(emphasis added by gld)But even still, to me personally, I find that Jesus gave us signs and seasons and the Apostles told us what to watch for as well so WE would be watchful- but as an Orthodox priest said to me- we have been watching for 2000 years and tend not to assume this or that happening, means we are at the end- but from what I understand- even they now believe we are very close- as country by country is falling away from the Christianity they once had- and turning from, and twisting the truth.
Valerie, Jesus was NOT talking to US. He was talking to 4 specific disciples in all the passages normally quoted by endtimes aficionados. Matt 24, Mk 13, Lk 17 & 21 are parallel passages and are all addressed specifically to Andrew, Peter, James and John, not to us. We are reading someone else's mail.
The you (ye) is Jesus speaking to THEM not US, not "WE" as you suppose. This is the error of most eschatologists, they rip the passages out of their own time context and try to jam them into the future, our time zone. It is no wonder there are so many different interpretations.Mar 13:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
Remember the old adage:
This is the whole issue and until folks get this part right they will never know about the end. (Which is the end of the Old Covenant, not the end of time)A text taken out of context becomes a pretext.
It's like trying to take Moses' words and forcing them into the 21st century.
Maybe you forgot to heed Paul's request too?Exo 14:13 And Moses said unto the people (US?), Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
If he is talking to you, then you best go and get it and bring it to him...2Ti 4:13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
I suggest that you heed II Tim 2:15, "...rightly handling the word of truth" (ESV)
Think about it?A text taken out of context becomes a pretext.