- Nov 14, 2017
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The preposition near (to) means 'not far away in distance'.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 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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