(Sorry this took so long, but you should be able to see why. ;-) This is just an overview on a few of the main topics. There's soooo much more, but it's all too much information for one time... All scripture here is from the King James Version and I used http://www.blueletterbible.org/index.html for help in looking up the verses.)


THE ANTI-CHRIST:

The end-times Anti-Christ of the Bible can't be Hitler since Hitler is dead. According to the Bible, the Anti-Christ is going to go into the new Jewish Temple and declare himself to be God, about mid-way into the 7 year Tribulation.

Maitreya;

Many people who think we are living in the end-times do believe that the Anti-Christ is alive today. Some believe he is Maitreya (http://www.shareintl.org/) who has supposedly been making appearances for years. Some people think that Maitreya is a complete fabrication made up by Benjamin Creme.

At any rate, it is impossible for this Maitreya to be The Christ of the Bible as their site is trying to claim. Christ said to his disciples when they asked Him about the end-times: Matthew 24:23 - 27 "Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here [is] Christ, or there; believe [it] not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, [he is] in the secret chambers; believe [it] not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." (words and phrases written in italics in the Bible are between brackets [] )

Javier Solana;

A more likely candidate for Anti-Christ (in my opinion) is Javier Solana. Most people have probably never even heard of him, which is scary because he is, without a doubt, one of the most powerful people on the planet right now. He is the High Representative of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Secretary-General of both the Council of the European Union (EU) and the Western European Union (WEU). Here is Mr. Solana's official website, complete with picture: http://ue.eu.int/cms3_applications/applications/solana/index.asp?lang=EN&cmsid=246 He looks totally non-threatening in appearance... But appearance can be deceiving, of course.

His position as High Representative was created by the EU heads in December of 1998 and, out of over 1100 documents, this particular document's number was 666. That's right, Recommendation 666. See http://europa.eu.int/abc/doc/off/rg/en/1998/x0666.htm for a summary of that document, and http://www.assemblee-ueo.org/en/documents/sessions_ordinaires/txt/2000/rec666.html for the full document. Coincidence? Maybe. Someone in the EU who just thought it would be funny? Maybe.

A book was written on this subject, called Recommendation 666. The website of the author has tons of info and opinions on the subject, (including a free online copy of the book) and a messageboard on prophecy and such too: http://www.fulfilledprophecy.com/

Now, do I really think Javier Solana is the Anti-Christ? I don't know. Maybe not. I think, at the very least, the position created for him is ripe to be filled by the Anti-Christ. Maybe. Maybe not. I do think that some of the things lining up are very suspicious and it deserves a close eye: http://www.fulfilledprophecy.com/2010.html


THE ISRAEL TIMELINE:

The Bible passage I quoted from above (aka The Olivet Discourse) is from a time when some of the disciples came to Christ on the mount of Olives and asked Him about the end-times. He said quite a lot of things: http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Mat/Mat024.html But the one that seems to be discussing the timing of Israel's return is: Mat 24:32 - 34 "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer [is] nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, [even] at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled."

Because other places in the Bible refer to the children of Israel as figs and Israel as a fig tree (such as Hosea 9:10 ...I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time...) many people believe that the returning of the leaves on a fig tree means the return of the Jewish people to Israel. Israel was overrun by the Romans in 70 A.D. and scattered into every nation on the earth. On May 14, 1948, with a population of around 550,000, the new state of Israel was established. Israel recaptured all of Jerusalem in June 1967. So if the fig tree is Israel, and if Christ is saying "So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, [even] at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.", then it seems that within a generation of the reinstatement of Israel the end-times will come.

Then you have the discussion of, what is a generation? In researching, the answers appear to be somewhere between 40 years and 120 years, with 70 years being the most common. And when do we start counting? From 1948 when the state was established, or from 1967, when all of Jerusalem was actually captured? I don't know.


The Temple and the Sanhedrin;

Even if you don't agree with the interpretation of Israel becoming a nation again and the generation not passing, there is one thing that is spoken of very clearly. And that is that there will be a new Jewish Temple built sometime before the mid point in the Tribulation so that the Anti-Christ (the son of perdition) can sit in the temple and claim to be God. 2Thessalonians 2:3 - 4 "Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God."

So the temple must be built and there has to "come a falling away". A more detailed look at what a "falling away" means can be found at: 2Timothy 3:1 - 7 "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." -- Sounds kind of familiar, doesn't it?

Now, back to the temple. In order to build a temple correctly, an important thing was needed... The Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin are: "a religious assembly that convened in one of the Holy Temple chambers in Jerusalem, comprised 71 sages and existed during the Tannaitic period, from several decades before the Common Era until roughly 425 C.E." But the Sanhedrin hadn't existed for a long time. There hadn't been a Sanhedrin in about 1,600 years. Until LESS THAN 1 YEAR AGO: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=70349 A quote from the story: "A unique ceremony - probably only the 2nd of its kind in the past 1,600 years - took place in Tiberias today: The launching of a Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish-legal tribunal in the Land of Israel."

The Jews believe the restoration of the Sanhedrin will precede the coming of the Messiah, as only the Sanhedrin has the authority to crown the Messiah as the Jewish King. Christians believe that the Jewish Messiah has already been here as Christ Yeshua (Jesus), but that most of the Jewish people rejected Him. Thus, Christians believe that the next "Messiah" that shows up is going to be the Anti-Christ, and that the Jewish people might be deceived into believing the Anti-Christ is their long-awaited Messiah.

The new Sanhedrin are already calling for the rebuilding of the temple: http://www.templeinstitute.org/sanhedrin-declaration.htm

Pretty significant events here, if you ask me. So if the Jews come to some understanding with the Moslems regarding building the temple on the Temple Mount beside of the Dome of the Rock... Wow.


OTHER SIGNS:

Many of the signs are rather general, and can be said to have always been happening to one extent or another: Matthew 24:6 - 8 "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these [are] the beginning of sorrows."

But some things are more specific: Daniel 12:4 "many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." It's hard to imagine any other time in history that people had the ability to run to and fro like they do today. And knowledge certainly has increased. Think about how fast things have developed in the past 100 years or so. It's like 1,900 years of same-old same-old with minimal growth here and there, and then WHAM! Technological explosion!

1Thessolonians 5:1 - 3 "But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." -- When they say peace and safety? Like a peace agreement of some kind, maybe?

Revelation 6:6 "And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and [see] thou hurt not the oil and the wine." -- A penny was a day's wages. So that would be a day's wages for a loaf of bread or something like that. Could be economic collapse or a food shortage, perhaps. Maybe failed crops? Recently, honeybees are dying in massive numbers across the U.S. Honeybees are needed to pollinate crops! http://p203.ezboard.com/fherbsdiscussionboardfrm7.showMessage?topicID=4608.topic I always wondered what the part that says: "and [see] thou hurt not the oil and the wine" meant. Then I read the honeybee thing and I also found out that most grapes and most olives (for olive OIL) are self-pollinating. So lack of bees won't hurt them. (they will be "hurt not") Now, I don't know if that's what the verse really means, but it's certainly something to think about, and it did freak me out when I found out about it!

Honestly there are so many other things, such as all of the seals and bowls and such in Revelation, the battle of Gog-Magog where Russia and another nation (maybe China) attacks Israel and loses (which is separate from the battle of Armageddon), the Rapture, etc... If you want any more specifics on anything, just ask. :-)


THE PRETERIST THEORY:

Some people, called Preterists, believe that end-times prophecy, and specifically the book of Revelation, has already happened back in 70AD with the destruction of the 2nd Temple. I don't agree with that at all. 1/3rd of the sun, moon and stars hasn't darkened... Christ hasn't returned like the lightning shining from east to west and seen by all nations yet... A 200 million man army hasn't marched towards Israel yet, a fiery mountain hasn't been hurled into the sea and 1/3rd of the sea animals haven't died and 1/3rd of the sea hasn't become blood... Hail and fire mixed with blood haven't been cast down onto the earth killing 1/3rd of the grass and 1/3rd of the trees... The falling star, Wormwood hasn't fallen to earth and caused 1/3rd of the rivers and springs to become bitter (poison)... And so on and so forth. If all the prophesies have already taken place, this should be the new heaven and earth (which isn't supposed to have a sea), and we should have bodies that don't age or get sick or feel pain. Which would mean that if all the prophesies have come true already, then God is a liar. I don't believe that at all. Again, you'll find some who believe otherwise, but I'm not one of them. I take what the Bible says literally. I don't want to face God on judgement day and say, "Oh, you mean you meant all that literally? My bad."

Preterist info:

http://www.pfrs.org/preterism/

http://p203.ezboard.com/fherbsdiscussionboardfrm39.showMessage?topicID=523.topic


MY PERSONAL FEELINGS:

Yes, I believe we are living in the end times, in the sense that the Tribulation could start soon. I've felt this way since I was young. I had a recurring dream that I would look up and see three moons in the sky, and then the world would end. Over and over, I dreamed this for many, many years. I would be different places in my dreams, but always when I looked and saw the 3 moons, the tribulation disasters started. When I told my grandfather about my dreams one time, he looked very surprised and told me that he dreams about the end of the world too... But in his dreams he would look up and see 3 doves and then the disasters would start and he knew it was the end of the world. I've always been freaked out by that. I don't know what the 3 moons/doves represent, except maybe the Trinity.

Of course, I realize that throughout the past hundreds and thousands of years people have thought they were living in the end-times. But they didn't have same reasons to as we do... Israel is back in the hands of the Israelis now, and we are living in that generation... The Sanhedrin have reformed after all this time, within this past year! We actually have the technology now for the "mark of the beast", as it could easily be a microchip-type device. And when have the verses about men being lovers of their own selves, boasters, proud, disobedient to parents, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, etc. been more accurate than in these times?

How soon? I don't know. Assuming I would live a normal life span, I think it will happen within my lifetime. I might be wrong.

Now aren't you glad you asked? LOL! ;-)

Hehe. Since you are you (does that make sence?) Ill give you a 5 and prepare for your answer. ;-)

*Edit* DW. I have been trying to think of the perfect reply to this. Its hard. You spent 9 hours on this, and I cant even begin to give you the amount of thanks you deserve. You gave me exactly what I wanted, and beyond. I have many questions for you, still. For Instance, if you could show me where in the bible, it talks about the temple that is to be built for the Sangedrin. I couldnt find it! Curses! Ive believe this microchip would be the mark of the beast...However, if the volcano goes off, where will there be time to make microchips? I could ask 5 trillion questions ha. However I am very glad I asked this question, and I am extremly gratful, and glad you answered with what you did. Again, I cant express my thanks to you, to what you deserve.

Want to know how to keep your questions from being rated down? Click Here!

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I'm DangerNerd's wife. We met on an internet personals site back in December, 1996. He flew across country to meet me for the first time in late February of 1997, and we were married a few weeks later. We've been together 9 years now. :-)

If you want to mail me, my email is DangerWench@gmail.com

Yes, I do sometimes copy and paste my own answers to answer different people's similar questions. I still personalize/edit them when necessary... but for instance, my advice about diet and exercise it going to be pretty much the same every time, and that's a very common subject for questions here... so there's no point in typing the same thing over and over and over again. ;-)

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Yes, hubby and I were both virgins on our wedding night, at the age of 26. Yes, we are both Christians, but we greatly dislike what "Christianity" (or "Churchianity") has come to represent in many people's minds these days... Hypocrisy, greed, pride... Things which the Bible says we are NOT supposed to do. We are supposed to be a good example, not a bad one. :-(

If you have a Christian acquaintance who is hitting you over the head with "Jesus will bring you peace and joy and happiness" tell them to listen to this:

http://www.dangernerd.com/kirkcameron.mp3

(It's 9 megs, so it may take a bit to download)

If you can't download MP3's for some reason, you can download the zip file.

http://www.dangernerd.com/kirkcameron.zip

If they are an actual preacher/pastor, this one is geared more towards them:

http://www.dangernerd.com/raycomfort.zip

Send them the link, or burn it to CD and give it to them, whatever it takes.

If they really listen to that, they will see how the Bible itself says the way they are annoying you is wrong. :-)

If you are a Christian, please listen to it, even if you aren't beating people over the head with Jesus. I promise you, it will give you a new perspective. It's totally awesome.

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I'm also fascinated by prophesy, and I do think we are living in an age where we are seeing many things come true that were prophesied 1,000's of years ago.

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There has been a lot of hubbub lately regarding my views on the differences between Catholicism and *exclusively* Bible-Based Christianity... Mostly due to my not making myself clear. I did have a big long explanation here, but this time I will opt for the KISS method (Keep It Simple, Stupid). Yes, the following is the simplified version. ;-)

The Catholic Church believes that the Bible is not the only authority. Their teachings include such documentation as Catechisms, and Papal Encyclicals (defined as "authoritative teaching instruments from the Vicar of Christ" (the Pope)) which have been written and added to throughout the years of the history of the Catholic Church.

Because of this, the Catholic Church has many teachings, beliefs, and traditions that are different from a Christian who believes the Holy Bible is the exclusive authority of Christianity.

A Catholic Christian believes in the Catholic doctrines, teachings, and traditions which include, but are *not exclusive to* the Holy Bible.

Most non-Catholic Christians believe the Holy Bible is the *exclusive* authority of Christianity... No other documents.

Much argument comes from this, as quite a few non-Catholic Christians (myself included) believe many of the man-made Catholic doctrines to be un-Christian and not corresponding with Biblical scripture. And obviously, Catholics disagree.

For more information about the differences between Catholicism and *exclusively* Bible-Based Christianity, see the following link:

Roman Catholic Doctrine vs. The Holy Bible

And a final note about that link... That e-book isn't written by Jack Chick, I have a lot of problems with Mr. Chick. Some of his tracts are great, and some of them are way "out there" if you know what I mean. I do not support Jack Chick. This e-book is written by Rick Jones, who was a Catholic for many years, not Chick.

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"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (2Timothy 3:1 - 7)

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring..." (Luke 21:25)

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Yahweh is my God, Yeshua is my Savior.

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