Last Days vs End Times
This is a purely opinion post as I have no actual scriptural or doctrinal references, beyond this first statement: We are living in the time period known as the Last Days. Regarding that statement, there are plenty of prophetic and scriptural statements (mostly in the Doctrine and Covenants) which make it very clear that we are in the Last Days.
The question is, how long do the "Last Days" last? How many years or centuries does the Last Days encompass?
We also know that the Last Days last up until the Second Coming of the Lord.
And we are familiar with a period of time just prior to the Second Coming which many Christians refer to as the tribulation. Most think it's a period of seven years, but, if you've read other posts of mine, you know I question whether there is a definitive seven years or if a sole seven-year period of tribulation is just something Gospel scholars calculated, based on adding several 3.5 year periods and comparing them to other scriptures. There is nothing in the scriptures that actually states something to the effect of a seven-year tribulation period.
But I digress, a little.
There are several periods of time that come at the end of the Last Days.
There is a time referred to by some (non-scriptural) as "before the end times."
There is the "end time" or "time of the end." This does not refer to the end of the earth.
And there are the days of tribulation (JS-M 1:20 and Matthew 24:22), which is mentioned in the scriptures. D&C 29:8 refers to it as "the day when tribulation and desolation are sent forth upon the wicked."
The tribulation period comes right before the Second Coming. We really don't know how long it will be. As mentioned, most believe it is a seven-year period. I think it will be longer, maybe as much as 21 years. If it is that long, it may be the period of "silence in heaven" mentioned in Revelation 8:1.
The end times fit into two categories. First is the end times of the United States. The second encompasses the fall of America and lasts through the tribulation.
I believe we are still in the period of time which is "before the time of the end" or "before the end times."
This time period will last up until the United States falls apart and is destroyed. If there is a great gathering (call-out), which I think is a very real possibility seeing as most people will not repent and return to God, it will happen right before the end time begins.
The time of the end which encompasses the tribulation period will mostly begin with the opening of the seventh seal. I know there are those who believe the seventh seal has been opened. I'm still waiting for the evidence described in the Book of Revelation. I don't think the seventh seal has been opened yet. It would be nice to be wrong, though, since that would mean we are much closer to the Second Coming.
I know there are plenty of people who will disagree, and who believe the Second Coming will be much sooner. And, I would be perfectly happy for that to be the case. I'm not sure if it will happen before about 2033, but I'd still be happy if it did.
However, I'm still inclined to go with a longer outlook (I know, many will think "how can the world even last that long?"). As a rough, broad timing, and making a number of assumptions, here is what might be expected on a long time scale, beginning with when the last Jubilee year was most likely to have happened:
2008-9 Jubilee year, first year of the final 49-year Jubilee period prior to Second Coming ("Burning Jubilee"). The year prior, from fall 2007-8, was a Sabbath year and marked the end of the previous Jubilee cycle. Most likely 2008-9 was the beginning of the "before the time of the end."
2008-2029 is the first 21 years of the Jubilee period. We're already in the 9th year of this period. Or, we could look at it as we are in the second week of years. The third week of years begins in the fall of 2022. If it doesn't happen earlier, 2024 could be when the time of the end begins, when plagues, calamities, natural disasters, and war destroy the United States. World War III will immediately follow. It will probably be 3-4 years before those were gathered return to rebuild the cities. It could happen sooner, but I'm looking towards the end of the final week of years of this 21-year period before cities begin to be rebuilt.
2030-2050 is the second 21 years of Jubilee period. This could be the period described as the days of tribulation, and it is still the end times, or time of the end. The ending event would be the battle of Armageddon. Approximately March/April 2033 is the Jubilee cycle half-way point, from the beginning of the 2008-9 Jubilee year until Sep 30, 2057, which would be the beginning of the next Jubilee year. This 21-year period is also, most likely, the of time when the faithful saints return to the site of the New Jerusalem and begin building that great city. There will probably only be 7 years or so before the other nations of the world want to return to finish conquering/invading the Americas. During that time, the New Jerusalem and other cities of Zion will need to become well established so the Gentile nations will not want to attack--they will fear the inhabitants of Zion--but will focus on the rest of the world first. This is the period of time when the New World Order will become the strongest and farthest reaching. It will be during this time that the war cycle will end, and the time/day of the Gentiles will end.
2051-57 Seven year clean-up and final preparations for the Second Coming. The final gathering of the elect from among the nations, before the final burning comes. The scriptures describe it taking seven years to burn the remains from the war. Burning the fields also tends to happen before the fields are planted, which could be considered a part of clean-up. This final clean-up, gathering, and preparations would also still be considered the time of the end, but not the days of tribulation. This is not to say there won't be tribulations, trials, etc. during this time, because there certainly will be. It just may not be quite to the scale that the previous 21-years exhibited, and its probable that the new world order will have mostly fallen apart.
2057, the next Jubilee year begins in fall (Sep 30, 2057). This is the first year of the next Jubilee cycle. Could the Second Coming happen during this year? Maybe in the next spring? I will be in my mid-80's at that time.
Could the Second Coming happen at a later time? Absolutely, just as it could happen at a much earlier time. This is just a rough guess-timation. As with any of my "predictions," if I get something right it's because the Lord inspired me. If I'm wrong, it's just my weak guessing.
Those who don't see how the world can last assume the world will continue in its current state. And, if things continue as they currently are, I also don't see how things could last for more than 10 years, maybe not even 5. However, there are other factors that people don't seem to take into account. Here are a few possible explanations.
First, in the aftermath of a world war it takes years for countries to build back up. Thus, after World War III (which will most likely end as countries come apart internally due to civil wars, chaos, and natural disasters rather than ending in a formal surrender or treaties) it will take several years for the various nations to rebuild, regroup, and return to their goals of a new world order. So, if WW III begins at the end of 2024 (or in 2025), the world war part of it may not actually last too long, but it would probably be at least 3+ years before the major nations have rebuilt sufficiently to warrant a renewed invasion.
Even without WW III, the increasing number of natural disasters, and their increasing destructive intensity will cause a lot of disruption towards establishing a new world order, and uniting nations together in such an order. Some nations will be more willing to join together, others, with more nationalistic feelings, won't be so inclined. The scale of destruction from the calamities will affect production levels, including the ability to feed the people, and will take a toll on the population itself. When disaster strikes a foreign nation, others are more likely to step in to help. But, what happens if disasters are happening in many nations, and the food supply is crippled? For most nations, the primary focus is taking care of their own before sending their supplies and aid to others. Yes, their are those who want to help others. But, think about those in power, the politicians and other government officials. They want to retain their power. If they send the nation's supplies out of the country and end up making their own people suffer, they will be voted out or overrun by their own starving and suffering people.
Another factor is solar influence. All it would take is a massive CME to wipe out our modern civilization and set the world back to a mostly pre-electric state. The nations would quickly rebuild, so it's not like the world would be in a pre-industrial stage for decades or centuries. But, it would still take several years to return to some kind of "normal."
What happens if those factors are combined? If there are mega-natural disasters around the world, plagues devastating the populations of the nations, and a world war, there will be major discontent and chaos around the world. There will be protests, civil wars, etc. and the major powers in the world war will have to return their focus to their own countries, or face uprisings that will put those in power out of power. If a CME strikes at the same time, or immediately after the world war, it will plunge the world into pre-industrial conditions. Without the population base to quickly build things back up, and with agricultural (food) needs most likely winning out, dreams of invasion, conquest, and subjugation will have to be put on hold. In short, the combination of factors (plus some others I probably haven't imagined yet) will set back the globalists desires and plans to establish a world order.
It is this combination of factors that I see as delaying the timeline.
It is also how more people might become humble enough, receptive to the Gospel message, and come to Christ. I think it is how the Lord might be able to save more of his children than if the end came as quickly as many people believe it will.
The question is, how long do the "Last Days" last? How many years or centuries does the Last Days encompass?
We also know that the Last Days last up until the Second Coming of the Lord.
And we are familiar with a period of time just prior to the Second Coming which many Christians refer to as the tribulation. Most think it's a period of seven years, but, if you've read other posts of mine, you know I question whether there is a definitive seven years or if a sole seven-year period of tribulation is just something Gospel scholars calculated, based on adding several 3.5 year periods and comparing them to other scriptures. There is nothing in the scriptures that actually states something to the effect of a seven-year tribulation period.
But I digress, a little.
There are several periods of time that come at the end of the Last Days.
There is a time referred to by some (non-scriptural) as "before the end times."
There is the "end time" or "time of the end." This does not refer to the end of the earth.
And there are the days of tribulation (JS-M 1:20 and Matthew 24:22), which is mentioned in the scriptures. D&C 29:8 refers to it as "the day when tribulation and desolation are sent forth upon the wicked."
The tribulation period comes right before the Second Coming. We really don't know how long it will be. As mentioned, most believe it is a seven-year period. I think it will be longer, maybe as much as 21 years. If it is that long, it may be the period of "silence in heaven" mentioned in Revelation 8:1.
The end times fit into two categories. First is the end times of the United States. The second encompasses the fall of America and lasts through the tribulation.
I believe we are still in the period of time which is "before the time of the end" or "before the end times."
This time period will last up until the United States falls apart and is destroyed. If there is a great gathering (call-out), which I think is a very real possibility seeing as most people will not repent and return to God, it will happen right before the end time begins.
The time of the end which encompasses the tribulation period will mostly begin with the opening of the seventh seal. I know there are those who believe the seventh seal has been opened. I'm still waiting for the evidence described in the Book of Revelation. I don't think the seventh seal has been opened yet. It would be nice to be wrong, though, since that would mean we are much closer to the Second Coming.
I know there are plenty of people who will disagree, and who believe the Second Coming will be much sooner. And, I would be perfectly happy for that to be the case. I'm not sure if it will happen before about 2033, but I'd still be happy if it did.
However, I'm still inclined to go with a longer outlook (I know, many will think "how can the world even last that long?"). As a rough, broad timing, and making a number of assumptions, here is what might be expected on a long time scale, beginning with when the last Jubilee year was most likely to have happened:
2008-9 Jubilee year, first year of the final 49-year Jubilee period prior to Second Coming ("Burning Jubilee"). The year prior, from fall 2007-8, was a Sabbath year and marked the end of the previous Jubilee cycle. Most likely 2008-9 was the beginning of the "before the time of the end."
2008-2029 is the first 21 years of the Jubilee period. We're already in the 9th year of this period. Or, we could look at it as we are in the second week of years. The third week of years begins in the fall of 2022. If it doesn't happen earlier, 2024 could be when the time of the end begins, when plagues, calamities, natural disasters, and war destroy the United States. World War III will immediately follow. It will probably be 3-4 years before those were gathered return to rebuild the cities. It could happen sooner, but I'm looking towards the end of the final week of years of this 21-year period before cities begin to be rebuilt.
2030-2050 is the second 21 years of Jubilee period. This could be the period described as the days of tribulation, and it is still the end times, or time of the end. The ending event would be the battle of Armageddon. Approximately March/April 2033 is the Jubilee cycle half-way point, from the beginning of the 2008-9 Jubilee year until Sep 30, 2057, which would be the beginning of the next Jubilee year. This 21-year period is also, most likely, the of time when the faithful saints return to the site of the New Jerusalem and begin building that great city. There will probably only be 7 years or so before the other nations of the world want to return to finish conquering/invading the Americas. During that time, the New Jerusalem and other cities of Zion will need to become well established so the Gentile nations will not want to attack--they will fear the inhabitants of Zion--but will focus on the rest of the world first. This is the period of time when the New World Order will become the strongest and farthest reaching. It will be during this time that the war cycle will end, and the time/day of the Gentiles will end.
2051-57 Seven year clean-up and final preparations for the Second Coming. The final gathering of the elect from among the nations, before the final burning comes. The scriptures describe it taking seven years to burn the remains from the war. Burning the fields also tends to happen before the fields are planted, which could be considered a part of clean-up. This final clean-up, gathering, and preparations would also still be considered the time of the end, but not the days of tribulation. This is not to say there won't be tribulations, trials, etc. during this time, because there certainly will be. It just may not be quite to the scale that the previous 21-years exhibited, and its probable that the new world order will have mostly fallen apart.
2057, the next Jubilee year begins in fall (Sep 30, 2057). This is the first year of the next Jubilee cycle. Could the Second Coming happen during this year? Maybe in the next spring? I will be in my mid-80's at that time.
Could the Second Coming happen at a later time? Absolutely, just as it could happen at a much earlier time. This is just a rough guess-timation. As with any of my "predictions," if I get something right it's because the Lord inspired me. If I'm wrong, it's just my weak guessing.
Those who don't see how the world can last assume the world will continue in its current state. And, if things continue as they currently are, I also don't see how things could last for more than 10 years, maybe not even 5. However, there are other factors that people don't seem to take into account. Here are a few possible explanations.
First, in the aftermath of a world war it takes years for countries to build back up. Thus, after World War III (which will most likely end as countries come apart internally due to civil wars, chaos, and natural disasters rather than ending in a formal surrender or treaties) it will take several years for the various nations to rebuild, regroup, and return to their goals of a new world order. So, if WW III begins at the end of 2024 (or in 2025), the world war part of it may not actually last too long, but it would probably be at least 3+ years before the major nations have rebuilt sufficiently to warrant a renewed invasion.
Even without WW III, the increasing number of natural disasters, and their increasing destructive intensity will cause a lot of disruption towards establishing a new world order, and uniting nations together in such an order. Some nations will be more willing to join together, others, with more nationalistic feelings, won't be so inclined. The scale of destruction from the calamities will affect production levels, including the ability to feed the people, and will take a toll on the population itself. When disaster strikes a foreign nation, others are more likely to step in to help. But, what happens if disasters are happening in many nations, and the food supply is crippled? For most nations, the primary focus is taking care of their own before sending their supplies and aid to others. Yes, their are those who want to help others. But, think about those in power, the politicians and other government officials. They want to retain their power. If they send the nation's supplies out of the country and end up making their own people suffer, they will be voted out or overrun by their own starving and suffering people.
Another factor is solar influence. All it would take is a massive CME to wipe out our modern civilization and set the world back to a mostly pre-electric state. The nations would quickly rebuild, so it's not like the world would be in a pre-industrial stage for decades or centuries. But, it would still take several years to return to some kind of "normal."
What happens if those factors are combined? If there are mega-natural disasters around the world, plagues devastating the populations of the nations, and a world war, there will be major discontent and chaos around the world. There will be protests, civil wars, etc. and the major powers in the world war will have to return their focus to their own countries, or face uprisings that will put those in power out of power. If a CME strikes at the same time, or immediately after the world war, it will plunge the world into pre-industrial conditions. Without the population base to quickly build things back up, and with agricultural (food) needs most likely winning out, dreams of invasion, conquest, and subjugation will have to be put on hold. In short, the combination of factors (plus some others I probably haven't imagined yet) will set back the globalists desires and plans to establish a world order.
It is this combination of factors that I see as delaying the timeline.
It is also how more people might become humble enough, receptive to the Gospel message, and come to Christ. I think it is how the Lord might be able to save more of his children than if the end came as quickly as many people believe it will.
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