Growth in evangelical Christianity creating competition to accuse children of witchc
- Thread starter tay
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We've got a few billion years until the Second Coming then, but really, the important thing about it is that it's never going to happen. Jesus was wrong about it. Scripture clearly says nobody knows when it'll happen, but equally clearly, Jesus is reported as saying it'll happen within the lifetimes of those hearing him speak, and Paul obviously believed it was imminent. Everyone, even the most exalted, has been wrong so far, and the sensible conclusion after being about 2000 years late is that he's not coming. I usually give up on people after an hour.
Yeah, I don't have Him penciled in on the calendar, but was hoping we didn't have to wait a few billion years.
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[f] but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
How about... forever?
Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. Matthew16:28
But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. Luke 9:27
Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. Matthew 23:36
Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Matthew 24:34
Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. Mark 9:1
Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. Mark 13:30
Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Luke 21:32
See? He was wrong.
Well, I guess I have some splaining to do. As I understand, the full chapters of each verse you have here suggest several different contexts. Some say Jesus is speaking about the destruction of Jerusalem, others think Jesus is refering to his ascension or pentecost, others think it is the time period (generation) of the apostles and their eventual martyrom. I think Jesus is referring to his Second Coming but do not understand why the word "generation" is used. So, I look at the whole of Scripture to "interpret". My interpretation - Jesus is coming back, don't know when.
This is the sort of thing I expect from you Dex - a real puzzle to solve. Thanks.
You haven't solved it. There he is reported as saying seven times, unequivocally, that he'll return within the lifetimes of the people he's addressing. Either he was wrong, or the reports of what he said are wrong, or there's somebody still alive who heard him speak and will stay alive until he returns. Ever heard the legend of the Wandering Jew? That's where it comes from.
There is a fellow in this town who claims to be thousands of years old. Actually, I think he said he was there at the beginning - Big Bang/Creation. He is brilliant like most schizophrenics I've met. Anyway, he'll tell you that everybody alive today (except him) is wrong about just about everything and I believe him.
I agree. I do not think I solved anything. I think based on the entirety of Scripture that Christ will come again.
Now tell me about this wandering jew. please.
Wikipedia covers it pretty well, but the basic story stems from 13th century Christian Europe, about a Jew who was alive in Jesus' time and is required to stay alive until he returns. Various reasons are given in different versions of the story, like he mocked Jesus on the way to Calvary and and is now condemned to wander the earth until the Second Coming, or he was Pilate's gatekeeper, or he was in the crowd Jesus was addressing in Matthew 16:28 and is now required to stay alive until his return so that verse, and all similar passages, will be true.
This sounds like it would make an excellent story. Reminds me of the novel by Timothy Findley called Pilgrim. At least I think that's the novel this reminds me of. It's been eons since I've read it....
Nope, just boned up on the story...not the right story.