Hi, I've been reading this thread for a couple of weeks now and i finally decided to join. I have read 2008 by RW and heard a few sermons and interviews. I can't say I totally believe him because his claims are very bold but I am a believer of God and I understand he can and will work through whoever he pleases so I know RW's claims shouldn't be totally ignored. While RW strikes me as an intelligent man with a lot of biblical knowledge i must take whatever he says with a grain of salt...
1-One of the issues i have with his prophecies are that they aren't all that specific. He says that certain places in the US will be attacked but the methods of attack he says sounds more like he's trying to give us an idea of what kinds of attacks they MIGHT be and doesn't sound like he's saying what attacks they WILL be.
2- Some of the prophecies are things that are likely to happen anyway which would be hard to use as a sign of the end days such as the dollar collapsing..
3-Notable celebrity deaths that he says are part of the 6th seal happen all the time, celebrities are people and people die every day...I can't claim to understand how God works through prophets but I'd like to think he could've been more specific like say "John Doe" will die in this month or "Jane Doe" will die in this specific and unusual way, that way when it does happen we can't just assume he made a lucky guess. The only specific mention is that the pope will not die in 3.5 years which isn't much prophecy cuz that wasn't likely to begin with.
4-I understand when people discover truths they feel God opened their minds, but i'm pretty sure if God wants to open minds he doesnt need someone to write a book for him so I dont like when people who post here say "you wont understand God hasnt opened your mind", there are books out there which make incredible claims so you guys have to understand there will be doubters whether RW is false or not and its up to RW to prove he's telling the truth. (Now i know you'll say he isnt trying to prove anything but nobody not out to prove anything writes two books about a subject)
5-I heard his last couple of sermons about April and the 7th seal and how major events might not necessarily occur right then and there which is in stark contrast to his attitude in earlier interviews where he makes it seem as though things might already be so bad at that point that it would be hard to communicate by the end of the month (correct me if i'm wrong)

I very much would like to believe the man as nothing would please me more than to know that the lord is returning soon...but what RW followers must understand is that the doubters aren't all being blinded by satan, prophecy is serious business and following a false prophet can ruin lives. For example if i have $10g saved in a bank and i totally believe RW then say was planning to buy a second car with that i'd reconsider. Its late february so i'd probably be thinking of investing in emergency equipment, first aid, stockpiling food, maybe even securing my home to protect from intruders should things get terrible and people try to steal my food...now say its april, may, june and nothing happens i'll never see that 10g back. And since I live in NYC what if i take his warnings seriously and move my family come april to avoid attack or use money to feed children to buy gas masks to protect them from chemical attack...

[edit on 19-2-2008 by caughtout]

I am seriously thinking of getting Baptized when Ron comes to the UK next month. Now that my understanding has began to grow, i feel it is the next step i need to take in order to take my knowledge and obiedience to God to the next level.

Hi All! Wow, you guys have all been busy today I see.

I had lots to say today but many people beat me to it!

It is AWESOME to see everyone growing and learning and helping each other. That is how it should have been for the last several thousand years! All the brethren lifting each other up and coming together.

The second thing that has been most amazing for me, is that all the brethren has taken my husband (DE) and myself under their wings so to speak. They have answered questions and welcomed us like we were long lost family.

That alone makes my heart lifted and know that this can only be from God. And after the tribulation is over, I'm looking forward to meeting alot (or all) face to face! I know I owe them alot for guiding me even closer to God and into the Family of God!

You all know who you are! God bless all of you and THANK YOU so much for being here for me. I hope to be able to repay all of you one day!

I'm by no means trying to shake anyone's faith, but I don't know what to think about Ron saying something like the world may not know what is happening after the first trumpet is blown..I listened to the Feb. 9th sermon and I was glad to hear when the 7th seal is to be opened and how long the half hour meant in prophetic terms..but sorta scratched my head when he said many may not see what's happening after the blowing of the first trumpet. I can see where skeptics could now say he is backpedaling and will continue to do so. I really want to believe it all with all of my heart but this and a few thunders that don't seem that pronounced make me unsure because that would seem to go against what he's said in recent interviews..I don't know if he ever said there would be nukes go off in America in April, but he seemed to imply something would happen that the world would notice in a big way.

That said, I'm not saying I don't believe him..
Some of thunders do see to be getting more pronounced such as deaths in the entertainment industry..lots of famous people have died recently, I've even heard people who know nothing about any of this say stuff likw "what's up with so many talented actors dying in such ashort span."

Anyway, any feedback about this would be greatly appreciated.

Originally posted by jnthemyst
I'm by no means trying to shake anyone's faith, but I don't know what to think about Ron saying something like the world may not know what is happening after the first trumpet is blown..I listened to the Feb. 9th sermon and I was glad to hear when the 7th seal is to be opened and how long the half hour meant in prophetic terms..but sorta scratched my head when he said many may not see what's happening after the blowing of the first trumpet. I can see where skeptics could now say he is backpedaling and will continue to do so. I really want to believe it all with all of my heart but this and a few thunders that don't seem that pronounced make me unsure because that would seem to go against what he's said in recent interviews..I don't know if he ever said there would be nukes go off in America in April, but he seemed to imply something would happen that the world would notice in a big way.

That said, I'm not saying I don't believe him..
Some of thunders do see to be getting more pronounced such as deaths in the entertainment industry..lots of famous people have died recently, I've even heard people who know nothing about any of this say stuff likw "what's up with so many talented actors dying in such ashort span."

Anyway, any feedback about this would be greatly appreciated.

Hi! After that sermon DE and I went up to Winnipeg and I mentioned it to Laura and she said that those who know what to expect will notice, but those who have no idea will not.

Also, in many sermons Ron has mentioned that after the 7th Seal is opened (Mar. 18) the thunders will get even louder. Also, did you notice how the Pope will be in NY from April 15-20. The 1/2 hour of silence ends April 17th. Then in revelations after that 1/2 hour the angels PREPARE to blow their trumpets. And a good thing is that the longer the trumpets aren't blown the shorter we will have to live in the physical hardships. So if the nukes don't go off for 6 months, we'll only have 3 years left till Christ's return.

Don't back petal my friend, keep moving forward as there is no time to waste. Learn and desire with urgency, it's right around the corner. We don't have time to 2nd guess God. If He has opened your mind, there is a reason for it. It's not to just let you die, there is a purpose He has for you. I had to be told that myself.

God Bless!

I'd really appreciate if I could get some replies to my post...there's alot i'd like to know