Subject: when will jesus christ return |
Bible Note: Hi Just Read Mark, Thanks for asking, I’ll answer you in parts. This is going to be a bit long. “”””“Hi. It has always been clear to me that the NT writers EXPECTED Jesus to return very soon.” Yes you are correct. Not only that, but they expected him to return within their lifetimes. “””””I have just thought that they were mistaken (seeing through the glass darkly)” Looking through the mirror darkly indeed. As it’s already been noted, no one knew the exact day or hour of his return, but Christ did give them a 40 year time frame. If we notice in the Gospels Christ states that “THIS generation shall not pass”, meaning that one, that specific generation in the 1st century was the so called terminal generation, and that two a generation as the Hebrews knew it was 40 years. ‘’’’’’’’I have never heard of your interpretation before. You are saying that Christ already did return? This makes my mind reel with questions:’’’’’’ It’s been around since Christendom, but Futurism is obviously far more popular. However, people are finally focusing on Eschatology or “End Times” issues now and noticing a LOT of problems with Futurism. Preterism is fortunately rapidly spreading through Christendom. ’’’’’’’’1) Why wouldn't the NT writers have mentioned something about that? The canon wasn't set til later anyway.’’’’’’ Actually the NT is chock full of passages that mention it. Too often we get our mind locked into a certain way of thinking, we have ‘set our minds’ and therefore when we do things we do things with that sort of mind set. You most likely read the NT with Futurism as your mind set, so when you come across a passage, you interpret it with that Futurist thinking. Too often we expect things to happen in a certain way, and when they don’t happen that way we are either consciously or unconsciously ignorant of the event taking place. Such as, you probably think a European super leader will rise, perhaps Catholicism is the Great Harlot (it was actually Jerusalem), China will come across a dried up Euphrates river, and there will be some sort of an implant or tattoo where you can’t buy or sell goods. Sound familiar? I too had that same “mode” of thinking. But the more you sit down and let the Bible explain the Bible, instead of the 5 o’clock news, you realize that Futurism doesn’t make Biblical sense. I would highly recommend you, at least just once, read the NT with a ‘past fulfilled’ frame of mind, it will help. Check out some of these verses and you’ll understand what I mean. "But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God." Luke 9:27 "THIS generation will not pass away until ALL these things take place." (Matt. 24:34) “THESE are days of vengeance, in order that ALL things which are written may be fulfilled.” (Lk. 21:22) “This is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: 'And it shall be in the last days…'” (Acts 2:16-17) “Not for [Abraham's] sake only was it written, that [faith] was reckoned to him [as righteousness], but for our sake also, to whom it is about to be reckoned.” (Rom. 4:23-24) “We shall not all fall sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.” (I Cor. 15:51-52) “The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.” (I Peter 4:7) ””””””””2) And why didn't anything change upon his return (for Revelation and Thessalonians would certainly cause us to expect radical change)? Things DID in fact change, however this is what I was referring to with “mindsets”. We get our mind stuck on something, and when it doesn’t happen that way, we often dismiss the actual happening because it wasn’t a ‘custom fit’. Going off what my mind frame used to be, I remember thinking that the ‘end’ would involve no more wicked people and basically a physical restoration of the earth. BUT, is this what the Bible says? No it isn’t. Sadly Futurism has taught this, but it doesn’t match up with the Bible. Things were very much changing in the 1st century, but they were on the Spiritual level, not the fleshy one. People put too much value in flesh, forgetting that God the Father is spirit. cont'd SUEDE |