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.
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.
I addressed your point about Christ returning. Post-millenial preterism doesn't believe Christ has returned.