Read prophecies across traditions and follow the commentaries and events connected with them.
Islam — Twelver Shiʿa · Kitab al-Ghayba, report 428; Thaqalayn chapter 51, report 6
English translation — Rainbow Watch
Al-Fadl ibn Shadhan, from al-Hasan ibn Ali al-Washsha, from Ahmad ibn A’idh, from Abu Khadija, who said: Abu Abd Allah, peace be upon him, said: “The Qa’im will not emerge until twelve men of the descendants of Hashim emerge, each calling people to himself.”
Arabic source text
428- الفضل بن شاذان، عن الحسن بن علي الوشاء، عن أحمد بن عائذ، عن أبي خديجة قال: قال أبوعبد الله عليه السلام: لا يخرج القائم حتى يخرج اثنا عشر من بني هاشم كلهم يدعو إلى نفسه.
Unarius · The Interplanetary Confederation, paragraph beginning ‘Through our welcoming attitude’
The future landing of the Space Brothers on planet Earth will usher in a renaissance of logic and reason—a joining of science and spirit.
Zoroastrian · Chapter 6, On the Time of Ushedar, &c.; complete question, answer and closing formula, without notes 31–37
King Vishtasp asked, "After the coming of the spiritual ...." King Vishtasp asked, "what time and period will pass after the time when spiritual Dasturs will come to the country of Iran and destroy (lit. strike) idolatry, and turn the world from uncleanness to holiness and devotion? What time and period will pass (after this)? How many kings and rulers will there be in one millennium And how will they administer the world? What kind of justice and opinions will prevail in the world? What customs will prevail in the millenniums of Ushedar, Ushedarmah and Soshyant?
(Reply) Jamasp the astrologer replied to him, "In the time of Ushedar there will be eighteen kings. At that time there will be less of affliction. The race of the violent Drujs will be extirpated. The works (and) opinions, (which) they do not form according to the justice of God, will grow less every year, month, and day.
When the millennium of Ushedar will end at the close of 500 years, the sun will strike the creation. Ushedarmah, [son of] Zarathushtra will come into the creation, will promulgate religion, (and) will annihilate all sorts of ambition and want. Then the demon Malkos will come and will bring about the winter of Malkos, (and) all creations and animals will be annihilated in that winter. Then they will exterminate the Var built by Jam (Jamshed). Men, cattle, and animals will come out of that Var. They will adorn the world again. Then there will be deceit. Baevarasp will come out of captivity, will conquer the world, and will then eat up men, (and) will eat up many animals.
Then Ohrmazd will send Srosh (and) Neryosang, that they may awake Sam Nariman. They will go and awake Sam. They will give back to him his strength. Sam will get up and go to the Var of Aza Dahaka [[Zohak]]. Aza Dahaka, when he will see Sam Nariman, will say to Sam Nariman, "Let us have friendship with one another." Sam Nariman (will say) ''Accept (religion), so that we may keep together the chieftainship of this world." He (Azi Dahaka) [[Zohak]] will not hear these words. So he (Sam) will strike a mace (Gurz) on the head of that irreligious person (darwand). The irreligious man will say to Sam, "Do not strike me. You yourself and I may be leaders, and we may keep this world." Then Sam will not hear the words of that irreligious man, and shall strike the mace one after another over the head of that irreligious man, and he will die.
Then will follow the millennium of Soshyant. Soshyant will ask questions to Ohrmazd, will accept the religion, (and) will promulgate it into the world. Then Neryosang (and) Srosh will go away. Kay Khosraw of Syavakhsh [[Siyavarshan ]], Tus of Naodar, Giv of Godarya, and others will rise with one thousand chiefs and treasurers. Ahriman will keep himself away from the creation. The men of the world will be all of (good) thoughts, of (good) words, (and) of (good) actions. The miscreated Ahriman will not be influential (lit. blazing) (i.e., shall have no influence) over the creation of Ohrmazd. Then the demon Az will say to Ahriman, "You are not able to do anything in the creation of Ohrmazd." Then Ahriman will go to Tahmurasp (and will say, "I must have food. We, I and you, great men, must have food. What is kept is not easy to be given, because all that, which Ahriman keeps, goes for the food of all Daevas and Drujs (and) khrafstras (noxious creatures). And my creation goes away from the Devs (i.e., is destroyed) by Glory. What shall I say to you, that with all the creation and creatures which Ahriman eats up, he is not satisfied!"
Then the demon Az, Ahriman, and (the demon) Zar [Zairich] shall be powerful. Then Soshyant will perform three Yasna (ceremonies), at first for the living, who are immortal (by their good deeds), and then for the dead, who are unchangeable. When he will perform the Yasna in the Hawan Gah (the dead) men will rise up. When he will perform the Yasna in the Rapithwin Gah, men will come into existence. When he will perform the Yasna in the Uzerin Gah, men will be righteous and without fraud. When he will perform the Yasna in the aiwisruthrem Gah, all men will be again (as young as) fifteen years old. When he will perform the Yasna in the Ushahin Gah, then (the archangel) Shahrewar will melt the metal in all the mountains of the world.
In the whole world, all men will rise up and will pass on with the melted metal, so that they will be pure and bright and clear in the same way, as the sun with his light (or as the sun purifies by his light). They will strike (i.e., drive) Ahriman out of Heaven and cut off his head. Then the creation will be pure, men will be forever without death, immortal and without old age, and will be (as young as) of the age of fifteen years. With them, everything will be such as they will desire.
Finished with pleasure, delight and joy.
Daesoon Jinrihoe · Reordering Works 2.25; editorial paraphrase
Paragraph 25 reports Sangje anticipating international warfare during the Great Opening, with countries of exceptional capability gaining superiority.
General Latter-day Saint · Doctrine and Covenants 87:1–8; complete section
1 Verily, thus saith the Lord concerning the wars that will shortly come to pass, beginning at the rebellion of South Carolina, which will eventually terminate in the death and misery of many souls;
2 And the time will come that war will be poured out upon all nations, beginning at this place.
3 For behold, the Southern States shall be divided against the Northern States, and the Southern States will call on other nations, even the nation of Great Britain, as it is called, and they shall also call upon other nations, in order to defend themselves against other nations; and then war shall be poured out upon all nations.
4 And it shall come to pass, after many days, slaves shall rise up against their masters, who shall be marshaled and disciplined for war.
5 And it shall come to pass also that the remnants who are left of the land will marshal themselves, and shall become exceedingly angry, and shall vex the Gentiles with a sore vexation.
6 And thus, with the sword and by bloodshed the inhabitants of the earth shall mourn; and with famine, and plague, and earthquake, and the thunder of heaven, and the fierce and vivid lightning also, shall the inhabitants of the earth be made to feel the wrath, and indignation, and chastening hand of an Almighty God, until the consumption decreed hath made a full end of all nations;
7 That the cry of the saints, and of the blood of the saints, shall cease to come up into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, from the earth, to be avenged of their enemies.
8 Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen.
General Latter-day Saint · 2 Nephi 28:1–32
2 Nephi 28:1–32
28:1 And now, behold, my brethren, I have spoken unto you, according as the Spirit hath constrained me; wherefore, I know that they must surely come to pass.
28:2 And the things which shall be written out of the book shall be of great worth unto the children of men, and especially unto our seed, which is a remnant of the house of Israel.
28:3 For it shall come to pass in that day that the churches which are built up, and not unto the Lord, when the one shall say unto the other: Behold, I, I am the Lord’s; and the others shall say: I, I am the Lord’s; and thus shall every one say that hath built up churches, and not unto the Lord—
28:4 And they shall contend one with another; and their priests shall contend one with another, and they shall teach with their learning, and deny the Holy Ghost, which giveth utterance.
28:5 And they deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel; and they say unto the people: Hearken unto us, and hear ye our precept; for behold there is no God today, for the Lord and the Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto men;
28:6 Behold, hearken ye unto my precept; if they shall say there is a miracle wrought by the hand of the Lord, believe it not; for this day he is not a God of miracles; he hath done his work.
28:7 Yea, and there shall be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us.
28:8 And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God.
28:9 Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord; and their works shall be in the dark.
28:10 And the blood of the saints shall cry from the ground against them.
28:11 Yea, they have all gone out of the way; they have become corrupted.
28:12 Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted, and their churches are lifted up; because of pride they are puffed up.
28:13 They rob the poor because of their fine sanctuaries; they rob the poor because of their fine clothing; and they persecute the meek and the poor in heart, because in their pride they are puffed up.
28:14 They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.
28:15 O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lord, wo, wo, wo be unto them, saith the Lord God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell!
28:16 Wo unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile against that which is good, and say that is of no worth! For the day shall come that the Lord God will speedily visit the inhabitants of the earth; and in that day that they are fully ripe in iniquity they shall perish.
28:17 But behold, if the inhabitants of the earth shall repent of their wickedness and abominations they shall not be destroyed, saith the Lord of Hosts.
28:18 But behold, that great and abominable church, the whore of all the earth, must tumble to the earth, and great must be the fall thereof.
28:19 For the kingdom of the devil must shake, and they which belong to it must needs be stirred up unto repentance, or the devil will grasp them with his everlasting chains, and they be stirred up to anger, and perish;
28:20 For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good.
28:21 And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.
28:22 And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.
28:23 Yea, they are grasped with death, and hell; and death, and hell, and the devil, and all that have been seized therewith must stand before the throne of God, and be judged according to their works, from whence they must go into the place prepared for them, even a lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment.
28:24 Therefore, wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!
28:25 Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well!
28:26 Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost!
28:27 Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more!
28:28 And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall.
28:29 Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough!
28:30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.
28:31 Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.
28:32 Wo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lord God of Hosts! For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts.
Christian — Adventist · First page: title block and opening paragraph
Present Truth,
or,
MEAT IN DUE SEASON.
By J. WENDELL, Edenboro, Pa.
Giving some of the Evidences for the Coming of our Lord and Saviour, this year, 1873.
To which is added an Essay on “THE END.”
“The wise shall understand.” Understand what? The principles of godliness in the heart, is the ready answer of many. But Daniel says, “I understood not.” Were not the principles of godliness understood by him? Certainly not, if they were what the wise were to understand. What, then, were they to understand? By consulting Dan. 12. and the preceding chapters, it will be clearly seen that the time when the events predicted should take place is what they would understand. No other reasonable interpretation can be given, or meaning attached to the expression under consideration. But was not Daniel a wise man, and more capable of understanding the time than any one in this day? True, Daniel was a wise man; but wise as he was, he could not tell future events, only as they were revealed unto him: and as certain events were to mark the commencement and termination of certain times named in the prophecy, and as those events did not occur in Daniel’s day, of course he could not tell when the times would commence and terminate. But those not as wise as Daniel, living after the occurrence of the events which marked the commencement of the times, and knowing how to reckon prophetic time, could understand the matter, and very accurately calculate when those times would end.
Buddhist — Theravāda · SN 16.13, complete discourse
On one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Savatthi in Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's monastery. Then Ven. Maha Kassapa went to the Blessed One and on arrival, having bowed down to him, sat to one side. As he was sitting there he said to the Blessed One, "What is the cause, lord, what is the reason, why before there were fewer training rules and yet more monks established in final gnosis, whereas now there are more training rules and yet fewer monks established in final gnosis?"
"That's the way it is, Kassapa. When beings are degenerating and the true Dhamma is disappearing, there are more training rules and yet fewer monks established in final gnosis. There is no disappearance of the true Dhamma as long as a counterfeit of the true Dhamma has not arisen in the world, but there is the disappearance of the true Dhamma when a counterfeit of the true Dhamma has arisen in the world.
Just as there is no disappearance of gold as long as a counterfeit of gold has not arisen in the world, but there is the disappearance of gold when a counterfeit of gold has arisen in the world, in the same way there is no disappearance of the true Dhamma as long as a counterfeit of the true Dhamma has not arisen in the world, but there is the disappearance of the true Dhamma when a counterfeit of the true Dhamma has arisen in the world.
"It's not the earth property that makes the true Dhamma disappear. It's not the water property... the fire property... the wind property that makes the true Dhamma disappear. It's worthless people who arise right here [within the Sangha] who make the true Dhamma disappear. The true Dhamma doesn't disappear the way a boat sinks all at once.
"These five downward-leading qualities tend to the confusion and disappearance of the true Dhamma. Which five? There is the case where the monks, nuns, male lay followers, & female lay followers live without respect, without deference, for the Teacher. They live without respect, without deference, for the Dhamma... for the Sangha... for the Training... for concentration. These are the five downward-leading qualities that tend to the confusion and disappearance of the true Dhamma.
"But these five qualities tend to the stability, the non-confusion, the non-disappearance of the true Dhamma. Which five? There is the case where the monks, nuns, male lay followers, & female lay followers live with respect, with deference, for the Teacher. They live with respect, with deference, for the Dhamma... for the Sangha... for the Training... for concentration. These are the five qualities that tend to the stability, the non-confusion, the non-disappearance of the true Dhamma."
Christian — Bible Student · StudyIV, pp 76–78: introductory date claim and seven consequences
In this chapter we present the Bible evidence proving that the full end of the times of the Gentiles, i. e. , the full end of their lease of dominion, will be reached in A. D. 1914; and that that date will be the farthest limit of the rule of imperfect men. And be it observed, that if this is shown to be a fact firmly established by the Scriptures, it will prove : —
Firstly, That at that date the Kingdom of God, for which our Lord taught us to pray, saying, " Thy Kingdom come," will have obtained full, universal control, and that it will then be "set up," or firmly established, in the earth.
Secondly, It will prove that he whose right it is thus to take the dominion will then be present as earth's new Ruler ; and not only so, but it will also prove that he will be present for a considerable period before that date ; because the overthrow of these Gentile governments is directly caused by his dashing them to pieces as a potter's vessel (Psa. 2:9; Rev. 2 : 27), and establishing in their stead his own righteous government.
Thirdly, It will prove that some time before the end of A. D. 1914 the last member of the divinely recognized Church of Christ, the "royal priesthood," "the body of Christ," will be glorified with the Head; because every member is to reign with Christ, being a joint-heir with him of the Kingdom, and it cannot be fully "set up" without every member.
Fourthly, It will prove that from that time forward Jerusalem shall no longer be trodden down of the Gentiles, but shall arise from the dust of divine disfavor, to honor ; because the "Times of the Gentiles" will be fulfilled or completed.
Fifthly, It will prove that by that date, or sooner, Israel's blindness will begin to be turned away ; because their " blindness in part " was to continue only " until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in " (Rom. 11 : 25), or, in other words, until the full number from among the Gentiles, who are to be members of the body or bride of Christ, would be fully selected.
Sixthly, It will prove that the great " time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation," will reach its culmination in a world-wide reign of anarchy ; and then men will learn to be still, and to know that Jehovah is God and that he will be exalted in the earth. (Psa. 46:10.) The condition of things spoken of in symbolic language as raging waves of the sea, melting earth, falling mountains and burning heavens will then pass away, and the "new heavens and new earth" with their peaceful blessings will begin to be recognized by trouble-tossed humanity. But the Lord's Anointed and his rightful and righteous authority will first be recognized by a company of God's children while passing through the great tribulation — the class represented by m and t on the Chart of the Ages (see also pages 235 to 239, Vol. I.); afterward, just at its close, by fleshly Israel ; and ultimately by mankind in general.
Seventhly, It will prove that before that date God's Kingdom, organized in power, will be in the earth and then smite and crush the Gentile image (Dan. 2:34) — and fully consume the power of these kings. Its own power and dominion will be established as fast as by its varied influences and agencies it crushes and scatters the "powers that be" — civil and ecclesiastical — iron and clay.
Buddhist — Theravāda · AN 5.80; complete discourse
"Monks, these five future dangers, unarisen at present, will arise in the future. Be alert to them and, being alert, work to get rid of them. Which five?
"There will be, in the course of the future, monks desirous of fine robes. They, desirous of fine robes, will neglect the practice of wearing cast-off cloth; will neglect isolated forest and wilderness dwellings; will move to towns, cities, and royal capitals, taking up residence there. For the sake of a robe they will do many kinds of unseemly, inappropriate things.
"This, monks, is the first future danger, unarisen at present, that will arise in the future. Be alert to it and, being alert, work to get rid of it.
"Furthermore, in the course of the future there will be monks desirous of fine food. They, desirous of fine food, will neglect the practice of going for alms; will neglect isolated forest and wilderness dwellings; will move to towns, cities, and royal capitals, taking up residence there and searching out the tip-top tastes with the tip of the tongue. For the sake of food they will do many kinds of unseemly, inappropriate things.
"This, monks, is the second future danger, unarisen at present, that will arise in the future. Be alert to it and, being alert, work to get rid of it.
"Furthermore, in the course of the future there will be monks desirous of fine lodgings. They, desirous of fine lodgings, will neglect the practice of living in the wilds; will neglect isolated forest and wilderness dwellings; will move to towns, cities, and royal capitals, taking up residence there. For the sake of lodgings they will do many kinds of unseemly, inappropriate things.
"This, monks, is the third future danger, unarisen at present, that will arise in the future. Be alert to it and, being alert, work to get rid of it.
"Furthermore, in the course of the future there will be monks who will live in close association with nuns, female probationers, and female novices. As they interact with nuns, female probationers, and female novices, they can be expected either to lead the holy life dissatisfied or to fall into one of the grosser offenses, leaving the training, returning to a lower way of life.
"This, monks, is the fourth future danger, unarisen at present, that will arise in the future. Be alert to it and, being alert, work to get rid of it.
"Furthermore, in the course of the future there will be monks who will live in close association with monastery attendants and novices. As they interact with monastery attendants and novices, they can be expected to live intent on storing up all kinds of possessions and to stake out crops and fields.
"This, monks, is the fifth future danger, unarisen at present, that will arise in the future. Be alert to it and, being alert, work to get rid of it.
"These, monks, are the five future dangers, unarisen at present, that will arise in the future. Be alert to them and, being alert, work to get rid of them."
Buddhist — Theravāda · SN 20.7, complete discourse
Staying at Savatthi. "Monks, there once was a time when the Dasarahas had a large drum called 'Summoner.' Whenever Summoner was split, the Dasarahas inserted another peg in it, until the time came when Summoner's original wooden body had disappeared and only a conglomeration of pegs remained.
"In the same way, in the course of the future there will be monks who won't listen when discourses that are words of the Tathagata — deep, deep in their meaning, transcendent, connected with emptiness — are being recited. They won't lend ear, won't set their hearts on knowing them, won't regard these teachings as worth grasping or mastering.
But they will listen when discourses that are literary works — the works of poets, elegant in sound, elegant in rhetoric, the work of outsiders, words of disciples — are recited. They will lend ear and set their hearts on knowing them. They will regard these teachings as worth grasping & mastering.
"In this way the disappearance of the discourses that are words of the Tathagata — deep, deep in their meaning, transcendent, connected with emptiness — will come about.
"Thus you should train yourselves: 'We will listen when discourses that are words of the Tathagata — deep, deep in their meaning, transcendent, connected with emptiness — are being recited. We will lend ear, will set our hearts on knowing them, will regard these teachings as worth grasping & mastering.' That's how you should train yourselves."
Christian — Evangelical · “WHY THE FAITHFUL WILL NOT BE SURPRISED,” complete section; PDF pages 36–37, with both author footnotes
Perhaps the most ignored or disbelieved verse in the whole Bible is I Thess. 5:4: “But you, brothers (speaking to the Church), are not in darkness so that this day (the Rapture) should surprised you.”
Jesus states in Matt. 24:36, 25:13, and Mark 13:32 that no man will know the day or the hour of His return (not the week, month or year). God told the Jew the exact time the Messiah was to be cut-off in Dan. 9:25,26. Would He do less for the Church than He did for the Jew? Heb. 10:25 says we will see the day approaching. God, in the last years of the Church Age, has let the Church know the year and the month and the week. The Body of Christ is being given time to get ready to meet the Bridegroom, but the exact time of the Rapture will remain unknown to those who are caught up in the world's affairs. There is a special Watchers Crown for those who are watchingfor His return. (II tim. 4:8).
Every event of the 70th week of Daniel (the Seven-Year Tribulation Period) and every event of the Millennium were calculated by God to begin and end at specific points in time. Only the exact day and hour of Jesus' return for His Church is unknown. (Ps. 90:12, Isa. 42:9)
The King James translation of the Bible gives two limitations to Jesus' return for the Church: “the day and the hour” (Matt. 24:36), and “the time and the seasons” (Acts 1:7, I thess. 5:1). The NAB translation, however puts these Scriptures in a different light. Acts 1:7 in this version reads “the exact times is not yours to know.” I Thess. 5:1 reads “as regards specific times and specific moments we (the Apostles) do not need to write to you.” The times and the seasons were not a limitation in the original Greek manuscritps. This mis-translation has hindered the Church from knowing the truth in this last generation about the times of the Lord's return for His faithful . Many have not read their Bibles closely enough to see by God's word the that tradition has been wrong. God, now in these times, has revealed to man all the details of the 70 th week of Daniel, the Millennium and the nesw heaven and the new earth.Daniel says it is sealed till the time of the end. When the 70 th week occurs, no man can say it happened without warning.
However, in accuracy, this answer that “it is not for you to know the times and the seasons” is an answer to the Jewish question ask by Jewish apotles to the Jewish Messiah “will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6) The question had nothing to do with the Rapture.
The Rapture was not revealed to the Church until I Cor. 15:51 when Paul the Apostles revealed the mystery of the Rapture to the Church first at Corinth at least 20 years later after the crucifixion of Jesus.
In my research notes, 14 Bible examples verify that never in the entire history of man were the righteous of God ever surprised when the wrath of God descended on the wicked. Fourteen examples are given below:
1) Noah knew seven days in advance (See Gen. 7:4)
2) Lot knew the day before (see Gen. 19:12)
3) The Israelites in Moses's day had blood over the door when the death angels killed the Egyptian first born (Ex. 12)
4) At Jesus' crucifixion the Jew should not have been surprised (see Daniel 9:25,26)
5) The ancient Jewish bride was not surprised. She heard the shout given ½ block away.
6) No surprised for the faithful. (I Thess 5:4)
7) You see the day approach; no surprised. (Heb. 10:25)
8) Unfaithful surprised; so fiathful not surprised. ( Rev. 3:3, NIV)
9) The virgins not surprised. (Amos 25:6)
10) Prophets told first; no surprised (Amos 3:7)
11) Before they spring forth I tell you of them. (Isa. 42:9)
12) The Lord confides in those who fear Him. He makes His covenant known to them. (Ps. 25:14)
13) It is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 13:11).
14) And none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. (Dan. 12:10)
Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord, which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. (Jer. 9:23-24)
General Buddhism · Anāgatavaṃsa manuscript B, folio ba, as excerpted in Warren §102, pp.485–486; question through attain to saintship
"But who shall not behold Metteyya, The Blessed One? and who shall behold him?
"One who creates a schism in a church, as it is said, 'Devadatta remains in hell for the entire world-cycle,' as well as all others born in the Avîci hell, from performing the five crimes that constitute 'proximate karma,' those cherishing wholly heretical views, and those who slander the noble disciples, shall not see him. The naked ascetics who create a schism by denying the congregation allowable privileges shall not see him. All other beings who give gifts, keep the precepts, keep fast-days, fulfil their religious duties, found shrines, plant sacred fig-trees, parks and groves, make bridges, clear the highways, take their stand in the precepts, and dig wells, shall see him. Those who, in their longing for a Blessed One, shall make a gift even if only of a handful of flowers, or of a single lamp, or of a mouthful of food, shall see him. Those who feel pleasure at meritorious deeds shall see him. Those who further the religion of The Buddha, prepare the pavilion and the seats for the preachers of the Doctrine, bring forward the fan, make offerings of cloth, canopies, garlands, incense, or lamps, or are stanch sustainers of the ministrations of the Doctrine, shall see him. Those who listen to the Vessantara Birth-Story shall see him, likewise those who give to the congregation offerings of food etc. shall see him. Those who wait on their mothers and their fathers, and perform respectful duties for their elders among their kinsfolk shall see him. Those who give ticket-food, fortnightly food, and food on fast-days, those who practise the ten means of acquiring merit shall see him. And when they have listened to the Doctrine of The Blessed Metteyya, they shall attain to saintship."
General Christianity · 2 Peter 3:3–13
3 knowing this first, that in the last days mockers shall come with mockery, walking after their own lusts,
4 and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they wilfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth compacted out of water and amidst water, by the word of God;
6 by which means the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
8 But forget not this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness,
12 looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Christian — Millerite · Printed p.4, column2 lower section beginning I had never been positive, continuing through column3 paragraph ending from myself; five consecutive paragraphs
I had never been positive as to any particular day for the Lord's appearing, believing that no man could know the day and hour. In all my published lectures, it will be seen on the title page, "about the year 1843." In all my oral lectures, I invariably told my audiences that the periods would terminate in 1843, if there were no mistake in my calculation; but that I could not say the end might not come even before that time, and they should be continually prepared. In 1842, some of my brethren preached with great positiveness the exact year, and censured me for putting in an IF. The public press had also published that I had fixed upon a definite day, the 23d of April, for the Lord's Advent. Therefore, in December of that year, as I could see no error in my reckoning, I published my belief, that sometime between March 21st, 1843, and March 21st, 1844, the Lord would come. Some had their minds fixed on particular days; but I could see no evidence for such, unless the types of the Mosaic law pointed to the feast of Tabernacles.
During the year '43, the most violent denunciations were heaped upon me, and those associated with me, by the press, and some pulpits. Our motives were assailed, our principles misrepresented, and our characters traduced. Time passed on: and the 21st of March, 1844 went by, without our witnessing the appearing of the Lord. Our disappointment was great; and many walked no more with us.
Previously to this, in the fall of '43, some of my brethren began to call the churches Babylon, and to urge that it was the duty of Adventists to come out of them. With this I was much grieved, as not only the effect was very bad, but I regarded it as a perversion of the word of God,—a wresting of Scripture. But the practice spread extensively; and from that time the churches, as might have been expected, were closed against us. It prejudiced many against us so that they would not listen to the truth. It created a deep feeling of hostility between Adventists and those who did not embrace the doctrine; so that most of the Adventists were separated from their respective churches. This was a result, which I never desired, nor expected; but it was brought about by unforeseen circumstances. We could then only act in accordance with the position in which we were thus placed.
On the passing of my published time, I frankly acknowledged my disappointment in reference to the exact period; but my faith was unchanged in any essential feature. I therefore continued my labors, principally at the west during the summer of '44, until "the seventh month movement," as it is called. I had had no participation in this, only as I wrote a letter eighteen months previously, presenting the observances under the Mosaic law, which pointed to that month as a probable time when the Advent might be expected. This was written because some were looking to definite days in the Spring. I had, however, no expectation that so unwarranted a use would be made of those types, that any should regard a belief in such mere inferential evidence a test of salvation. I therefore had no fellowship with that movement until about two or three weeks previous to the 22d of October, when seeing it had obtained such prevalence, and considering it was at a probable point of time, I was persuaded that it was a work of God, and felt that if it should pass by I should be more disappointed than I was in my first published time.
But that time passed; and I was again disappointed. The movement was of such a character, that for a time it was very mysterious to me, and the results following it were so unaccountable that I supposed our work might be completed, and that a few weeks only might elapse between that time and the appearing of Christ. However that might be, I regarded my own work as completed; and that what was to be done for the extension of these views, must be done by younger brethren, except an occasional discourse from myself.
Zoroastrian · Menog-i Khrad 57:1–32; complete chapter
1. The sage asked the spirit of wisdom (2) thus: 'Wherefore is it when the knowledge and sagacity of the spiritual and worldly existences, both united, are connected with thee?'
3. The spirit of wisdom answered (4) thus: 'For this reason, because, from the first, I, who am the innate wisdom, apart from the spiritual and worldly existences, have been with Aûharmazd. 5. And the creator Aûharmazd created (âfrîdŏ) the angels of the spiritual and worldly creations, and all the other creatures and creations through the power and mightiness, the wisdom and sagacity of innate wisdom; and I produce and he maintains and stimulates them. 6. And at the end of the renovation of the universe it is possible to cause the annihilation and destruction of Aharman and his miscreations more fully by the power of wisdom; (7) and Sôshâns, with Kaî-Khûsrôî, and those who cause the resurrection and future existence are able to act more fully, by means of the power and help of wisdom.
8. 'The knowledge and sagacity of the worldly existence, the learning and teaching in every profession, and all advancement of temporal beings are through wisdom: 9. The souls of the righteous, in escaping from hell and coming to heaven and the supreme heaven (garôdmân), arrive much better by means of the power and protection of wisdom. 10. And it is possible to seek the good living, pleasure, good repute, and every happiness of people in the worldly existence, through the power of wisdom.
11. 'And the maintenance of the seeds of men and beasts of burden, oxen and sheep, and also every other creature and creation of Aûharmazd, the lord, the seating of them in the womb, and making manifest what is their food in the womb, so that they shall not die from hunger and thirst, and the allotment and maturing of the limbs are effected more fully by means of the durability (dôrângarîh) and great potency which are in the force of wisdom.
12. 'The arrangement of the earth and the mingling of the water in the earth, the growth and increase of plants, colour of various kinds, and the scent, taste, and pleasantness of various things are allotted and produced more fully through wisdom. 13. And the arrangement of Albûrz around the world, the manifestation of the earth of the seven regions and the sky above the mountain of Albûrz, the motion of the sun and moon and twelve constellations, the six times of the season festivals (gâsanbâr), the five times devoted to the guardian spirits (fravardîkân), the heaven which is in the place of good thoughts, the place of good words, the place of good deeds, and the perfect supreme heaven (garôdmân) of all gloriousness, the path of the spirits and worldly existences, and the Kindvar bridge are produced and allotted through the power of wisdom.
14. 'The watery-looking cloud's seizing water from the sea, advancing in the atmosphere, and gradually breaking away, drop by drop, to the earth, and Aûharmazd's creatures’ thoroughly understanding the nature of heaven and hell, the compassion of Aûharmazd, the archangels, and other angels as regards their own creatures, and the devastation and destructiveness of Aharman and the demons as regards the creatures of Aûharmazd it is possible to comprehend through the more complete power of wisdom. 15. And the good religion of the Mazda-worshippers, the sayings and teaching of the spirits, and the demons’ demolishing the worldly body and making it imperceptible by the sight of men are apprehended more fully by means of the most perfect means of wisdom. 16. And even the struggle and warfare of Irân with foreigners (an-aîrân), and the smiting of Aharman and the demons it is possible to effect through the power of wisdom.
17. 'To occasion the sun's inspection of the hidden water also, below the earth, it is expedient to convey it for tillage and cultivation, and the advantage, comfort, and enjoyment of men and beasts of burden, oxen and sheep, through the power of wisdom. 18. The thorough understanding of the pain and sickness of men and beasts of burden, oxen, sheep, and other animals, and the bringing of medicine and remedies, health of body and comfort unto them are much more possible to effect by means of the power of wisdom.
19. 'And as to every man whose participation in wisdom is much, his share of heaven is then much more. 20. Even as to Vistâsp, Zaratûst, Gâyômard, and those others whose share of heaven was much the more, it was on account of the much coming of wisdom unto them. 21. And as to Yim, Frêdûn, Kâî-Ûs, and those other rulers who obtained splendour (vargŏ) and mightiness (tagakîh) from the sacred beings—just as the participation of Vistâsp and other rulers in the religion occurred—and their not attaining to the religion, and also as to the times when they have become ungrateful unto their own lord, it was on account of the little coming of wisdom unto them.
22. 'And Aharman, also, and the demons deceive that man more, and lead him to hell, who is poorer of wisdom and unsteadier in disposition. 23. And it is manifest, that, unto him who is virtuous in disposition, habit, and demeanour, praise is then due, owing to his maintenance of wisdom. 24. For it is declared, that Aharman shouted to Zaratûst thus : "If thou desist from this good religion of the Mazda-worshippers, then I will give thee a thousand years’ dominion of the worldly existence, (25) as was given to the Vadakân monarch Dahâk." 26. On account of complete wisdom, the virtuous disposition and demeanour of Zaratûst not having hearkened and not being deluded, he did not become deceived and longing through that temptation of the accursed evil one, the wicked. 27. And he spoke to Aharman (28) thus: "I will shatter and cause to run (dûkânam), and will make downcast (nigûîsâr) for thee, the bodies of your demons and fiends, wizards and witches, through the Hôm and sacred twigs, and the good, true religion which the creator Aûharmazd has taught to me." 29. Aharman, when those words were heard by him, became confounded and stupefied, and rushed to hell, and remained confounded a long time.
30. 'This, too, is declared, that Aûharmazd, when Aharman, by agreement, had further operated with his (Aûharmazd's) creatures and creation of every kind, afterwards formed an assembly with the angels and archangels of every kind, and the welfare (âvâdîh) due to his own wisdom was mentioned and recounted by him.
31. 'This, too, is declared, that for the nine thousand years of renovation, until the resurrection and future existence, wisdom maintains and stimulates the creatures and creation of every kind.
32. 'And this, too, is declared, that, as to him who is an ignorant and bad-tempered man, when he attains even to much eminence, opulence, and authority, even then he is not fit to elevate into that welfare and authority.'
General Christianity · Bokhara, journal entry of 5 March 1832; printed pp. 187–188; dialogue lines
G. B. Do you believe in Jesus?
I. The fulness of the Godhead was in him bodily. He was the word of God, that was made flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary, by the power of the Holy Spirit. He died for our sins, rose again, went to Heaven, whence he shall come again, according to my opinion, in the year 1847, and reign at Jerusalem 1000 years.
G. B. Is Jesus mentioned in the books of the Jews?
I. Throughout the Old Testament.
G. B. Is our prophet mentioned in the Bible?
I. The empire which he has established is mentioned; but he is not predicted as a prophet.
G. B. Where about is his empire mentioned?
I. In Daniel vii. 5.
Northern Paiute / Ghost Dance · Chapter X, The Messiah Letter (free rendering), pp. 781–782
When you get home you must make a dance to continue five days. Dance four successive nights, and the last night keep up the dance until the morning of the fifth day, when all must bathe in the river and then disperse to their homes. You must all do in the same way.
I, Jack Wilson, love you all, and my heart is full of gladness for the gifts you have brought me. When you get home I shall give you a good cloud [rain?] which will make you feel good. I give you a good spirit and give you all good paint. I want you to come again in three months, some from each tribe there [the Indian Territory].
There will be a good deal of snow this year and some rain. In the fall there will be such a rain as I have never given you before.
Grandfather [a universal title of reverence among Indians and here meaning the messiah] says, when your friends die you must not cry. You must not hurt anybody or do harm to anyone. You must not fight. Do right always. It will give you satisfaction in life. This young man has a good father and mother. [Possibly this refers to Casper Edson, the young Arapaho who wrote down this message of Wovoka for the delegation].
Do not tell the white people about this. Jesus is now upon the earth. He appears like a cloud. The dead are all alive again. I do not know when they will be here; maybe this fall or in the spring. When the time comes there will be no more sickness and everyone will be young again.
Do not refuse to work for the whites and do not make any trouble with them until you leave them. When the earth shakes [at the coming of the new world] do not be afraid. It will not hurt you.
I want you to dance every six weeks. Make a feast at the dance and have food that everybody may eat. Then bathe in the water. That is all. You will receive good words again from me some time. Do not tell lies.