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NASB | 2 Peter 3:4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Peter 3:4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming [what has become of it]? For ever since the fathers fell asleep [in death], all things have continued [exactly] as they did from the beginning of creation." |
Subject: Where do I go from here? |
Bible Note: Hey treadway, I suppose you must have taken alot of time thinking this over.I'm curious about how much of your seeking was pray-filled. Don't get me wrong I respect your arguement, but the 2 Pet 3 is about addressing convincing arguements. I will agree that early Christians were waiting and believing that the end was near, here, or soon to come. The only time I recall jesus saying anyone was going to remain alive until his return was in John 21:20-22 and the writer of John explains that when this book was written, false rumors where spreading, saying that this disciple would not die (vs 23). I would prefer addressing other examples like you said in context (and on an individual basis). As far as the end actually being in their era, Christ is quite clear about no one knowing the day or hour except for the Father (matt24). This is an important context to remember when studying the other verses you mentioned. The patient endurance that the Apostles proclaimed was important for them because they where strangers in this world, some grew weary and needed reminder and encouragement. Today decieving arguements create doubt and lack of belief in the minds of many. We need to remind and encourage each other also. God has offered salvation to the world but few may accept it. Many times throughout history people have made the mistake of assigning a day or time for the end (ie. Millerites). If no one knows "the day" that includes the apostles in their own time. Still they were preparing as if it were today. Today is our day to prepare because the end has not yet come, but "salvation is nearer now than when we first believed" (rom 13:11). Finally your most logical arguement is that the end would never come because multitudes would continue to multiply and prolong the end. First you recognize that God has not desired the death of any, even the wicked.There is a seperation of sin and sinner, Christ reached out to the person but never accepted the sin. If you look at the signs Christ lays out in Matt 24 you will recognize that the world is for a lack of better words getting worse. The world will persecute believers. While believers testify of the Good news they are being murdered. Now Jesus does teach that the way is narrow that leads to life eternal and the road to Damnation is wide (matt7:14). Sadly both for us and even more for us not everyone will be saved, not because they didn't have a chance (matt 24:14). The world may come to the point where they have rejected totally the love of God, the testimony of jesus and His followers. Therefore commiting the impardonable sin. Why impardonable because they constantly grow in wickedness and ignore God. I tend to believe God is fair and just and He already knows (not us) who is saved and who is not. I also lean on Him giving us a chance to live out our lives and giving us the freedom to perish in our sin or die to sin and gain life through Him. Now i don't think i can truly give a scientific answer to show how the end can come with the world forever growing. Treadway is it possible that God is limited to our ability to procreate? I don't think scripture adresses that. Now that I think about it we are upto like 6 billion people and eventually it's going to get cramp. There are many different reasons that could bring about demise: famine, plague, war, or natural disaster. well I don't want to type on and on about all this. If you'd like to continue talking some of these biblical issues we could always Email on another. I know there are some very interesting points you might want to study on www.amazingfacts.com Oh and by the way I do believe in the second Coming of Christ, I am an Adventist. Your hopefully not too long winded friend, HAM |