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NASB | Matthew 24:27 "For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 24:27 "For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming [in glory] of the Son of Man [everyone will see Him clearly]. |
Bible Question: While talking to His disiples about His return he states that the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. He then says that the SIGN of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. I have heard tell that this sign is His shakina (sp?) glory. Is this the general concensus? Can anyone elaborate more on this? |
Bible Answer: prayon, If you approach this from a dispensational perspective, the sun, moon and stars are forced to be translated literally. If you do this, a literal conclusion and literal consequences must also follow. If the sun were to darken, the earth and all its inabitants will freeze and die almost instantly. The moon not giving its light would hardly mean anything since the new moon occurs quite regularly now with no adverse affects. If the stars were to fall, then surely the earth would be completely annihilated if they strike the earth and if not I see no concern when there is no danger. The SIGN of the Son of Man appearing in the sky has been interpreted by most dispensationalists as the cross. But even if it isn't, dispensationalists have no interpretation for this. What we must remember is that the language is pure Old Covenant metaphorical language primarily referring to Israel and is used throughout the Old Testament and the book of the Revelation. Terms such as "sun", "moon" and "light" have typically been associated with Israel and Christ's disciples would have had no problem understanding this metaphorical language. It would be senseless for Christ to warn them of an event that He knew would never happen in their lifetime! In fact, Christ said "When YOU SEE" so often that any reference to people other than those to whom Christ said WOULD SEE renders the interpretation without biblical warrant. The event(s) of which Christ spoke refer to the destruction of Jerusalem starting from about 63 AD until 70 AD. The governing power and authority of Israel would die (lose its light, sun and moon) and the priesthood (which had become defiled and useless because of Christ's atonement) would fall from their places and the whole world of Judaism would be shaken by the end of Temple worship and sacrifices and the destruction of Jerusalem (which was the Jew's reason for living). There is no reason for the shakina glory of God to reappear since its departure from the Temple hundreds of years prior to the time Christ spoke these words. The shakina glory represented God but we hardly need a representation when we have the real thing. This is by no means considered exhaustive, but I would encourage you to compare the words of our Lord with what our Lord has spoken of Israel all throughout the Old Testament. Don't forget that Christ also told his disciples (those to whom He was addressing His words) that THEY WOULD SEE the abomination of desolation (Matthew 24:15). I look forward to hearing your remarks. Sam Hughey |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Matt 24:27 | Author | ||
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jg8ball | ||
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prayon | ||
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prayon | ||
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Lifer1J511 | ||
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reformedreader | ||
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Chusarcik | ||
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Angelw/horns | ||
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Loran James |