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What does the word "near" mean?

eleos1954

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Eschatologically speaking I frequently hear/read Christians say, "The event X is near to occurring." For example, I have read many books, many articles, many internet forum posts, and heard many times on the radio the assertion the time when the rapture will occur is near, or the building of another stone temple, or the mark of the beast is near. When I have the opportunity to engage that person (I've spoken to several noted teachers about this) and ask them "What do you mean by 'near'?" or "How near?" or "When you use the word "near,' what, specifically do you mean?" I rarely get and answer and on the rare occasion when I do get an answer the answers range from a in a week or a month to a few years or a few decades; sometimes even within this century" is the answer. To encourage an answer I even say, "Please be as specific as you feel comfortable being."

So, I would like to ask each of you all to simply answer that question. On the occasion when any of you say some eschatological event is "near" what, specifically, what exactly, do you mean when using the word "near"?


Nothing more.


Just something short and sweet, concise, succinct. Something like, "When I say the rapture is near, I mean the rapture will occur sometime in the next month," or "When I say the rapture is near, I mean the rapture will occur sometime in the next four years." For the purpose of this op there are no wrong answers. I'd simply like a sampling of members' personal views. Thanks
The preposition near (to) means 'not far away in distance'.

The term rendered “near” (from the Greek “engys”) does speak of Jesus' imminent return (Matt 24:33; Mark 13:29; Luke 21:30, 31; Rev 1:3; 22:10), but its primary use is that of nearness in terms of place and position.

not far distant in time, place, or degree. in the near future.

Obvisouly as time goes on we are nearer to His coming rather than farther from it. When that is exactly ... we do not know.

Through prophecy (of which ALL must be fulfilled - and hasn't yet) we can know that we are nearer.

The point is ... He wants us always to be ready. We need to always be ready ... not so much in regard to His return ... but in the state of which we are in at our earthly death .... we go to the grave either being in Christ or not. So the time of our earthly death can happen at any time as well ... time ends for us at earthly death ... there is no knowledge in the grave and one's fate is sealed at their time of earthly death.

Not sure what you mean by "rapture" ... there is the 1st resurrection at His return ... but that is not the full end. At that time judgement for all for all time has been completed .. judgement completed but not full execution of His judgement ... that comes later after the 2nd resurrection.

Through the fulfillment of prophesy we can know we are nearer (closer) to His coming, but we can not know exactly when.

Thus it is said ... today is the day for salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:2: “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Now ... be ready now.
 
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Josheb

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On the occasion when any of you say some eschatological event is "near" what, specifically, what exactly, do you mean when using the word "near"?
Oops! I neglected to answer the question myself.

The word "near" means close in either time or space. When I hear/read someone saying, "X is near," I assume they mean "X" is is either geographically close or temporally close and not distant of far away. If X is something temporal then, depending on the nature of X, I would define "near," or close to occurring in time, as any moment ranging from today to as long as maybe three months. I could, perhaps, see "near" being up to 9 or 10 months away if X were a big event. For example, if someone said, "That comet crashing into earth and earth total annihilation is near," then I would consider this time next year as "near." Otherwise, the season of fall is near, All Hallows Eve is near. Thanksgiving is bordering oon not being near and Christmas Isn't near, but it will be in a month.
 
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Josheb

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The preposition near (to) means 'not far away in distance'.

The term rendered “near” (from the Greek “engys”) does speak of Jesus' imminent return (Matt 24:33; Mark 13:29; Luke 21:30, 31; Rev 1:3; 22:10), but its primary use is that of nearness in terms of place and position.

not far distant in time, place, or degree. in the near future.

Obvisouly as time goes on we are nearer to His coming rather than farther from it. When that is exactly ... we do not know.

Through prophecy (of which ALL must be fulfilled - and hasn't yet) we can know that we are nearer.

The point is ... He wants us always to be ready. We need to always be ready ... not so much in regard to His return ... but in the state of which we are in at our earthly death .... we go to the grave either being in Christ or not. So the time of our earthly death can happen at any time as well ... time ends for us at earthly death ... there is no knowledge in the grave and one's fate is sealed at their time of earthly death.

Not sure what you mean by "rapture" ... there is the 1st resurrection at His return ... but that is not the full end. At that time judgement for all for all time has been completed .. judgement completed but not full execution of His judgement ... that comes later after the 2nd resurrection.

Through the fulfillment of prophesy we can know we are nearer (closer) to His coming, but we can not know exactly when.

Thus it is said ... today is the day for salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:2: “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Now ... be ready now.
Thank you for the succinct response but it's not actually an answer to the specific question asked. I'd like to know what you mean when using the word "near" eschatologically. In other words, what do you mean when you say, "Obvisouly as time goes on we are nearer to His coming rather than farther from it. When that is exactly ... we do not know." Three months from now would be nearer than 1000 years, and 1000 years from now would be "nearer" than 2000 years.

Eschatologically speaking, what do you mean when using the word, "near"?
 
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Josheb

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Opposite of far
Thanks, but that's not very helpful because itis simply an appeal to antithesis, and antithesis that itself needs defining. Think about the question again. If I or someone else here read you post, "X is near," they would understand you to be saying, "X is the opposite of far." No one reading either statement would understand exactly what is meant. It's always best to define terms, and to define terms in the affirmative wherever possible. Knowing what something is not, does not tell me what it is. The question asked pertains to what is meant, not what is not meant.

Eschatologically speaking, on the occasion when you might use the word "near," what, specifically do you mean?"
 
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Eschatologically speaking, on the occasion when you might use the word "near," what, specifically do you mean?"
I mean near -

close, nigh, close, adjacent,

From the Greek:

ἐγγίζω engízō, eng-id'-zo; from G1451; to make near, i.e. (reflexively) approach:—approach, be at hand, come (draw) near, be (come, draw) nigh.

It's used 43 times in the New Testament - means the same thing every time.

It really is not that complicated - near - close, nigh, to make near - not far.
 
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Josheb

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I believe the people in Israel will be getting the mark of the beast next year.
I believe that's pretty near.
Thanks, but that has nothing to do with the op. Whatever "X" might be..... what specifically do you mean when using the word "near" is the question. Adding qualifiers like "pretty" does not help. It simply implies the word "near" is relative. This op is not intended to be a comparison of eschatologies. This op is simple, singular, and well-defined in its purpose. Think of it like a poll. I'm simply surveying forum members regarding how they use the word "near" when it comes to eschatological matters in general. Words have meaning, or at least words are supposed to have meaning, so we should be able to reach some degree of consensus on the meaning of the word "near" no matter what it is applied to.

I am, therefore, asking you not to sabotage this discussion by bringing your particular views on the whole of eschatology into the thread. Just answer the question asked, please.



On the occasion when you say some eschatological event is "near" what, specifically, what exactly, do you mean when using the word "near"?


Nothing more.

.
 
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tailgator

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Thanks, but that has nothing to do with the op. Whatever "X" might be..... what specifically do you mean when using the word "near" is the question. Adding qualifiers like "pretty" does not help. It simply implies the word "near" is relative. This op is not intended to be a comparison of eschatologies. This op is simple, singular, and well-defined in its purpose. Think of it like a poll. I'm simply surveying forum members regarding how they use the word "near" when it comes to eschatological matters in general. Words have meaning, or at least words are supposed to have meaning, so we should be able to reach some degree of consensus on the meaning of the word "near" no matter what it is applied to.

I am, therefore, asking you not to sabotage this discussion by bringing your particular views on the whole of eschatology into the thread. Just answer the question asked, please.



On the occasion when you say some eschatological event is "near" what, specifically, what exactly, do you mean when using the word "near"?


Nothing more.

.
I said I believe next year is pretty near.

You asked and I answered.
If you disagree that next year is near then that is your belief .Not mine.


That is all
 
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Josheb

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@AlexB23, @Unqualified, and @RandyPNW (and anyone else tempted by others' bait),

I will ask you all not to respond to the off-topic content. Would you please not collaborate intentionally or unintentionally with any attempt to take the thread off-topic. I've been singular with this op on purpose. It is quite common for threads in the Eschatology and Prophecy boards to go off-topic and become a mess. It happens in every single forum I have ever joined (and I've been Discussion Boarding since dial-up). I, too, have been researching eschatology for many years (multiple decades) but that has nothing to do with this op. It's quite common for Dispensationalists in particular to hijack a thread. A survey of the ops in this board readily shows that is a frequent, if not chronic, occurrence. It has nearly happened here with Post #5. In other words, it did not take but five posts for the thread to veer off topic. I am trying to intervene as early as possible to preserve the purpose and integrity of this thread, and I hope each of you will support me doing so. I trust @tailgator did not overtly intend to undermine the op. S/he's been asked to answer the question asked, and thereby given the opportunity in goodwill to return to the question asked.


For those of you coming into the thread after this, the question is singular and specific. Think of it like a poll (I did not use the poll feature on purpose, and I'll explain why later). The question asked, the one, single, sole, solitary question to be answered is...


On the occasion when you, the poster, the respondent to this op, say some eschatological event is "near" what, specifically, what exactly, do you mean when using the word "near"?


Nothing more.

Thank you all
 
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Josheb

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The preposition near (to) means 'not far away in distance'.

The term rendered “near” (from the Greek “engys”) does speak of Jesus' imminent return (Matt 24:33; Mark 13:29; Luke 21:30, 31; Rev 1:3; 22:10), but its primary use is that of nearness in terms of place and position.

not far distant in time, place, or degree. in the near future.

Obvisouly as time goes on we are nearer to His coming rather than farther from it. When that is exactly ... we do not know.

Through prophecy (of which ALL must be fulfilled - and hasn't yet) we can know that we are nearer.

The point is ... He wants us always to be ready. We need to always be ready ... not so much in regard to His return ... but in the state of which we are in at our earthly death .... we go to the grave either being in Christ or not. So the time of our earthly death can happen at any time as well ... time ends for us at earthly death ... there is no knowledge in the grave and one's fate is sealed at their time of earthly death.

Not sure what you mean by "rapture" ... there is the 1st resurrection at His return ... but that is not the full end. At that time judgement for all for all time has been completed .. judgement completed but not full execution of His judgement ... that comes later after the 2nd resurrection.

Through the fulfillment of prophesy we can know we are nearer (closer) to His coming, but we can not know exactly when.

Thus it is said ... today is the day for salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:2: “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Now ... be ready now.
Thank you for that information but the question asked is personal, not exegetical. What, specifically, do you mean when using the word "near"? is the question asked.
 
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tailgator

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@AlexB23, @Unqualified, and @RandyPNW (and anyone else tempted by others' bait),

I will ask you all not to respond to the off-topic content. Would you please not collaborate intentionally or unintentionally with any attempt to take the thread off-topic. I've been singular with this op on purpose. It is quite common for threads in the Eschatology and Prophecy boards to go off-topic and become a mess. It happens in every single forum I have ever joined (and I've been Discussion Boarding since dial-up). I, too, have been researching eschatology for many years (multiple decades) but that has nothing to do with this op. It's quite common for Dispensationalists in particular to hijack a thread. A survey of the ops in this board readily shows that is a frequent, if not chronic, occurrence. It has nearly happened here with Post #5. In other words, it did not take but five posts for the thread to veer off topic. I am trying to intervene as early as possible to preserve the purpose and integrity of this thread, and I hope each of you will support me doing so. I trust @tailgator did not overtly intend to undermine the op. S/he's been asked to answer the question asked, and thereby given the opportunity in goodwill to return to the question asked.


For those of you coming into the thread after this, the question is singular and specific. Think of it like a poll (I did not use the poll feature on purpose, and I'll explain why later). The question asked, the one, single, sole, solitary question to be answered is...


On the occasion when you, the poster, the respondent to this op, say some eschatological event is "near" what, specifically, what exactly, do you mean when using the word "near"?


Nothing more.

Thank you all
I responded to you.
If you don't want other people to respond to you then don't quote them

Thank you in advance for never quoting me again.
 
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Josheb

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I mean near -

close, nigh, close, adjacent,
Thank you very much.


Remember: I am not asking an exegetical question. I am asking a personal question. Most English-speaking people do not think of Greek (or Latin, or Hebrew, or Outer Lower Slagzovian) when they use the word "near"?

I do appreciate the first part of the response. It's direct and brief. I asked for succinct, and that part meets the request. Much appreciated. I'd like to point out that as everyone peruses the answers it becomes apparent some have difficulty answering the question alone, and a few feel the impulse to add digressive content. I've asked this question partly because words are supposed to have meaning and when a word's meaning is known, mutually agreed-upon and used in a manner consistent with that definition then conversation, cogent discourse, is facilitated not obfuscated. Shared meaning provides the opportunity to build from consensus and recognize inconsistency of and when it occurs. I mean inconsistency within our own individual usage, not inconsistency between users. When meaning is not agreed upon then people end up talking past one another, discussion a commonly used term as if everyone with the exact same understanding when what is really happening is a false equivalence. :openmouth:
 
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Always in His Presence

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Josheb

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You sure are.
No, I am not. Many Christians use the word "near" eschatologically without any sense of exegesis. For you the word may have inherent exegetical significance, but that is not true of every Christian (and, again, a simple perusal of the threads in this board proves that fact). Just because the word should have exegetical meaning when used eschatologically does not mean it does so for all people. Watch the confirmation bias.

This op is asking a personal question, not an exegetical question. I will apply the answers provided exegetically in another op. Right now, the answer to this question is couched in the "you," not "an exegetical view of the Bible."

Eschatologically speaking, on the occasion when you might use the word "near," what, specifically do you mean?

is a much different question than...

Eschatologically speaking, on the occasion when the Bible uses the word "near," what, specifically does the Bible exegetically mean?"




So... ALL OF YOU, please answer the specific question asked.
 
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RandyPNW

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No, I am not. Many Christians use the word "near" eschatologically without any sense of exegesis. For you the word may have inherent exegetical significance, but that is not true of every Christian
Your listeners are not necessarily answering for "every Christian."

What you're failing to see, it seems, is that what for you is strictly a "personal" sense of "near" is for many of us an exegetical question because we are reading from the Bible.
 
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RandyPNW

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Oops! I neglected to answer the question myself.

The word "near" means close in either time or space. When I hear/read someone saying, "X is near," I assume they mean "X" is is either geographically close or temporally close and not distant of far away.
Yes, that's common sense. But you can find the definition of "near" in the dictionary. If you're asking about what "near" means in a particular biblical context, then context determines our "personal" sense of what "near" means. It falls back upon exegesis in that regard.
 
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Always in His Presence

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Eschatologically speaking, on the occasion when you might use the word "near," what, specifically do you mean?

is a much different question than...

Eschatologically speaking, on the occasion when the Bible uses the word "near," what, specifically does the Bible exegetically mean?"




So... ALL OF YOU, please answer the specific question asked.
Here ya go again - it will not change

I mean near -

close, nigh, close, adjacent,
 
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