Repent the end is nigh

[Spud]

How convenient.

Since presumably someone at some point mentioned this 'thousand years', which implies precision, on what basis (other than convenience) does this claim become symbolic?

Sounds like a fudge to me.

A literal fudge, or something else? Well, there is no mention of it elsewhere in the bible. Second, the angel has already stated in chapter 1 that the book is symbolic. Third, the dragon is stated to be a symbol for Satan (20:2), so we should treat the chain used to bind it, the bottomless pit and the thousand years as symbolic too.

[Gordon]

A literal fudge, or something else? Well, there is no mention of it elsewhere in the bible. Second, the angel has already stated in chapter 1 that the book is symbolic. Third, the dragon is stated to be a symbol for Satan (20:2), so we should treat the chain used to bind it, the bottomless pit and the thousand years as symbolic too.

In other words it is an old story: not to be taken literally at all.

[Walt Zingmatilder]

The Revelation of St Monbiot is here:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/nov/25/13-crises-we-face-trump-soil-loss-global-collapse

At last a secular view that doesn't use that simpering Rose tinted bad prophesy of the Pinkers and Dawkinses and their
'Every day in every way were getting better and better-Human progress'' chuff.

[torridon]

That link was depressing reading.

I think Pinker is right to a degree, in that humans accumulate knowledge, and falling crime rates and more humane attitudes across the board reflect that. On the other hand, the deeper fundamentals of human nature do not change with anything like the speed of acquisition of new knowledge, indeed the drivers of human motivation and choice are probably unchanged from those of our hunter gatherer ancestors.  So here we are, essentially precocious five year olds who have figured out how to make thermonuclear warheads but there is no teacher on duty in the playground to stop us blowing ourselves up.

[Walt Zingmatilder]

That link was depressing reading.

  .....So here we are, essentially precocious five year olds.......

Speak for yourself.

[Spud]

In other words it is an old story: not to be taken literally at all.

It does have a meaning, being written to show its readers what was soon to take place. That bit is to be taken literally.

[Brownie]

Most religions teach that the world will end but the majority of Christians don't think about it that much except to believe that we should be ready, because we don't know when it will be.   They don't look for signs or worry about them if they are pointed out.

On forums I've encountered a few who are quite certain about recent and current signs and preach that it will be soon.

One definition of eschatology is 'The science of the end times', which made me think of Nicholas.

I found this, it's brief and bundles different groups of particular faiths together under main headings, eg "Christian", but gives a broad overall of what each faith teaches about end times.  (Not "overall", a word like that.)

http://www.contenderministries.org/prophecy/eschatology.php

[Spud]

Only if you have an overactive imagination!

Just thought I'd put down a few thoughts on this so you can see a bit more of the picture. Before the millennium (Rev 20), it's still the first Century AD. The beast (aka the beast that came out of the sea - see Rev 13) and the false prophet (aka the beast that came out of the land - Rev 13) were captured and thrown into the lake of fire, Rev. 19:20.

The 'sea beast' stands for the 'oikumene', the empire of which Israel was part. Daniel 7 is the basis for this. Its first stage was the Babylonian empire, then the Persian, then the Greek, then the Roman empire. After AD 70 the Roman empire existed for a while but had served its purpose from the perspective of the vision that Daniel saw and the coming of the Messiah. Having turned against and persecuted Israel (which is now called the church) at the time of Nero, the Roman empire starts to decline. There is no longer any 'oikumene'.

The two-horned 'land beast' stands for the rulers of Israel, specifically the Herods and the chief priests, who rejected the Messiah, persecuted the church, and were judged in AD 70.

[Hope]

You can make the Bible say anything you want it to say to suit any point of view, however daft. NM's interpretation must be one of the most unique!

Ironically, it is more difficult 'to make the Bible say anything you want it to say' than many bits of British legislation.  It is true that you can make out that it says whatever you want it to say, but even fairly cursory research will show whether this is remotely like what it means.  I agree, study is required - something that some folk are loathe to undertake - but then I tend to take what they say with a sizeable pinch of salt.

[trippymonkey]

For how many decades have 'we' been saying 'The End Is Nigh'

[Brownie]

Is that 'The Royal We(e)', Tripster?

If it is a generic we, count me out.   I have never said, "Repent the end is nigh".

[trippymonkey]

I meant all those who've said it but in a general way too.

[Sassy]

For how many decades have 'we' been saying 'The End Is Nigh'

The end is always nigh for when you life ends here then you have reached the final destination.
Your end is nigh in that what you do now decides what happens to you later.

[Aruntraveller]

Your end is nigh in that what you do now decides what happens to you later

How do you know this for a fact?

[Sebastian Toe]

Sass 'knows' everything she posts is a 'fact'.

Wrong. It's a 'FACT"! 

[Sassy]

How do you know this for a fact?

Read Dives and Lazarus....

Seems you can know them too, if you read the bible?

[Aruntraveller]

Read Dives and Lazarus....

Seems you can know them too, if you read the bible?

Why does something appearing in The Bible make it a fact?

Please explain why you think this is a fact.

The Bible is a book. It does not necessarily represent reality.

[Hope]

The Bible is a book. It does not necessarily represent reality.

Does reality necessarily represent the truth, Trent?

[ippy]

Repent the end of the world is neigh is only a rumor put about by the manufacturers of the fameous A-boards some of them with an additional overhead signboard too.

topnotchsigns.co.uk

You lot buy your own I've allready got mine.

ippy

It's not the end of the world I'm worried about, it's the day after? (Some of the old ones are the best).

[Sassy]

Why does something appearing in The Bible make it a fact?

Please explain why you think this is a fact.

The Bible is a book. It does not necessarily represent reality.

Which reality would that be?

[Sassy]

Repent the end of the world is neigh is only a rumor put about by the manufacturers of the fameous A-boards some of them with an additional overhead signboard too.

topnotchsigns.co.uk

You lot buy your own I've allready got mine.

ippy

It's not the end of the world I'm worried about, it's the day after? (Some of the old ones are the best).

In which case, there is certainly no need to worry, after all, it isn't the end of the world, dear!

[Brownie]

I've said this before but at the risk of boring the pants off anyone (& they have the option of ignoring me), Christians do repent of their sins, I've never known one who doesn't.  It's not a one-off either, we regularly think about things and feel sorry about some of them, big or small, then try not to repeat the error.   At the same time we get on with life, it does no-one any good to be bogged down with their own misdemeanours, nevertheless repentance is real.  Thus we are always ready for whatever happens (in the spiritual sense, maybe not in the physical human sense, like putting affairs in order....aaargh!).

My belief is that God knows us inside and out, he understands our struggles and sees if we have good hearts (generic "we").   I trust him to look after me, really cannot do any more so I have to make the best of what life I have left.

We don't know the minute or the hour, not of our physical death or of the end of the world.   Even those who interpret signs (which I don't), cannot pinpoint the exact time of the latter.   

[Anchorman]

Wot Brownie said. Repentance is never a one off. Christians are still guilty of falling short of the standards God set for us. The only difference is that we have the assurance of our forgiveness, and our ticket for salvation guaranteed by God Himself at Calvary.

[NicholasMarks]

Wot Brownie said. Repentance is never a one off. Christians are still guilty of falling short of the standards God set for us. The only difference is that we have the assurance of our forgiveness, and our ticket for salvation guaranteed by God Himself at Calvary.

Repentance is all about realising that following the world's machinations leads to the opposite of what Jesus taught to us and promised us and so choosing righteousness instead.

There are many benefits to quietly and calmly, sincereley and respectfully taking in the accurate knowledge of Jesus...many of which I have already brought to your attention...that is the collective 'your'. But there are also benefits not so obvious.

Take gravity for example. By repentance we become more spiritually aware and by upbuilding our spiritual strength gravity which bears heavily upon us all becomes less of a dead weight. We can see just how much of a burden it can be when we see many people shuffling around the hypermarket with various combersome difficulties. Now Jesus walked on water so following him...accurately...is a sure fire way of reducing the burden of gravity and will make repentance well worthwhile.

[Anchorman]

That is not the literal meaning of the word 'repentance', NM Try to be 'accurate', please.