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NASB | Matthew 24:34 "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 24:34 "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation [the people living when these signs and events begin] will not pass away until all these things take place. |
Subject: Will the 2nd Coming Ever Occur? |
Bible Note: To Joe and Tim: First, thank you, Joe, for the info. I haven't gotten to any stage where I'm declaring myself any kind of "preterist". Although what I've suggested may align with that view, in the final analysis the road forks. Again, I stress the "inconvertible" support that lies within Scripture. Although this evidences may fly in the face of long held beliefs, it cannot be hidden from discerning eyes. What it means, ultimately, for the 2nd Coming proponents, is up to them. It will be their perspectives, their hopes and faith, that are tested. They can choose to ignore, which is fine; or, they can adapt. Again, I appreciated your response that was well thought out, well written, and very informative. ----------------------------------- Greetings Tim: You wrote: "I am definitely saddened by the route you are taking my friend. You have progressed from abritraily deciding how long 'soon' is to deciding that 'soon' now means 'never'! :-( " Well Tim, I am saddened that you are saddened. But any kind of revelation should be cause for rejoicing. Truth can set one free. Epiphancy can lighten the heart strings. As for my deciding "arbitrarily", nothing could be farther from the reality. I didn't have to decide. It's there, black and white, no wiggle room. Two plus two adds up to four. Nothing arbitrary about piecing together the supplied evidence. "Soon" meant "then", in the 1st Century. Jesus, Peter, Paul, John, Revelations declared the coming to be "right around the corner". You wrote: Scripture is very clear - Christ is coming again! In all of your listed verses, Tim, who is Jesus talking to? Can you make a definitive declaration that He means an indefinite future of genertions? Also--and this is the most important aspect of your assertion--you fail to list all the verses from all the participants that state that Jesus is expected in their lifetime. Why would you want to ignore them? I certainly won't list all those utterances, since I have already done so in other posts, but to ignore them is nothing short of escapism. Then, you do not address the OT prophecies. Do you suggest that the OT prophecied that the Messiah would come twice? Who would know better than anyone else what the promised Messiah was supposed to do, than the Jews? According to their prophecies, Jesus did not qualify, and certainly would not be returning. That must be dealt with; it is part of the equation. This issue is far too important, too critical, for "arbitrariness". Good thoughts....(I'll check back in a couple of weeks :) Treadway |