Since the prophets first proclaimed that an end time would come just about every generation has thought it was in the end times. The signs of the end times have been with us from the beginning and today we don't have a sign of the end times that was not seen in many previous generations. Wars, famine, earthquakes, disobediant children. They've always been here. The disobediant children part might be pointed out as exceptionally bad in today's world. But remember that is an American phenomenon. There was no America in Jesus time so he was not speaking of things taking place in America.
If we look at the effect when people think they are in the end times we can see why this has been such a powerful tool for the powers that be. When people think they are in the end times they become less concerned about what's happening around them unless it is some act of love which they think will winthem goody points in the next world. This allows governments to act with impunity and the people who survive will just lovingly pick up the pieces after the dust settles.
This is why the bible has been so popular with government and religious leaders. Thay see the value of a religion with signs of the end times that are so broad they will always exist and therefore always be useful to the powers that be.
If we look at the effect when people think they are in the end times we can see why this has been such a powerful tool for the powers that be. When people think they are in the end times they become less concerned about what's happening around them unless it is some act of love which they think will winthem goody points in the next world. This allows governments to act with impunity and the people who survive will just lovingly pick up the pieces after the dust settles.
This is why the bible has been so popular with government and religious leaders. Thay see the value of a religion with signs of the end times that are so broad they will always exist and therefore always be useful to the powers that be.