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Post by Dreamers Delight on Aug 27, 2016 20:41:17 GMT -5
I will keep you all in my prayers!
Also, welcome to the group sweetclover!
And Im late on end of the world discussion as well, but I'd like to talk about it. Honestly, I hope it's coming soon. The world has been messed up for a very very long time. Though, I kind of hope to grow up and do all the things I wish to do. Like having my own family? I don't know. I know Heaven is perfect but there are things I just really want to do before its time you know? But then again, I don't want to put my wants before the creators.
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Post by Splintercat on Aug 27, 2016 20:47:21 GMT -5
I will keep you all in my prayers! Also, welcome to the group sweetclover! And Im late on end of the world discussion as well, but I'd like to talk about it. Honestly, I hope it's coming soon. The world has been messed up for a very very long time. Though, I kind of hope to grow up and do all the things I wish to do. Like having my own family? I don't know. I know Heaven is perfect but there are things I just really want to do before its time you know? But then again, I don't want to put my wants before the creators. Yeah I know what you mean. I'd like to get married before Jesus returns, but thinking about it more, I'm ok with it if I don't, because Jesus is better than marriage anyway. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2016 20:48:10 GMT -5
Welp, I am not assured by any beliefs, (I'm an atheist) so whenever reading about 'the end times', I have an existential crisis
how fun
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Post by Dreamers Delight on Aug 27, 2016 20:55:06 GMT -5
I will keep you all in my prayers! Also, welcome to the group sweetclover! And Im late on end of the world discussion as well, but I'd like to talk about it. Honestly, I hope it's coming soon. The world has been messed up for a very very long time. Though, I kind of hope to grow up and do all the things I wish to do. Like having my own family? I don't know. I know Heaven is perfect but there are things I just really want to do before its time you know? But then again, I don't want to put my wants before the creators. Yeah I know what you mean. I'd like to get married before Jesus returns, but thinking about it more, I'm ok with it if I don't, because Jesus is better than marriage anyway. I feel the same way. I know that Jesus is much better, but I just cant help to want these things. |
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Post by Splintercat on Aug 27, 2016 20:56:06 GMT -5
Welp, I am not assured by any beliefs, (I'm an atheist) so whenever reading about 'the end times', I have an existential crisis how fun Sorry to hear that  (unless you're joking and I'm dumb). Just because of the idea of the world ending, you mean? I mean obviously you don't believe that the Christian end times are going to happen |
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Post by Splintercat on Aug 27, 2016 20:56:32 GMT -5
Yeah I know what you mean. I'd like to get married before Jesus returns, but thinking about it more, I'm ok with it if I don't, because Jesus is better than marriage anyway. I feel the same way. I know that Jesus is much better, but I just cant help to want these things. Yeah I understand. Nothing wrong with wanting marriage or a family. |
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Post by Dreamers Delight on Aug 27, 2016 20:57:59 GMT -5
Welp, I am not assured by any beliefs, (I'm an atheist) so whenever reading about 'the end times', I have an existential crisis how fun Im sure we all do. But it's not necessarily the end. There's a much better and grander place for us where there will be no suffering. Also, I need to look more on this but I've talked about it with my grandparents and they say after the rapture we do come back and rein habit the Earth but there's no suffering. I really need to read more on the end times in my bible and form the opinion myself. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2016 20:58:10 GMT -5
Welp, I am not assured by any beliefs, (I'm an atheist) so whenever reading about 'the end times', I have an existential crisis how fun Sorry to hear that (unless you're joking and I'm dumb). Just because of the idea of the world ending, you mean? I mean obviously you don't believe that the Christian end times are going to happen I don't know that's my problem I can't rule out that they won't It's kind of worse because any of the religions could be correct and so I can't pick anything |
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Post by Dreamers Delight on Aug 27, 2016 21:00:22 GMT -5
Sorry to hear that (unless you're joking and I'm dumb). Just because of the idea of the world ending, you mean? I mean obviously you don't believe that the Christian end times are going to happen I don't know that's my problem I can't rule out that they won't It's kind of worse because any of the religions could be correct and so I can't pick anything I believe that's what a lot of people struggle with. I suggest reading and learning more about different religions and forming your own idea about them. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2016 21:02:35 GMT -5
To jump into the end of the world conversation, I think people throughout history have always felt that feeling of the world "crumbling around them" or "bound to end soon". If I remember correctly, it was a widespread belief that the end times were near 100 years after Jesus' death, but obviously there was still some time left.
There are loads of documentaries reciting how World War I and II are part of the signs of the beginning of the end of the world, but there have been devastating wars all around the world throughout all of history.
In a more general outlook, I think there are issues with Christian practice taking the Bible to be literally true. What I mean by that is should the end times occur as the Bible describes, it won't happen by the literal word-by-word description.
To help explain what I mean by taking the Bible literally, I don't think the Bible literally wants people to believe the world was created in 7 days, or that there was a secret garden somewhere with a nice looking apple and an evil talking snake. To me, that's all meant to be metaphorical to the world being created and humanity coming to existence, and we all are born inherently selfish.
I added in that last part with a purpose but it isn't directly related to the end of times discussion, but hopefully you flow with me.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2016 21:04:24 GMT -5
I don't know that's my problem I can't rule out that they won't It's kind of worse because any of the religions could be correct and so I can't pick anything I believe that's what a lot of people struggle with. I suggest reading and learning more about different religions and forming your own idea about them. you are the most accepting Christians I've ever met Well, to be fair, the only example of one I have is my aunt, who is absolutely insane |
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Post by Splintercat on Aug 27, 2016 21:08:33 GMT -5
Sorry to hear that (unless you're joking and I'm dumb). Just because of the idea of the world ending, you mean? I mean obviously you don't believe that the Christian end times are going to happen I don't know that's my problem I can't rule out that they won't It's kind of worse because any of the religions could be correct and so I can't pick anything Yeah I know what you mean. I still get anxiety sometimes about "what if my religion is wrong", but I've come to conclude based on historical evidence and lots of research that Christianity is probably the religion with the best shot at being right, so to speak |
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Post by Splintercat on Aug 27, 2016 21:09:40 GMT -5
I believe that's what a lot of people struggle with. I suggest reading and learning more about different religions and forming your own idea about them. you are the most accepting Christians I've ever met Well, to be fair, the only example of one I have is my aunt, who is absolutely insane Aw thanks! Sorry to hear about your aunt though. A lot of people have bad images of Christianity based off of a few insane Christians, which is unfortunate. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2016 21:09:55 GMT -5
I also hope that the end is coming soon. I used to panic a lot over it, but now I'm ready for it. The only thing that upsets me is the thought of my cats being left behind. The idea of them being left behind to fend for themselves with no food or shelter makes me cry. I don't want anything bad to happen to them, so I worry that they won't be in heaven with me. I want to think they will be, but the idea of them being left behind upsets me. That's the only thing I'm really concerned about.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2016 21:09:56 GMT -5
I don't know that's my problem I can't rule out that they won't It's kind of worse because any of the religions could be correct and so I can't pick anything Yeah I know what you mean. I still get anxiety sometimes about "what if my religion is wrong", but I've come to conclude based on historical evidence and lots of research that Christianity is probably the religion with the best shot at being right, so to speak in my head : but there are so many how do I choose |
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Post by Splintercat on Aug 27, 2016 21:10:59 GMT -5
Welp, I am not assured by any beliefs, (I'm an atheist) so whenever reading about 'the end times', I have an existential crisis how fun Im sure we all do. But it's not necessarily the end. There's a much better and grander place for us where there will be no suffering. Also, I need to look more on this but I've talked about it with my grandparents and they say after the rapture we do come back and rein habit the Earth but there's no suffering. I really need to read more on the end times in my bible and form the opinion myself. Yeah that's the millenialist view, that after the 7-year Tribulation we'll return to reign with Christ on Earth for a thousand years. I for one think that sounds really cool |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2016 21:18:06 GMT -5
( I kind of want to jump into the discussion but I have no idea what is going on, don't mind me x.o )
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Post by Splintercat on Aug 27, 2016 21:21:20 GMT -5
To jump into the end of the world conversation, I think people throughout history have always felt that feeling of the world "crumbling around them" or "bound to end soon". If I remember correctly, it was a widespread belief that the end times were near 100 years after Jesus' death, but obviously there was still some time left. There are loads of documentaries reciting how World War I and II are part of the signs of the beginning of the end of the world, but there have been devastating wars all around the world throughout all of history. In a more general outlook, I think there are issues with Christian practice taking the Bible to be literally true. What I mean by that is should the end times occur as the Bible describes, it won't happen by the literal word-by-word description. To help explain what I mean by taking the Bible literally, I don't think the Bible literally wants people to believe the world was created in 7 days, or that there was a secret garden somewhere with a nice looking apple and an evil talking snake. To me, that's all meant to be metaphorical to the world being created and humanity coming to existence, and we all are born inherently selfish. I added in that last part with a purpose but it isn't directly related to the end of times discussion, but hopefully you flow with me. I agree that we definitely have no idea when the world will actually end, because as you said, people have been predicting it since the time of the apostles. Also there's a view called preterism which holds that the events of Revelation actually happened in AD 70 with the fall of Jerusalem. I don't agree with it but I think it's interesting and has valid points. |
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Post by Splintercat on Aug 27, 2016 21:22:04 GMT -5
( I kind of want to jump into the discussion but I have no idea what is going on, don't mind me x.o ) End of the world n stuff, feel free to jump in regardless of knowing what's going on  |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2016 21:25:12 GMT -5
in my head : but there are so many how do I choose Unfortunately, I don't think anyone can tell how you to choose your religion. That's a personal decision that's completely up to you in the end, in this case. The best others can do is give advice and information. My coworkers and I talked about religion a lot while working together, and we talked a lot about the most major religions there are. We all agreed that for any legitimate religion that follows a God or Gods - there's more to obtaining 'eternal salvation' than just believing in them. I might sound blasphemous saying this, but there are many, many good people who live good lives who believe in different, sometimes contrasting religions. I believe it is ignorant and stupid to say that some of them get eternal salvation while others get condemned. But please know that these words come from a non-believer. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2016 21:26:40 GMT -5
Oh, I know a bit about that cx But I only have a KJV Bible.
I love the idea of a Bible study, I've never been part of one before though.
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Post by Splintercat on Aug 27, 2016 21:27:41 GMT -5
I also hope that the end is coming soon. I used to panic a lot over it, but now I'm ready for it. The only thing that upsets me is the thought of my cats being left behind. The idea of them being left behind to fend for themselves with no food or shelter makes me cry. I don't want anything bad to happen to them, so I worry that they won't be in heaven with me. I want to think they will be, but the idea of them being left behind upsets me. That's the only thing I'm really concerned about. There's a service called "After the Rapture Pet Care" or something to that effect which offers to take care of your pets after the Rapture for a one-time payment of 5 dollars or so. It was created by Christians and is staffed, of course, by atheists, so that there are actually people around to take care of your pets. You give them your address or something and if the Rapture happens they come to take care of your pets. Idk if it's really worth looking into or not but it's an interesting idea. I'd also think of Luke 12:24: "Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!" God takes care of His creation. I think of that verse whenever I get anxious about my dogs getting lost or whatever. |
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Post by Splintercat on Aug 27, 2016 21:29:16 GMT -5
Oh, I know a bit about that cx But I only have a KJV Bible. I love the idea of a Bible study, I've never been part of one before though. It'll be, like, totally rad, man. I hope. We'll talk about things and stuff n itll be gr8. Don't worry about having a different version, it shouldn't affect much, I just wanted a standardized version so that there wouldn't be any confusion when quoting verses c: |
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Post by Dreamers Delight on Aug 27, 2016 21:30:49 GMT -5
I believe that's what a lot of people struggle with. I suggest reading and learning more about different religions and forming your own idea about them. you are the most accepting Christians I've ever met Well, to be fair, the only example of one I have is my aunt, who is absolutely insane I understand what you mean. My friend's grandmother guilt trips her into coming to church with her by saying: Oh you look so much like your mother, you know, she would have loved for you to go to church with me. (Her mother died when she was younger and from what I understand and hear from her step-grandma that her mother didn't go to church) Im glad you find us accepting. Yeah that's the millenialist view, that after the 7-year Tribulation we'll return to reign with Christ on Earth for a thousand years. I for one think that sounds really cool I do as well. I used to say that we are aliens on Earth and Heaven is truly our home. But I don't say that anymore now that I was shown this view. While Heaven is also our home, I believe Heaven will be on Earth. |
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Post by Splintercat on Aug 27, 2016 21:33:54 GMT -5
Yeah I know what you mean. I still get anxiety sometimes about "what if my religion is wrong", but I've come to conclude based on historical evidence and lots of research that Christianity is probably the religion with the best shot at being right, so to speak in my head : but there are so many how do I choose I agree with the Dark Knight that nobody can tell you how to choose your religion. (I don't agree with everything he said but we won't get into that, his is a valid viewpoint.) All I can tell you is that I, personally, have found Christianity to have the best explanatory power for the things we see in history, in science, and in the world around us, and that I have also personally experienced the effects of being saved by the grace of Christ. I'd say just do your research and pray that, if God exists, He will lead you to the right conclusion. Good luck whatever you choose to do~ |
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Post by Splintercat on Aug 27, 2016 21:39:38 GMT -5
you are the most accepting Christians I've ever met Well, to be fair, the only example of one I have is my aunt, who is absolutely insane I understand what you mean. My friend's grandmother guilt trips her into coming to church with her by saying: Oh you look so much like your mother, you know, she would have loved for you to go to church with me. (Her mother died when she was younger and from what I understand and hear from her step-grandma that her mother didn't go to church) Im glad you find us accepting. Yeah that's the millenialist view, that after the 7-year Tribulation we'll return to reign with Christ on Earth for a thousand years. I for one think that sounds really cool I do as well. I used to say that we are aliens on Earth and Heaven is truly our home. But I don't say that anymore now that I was shown this view. While Heaven is also our home, I believe Heaven will be on Earth. Yep. My pastor had a great sermon on this a few weeks ago. Most people have this idea of heaven as a purely spiritual place in the clouds where we float around playing harps all day, but the reality is that God's entire goal throughout the Bible has been to restore His creation to the state it was in when He created it. There's definitely some sort of "holding place" right now where spirits hang out waiting for Christ to go back to Earth, but the "final" heaven will be an entirely real and physical planet in a real and physical universe where we'll hang out in our real and physical bodies with our real and physical Savior. I sometimes get overwhelmed just thinking about it: a whole new planet, restored to perfection, with a city half the size of Africa that we'll all live in with God Himself. It's gonna be so awesome. |
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Post by Cloverfrost on Aug 27, 2016 21:41:18 GMT -5
Welp, I am not assured by any beliefs, (I'm an atheist) so whenever reading about 'the end times', I have an existential crisis how fun Same, but I recon if Jesus is still kicking in the clouds, then he'd be a cool dude. As one of my favourite musicians put it: "I've never known Jesus, but I think we'd be friends / if he went to my school it was cool and we kicked it in chem" So if he does end the world and doom all us atheists to hell, I recon he'd save a spot for the nice ones The world's going to end for humans at some point anyway. Our destructive practices will wipe ourselves out and mother nature will continue on without us. Then the sun will explode and wipe out all life on earth. The universe doesn't care about our plights, so I say let's just enjoy ourselves and help others enjoy themselves while we're on this tiny little rock, or enjoy ourselves in the afterlife if that happens. On another note, I looked it up and the highest percentage that I saw of people who found that religion was not at all important to their lives in Australia was 70% in 2008, but I'm not sure how true that is. It makes sense since we're more closely aligned with secular Asia (but I've seen estimates from 20–50% so who knows). The government is still managing to block marriage equality though :,) And one of my favourite politicians said recently "we are a Christian country not an Islamic country, their culture shouldn't influence our laws" :,,,,)))) And they still pray in parliament?? And the Australian Christian Lobby is super powerful. Anyway sorry this turned into a separation of church & state rant but yeah Australia is technically secular. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2016 21:50:10 GMT -5
I missed the end times discussion but i think it's coming soon because look at everything going on
it's madness
but yeah idk when but it's coming
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2016 21:50:28 GMT -5
SplintercatAt a time the chat isn't so busy, I'd love to discuss stuff. But only if you want to. Same with everyone else, of course. Also, I looked into chatzy and the free Virtual Room option is a pretty good one, it gives a lot of options and isn't too complicated. I personally think that'd be better than the forums for the specific chat dates, but people could always talk about it outside the chats on here as well.
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Post by Dreamers Delight on Aug 27, 2016 21:52:57 GMT -5
I understand what you mean. My friend's grandmother guilt trips her into coming to church with her by saying: Oh you look so much like your mother, you know, she would have loved for you to go to church with me. (Her mother died when she was younger and from what I understand and hear from her step-grandma that her mother didn't go to church) Im glad you find us accepting. I do as well. I used to say that we are aliens on Earth and Heaven is truly our home. But I don't say that anymore now that I was shown this view. While Heaven is also our home, I believe Heaven will be on Earth. Yep. My pastor had a great sermon on this a few weeks ago. Most people have this idea of heaven as a purely spiritual place in the clouds where we float around playing harps all day, but the reality is that God's entire goal throughout the Bible has been to restore His creation to the state it was in when He created it. There's definitely some sort of "holding place" right now where spirits hang out waiting for Christ to go back to Earth, but the "final" heaven will be an entirely real and physical planet in a real and physical universe where we'll hang out in our real and physical bodies with our real and physical Savior. I sometimes get overwhelmed just thinking about it: a whole new planet, restored to perfection, with a city half the size of Africa that we'll all live in with God Himself. It's gonna be so awesome. So would you say it's like purgatory? Like some Catholics believe? But then again, it is Heaven and they are with God and Christ so it'd be different. My friend who is Catholic believes there's like a waiting line for your judgement and it's interesting to hear about. But, I feel we already have been waiting on Earth and God is out of our perception of time, so there would be no wait. |
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(unless you're joking and I'm dumb). Just because of the idea of the world ending, you mean? I mean obviously you don't believe that the Christian end times are going to happen
