Hypothetical About The Second Coming

[Matthan]

I have occasionally been accused of having too much time on my hands, causing me to think about silly or even foolish things. So, with that said, here is another of my silly thoughts.

The headlines were clear. An asteroid might strike earth in 2036. "KW4" is actually a pair of light weight, porous clusters of rubble that circle each other as they move in their orbit. They will definitely pass very close to earth again in 2036.

But, remember that asteroid orbits change slightly with time because of gravitaional tugs by the sun and planets, among other factors.

Now, here is where we get to the fun part. The year 2033 will be the 2,000 year anniversery of the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord Jesus, which is the actual point in time for the beginning of God's New Covenant with mankind. Could it be that God might just cause the seven-year end-times period to begin then? And remember Revelation 8:10-11 tells us,
"10. And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; 11. And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter."
The timing might be about right, right? An angel gives this porous (wormwood?) asteroid a little nudge, and it is suddenly a falling star that torments humans during the tribulation.

Now, I am completely aware that only God knows when the end times will appear. Still, could this be something to at least consider?

Please do not beat on me for this thread. It is for discussion, but that is all. I am not a conspiracy freak, but only a guy with too much time on my hands...

Matthan

[RichardT]

could happen, but also could not happen. idk, I like thinking about these things too..

[Gear853]

very good topic, maybe talk to your pastor about this? as i will, with my pastor and my love.

but the fact is pretty clean eh. we will never know what will happen. so dont start jumping off bridges yet!

[Jim1927]

If you "suppose" yourself into a situation, you b est "suppose" yourself out of it.

In the meantime, stand firm on those things which are concrete, and sure in the Lord. We can spend far too much time in a void and accomplish nothing beneficial to the soul.

Cheers,

Jim

[DeaconDean]

It could happen, but if I read the Bible correctly, I'll be raptured out before this happens so I'm not gonna worry about it.

Also, stars were often quite frequently used with reference to people. The stars falling could be a reference to presidents or leaders or people in high places falling.

Just something to consider.

God Bless

Till all are one.

[arunma]

could happen, but also could not happen. idk, I like thinking about these things too..

Richard, once again forgive me for not letting this go. But if you believe that the Sun orbits the earth, then you effectively reject the Newtonian theory of gravity. As such, you don't need to worry about asteroids, because it is impossible for them to be attracted to the earth.

[macrohard]

There are so many Earth orbit crossing asteriods, (plus ones that havent been sighted) that really a asteriod impact could happen anytime.

As for Wormwood, that seems to be more described as a comet, not an asteroid.

[Gear853]

when you look around the end of the world seem to be coming closer and closer...

with the possibility N. Korea, and Iran having nuclear weapons. terrorist actions....it's pretty scary when you look at it.

[arunma]

when you look around the end of the world seem to be coming closer and closer...

with the possibility N. Korea, and Iran having nuclear weapons. terrorist actions....it's pretty scary when you look at it.

This is true. But from my (admittedly limited) understanding of Scripture, it seems that the Second Advent is an act of God rather than of man. And indeed it says in many places that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. Since Christ told us that people would be marrying and giving in marriage as in the days of Noah, I would expect that the Lord's day of vengeance would come during a time of peace.

Just my $0.02 anyway...

[RED that's ME]

lol My Sunday School teacher this past Sunday, talked about how generation after generation when asked, "Do you think Jesus will return in your life time?" the answer was *yes.*

He said, *there's no telling how many more generations will be asked or think the same. The important thing is to be ready.* :)

[HolyRedeemer]

Something that occured to me recently is...

Perhaps the second coming of Christ that is preached and prophesied in the bible is the point of death for everyone. Even those that died before the events of Jesus.

Assuming time ceaces to exist for our souls at the moment of death and time is non existant for God, which would mean every "thing" is present to Him, then it would seem to make sense to me that all of us, and the rest of humanity of all time are among the dead when Christ descended to the dead. This then, would be the "second coming".

[Matthan]

Something that occured to me recently is...

Perhaps the second coming of Christ that is preached and prophesied in the bible is the point of death for everyone. Even those that died before the events of Jesus.

Assuming time ceaces to exist for our souls at the moment of death and time is non existant for God, which would mean every "thing" is present to Him, then it would seem to make sense to me that all of us, and the rest of humanity of all time are among the dead when Christ descended to the dead. This then, would be the "second coming".
HR, I believe you have managed to combine two distinctly different yet critically important concepts into one thought process. While it is true that time ceases for the dead, the second coming of Christ is a distinctly separate event that will occur at some future and unknown point in (earth's) time.

Our eternal future is determined solely on what we believe, or do not believe, while active in this current life. When we die, our eternity will be spent in either Heaven or perdition. And the condition of our soles at that instant is the sole determining factor (no pun intended). If we believe in Jesus as the Christ of God, then we are Heaven bound. If we do not believe that fact, or if we do not believe that fact sufficiently for God's satisfaction, then we are doomed forever.

I do not intend to dump on you or your beliefs, but this scriptural fact is the reason no place like purgatory could possibly exist. Death is the only endpoint of earthly life, and when we reach that precise point we will either pass from life to life eternal, or we will pass from life to eternal separation from God. There is absolutely no way (according to God) that any person who does not have salvation by God's grace at the end of his life can possibly be rehabilitated to a sin-forgiven state in the eyes of God, at least according to all that is found in Scripture. Some men may declare differently, but I will always believe God on all spiritual matters.

Matthan

[Bibleman117]

Well, of course no one knows the time or day and it doesn't come about by our careful calculation, but it's the Hebrew year 5767. That leaves 233 years until we reach the Hebrew year 6000. Most of you have probably heard of the theory that there will be 6000 years of strife followed by 1000 years of peace (Christ's reign on Earth for 1000 years), mirroring the 6 days of Creation followed by 1 day of rest.

This brings up another point. If the second coming is delayed until 200 or so years from now, will people be living on other planets by then, including Mars? If so, will the Revelation trials apply to them not living on Earth? Is that what is meant by Jesus gathering His elect "from one end of the heavens to the other" (Matt. 24:31, Mark 13:27)? Just speculations of course.

[edb19]

I have occasionally been accused of having too much time on my hands, causing me to think about silly or even foolish things. So, with that said, here is another of my silly thoughts.

The headlines were clear. An asteroid might strike earth in 2036. "KW4" is actually a pair of light weight, porous clusters of rubble that circle each other as they move in their orbit. They will definitely pass very close to earth again in 2036.

But, remember that asteroid orbits change slightly with time because of gravitaional tugs by the sun and planets, among other factors.

Now, here is where we get to the fun part. The year 2033 will be the 2,000 year anniversery of the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord Jesus, which is the actual point in time for the beginning of God's New Covenant with mankind. Could it be that God might just cause the seven-year end-times period to begin then? And remember Revelation 8:10-11 tells us,

The timing might be about right, right? An angel gives this porous (wormwood?) asteroid a little nudge, and it is suddenly a falling star that torments humans during the tribulation.

Now, I am completely aware that only God knows when the end times will appear. Still, could this be something to at least consider?

Please do not beat on me for this thread. It is for discussion, but that is all. I am not a conspiracy freak, but only a guy with too much time on my hands...

Matthan

Unless your home is lined with aluminum foil I won't worry about you being a conspiracy theorist.

Having said that - I read your post and found it interesting, but it won't occupy my mind past this. I don't spend a lot of time thinking about when our Lord is returning. Rather I pray, like John, "come quickly." The reality is that we've been living in the end times since Christ's ascension and will be until His return. Knowing that God has the perfect time is sufficient for me - I don't need the details.

[Matthan]

The aluminum foil is reserved only for my "special" room down in the basement. Spock likes to hang out there, and we occasionally do the "mind-meld" thing....

More seriously, I agree with your post. I just had that thought after reading the news articles, and wanted some of the folks here to give input on it. Just for fun, if you know what I mean....

Matthan

[HolyRedeemer]

HR, I believe you have managed to combine two distinctly different yet critically important concepts into one thought process. While it is true that time ceases for the dead, the second coming of Christ is a distinctly separate event that will occur at some future and unknown point in (earth's) time.

Well, I was thinking, there is no definate interpretation of the second coming. So if we remove the notion that His second coming is physical, then this idea becomes plausable. We could die tomorrow, we don't know - our death will come like a "thief in the night". All we know for sure is that He is coming, but beyond that, the description given to us is vague. We also know Jesus descended to the dead. Who's there? If time is non existant in the spritual realm, then logically, all of us are there. Right? So imagine what it "was" like when Jesus-God, descended to the dead - imagine that scene if you can. Think of the descriptions in Revalation of Jesus' second coming...who knows, I don't claim to know, but I also know no one else knows for sure either. I must have too much time on my hands too.;)

Our eternal future is determined solely on what we believe, or do not believe, while active in this current life. When we die, our eternity will be spent in either Heaven or perdition. And the condition of our soles at that instant is the sole determining factor (no pun intended). If we believe in Jesus as the Christ of God, then we are Heaven bound. If we do not believe that fact, or if we do not believe that fact sufficiently for God's satisfaction, then we are doomed forever.

:thumbsup: I essentially agree!

I do not intend to dump on you or your beliefs, but this scriptural fact is the reason no place like purgatory could possibly exist.

No worries :wave:

I don't think I'm supposed to debate here with you - so I won't.

But I will say,(and sorry, I do not intend to dump on you or your beliefs), but judging by what you wrote after this statement, it is very obvious to me that you misunderstand the teachings of the Holy See on the concept of purgatory.
:wave:
Some simple research and you can learn the true teaching.

Death is the only endpoint of earthly life, and when we reach that precise point we will either pass from life to life eternal, or we will pass from life to eternal separation from God. There is absolutely no way (according to God) that any person who does not have salvation by God's grace at the end of his life can possibly be rehabilitated to a sin-forgiven state in the eyes of God, at least according to all that is found in Scripture. Some men may declare differently, but I will always believe God on all spiritual matters.

Matthan

:thumbsup: Once again, I could not agree more.

[~InHisHands~]

Matthan I've questioned the same thing while pondering this whole issue of the asteroid thing ever since hearing about it. Good topic.

And Deacon...maybe I'm not understanding the scripture correctly but, every verse I've ever read that speaks of the rapture always states that is not going to happen until Christ returns which would ultimately mean we will have to go through tribulation.

1Thessalonians 4
13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.

[Pepperoni]

Something that occured to me recently is...

Perhaps the second coming of Christ that is preached and prophesied in the bible is the point of death for everyone. Even those that died before the events of Jesus.

Assuming time ceaces to exist for our souls at the moment of death and time is non existant for God, which would mean every "thing" is present to Him, then it would seem to make sense to me that all of us, and the rest of humanity of all time are among the dead when Christ descended to the dead. This then, would be the "second coming".
You know, I have to admit that this is a very interesting theory. I wouldn't rule it out. Although I Thessalonians 4:15-17 seems to contradict this. That seems to speak of one event, and even with the "time being non-existent" issue . . . well like I said it's an interesting theory just the same and deserves further thought. Sometimes we as humans have trouble discerning what is literal in the Bible from what is figurative.

[JPPT1974]

You know, I have to admit that this is a very interesting theory. I wouldn't rule it out. Although I Thessalonians 4:15-17 seems to contradict this. That seems to speak of one event, and even with the "time being non-existent" issue . . . well like I said it's an interesting theory just the same and deserves further thought. Sometimes we as humans have trouble discerning what is literal in the Bible from what is figurative.

But remember the Bible never, ever
Contradicts nothing as Christ is perfect
And sinless as He never compromises anything
At all as He is a God of His word!

[daveleau]

Not to throw a wrench into this, but Jesus was born between 4-6BC. He was crucified at age 33. So, the 2000 year anniversary would be somewhere between 2027 and 2029. But, the church age is has no specified length. We know about the 69 7 year periods that culminate in Christ's crucifixion, and the last 7 year period that is the Tribulation, but the duration of time in between is unknown. It could be 2000, or it could be 4000. We don't know. It would be awesome to be walking on earth one minute and walking in Heaven the next, though. That would be awesome. I do hope to get to experience the rapture.

2027 is about the time I'd be finishing school (yes, seriously) and looking for full time ministry work. Talk about bad timing on my part, if God did design a 2000 year church age. Spending all my time getting ready, then finally finishing only to wake up and know everything from the Source, Himself. :)

In Him,
Dave

BTW, this is NOT my house below. :D
http://www.rimron.co.uk/experimental/tinfoil_house.png

[Andyman_1970]

And remember Revelation 8:10-11 tells us,

Quote:
"10. And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; 11. And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter."

This assumes the author meant this to be a literal discription of this event and not a picture of something else. It's important to remember that the book of Revelation is classic Jewish apocyliptic literature (just like many books of the apocrypha [sp?]), and the Jewish way of writing in this style is heavily reliant on the use of symbols, images, metaphors of the Text and not a literal understanding.

For example, in Daniel when he describes a celestial body crashing into Babylon and destroying it, did the event historically actually happen, or was the author using imagery to describe a real historical event?