Reddit reviews The End Is Near...Or Maybe Not!

He DIDN'T say, "This generation will not pass away before I return," he said, "This generation will not pass away until all these things happen," all these things being the things he referenced before this comment in Mt. 24.

I would suggest that, indeed, all those things did happen before that generation passed away.

Here's a book I wrote on the subject: The End Is Near...Or Maybe Not!.

Why, that could fill an entire book on its own.

Yeah, actually most Christians don't believe in it and never have. It's really restricted to evangelical circles (like Southern Baptists). This book by our own /u/im_just_saying covers the topic well. He grew up pre-trib and became a-mil: http://www.amazon.com/The-End-Near-Maybe-Not/dp/1470001772

I invite you to investigate N.T. Wright's take on "Kingdom Eschatology", a branch of Inagurated Eschatology. There is also a wonderful book on the topic written by /r/Christianity regular /u/Im_Just_Saying, entitled The End is Near: Or Maybe Not!

Eschatology should be good news for the world. Rapture theology is escapism and triumphalism wrapped up in American Exceptionalism, and it's a really weird eschatological development IMO.

Yes!

There is a section after that prophecy where He does mention the end of the world, but the main takeaway from that is that no one knows when that is.

You wanna read a book about the subject? Our very own /u/im_just_saying tackled the issue in tremendous fashion in this book.

Oh, I take no credit. I basically just rephrased and regurgitated from one of /u/im_just_saying's books. But it definitely changed my understanding of eschatology (and things that are claimed to be eschatological and aren't). It's called The End is Near... Or Maybe Not!. Think I have a link around here somewhere...

e: yup, found it. amazon

Yes, the quotes are out of context. For example, look at the Shephard of Hermas quote:


>2[6]:6 Thou shalt therefore say unto the elders of the Church, that they direct their paths in righteousness, that they may receive in full the promises with abundant glory.

Basically, this verse says that we should stay on the path of righteousness in order to receive a reward.

>2[6]:7 Ye therefore that work righteousness be steadfast, and be not double-minded, that ye may have admission with the holy angels.

The word "therefore" indicates a conclusion. Therefore, our works should be steadfast, not double minded in order to have admission with the holy angelsl

Now here is the critical section quoted by this site:

>Blessed are ye, as many as endure patiently the great tribulation that cometh, and as many as shall not deny their life.

Here, we see a old english word "cometh" which is in the 3rd person singular present indicative. There is no future tribulation hinted by the text itself. If someone wants to look at the Greek, I am sure it is also the same case for the Greek, or else this word would not be used in the translation. Thus, the future tense is read into the Shephard of Hermas by these rapture proponents, and the true meaning of the great tribulation is something that is being endured in the present. This careless reading of scripture and other texts is really a hallmark of the rapture movement.

Additionally, The scriptures themselves do not teach the rapture. I recommend reading the Anglican Bishop Kenneth Myers book "The end is near... or maybe not."

http://www.amazon.com/The-End-Near-Or-Maybe-Not/dp/1470001772/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345680055&sr=8-1&keywords=the+end+is+near+or+maybe+not

He was a firm believer in the Rapture theology, but when the rapture never happened when it was supposed to after the formation of Israel, he began to read the Scriptures more carefully, and now holds a more orthodox position.

Anyhow, So what should we do with these people? Love them, respect that they believe these things. I would not let their quotes bother you though.

Some other books on the topic of eschatology (the "end times") worth reading (or listening to):

NT Wright's Surprised by Hope

Kenneth Meyer's The End Is Near...Or Maybe Not!

In case he's busy, he has a book on the subject that's short and easy to read.

The End Is Near...Or Maybe Not!

There's this one of course: http://www.amazon.com/The-End-Near-Maybe-Not/dp/1470001772

I'm not in 100% agreement, but he does a good job.

Our own /u/im_just_saying wrote this book on the topic, which I think fits your criteria nicely. Also check out Victorious Eschatology if you're looking for a couple options. Neither are overly-complicated/scholarly.

Here is a good book on this subject.

http://www.amazon.com/The-End-Near-Maybe-Not/dp/1470001772

Woohoo! A-mil fist bump!

Also, did you know a redditor wrote a great book on the subject? Here it is!

Just finished: Father Arseny, 1893-1973: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father : Being the Narratives Compiled by the Servant of God Alexander Concerning His Spiritual Father

Next up: The End Is Near...Or Maybe Not!

I recommend a book by /u/im_just_saying called "The End is Near...Or Maybe Not!", which is about this question. Basically, all of these end times/rapture/Left Behind beliefs are a very new, and amillenialism is much more accurate to what the church has believed historically.

You might enjoy the new book by redditor I'm_just_saying, titled The End Is Near - Or Maybe Not!. It's a very quick read, but it's very good.

He's an Anglican and I'm Orthodox, but both of us (and the Catholics, and most other Protestants) agree with his teaching. In fact the only folks who have a different view on the end times are the Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, Adventists, and Dispensationalists - none of whom existed more than 150 years ago.

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(edit - I just noticed he's already linked to it in these comments. Ah well. Out of the mouths of two or three witnesses...)