Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifetime?
 

I saw this on a link that Margie posted,

"In a 2006 study by the Pew Forum and the Pew Research Center, 79 percent of U.S. Christians said they believe Jesus will return to the Earth someday. But only 20 percent believe it will occur in their lifetime."

This made me wonder how AFFers would answer.

Please vote.

I know "no man knows" but do you really expect it to happen before you die?

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

I used to think so... but the older I get... LOL!! Not so sure anymore!

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

Once we made it past the year 2000 my whole perspective changed.

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

I think it is a high possibility He will return in my life time, but I'm young. So, I would think that it is possible and thought I'd rather not live through the End Times, as the Bible talks so much about persecution, but I know that it would be so wonderful to see Him coming in the clouds!

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

Have you read "9 Reasons Why The Rapture Will Be In 2009"? :toofunny

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

Hi Timmy, if you're talking to me, I'll answer, no, I have not read that. Is that the whole title of the book?

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

I sincerely believe He could. I am looking for Him.

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

It was TIC. Remember, or hear about, the actual book "88 Reasons The Rapture Will Be in 1988"?

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

I don't remember that book, as I'm young, wasn't reading quite yet in '88! LOL

I think of a song that says, "Watch ye, therefore, you know not the day when the Lord shall call us all away!......" No one really knows, I don't think, when He's coming back, but I'm sure looking forward to it no matter what.

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

I just remember the entire 80's when everyone knew that the rapture could happen at any moment, and was likely to "any day".

I graduated in 88 and a few years prior to that honestly believed that I would never see that day, much less getting married or owning a home.

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

I don't really care.

I don't really know what I believe the Bible to say regarding eschatology anyhow.

But about a return or rapture or end times during my lifetime? None of that would change anything about how I live my life so I don't really care if it happens or not.

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

On the whole issue of God's return...

I don't understand either side of the issue.

Why would God tell a group of people "I'll be back" and 2000 years on... 50 generations later... still waiting.

And... why 2000.... 2009... 2047 years and then HERE I AM....?

What would cause the 2000+ year delay?

And.. after 2000+ years... what is it about now... or next year... or 38 years from now that makes it the time?

It just doesn't make any sense.

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

When I was a little girl I believed I would not see my adult years,now I dont know if Jesus is coming in my life time,but the world is meaner than it ever was.My parents say that in the 50s and 60s poeple were innocent compred to today.

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

My parents and grandparents thought the Lord would definitely return during their lifetime. Of course we feel the same way, but WHO KNOWS? I just want to be ready.

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

I can only shake my head at the total agreement with this comment. It's amazing how society has changed and how numb and acceptable so many things are to people today.

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

Oh,Say But I'm Glad

There is a song in my heart today
Something I never had;
Jesus has taken my sins away
O say but I'm glad

CHORUS:
Oh, say but I'm glad I'm glad
Oh, say but I'm glad I'm glad
Jesus has come and my cup's over run
Oh, say but I'm glad!

He came to me and I enjoy HIS PRESENCE daily!
When I could not go to where He was, HE came to
me.

HE CAME TO ME
by Squire Parsons

The gulf that separated me from Christ, my Lord,
It was so vast the crossing I could never ford;
From where I was to His domain, it seemed so far;
I cried, "Dear Lord, I cannot come to where you are."

He came to me, O, He came to me.
When I could not come to where He was, He came to me.
That's why He died on Calvary;
When I could not come to where He was, He came to me.

He came to me when I was bound in chains of sin,
He came to me when I possessed no hope within;
He picked me up and He drew me gently to His side,
Where, today, in His sweet love I now abide.

Jesus said Blessed are they that have not seen,
yet have believed. I am a believer! Can't speak
for anyone else, but I chose to believe and see
Him through eyes of faith. My LORD and My GOD!

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me,
thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and
yet have believed John 20:29 KJV

Without faith it is impossible to please Him. For He that cometh
to God MUST believe that HE IS, and that HE IS a REWARDER
of them that diligently SEEK Him. (Seek and you shall find).
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

How do we expect to SEE Him, when HE is IN us! Jesus walked
and talked to his disciples on earth. He told them he was with
them but would be with them. But he would have to leave first.
He told them that he would send the Comforter, the Spirit of
Truth to lead them and guide them into all truth. Then He said,
I will not leave you COMFORTLESS. I WILL come to you.

Jesus said it was better that He go away. He would send something
better. Jesus said BLESSED are they that believe, THOUGH they
have NOT SEEN. Can you believe something you cannot see with
physical eyes. By faith I see the road's last bending ... Angelic
voices, sweetly blending. Oh may I HEAR HIM say "well done".
Earth's toil is ended, Welcome Home, MY SON!!!

If you do not SEE HIM through eyes of FAITH, you may never
see HIM as HE IS. And every man/woman that hath this HOPE IN
HIM purifith himself, even as HE IS PURE!:heart

No offence. My thoughts.

Falla39

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

That was in fact a weaker case than the book with a similar title that came out in 2001.

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

Funny I remember many of those tongues and interpretations from the 80's that always said something like "I am coming soon" makes me wonder if God doesn't know about communicating to an audience (Apparently He doesn't know what "soon" means to His audience) or it was simply folks making stuff up after watching those left behind films. hmmmmm.

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

That's why we all must accept the APOSTOLIC FULL PRETERIST view that He already came back - but YOU failed to notice!!!

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

Would you conclude that Paul got his signals crossed as well?


Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 Thess 2:1

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

When I was a young lad (19) and came into Christianity, the SOON return of the Lord was an often heard sermon.

Evangelists were shouting it loud and clear. Br. Joe Duke was preaching a revival in Florida. Night after night it was Jesus is comiong soon. It was Janary and he said he did not we'd see Christmas befroer Jesus came back and caught us all away...well not all of us, probably just half us would make it.

I do believe this vein of preraching hurt our churches back in the 70's and 80's

Now today, you rarley hear a message about Jesus coming back again, SOON.

That type of preaching has definetly changed over the years.

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

I don't think Paul said, "He is coming soon" and then He didn't come. So either Paul didn't say he is coming soon, or He said Jesus is coming soon and He did.

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

I'm sorry - I disagree... The world was a pretty rotten place at times in the 1960's and from what I've read, the 1950's as well. But there were also some pretty nice times as well.

I was certainly more innocent then, but I was just a kid.

Can you imagine what it must have been like to live in the days of the Mongol Invasions? I bet folks were praying hard for the Lord's return when Tamerlane was building pyramids out of human skulls.

Or the Black Death? Talk about being visited by one of the 4 Horsemen.

The oldest archeological site in my state that contains human remains shows that the humans had been butchered and eaten by another human being. That must have been a rather bleak period. The dates approach 8 or 9 thousand years ago, if I remember correctly.

When things get you down you should read history. All things considered, we've got it pretty good. I'm about to eat breakfast, but my coworkers are safe!

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

You're Digging too deep!

:toofunny

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

Because of this mindset I married very young. I thought that if I didn't, I'd never have a chance to get married. Now I've been married forever. I made a lot of decisions back in the 80's that were fueled by the idea that Jesus was coming possibly in '84, but if not then, definitely in 2000. As a child, I honestly never expected to be on earth past the year 2000. Every year since then has been a bonus for me. :lol

I also disagree with the idea that the world is in worse shape now than it's ever been. The world has always been a mess. Look at the stuff in the Bible!! A lot of stuff that went on then would still be unacceptable in our world. Or at least it's not mainstream. Temple prostitutes? Homosexuals beating down your door trying to get to your guest?

The Bible is chock full of rape, incest, murder, prostitution, homosexuality.... on and on. Look at some of the issues Paul had to deal with in Corinth.

Maybe America is worse off morally than they were 200 years ago, or at least it's more open about its sin. There was still plenty to go around, though. The world has had major problems ever since Cain and Abel ran into trouble.

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

People have been setting dates (or time ranges, or deadlines) for a looooong time. BTW, I read some of the 88 Reasons book. 4 or 5 reasons, maybe. Then :bored. Those didn't have anything to do with 1988, but were justifications (in the author's mind) of why he could peg it to a particular year, and not violate the scripture saying no man knows the day or hour. See, he didn't name a day, or an hour! Yeah, see, he named a year! :doh

Never saw the sequel, 89 Reasons!

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

Yes, I do! :)

But, if He doesn't, I'll still be looking for Him til the day I die. :)

What is a lifetime anyway......a vaporish whisp of a few days and then

it's gone.

Be ye ready......for in an hour that ye think not.....

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

Precisely!!

I can tell you my mother's comment. She said when Hitler invaded Poland in 1939 they really expected that to be the "end". Preachers preached it!

WWII came and went. It has always been so.

I remember an ABI drama in '73.....over and over the line quoted was 13 years, 13 months, 13 days, you get the picture.Of course this was based on the prophesy belief of that time---1986! Per SG's teachings re 14 years of tribulation and the cut off being 2000.
We never expected to see 2009 ------------------and yet here we are!

A pastor I had in the 80"s told us not to worry about the "time", just to live right so we'd be ready. (this was before the 88 reasons book) He always said it didn't matter your belief ---pre trib, mid trib or post trib--just to be ready.

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

I have no idea when He will come, but I believe He will, and I'm looking forward to the day I see Jesus face to face!!!! :) Whether it is when I die, or if He comes back before I die--it doesn't matter.

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

very true. Read about the aristocracy of England in the early 1800's; no morals to speak of.

Just like this recession is the worst ever (tic)....due to the fact that we now have 24 hr news to proclaim it . No one remembers the early 80's which was actually worse; but no CNN to cheer us up:foottap

Same thing re the moral decay of 2009. Yes, our country has the morals of the proverbial alley cat and unfortunately it seems to be accepted, but it's not necessarily "New" sin.

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

:ursofunny:ursofunny Okay heres a question if he came back already then what happens? Do we live out our lives then die and go to heaven?I have the holyghost with evidence of tongues.Is the holyghost what you mean about him comming back again already?Im just wondering what this means.:heart:heart:heart:heart:heart

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

That was excelent!!:heart:heart

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

Thank you, Sister!:heart

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

Correction: Originally by Falla39

How do we expect to SEE Him, when HE is IN us! Jesus walked
and talked to his disciples on earth. He told them he was with
them but would be IN them. But he would have to leave first.
He told them that he would send the Comforter, the Spirit of
Truth to lead them and guide them into all truth. Then He said,
I will not leave you COMFORTLESS. I WILL come to you.

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

Go 'head on then...

Good stuff.

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

The AFP people never answered my question about that... they promised to get back with me, but so far nothing.

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/c...1132792833.gif

But I disagree with the doom and gloomers that today's world is somehow worse than the past. We've got it good compared to the past. Just look at the population figures. And it's been a long time since anyone was eaten by a cave bear. There are lots of problems, but nothing like it was 1,000 years ago.

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

Take ONE loaf of BREAD, Bless it, break it and give it out.

As long as remains one loaf, it is pretty well limited as to how many it will feed.

But put it into the MASTER's Hands and let (Allow,Permit) Him to bless it, break
it, and let HIM give it out. It is enough for ALL WHO WILL COME.

Come And Dine

Jesus has a table spread
Where the saints of God are fed,
He invites His chosen people, “Come and dine”;
With His manna He doth feed
And supplies our every need:
O ’tis sweet to sup with Jesus all the time!

Chorus:
“Come and dine,” the Master calleth, “Come and dine”;
You may feast at Jesus’ table all the time;
He Who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine,
To the hungry calleth now, “Come and dine.”

The disciples came to land,
Thus obeying Christ’s command,
For the Master called unto them, “Come and dine”;
There they found their heart’s desire,
Bread and fish upon the fire;
Thus He satisfies the hungry every time.

Soon the Lamb will take His bride
To be ever at His side,
All the host of Heaven will assembled be;
O ’twill be a glorious sight,
All the saints in spotless white;
And with Jesus they will feast eternally.


Jesus spent three and one half days with his beloved disciples, sowing seeds of
His Word into them. Then spent around forty more days, appearing and explaining
the things written in the law and the prophets concerning HIM. HE then opened
their understanding THAT they MIGHT UNDERSTAND the scriptures. He had told
them before that that "the words I speak unto you, they ARE SPIRIT and they ARE
LIFE!! LIFE-GIVING. Man cannot live by BREAD ALONE, BUT by EVERY WORD that
proceedeth out of the mouth of GOD

Jesus said He was that bread of Life.

Falla39

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

If he has come back already then those who die in the Lord would go on to fulfill the scripture... so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Re: Do You Believe Jesus Will Return in Your Lifet
 

Pretty funny you start spewing something that was not mentioned in the text and context of the 50's and 60's in AMERICA.... Nothing is ever perfect but the context of how people thought and did things was extremely different than today. sheesh way to pick up on that LOL!