no wonder, then, that his prophecy of other future events would be taken seriously, particularly those related to end time events. He made several prophecies about catastrophies, which resemble those contained in the Book of Revelation. However, this is no great accomplishment since these prophecies could be transcribed from Revelation. What is significant is that he associated these events with the start of the new millennium. He did this in two sections of his book described as Century X Quatrain 72 which forecasts the descent of the King of Terror from the sky in the summer of 1999 and Century X Quatrain 74 which forecasts “Not distant from the great Millennium, when the dead will leave their graves.” These two events can be readily associated with the “end time” prophesied by the Bible.
Recent discovery of an apparent code throughout the Hebrew rendition of the Bible has also revealed apparent prophecies of a number of events that have taken place in the recent past. These "prophecies" are indicated to be far more accurate than those made by Nostradamus and are growing in credibility. Much of this growth has been due to the traceability of recent significant events to related keywords found in proximity to each other in the Hebrew Bible, as made possible by current computer technology.
These forecasts coupled with other recent events give one due cause to believe that end time events are near. Still, the Bible itself warns us against predicting the day or the hour when they will take place. That warning, nevertheless, does not mean that we should stop anticipating these events or that we should not make reasonable attempts to discern their proximity. On the contrary, we should do these things. This understanding is supported by Luke 21: 29-31 “And he spoke to them a similitude. See the fig tree and all the trees: When they now shoot forth their fruit, you know that summer is nigh; So you also, when you shall see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand.”
THE BOOK OF REVELATION
The Book of Revelation is also known as the “Book of the Apocalypse” taken from its prior rendition in Greek. The word “apocalypse” is derived from the Greek “apokalysis” for “the lifting of a veil” and therefore connotes revelation. The word “revelation” is taken from the Latin word “revelare”, which means to “unveil” or “disclose”. This book is commonly believed to address events leading up to the end of the world, otherwise know as "end time events".
Further, it provides warning of an unprecedented period of tribulation that will be brought on by the arrival of a tyrannical regime described metaphorically as a beast. Since essential parts of the book use such metaphors, much of it is rather ambiguous. Historically some have rejected it because of this ambiguity. On the other hand, some have recognized it as worthy of inclusion in the Bible. In view of this difference in positions, should we really be concerned about this book? Is its importance just a matter of opinion, or is there really a sound basis for considering it? Yes, there is. Rationale supporting this position and a summary of the book's forecasted tribulation are provided in the attached document entitled "A Synopsis of the Book of Revelation".
THE BEAST OF REVELATION
The tyrannical regime that will impose this end time tribulation is described as a beast that will have the attributes of the four beasts described in the Bible's Book of Daniel which is discussed in the attached document entitled "An Interpretation of The Book of Daniel". The beast of Revelation incorporates the features of all four of these beasts, which indicates that it will have all of the attributes of these beasts, such as size, strength, speed and ferocity. However, tyrannical regimes of the past have had these attributes to some extent. Those of the future could also have them to some extent. If we are to prepare for the predicted unprecedented tribulation, we should then be able to recognize this tyrannical regime when it does come.
Such recognition requires identification of unique characteristics of the beast of Revelation that would specifically identify it. Such identification is particularly challenging in view of the ambiguity of its metaphoric symbolism. Providence nonetheless wants us to eventually do this and gives us some unique clues in Revelation 13: 16-18 as follows:
"And he shall make all, both little and great, rich and poor, freemen and bondmen, to have a character in their right hand or on their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, but he that hath the character, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. He that hath understanding, let him count the number of the beast. For it is the number of a man: and the number of him is six hundred sixty-six."
Some believe that this number 666 denotes the name "Caesar Neron" or Nero. Nero Claudius Caesar ruled Rome from 54 to 68 AD and was one of its most infamous emperors. Although he persecuted the Christians extensively there are a number of reasons why he did not qualify as the tyrant of Revelation. Other historical interpretations of this number have been quite ingenious, but also failed to qualify as the correct interpretation because they did not lead to a comprehensive interpretation of Revelation. This result is essential.
If any of these interpretations were the correct one, the Book of Revelation could be regarded as a history book. If view of shortcomings in historical interpretations, it is apparent that this tyrannical regime has not yet appeared. Consequently, this number refers to the name of a tyrannical regime of the future and correct interpretation of this number must yet be accomplished. One such name has been recently identified and serves as a good candidate for such an interpretation. Derivation of this name and rationale supporting the positions taken herein are provided in the attached document entitled "An Analysis of The Mark of the Beast".
END TIME PROXIMITY
In Christian belief the life of Christ marked the end of the old and the beginning of a new covenant that God had with the Jews and mankind. The period of the end of this old covenant therefore represented an "end time" during which some prophecies of extreme persecution and victory were fulfilled as prophesied in the Book of Daniel and reported in the Books of Machabees. Other prophecies were also related to the end time, but were not fulfilled at the end of the old covenant. This indicates that they would be fulfilled within another end time period, commonly believed to be the end of the world. Since reference to the end time in Daniel is in general terms, it could be deduced that the prophecies fulfilled at the end of the old covenant, would also be fulfilled at the end of the world. In other words, the prophecies fulfilled at the end of the old covenant would prefigure their fulfillment at the end of the world and would be supplemented with the fulfillment of the remaining prophecies.
We are instructed to be vigilant for end time events by the words of Matthew 24: 32-33 "And from the fig tree learn a parable: When the branch thereof is now tender and the leaves come forth, you know that summer is nigh. So you also, when you shall see all these things, know ye that it is nigh, even at the doors." Still, we are told that we will not know the day or the hour of these events by the words of Matthew 24: 36 “But of that day and hour no one knoweth: no, not the angels of Heaven, but the Father alone.”
Many feel that we are now living in the end time of the world, or that it is near at hand. These expectations are based to some extent on rational understanding of the signs of the times and to some extent on emotional intuition. These expectations are normal and have been experienced repeatedly in the past due to specific historical events that likewise indicated the end time was near. Since the end time did not happen, these expectations resulted in repeated disappointment. Current expectations can also result in disappointment, so a comprehensive analysis of the proximity of the end time has been conducted and is recorded in the attached document entitled "An Analysis of End Time Proximity". It indicates that we really do not know when the end time will occur.
As such, the end time may be in the near future or just as well in the far future. If it is in the near future, of course, we must be prepared as best we can. However, if it is in the far future and we prepare in a similar manner, we can exhaust ourselves over an extended length of time. This could then result in a reduction of our preparedness to a state of inadequacy, or even a termination of our effort. Our preparation in this case should then be reduced in advance, so that we do not exhaust ourselves. However, if we reduce our preparation too much we can lose adequate vigilance to deal with a near term scenario. We are therefore left between a rock and a hard place commonly called a dilemma. We feel we must maintain a state of preparedness, but do not know what it should be.
THE RAPTURE DOCTRINE
This dilemma, of course, is a source of anxiety which has been dismissed by a relatively new doctrine entitled "The Rapture Doctrine". It maintains that faithful Christians need not be anxious, since they will not have to endure this tribulation. (It would, of course, cause them to be unprepared for it if they did.) As yet this doctrine is accepted only by a minority of Christians, regardless of sect. This lack of acceptance is believed to be due to its newness, speculative character, and lack of support in historical Christian teachings and literature.
Such a doctrine has been appealing to some and was extended to teach that a new calendar would begin at Christ’s second coming, just as it did at his first coming. The events in Revelation would then take place during the period of this new calendar. Such novel ideas are entertaining, but warrant a closer examination before acceptance. They were therefore analyzed as recorded in the attached document entitled "An Analysis of the Rapture Doctrine". This analysis has revealed that there are substantial flaws in this doctrine in that it contradicts itself as well as various verses in the Book of Revelation. As such, this doctrine is invalidated and we must therefore look elsewhere for guidance, particularly for preparation.
END TIME PREPARATION
We then return to our dilemma. We feel we must maintain a state of preparedness, but do not know what it should be. It is therefore important to back up and put the end time in perspective. This time will certainly be a period of unprecedented tribulation, but will also conclude with the second advent of Christ. He will return to be victorious over this tribulation and to reward His faithful with eternal life and happiness. There is then a silver lining to this dark cloud of the end time which helps to comfort us and reduce our anxiety over these matters. More importantly, this second advent is the predominant event of the end time. As such, we should be asking ourselves first how we should prepare for this predominant event. If we are adequately prepared for it, then we should also be prepared for the events that precede it.
How do we know this? By analogy! The end time experience is quite similar to the routine passing from this life into the next and meeting the Lord. As a rule, the event of this passing includes some anxiety which is followed by the soul meeting the Lord. If the soul is prepared for the meeting, the anxiety which precedes it is alleviated. The soul may even welcome the passing to meet the Lord because it is optimistic about the happiness that will ensue. The basis of this optimism is the soul's confidence in its preparation for this meeting. It knows that it will be judged favorably because it has been faithful. Faithfulness is then the answer to how we should prepare. Furthermore, we should be faithful for this passing which we know is near. When we are, we also remain faithful for the end time, regardless of when it occurs.
Some would say that they that they feel that they are faithful, but they are still anxious about death and the end time. This condition is probably quite common. However, if we can agree that faithfulness alleviates these anxieties to some extent, then we should also be able to agree that more faithfulness should alleviate them even more, even to the point that we can disregard them. We should therefore strive to increase our faithfulness to reduce our anxieties and increase our optimism.
Some would say that faithfulness is something that you either have or do not have. They therefore believe that it cannot be increased beyond simply acquiring it. If that is the case, of course, our answer for preparation would be invalid. It is therefore essential that it be properly analyzed to determine if it can be increased. Such an anlysis is presented in the attached document entitled "An Analysis of Faithfulness". It concludes that a Christian's faith in Christ is much the same as faith in a country's government. A Christian is a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven as well as a citizen of a country. A Christian must therefore be faithful to the Kingdom of Heaven as he or she is faithful to a country.
This faithfulness is manifested in obedience to its laws. If this obedience is repeatedly tested through compliance to these laws and this compliance results in a favorable outcome, then faithfulness to the government repeatedly increases. So it is with faithfulness to Christ and the Kingdom of Heaven. However, His laws are easier to obey. They are summed up in the two commandments to love God with all your ability and to love your neighbor as yourself. He has said "He who loves me keeps my commandments". In so doing we can increase our faith and our expectation to enter into the eternal happiness that is heaven. In so doing, we prepare ourselves more for future challenges and thereby find more peace in the present as well as the future. In so doing, we can even begin our heaven here on earth.
INDEX
ATTACHMENTS
A SYNOPSIS OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION
AN INTERPRETATION OF THE BOOK OF DANIEL
AN ANALYSIS OF THE MARK OF THE BEAST
AN ANALYSIS OF END TIME PROXIMITY
AN ANALYSIS OF THE RAPTURE DOCTRINE
AN ANALYSIS OF FAITHFULNESS
REFERENCES
"THE NEW ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITANNICA"
"THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF RELIGION"
"ENCYCLOPEDIA OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND SERVICES"
"NOSTRADAMUS", ST. MARTIN'S PRESS
"THE HOUSE OF SELEUCUS", ARES PUBLISHERS
"THE CITY OF GOD", RANDOM HOUSE
"NERO: REALITY AND LEGEND", W.W. NORTON & CO.
"THE JEWISH WAR", PENGUIN BOOKS
"THE BIBLE CODE", SIMON & SCHUSTER
"APOCALYPSE!": PBS FRONTLINE
WEBSITE: "CATHOLICITY"
