I'm feeling pretty... Blackpilled, at the moment. Maybe even worse than that. Things are bad. Things keep getting worse. Not just politically, but... As a human being. All the failed relationships, all the lost friendships, all the... Shit, that has happened in my life, is sort of getting to me pretty bad.
But more than that, it feels like we're losing. Like things... Are spiralling out of control (in Aus, but also outside it). I literally can't look at ANY popular media, or any sort of news, without being utterly bombarded by it.
So... If you've got a good "whitepill", or just... Something that counteracts all this... Existential angst, and feelings of sheer... Doom, I would appreciate hearing it, I guess. Thanks. While it lasts, and while I last.
Funny you mention about the end times. I wanted to share about my journey within the past year, but wasn't sure of a good opportunity. Hope this reaches OP, even if he doesn't believe in God.
When BLM started rioting over George Floyd, my life turned upside down. My so called "church" somehow thinks the rioting is justified. My workplace became pozzed and "started a conversation" about "systematic racial injustice." The only person I could confide in was my mother, who lived halfway across the world.
Through the guiding of my counselor, I started looking for other churches in my area. I locked in on the one that didn't require a mask, which was depressingly rare.
And the church was far better than I hoped for. Yes, they were conservative. But they didn't resort to "own the libs" rhetorics. The pastor cared very much about what was right and pleasing to God, rather than what would score the most points against the opposition. We built a good small community group, and shared about our daily struggles of living in constant opposition. (We're in a blue state) Yes, things sucked, and they still suck. I lost my job and got evicted by in-laws for going to church in a "pandemic." But I'm far more joyful than I've ever been, now that I have support from people who actually care about the Gospel, and know how to encourage one another in our struggles.
(Addendum: The pastor cares very much about equipping us well for the world. He even invited a speaker to help us break down CRT and understand what to watch out for.)
So I have but one advice to give to OP: see if you can find a faithful church in your local area. It'll take time of trial and error, because faithful churches are far and few in between. PM me if you want more details. Note that it's not gonna immediately whitepill you. The mindset takes a long time to change.
I've been agnostic for a long, long time. I was very in to religion as a kid but turned very much against it later on.
Now the woke/ marxist movement turned me so much towards conservatism that I did not think possible.
I've recently started taking my kids to church. Is strange but it does give me a sense of calm. Not sure if I'll ever be a true believer but the wife is supportive and I feel considerably better, serene I think it would describe it best. I also sleep better.
That's the Holy Spirit working in you, my man. God is pouring it out in the last days, making people wake up. This is the REAL great awakening.
Acts 2:17-18 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.
I would suggest to get a Bible, KJV is fine, and read Matthew & Revelation, for starters. You'll be up to speed with current events in no time ;).
God bless.
As for actual response to GrandeFormaggio: The first bible study that I joined at the new church was on end times, (eschatology) and I was blown away from what I learned.
What most people know about the end times is what they see in the Left Behind movie: world goes to shit, Christians maybe get raptured, bad guys win, and Christ comes in an cleans up. However, this viewpoint only took hold within the last 100-200 years.
Prior to that, the dominant viewpoint is that the Tribulation that is referred to in Revelation talks about the fall of Jerusalem in 70AD. Christ has not returned yet, but he will return when the Gospel has been spread throughout all the earth.
So if the Tribulation has already happened, what's the point or takeaway? Well, for one thing, you don't need to worry some supposed undefeatable anti-Christ in the present or the future. Second, Christianity has been spreading throughout most of the 2000 years. What we're seeing now is a horrendous season, but the gospel is still spreading even now, and I'm confident that it will triumph in the long term. America and many great countries may fall, but the world is getting better. Therefore, keep up hope, but expect to live like the times of persecution.
If you're curious about justification for this interpretation of Revelation, here's a 3-hour long video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy7cEW4MJac
But I'll put out a few bullet points from my memory of the study.
Condensed story of the brutality of the fall of Jerusalem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC3nUrJutsM
It's fascinating that I've never heard about this interpretation of Revelation before this study. I do wonder if it's partly due to Jewish influences in America, as it would make them look really bad.
Preterism, i.e. it's all done in 70AD, makes absolutely zero sense, because that would mean Christ' 1000 year reign of peace would have already passed. Nobody has noticed or recorded anything.
Typical satanic brainwash and corruption of the real truth of the Bible. We are ALL heading for the tribulation (happening now already), good and bad folks, and we will ALL have to endure till the end. No early rapture either, more satanic corruption. Those who try to save their lives, will lose it. Those who give it up in name of Christ, will be saved.
It seems you're already well versed with the debates, so I'll just share what I learned from my group.
Post-millenial preterism believes that we are currently in the 1000 years of reign. 1000 is not a literal number, but just signifies a long time. The Lord of a thousand hills doesn't mean that he doesn't own the 1001st hill. Reign of Christ doesn't mean complete peace. It refers to when Christ appeared to the disciples after His resurrection and says "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." No, He has not returned yet - that would be the belief of full preterism - but he will return after the 1000 year reign is over.
I didn't say Christians aren't part of the tribulation. The first half consists of persecution by Nero
But Jesus says the days will be cut short for the elect. That is signified by Nero's suicide, not rapture.
I don't think this is a dividing issue with regards to salvation. John MacArthur subscribes to dispensationalism, while R.C.Sproul to partial preterism. They both remained friends.
Also, let me turn it around on you: what gives you confidence that now is the the start of the tribulation? Do you surmise based on what's happening in the world right now? I don't disagree that things look dire right now, but do you have other justifications?
Here, I just made a post on the end times.
https://communities.win/c/Christianity/p/13zN6ERfXB/nobody-discussing-the-end-times-/c
With regard to postmillenial preterism, you have to be insane or insanely brainwashed to believe in the fact that A. Christ has already returned, and let World War II happen. B. NOBODY recorded anything of Christ's return, while ALL will see him when he returns. ALL.
Rev 1:7 Behold, he comes with clouds and EVERY EYE shall see him, even those who pierced him, and all the families of The Earth shall mourn for him; yes and amen!
Preterism is pharisee nonsense.