12 Most Common Mistakes People Make About Bible Prophecy and the Endtimes

By John Noē

"Test Everything. Hold on to the good"
--1 Thessalonians 5:21

John Noe Study Archive | The Only Defense in the Major Case Against Christ, Christianity, and the Bible. | Armageddon: Past or Future? | Restoring the Kingdom-of-God Worldview to the Church and the World | 12 Most Common Mistakes People Make About Bible Prophecy and the Endtimes | 7 Demanding Evidences Why Christ Returned As and When He Said He Would | What About Paul's Man of Sin? | Are the End Times Behind Us? | The Millennial Book Awards

1. LIFTING "THE LAST DAYS" OUT OF THEIR 1ST CENTURY, HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND RE-APPLYING THEM TO OUR TIMES, TODAY.

One problem: every mention of "the last days" or equivalents [last times, last hour] in the New Testament refers to the 1st Century. There are no exceptions. Check: Hebrews 1:2; Acts 2:17; 1 timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:1; James 5:3; 2 Peter 3:3; Jude 18; 1 John 2:18.

2. SEPARATING DANIEL'S 70TH WEEK FROM HIS OTHER 69 WEEKS, INSERTING A TIME GAP OF INDETERMINATABLE LENGTH AND CALLING IT A FUTURE, 7-YEAR TRIBULATION PERIOD.

Daniel's 70 Weeks of years [490 years] were literally, perfectly and sequentially fulfilled, within the time frame of his four world empires. Its starting point was the Decree of Artaxerxes in 457 B.C. Its finishing point was in 34 A.D., when the time determined exclusively upon the Jews was over and the gospel was free to go to the Gentiles. There is no scriptural warrant nor precedent for inserting a gap of any kind or duration.

3. CLAIMING THE "THIS GENERATION" IN JESUS' OLIVET DISCOURSE, WHICH WOULD EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING HE DESCRIBED, MEANS SOME OTHER, YET-FUTURE GENERATION.

Every New Testament use [36] of the phrase "this generation" always refers to the generation then-and-there present in the 1st Century. See, for example: (Matthew 23:36; 11:16; 12:41, 42; 16:4). Jesus' usage in Matthew 24 was no different. He never mentioned nor inferred any other generation diferent from that of those he was addressing.

4. ASSUMING THE BOOK OF REVELATION [OR MOST OF IT] IS A FORECAST OF FUTURE WORLD EVENTS STILL UNFULFILLED.

This assumption violates what the book of Revelation says about itself. In both its prologue and epilogue, it states, concerning the whole of its prophecy, that it was: "at hand," "obeyable" and, finally, "not to be sealed up." Revelation's total relevance starts in the lifetime of its original hearers. But it doesn't stop there.

5. SPINNING OFF ATTRIBUTES OF DANIEL'S FOURTH WORLD EMPIRE, INSERTING A TIME GAP AND CALLING IT A FIFTH WORLD EMPIRE...A YET-TO-COME,"REVIVED ROMAN EMPIRE."

Daniel's two visions (Daniel 2 & 7) portrayed four successive world empires, not five. The were: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and the old Roman empire. Daniel places the coming of one like the son of man [the Messiah] and the establishment of His everlasting kingdom during the time of this fourth world empire, the old Roman Empire. This was all fulfilled, exactly, without gaps, gimmicks or any interpretive high jinx.

6. TEACHING THAT 1ST CENTURY SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS CONDITIONS MUST BE RE-ENACTED FOR ENDTIMES FULFILLMENT TO OCCUR, AGAIN.

Why go through this needless redundancy and gyration? The source of almost all endtimes error is in the failure of interpreters to recognize the significance of the historical events surrounding the predicted destruction of Jerusalem, the Jewish temple and biblical Judaism in 70 A.D. ...the real Endtimes.

7. LIMITING THE COMINGS OF JESUS TO ONLY TWO, OR THREE.

The popular use of so-called "Second Coming" terminology has conditioned us to a flawed, two-advent mindset. Not only is this not the terminology of Scripture, it's not its pattern or concept, either. The many comings of Jesus run like a thread through both the Old and New Testaments. Many different and varied types of His comings are also promised. Remember, "hope deferred makes the heart [the church] sick" (Proverbs 13:12).

8. POSTPONING ALL OR PART OF THE COMING [I.E. CONSUMMATION] OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

Daniel prophesied the coming of ONLY ONE, everlasting Kingdom of God. It was to take place in the days of the fourth world empire [the Roman empire]. That kingdom is THE kingdom which John the Baptist and Jesus proclaimed as "at hand." What's more, Jesus' coming in power and glory consummated that kingdom when the old Judaic system was completely destroyed. All this occurred exactly as and when Jesus said--within the lifetime of those then living (Matthew 10:23; 16:28; 24:30-34; 26:64).

9. MISUSING JESUS' STATEMENT ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO KNOW THE "DAY OR THE HOUR" OF HIS COMING TO IMPLY NOT BEING ABLE TO KNOW THE MONTH, YEAR OR EVEN THE GENERATION.

Scripture is precise in its use of time statements. For 1st Century believers, not being able to know the "day or hour" was no excuse. Jesus emphatically warned "when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies...get out" (Luke 21:20-21). Armies surrounded Jerusalem four times in 66, 67, 68 and, lastly, in 70 A.D.... Those who read this sign and acted in time, escaped. Those who didn't, or wouldn't, suffered the wrath of God's judgment at this particular, time-restricted and end-of-the-age coming of Jesus.

10. SUBSCRIBING TO A PAGAN, "END-OF-THE-WORLD" PARADIGM.

Do you know what the Bible says about an "end of the world?" NOTHING. What do the historic creeds say? Again, NOTHING. What the Bible actually says is:

World without end, Amen -- Ephesians 3:21 KJV
The earth remains forever -- Ecclesiastes 1:4
End of the age -- Matthew 13:39, 49; 24:3

11. CONCEDING BY DEFAULT THAT ALL 1ST CENTURY IMMINENCY EXPECTATIONS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT WRITERS, THE EARLY CHURCH BELIEVERS AND JESUS HIMSELF PROVED FALSE.

If our 1st Century ancestors in the faith, and even Jesus Himself, were mistaken about something as important as the coming again of Jesus and "the end of all things is at hand" (1 Peter 4:7) as being imminent in their lifetimes, how can we now trust them for passing on any other aspects of the faith? They were not mistaken.

12. BUYING INTO A NEW TEACHING IN CHURCH HISTORY [LAST 150 YEARS] OF AN ESCAPE FROM THIS PLANET, FROM THIS LIFE'S TRIBULATIONS AND FROM KINGDOM RESPONSIBILITIES.

The relatively new teaching of a "rapture-removal" from planet Earth is a distortion of key scriptures historically interpreted to refer to a general resurrection. Jesus specifically prayed against the human weakness for removal (John 17:15). And His prayer is still in effect.

 

What do YOU think ?

Submit Your Comments For Posting Here
..Will Be Spam Filtered and Posted Shortly..

 

---

Date:

23 Oct 2002

Time:

06:13:45

Comments

Amen!

Date:

18 Nov 2002

Time:

06:04:53

Comments

Dear Bro: Is it not incredible how such plain and apparent points you cited are ignored by millions of sincere, well meaning believers! The points you listed jolted me when I saw the truth of Fulfilled Eschatology, in that, how could I have overlooked such apparent and SIMPLE STATEMENTS. At the same time it helps me understand how the religious leaders of Juadism could see and perceive not, hear and under- stand not..I did it for over forty-five years. Bro. Bob Williams usmc1div@earthlink.net

Date:

15 Dec 2002

Time:

17:16:06

Comments

World without end, amen.......How/why are we taught to overlook the simplest things?! I suppose just like anything else..the scare tactic. These days & times we are all seeking answers.Looking over the 12 outlines, clears up some things. thank you

Date:

11 Jan 2003

Time:

15:59:52

Comments

Date:

12 Mar 2003

Time:

18:52:47

Comments

Sorry I have tried and studied but still believe in the pretrib. Thanks for trying. Born again 38 years ago. See ya in glory.

Date:

31 Mar 2003

Time:

03:14:40

Comments

<Scripture is precise in its use of time statements> does the "precision"of Scriptures "time statements"extend to Rev 20;why is 1000 not 1000;is 144 really 144.Is 42 months really 42 months;who is being selective here.You make a good case for 1st cent imminancy based on a literal reading but deny the 1000 yr millenium which is stated and re stated just as emphatically........just some thoughts there.

Date:

12 Apr 2003

Time:

09:44:38

Comments

Believing that the "coming" in Matthew 24 means Second Coming. Totally rejecting His coming in judgment on Israel. Teaching that the generation which saw Israel become a nation is the "this generation which should not pass away" and would see the Lord return. Failing to understand that the Kingdom of and the Kingdom of Heaven are the same thing. Refusing to listen to Christ answer which He gave when His disciples asked about those who would be taken and those who would be "left behind."(Luke 17: 25-37)Dr. Ron Thompson

Date:

26 May 2003

Time:

09:37:58

Comments

Date:

26 May 2003

Time:

09:40:49

Comments

May 26,2003.. Maybe you need to Re-read, Revelation 22:18. God warns us!!!! G. Corn

Date:

04 Jul 2003

Time:

23:45:21

Comments

this is one of the best site i had never seen.it will help the bible learners to comprehend the Eschatological view(bibalical)i will suggest it to all of my preterist friends to view this and get the blessing of our lord ,god almighty. dear brother, prabhu

Date:

31 Jul 2003

Time:

15:31:49

Comments

Question on No.10: So what is all that "new heaven and earth" and "new Jerusalem" stuff (Rev.21-22) about? When did 2 Pet.3:10 happen again? What is 2 Pet.3:3-12 talking about... and when did it happen?

Date:

23 Oct 2003

Time:

20:36:53

Comments

You are deliberately misleading people by these lies, and by doing so you are playing with Fire. Re-think your actions, Get saved, maybe even read the Bible, then comment on the scripture....for a change.

Date:

27 Oct 2003

Time:

13:22:52

Comments

Tsk, tsk, Mr. Noe. You translate the word "age" in Eph. 3:21 as "world." Bad boy. The earth (the planet) abides forever but the world (the fallen offspring of Adam and their institutions) does not abide forever. Paul made it clear that the natural things on the earth, the things that can be seen, are TEMPORARY and only the spiritual things on the earth, the things that cannot be seen, are ETERNAL (2 Cor. 4:18). The destruction of the temporary natural Israel, the Israel that could be seen, occurred in autumn of AD 70 and the destruction of the temporary natural world, the world that can be seen, will occur at an unknowable future date, as described in Rev. 20:7-15.

Date:

02 Jan 2004

Time:

18:12:17

Comments

jack you do a good job.. keep it up... god bless

Date:

26 Apr 2004

Time:

09:00:00

Comments

Someone comments elsewhere "this is one of the best site i had never seen". Sorry, this is one of the most rubbish websites I have ever seen. The one thing I would agree, though, is the myth of 'rapture'. Peace.

Date: 26 Apr 2006
Time: 07:49:46

Comments:

Daniel's 70 weeks are determined for(1)Jewish people,(2) their city,(Jerusalem),(3)prophecy sealed up,(4)end of the war and desolations determined,(5) consummation and destruction of the city (Dan.9:24,26,27). The 70th week began with Jesus ministry,at him being about 30 years old.(Luke 3:23)Jesus was born 4B.C. would bring us to about 26A.D. In the middle of the 70th week or 3 1/2 years the Messiah was cut off in about 30A.D. The Consummation and destruction of their city, the last 3 1/2 years of the 70th week began about 66A.D.and ened in 70A.D. So there is a space of time(gap)of about 40 years between the crucifixion and the consummation. This is confirmed by the Olivet discourse when the disciples asked Jesus when the his coming would be and the end of the age. Jesus replied the GOSPEL must be preached unto all nations as a WITNESS, then the end will come.(Matt. 24:3.14). The apostle Paul said the preaching of the gospel to all nations had been accomplished in the epistle was fulfiled began 66 A.D. and ended in 70A.D.

Comments:

I could not agree more! amen bro.