Lurk moar
This is interesting. There is a strong delusion out there these days.
This isn't a forum for such a discussion. I have another opinion, but the only relevant thing here is what you said: "in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. (2Tim 3:1-5)"
We are living in that foretold experience right now, it appears.
My allusion to 'The Rapture' was simply for rhetorical effect, not a theological position, and it evoked the very reactions I'm seeing.
Kek! (u said interbread)
I want to say yes, but I don't like where things end up in the next few verses.
Example:
"33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.
34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries."
(sounds like a merry band of anons kicking butt and dealing with a bunch of shills)
But, my interpretation of where that passage stands in the timeline places it further into the Great Tribulation period than we are right now, (hence the "King, or world leader" who is persecuting believers everywhere,) and the following verses sound like all the good guys bite the dust.
Example: "35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.
36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.
37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
38 But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
39 Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain."
I hope we are only living in the times leading up to that sort of thing. Of course, I believe the bad king, in this instance is the Antichrist.
I am trying to avoid a big theological discussion, but your comment was thought-provoking.
>37 Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
Kek! (at least we know the antichrist isn't Trump!)