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NASB | Matthew 16:28 ¶ "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 16:28 ¶ "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom." |
Subject: 70A.D. or not? |
Bible Note: Hi jonp, I'll be glad to give it a shot. I'm confident Luke's words are are divinely true. Our task is to discern that truth from our English translation. I think it highly probable the person that coined the phrase "lost in the translation" was a Bible student. Even if we were fluent in Greek there would still be difficulties. Remember a few decades ago when all of a sudden "bad" meant good? Fortunately, that withered away. Luke 21:7; And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? In verse 8-17 He explains the things that will happen and the persecutions they will endure during the time period "these things" come to pass. In verses 18 and 19 He gives them assurances. Then in verse 20 He gives them the sign they had asked for: "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh." (nigh: eggizo; to bring near, to join one thing to another, to draw or come near to, to approach). Verse 21, they're told that when they see this sign they must flee to the mountains, etc.Verse 22; Jesus affirms these coming days to be the judgement. "For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written (grapho; writing in general but also used of those things which stand written in the sacred books of the OT) may be fulfilled." Verse 23 notes how especially hard it will be for pregnant women. The distress and wrath will not be on every person on the planet (people: laos; a people, people group, tribe, nation, all those who are of the same stock and language). Verse 24, 25, 26: Jesus continues His prophesy to the disciples. 24 "And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. 25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." Verse 25 Could this refer to astrological signs perhaps? "Distress of nations:" (ethnos; a tribe, nation, people group, in the OT foreign nations not worshipping the true God, pagans, Gentiles Paul uses the term for Gentile Christians). Although the war was local to Judea and especially Jerusalem, I beleive this refers to great distress in all the surrounding nations in the years immediately prior to the start of the war. Verse 26 continues describing this horrid anticipation. From the time Jesus spoke until His coming things went from bad to worse in an exponential manner. To the beleivers it had to be frightening but imaginine the unbeleivers absolute horror. Josephus describes this period with unbelievable horror. Verse 27:"And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." I'm not sure I understand your comment on this verse. If you are saying His coming in glory at Pentecost and in judgement of Jerusalem are separate events, I completely agree. I see this coming in glory as a separate event. The word for glory (doxa) has many meanings depending on context. The one applicable here would seem to be; a thing belonging to Christ, the kingly majesty of the Messiah, the absolutely perfect inward or personal excellency of Christ. This verse and similar ones are cited as a "proof " that Jesus did not come in 70AD because there's no record that He was seen. This verse does indeed seem to say He would be seen. It could argued, if they saw Him would they recognize Him? Abscent for 3 days, His disciples failed to recognize Him after His ressurection. But, I beleive examining Rev. 1:7 provides a better explanation. "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen." (Eye: Ophthalmos; the eye, metaphorically the eyes of the mind, the faculty of knowing.) (See: Optanomai; to look at, behold.) So far this allows for the mind's eye to see Him, to understand He is coming in judgement. (Continued in next post) |