My husband and I went for a walk today -- yes, November 8 -- and already the decorations are up. Is it too early? This pic was taken in an open mall in Bethesda, Maryland. So..what do you think? too early ? or good timing?
For the stores it's just an opportunity for sales. I think it's a bit early but after having said that - I love Christmas and all the lights and decorations.
I think the marketplaces, store and malls are all trying to encourage people to start their Christmas shopping early by putting up decorations. I have been to some stores shortly before Halloween and they would have Christmas decorations selling right along side the Halloween ones. I hope people will remember there is more to Christmas than buying expensive gifts. A simple gift with meaning, can be a greater treasure than the latest gadget that breaks down within a few months. Look back!
I think it is too early BUT People are hanging on to their money. Merchants are hurting so they are trying to get people in the mood for Christmas soo they will shop. I'm waiting for a while before I shop.
I usually wait to put up lights when it snows after Thanksgiving. I should get them out while it is warmer since I am no spring chicken. I've been known to shop during the late afternoon on Christmas Eve. only plus: some things are already sale priced. Maybe those decorating now are too early but...I could possibly learn from them and at least not be so late.
The choice is yours. I personally cannot understand why anyone would turn their back on God's free gift of grace through faith in His Son. I have placed my faith in Jesus, and I therefore am able to look forward to His soon return with great anticipation and expectation. All that is within me cries out, Come quickly Lord Jesus" (1 Corinthians 16:22).
God is determined to deal with sin, and He does so with either grace or wrath (John 3:36). If you have put your faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you are under God's grace. Your sins have been forgiven and forgotten, and you can look forward with confidence to that glorious day when Jesus will appear in the heavens.
But if you have never received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are under the wrath of God, and you have nothing to look forward to except the terror of His wrath.
November 8, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Will He come as your Blessed Hope or your Holy Terror?
The Bible clearly teaches that God never pours out His wrath without warning for He is a just and loving God who does not wish that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). That's why He has provided so many signs to alert us to the fact that we are living on the threshold of the TribulationThe bottom line message of the signs is that we are living on borrowed time. And the crucial question for every human being is "Are you ready?" Are you ready for the return of Jesus?
November 8, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Signs of Technology have made it possible for Prophecy to be fulfilled
Likewise, how could the Antichrist control all buying and selling worldwide (Revelation 13) without the aid of computer technology? How could the False Prophet create the illusion of giving life to a statue (Revelation 13) without the technology of holograms, virtual reality, and robotics? How could an army of 200 million come out of the Far East (Revelation 9) before the population explosion that was produced by modern medical technology? How could the Gospel be proclaimed to all the world
November 8, 2009 at 11:01 pm
prophecies that simply cannot be understood apart from modern technological developments.
Consider the prophecy in Revelation 11 about the two witnesses who will call the world to repentance during the first half of the Tribulation. When they are killed by the Antichrist, we are told that their bodies will lie in the streets of Jerusalem for three and a half days, and the whole world will look upon them (Revelation 11:9). How could anyone understand such a prophecy before the development of satellite television in the 1960's?
November 8, 2009 at 10:55 pm
evidence that this is a nuclear holocaust is found in Revelation 16:11
The development of nuclear weapons seems to be foreshadowed by this prophecy in Luke 21 that speaks of people "fainting from fear" due to the "powers of the heavens being shaken." The incredible carnage of the Seal and Trumpet Judgments portrayed in chapters 6 and 8 in the book of Revelation indicates that the Antichrist will conquer the world through the use of nuclear weapons. We are told that one-third of the earth will be burned and that one-half of humanity will be killed.
The Bible prophesies a very specific end time configuration of world politics. Israel is pictured as being re-established (Ezekiel 37:21-22) and surrounded by hostile Arab neighbors intent on its destruction (Ezekiel 35:1 - 36:7). This, of course has been the situation in the Middle East since the Israeli Declaration of Independence in May of 1948.All the nations of the world are prophesied to come together against Israel in the end times over the issue of the control of Jerusalem (Zech. 12:2-3)
2 Timothy 4:3-4:
"The time will come when they [professing Christians] will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths."Some of the negative spiritual signs that are specifically prophesied include the following: false christs, cultic groups, heresies, apostasy, skepticism, deception, occultism, and persecution.
November 8, 2009 at 10:41 pm
People are doing what is right in their own eyes, and the result is that people are calling evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20)
God cannot be mocked (Galatians 6:7). He therefore sees to it that when people chose Humanism, Materialism, and Hedonism, the payoff is always Nihilism — which is a fancy philosophical word for despair.
Need I emphasize that our world is wallowing in despair today? We live in a society plagued by abortion, homosexuality, domestic violence, child molestation, blasphemy, pornography, alcoholism, drug abuse and gambling.
The Bible says we cannot know the time of the Lord's return (Matthew 25:13). But the Scriptures make it equally clear that we can know the season of the Lord's return (1 Thessalonians 5:2-6):
"You yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night... But you brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night or darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do,
Another prophecy that has definitely been fulfilled in our times is the resurgence of the Israeli military. Zechariah 12:6 says that in the end times, God "will make the clans of Judah like a firepot among pieces of wood and a flaming torch among sheaves, so they will consume on the right hand and on the left all the surrounding peoples..."
The fulfillment of this prophecy can be seen today in the incredible military power of Israel.
November 8, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Current Fulfillment of Prophecies Related to Israel
With regard to Israel before the Tribulation begins, the Bible prophesies that Jerusalem will be re-occupied by the Jews (Zechariah 12:2-3 & 6) and that it will become the focal point of world politics (Zechariah 12:3). The Jews returned to the city when it was captured in the Six Day War in 1967, and today, all the nations of the world are coming against Israel over the issue of who will control Jerusalem in the future.
The future has arrived! End time prophecies are being fulfilled today. What we are witnessing is much more than "stage-setting." God is clearly fulfilling promises He made thousands of years ago to the Jewish people. And God is orchestrating the fulfillment of end time prophecies that are not related to the Jewish people.
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Dgleon
WAY too early. We are not even given a chance to enjoy the warms russets, yellow and oranges of Autumn.
Brown Skin Girl
For the stores it's just an opportunity for sales. I think it's a bit early but after having said that - I love Christmas and all the lights and decorations.
Adriana
I think the marketplaces, store and malls are all trying to encourage people to start their Christmas shopping early by putting up decorations. I have been to some stores shortly before Halloween and they would have Christmas decorations selling right along side the Halloween ones. I hope people will remember there is more to Christmas than buying expensive gifts. A simple gift with meaning, can be a greater treasure than the latest gadget that breaks down within a few months. Look back!
Jean from WV
I think it is too early BUT People are hanging on to their money. Merchants are hurting so they are trying to get people in the mood for Christmas soo they will shop. I'm waiting for a while before I shop.
Mary H
I usually wait to put up lights when it snows after Thanksgiving. I should get them out while it is warmer since I am no spring chicken. I've been known to shop during the late afternoon on Christmas Eve. only plus: some things are already sale priced. Maybe those decorating now are too early but...I could possibly learn from them and at least not be so late.
"Maranatha!
The choice is yours. I personally cannot understand why anyone would turn their back on God's free gift of grace through faith in His Son. I have placed my faith in Jesus, and I therefore am able to look forward to His soon return with great anticipation and expectation. All that is within me cries out, Come quickly Lord Jesus" (1 Corinthians 16:22).
The Message
God is determined to deal with sin, and He does so with either grace or wrath (John 3:36). If you have put your faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you are under God's grace. Your sins have been forgiven and forgotten, and you can look forward with confidence to that glorious day when Jesus will appear in the heavens. But if you have never received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are under the wrath of God, and you have nothing to look forward to except the terror of His wrath.
Will He come as your Blessed Hope or your Holy Terror?
The Bible clearly teaches that God never pours out His wrath without warning for He is a just and loving God who does not wish that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). That's why He has provided so many signs to alert us to the fact that we are living on the threshold of the TribulationThe bottom line message of the signs is that we are living on borrowed time. And the crucial question for every human being is "Are you ready?" Are you ready for the return of Jesus?
Signs of Technology have made it possible for Prophecy to be fulfilled
Likewise, how could the Antichrist control all buying and selling worldwide (Revelation 13) without the aid of computer technology? How could the False Prophet create the illusion of giving life to a statue (Revelation 13) without the technology of holograms, virtual reality, and robotics? How could an army of 200 million come out of the Far East (Revelation 9) before the population explosion that was produced by modern medical technology? How could the Gospel be proclaimed to all the world
prophecies that simply cannot be understood apart from modern technological developments.
Consider the prophecy in Revelation 11 about the two witnesses who will call the world to repentance during the first half of the Tribulation. When they are killed by the Antichrist, we are told that their bodies will lie in the streets of Jerusalem for three and a half days, and the whole world will look upon them (Revelation 11:9). How could anyone understand such a prophecy before the development of satellite television in the 1960's?
evidence that this is a nuclear holocaust is found in Revelation 16:11
The development of nuclear weapons seems to be foreshadowed by this prophecy in Luke 21 that speaks of people "fainting from fear" due to the "powers of the heavens being shaken." The incredible carnage of the Seal and Trumpet Judgments portrayed in chapters 6 and 8 in the book of Revelation indicates that the Antichrist will conquer the world through the use of nuclear weapons. We are told that one-third of the earth will be burned and that one-half of humanity will be killed.
more people died in wars during the 20th Century than in all the previous wars throughout all of recorded human history.
The Bible prophesies a very specific end time configuration of world politics. Israel is pictured as being re-established (Ezekiel 37:21-22) and surrounded by hostile Arab neighbors intent on its destruction (Ezekiel 35:1 - 36:7). This, of course has been the situation in the Middle East since the Israeli Declaration of Independence in May of 1948.All the nations of the world are prophesied to come together against Israel in the end times over the issue of the control of Jerusalem (Zech. 12:2-3)
negative spiritual signs
2 Timothy 4:3-4: "The time will come when they [professing Christians] will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths."Some of the negative spiritual signs that are specifically prophesied include the following: false christs, cultic groups, heresies, apostasy, skepticism, deception, occultism, and persecution.
People are doing what is right in their own eyes, and the result is that people are calling evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20)
God cannot be mocked (Galatians 6:7). He therefore sees to it that when people chose Humanism, Materialism, and Hedonism, the payoff is always Nihilism — which is a fancy philosophical word for despair. Need I emphasize that our world is wallowing in despair today? We live in a society plagued by abortion, homosexuality, domestic violence, child molestation, blasphemy, pornography, alcoholism, drug abuse and gambling.
roger 1
They all want to be first
but let us be alert and sober."
The Bible says we cannot know the time of the Lord's return (Matthew 25:13). But the Scriptures make it equally clear that we can know the season of the Lord's return (1 Thessalonians 5:2-6): "You yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night... But you brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night or darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do,
Who Dat Says They Gonna Beat Them Saints?
Geaux Saints! You are awesome!
Current Fulfillment of Prophecies Related to Israel
Another prophecy that has definitely been fulfilled in our times is the resurgence of the Israeli military. Zechariah 12:6 says that in the end times, God "will make the clans of Judah like a firepot among pieces of wood and a flaming torch among sheaves, so they will consume on the right hand and on the left all the surrounding peoples..." The fulfillment of this prophecy can be seen today in the incredible military power of Israel.
Current Fulfillment of Prophecies Related to Israel
With regard to Israel before the Tribulation begins, the Bible prophesies that Jerusalem will be re-occupied by the Jews (Zechariah 12:2-3 & 6) and that it will become the focal point of world politics (Zechariah 12:3). The Jews returned to the city when it was captured in the Six Day War in 1967, and today, all the nations of the world are coming against Israel over the issue of who will control Jerusalem in the future.
Taking the Signs of the Times Seriously
The future has arrived! End time prophecies are being fulfilled today. What we are witnessing is much more than "stage-setting." God is clearly fulfilling promises He made thousands of years ago to the Jewish people. And God is orchestrating the fulfillment of end time prophecies that are not related to the Jewish people.