Do you believe that 2007 will have the second coming of Jesus Christ?

[Citizen James]

Wow, we have a number of budding theologians here.

I say no for a variety of reasons.

Firstly, revaltaions seem 'tacked on' to me.  I've never understood why some people put such high relavance on it - especially compared to the gospels.  It seems like many of those obsessed with end times tend to forget or ignore the whole "love they neighbor as theyself" and "blessed are the peacemakers' parts so often.  However, in a historical context that seems to be common for many of the writings of the late 1st century.  After all, with the mass persecution of the early Christian sects, who wouldn't want to wish pain and suffering onto their persecutors.  (oddly, this persecuted attitude has remained with some even as they use it as an excuse to persecute others).  In addition, I can't help but wonder if part of the book came from a halucinagenic dream.  (wormwood, mentioned in revalations, was a common halucenogen used in those days).  Use of halucenogens as a 'religious experience' exists in a number of religious traditions.

Secondly, I don't consider John Darby a prophet in any sense of the word.  Cutting and pasting pieces of the bible from all over and filling in a story to fit your position inbetween them and assuming it is all undebatable fact isn't research - it's claiming prophethood all in it's own.   At least the LDS church has the sense to call their new findings the discovery of latter day saints, as opposed to the dispensationalists, who like to pretend that it is all obvious as day as long as nobody looks too closely at their claims.

Thirdly, even if there were some sort of 'end times', only fools and madmen would seek to predict that which noone can 'predict', much less try and force God's will to bend to their own.  I think the best course of action is to live the best one can, and show kindness to one's fellows, and leave to God that which is God's buisness.