Did Jesus promise to return in the 1st cent.?

We know that the "world that then existed PERISHED, being FLOODED with water. But the heavens and the earth that NOW exist are kept in store by the same word, RESERVED for fire UNTIL the DAY of Judgment and PERDITION of ungodly men" (1 Peter 3:6-7).

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Hi Ed,  I just wanted to give you a link to check out regarding the global flood theory, I haven't been able to answer your other quotes due to my schedule...
http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/faq-noahs-ark.html#fitting

1st March 2003 at 03:51 PM edpobre said this in Post #120

Matthew 24:5-8 is Jesus' prophecy about the last days. Verse 5 is about the innumerable number  of evangelists and televangelists that will sprout towards the end of the world.

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First of all, The Bible infallibly claims that the 1st century WAS the "LAST DAYS".

Secondly, Please show where Jesus says anything about "Televangelists", and please show how 1st century Christians could have understood it.

 

Have you ever tried burning food in a skillet? The food is  burned by the skillet remains intact, right? Well, that's probably what will happen to the earth that NOW exists. Apostle Peter says "the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and athe works that are in it will be burned up" (2 Peter 3:10).

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So you are saying that the "New earth" will actually be this same earth we are on today, instead of a "replacement" earth? 

You Must, since you believe the Earth that Noah was on is the same earth as the one we reside on today, even though Peter claims Noah was on a DIFFERENT earth than the one HE was on.

I don't believe any LIVING human being will survive the day of judgment unless they are "caught up together with the RISEN dead "IN" Christ in the clouds to meet the Lord Jesus in the air" (1 Thes. 4:16-17).

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Then How do you explain the existance of Sinners, adulterers, murderers, liars and fornicators on the "New earth"? (Rev 21-22, Isaiah 51)

What are the lessons of the flood good for if the last trumpet HAS already sounded and my CHANCE to become INCORRUPTIBLE and IMMORTAL has PASSED me by because I was born AFTER 70 AD?

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So you believe the "Everalsting gospel" will be of no use to you after Judgement day?

The Bible calls the Gospel "Everlasting", yet Ed says one day he won't need it.

wow.

Is there a verse which says that I still have HOPE for that?

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Ed, as I said, Why hope for something you already have? 

Are you telling me that you and I are ALREADY changed from being corruptible to INCORRUPTIBLE or from being mortal to being IMMORTAL (1 Cor. 15:51-53)?

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Why yes I am. We have been changed positionally. You and I have eternal Life right now Ed. There is no waiting. Whoever believes in Him and lives SHALL NEVER DIE.

As Jasus Said to Martha, I now say to you:

"Believest thou this"?

I do.

P70

Today at 02:40 AM parousia70 said this in Post #122 Why yes I am. We have been changed positionally. You and I have eternal Life right now Ed. There is no waiting. Whoever believes in Him and lives SHALL NEVER DIE.

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Amen!

-A

7th March 2003 at 02:40 AM parousia70 said this in Post #122

Matthew 23:5-8 is Jesus' prophecy about the last days. Verse 5 is about the innumerable number of evangelists and televangelists that will sprout towards the end of the world.

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First of all, The Bible infallibly claims that the 1st century WAS the "LAST DAYS".

Secondly, Please show where Jesus says anything about "Televangelists", and please show how 1st century Christians could have understood it.

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The Bible does NOT claim that the 1st century WAS the "LAST DAYS." On the CONTRARY, the Bible teaches that there are THREE dispensation of times: in the past, God spoke to our fathers directly, then by the prophets, and in "these last days" God SPOKE to us by His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2).

These "LAST DAYS" will END with the second coming of Christ (Matt. 24:3; cf. 2 Peter 3:7,10).

Matthew 24:5 is a prophecy which tells of people coming "in Jesus' name" saying, "I am THE Christ" and will DECEIVE many.

Does the Bible speak of many people who came "in Jesus name" saying "I am the Christ" BEFORE Christ"s alleged second coming in 70 AD? Can you show how the disciples understood what Jesus said? Do you have any other explanation for this verse?

Have you ever tried burning food in a skillet? The food is  burned by the skillet remains intact, right? Well, that's probably what will happen to the earth that NOW exists. Apostle Peter says "the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and athe works that are in it will be burned up" (2 Peter 3:10).

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So you are saying that the "New earth" will actually be this same earth we are on today, instead of a "replacement" earth? 

You Must, since you believe the Earth that Noah was on is the same earth as the one we reside on today, even though Peter claims Noah was on a DIFFERENT earth than the one HE was on.

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While it is true that the earth that was flooded is still the same earth  that we are on today (although the face of the earth might have been CHANGED by the flood), the earth that now exist and the works that are in it will be burned up and will eventually be the lake of fire. 

And a new heaven and a new earth WITHOUT sea will REPLACE the first heaven and earth (Rev. 21:1).

I don't believe any LIVING human being will survive the day of judgment unless they are "caught up together with the RISEN dead "IN" Christ in the clouds to meet the Lord Jesus in the air" (1 Thes. 4:16-17).

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Then How do you explain the existance of Sinners, adulterers, murderers, liars and fornicators on the "New earth"? (Rev 21-22, Isaiah 51)

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Rev. 21:7 talks of people who are "IN" Christ (1 Thes. 4:16-17) who will inherit the things described in Rev. 21:1-6.

Rev. 21:8 talks of people whose names are NOT found  written in the book of life who will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:15).

Rev. 22:14 talks of people who will ENTER the kingdom of God  because they OBEYED the COMMANDMENTS of God by DOING His WILL (Matt. 7:21), ENTERED the fold (John 10:9) and MEET Jresus in the air when he comes (1 Thes. 4:16-17).

Rev. 22:15 talks of people who will NOT enter the kingdom of God but will be CAST into the lakre of fire because their names are NOT found written in the book of life (Rev. 21:8; REv. 20:15).

If ALL prophecy has been fulfilled in ad 70, HOW is the Bible relevant for us today BECAUSE it was written "for" us?

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So you believe the "Everalsting gospel" will be of no use to you after Judgement day?

The Bible calls the Gospel "Everlasting", yet Ed says one day he won't need it.

wow.

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Obviously, you don't know what the "gospel" is all about. FYI, the "gospel" is about the kingdom (Matt. 4:23; Matt. 9:35). And Jesus said that the "gospel of the kingdom" will be preached in all the world... and then  the END will come (Matt. 24:14).

Thus, if Jesus truly CAME in 70 AD, there would no longer be a NEED to preach the "gospel of the kingdom" because everyone who is "IN" Christ (those who are in the kingdom) would NOW be with Jesus (1 Thes. 4:16-17) and the rest of the DEAD will NOT live again UNTIL the 1000 years is finished (Rev. 20:5).

And because the tabernacle of God will be with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God (Rev. 21:3)....,

why would one NEED the Bible, AFTER the second coming of Christ?

What are the lessons of the flood good for if the last trumpet HAS already sounded and my CHANCE to become INCORRUPTIBLE and IMMORTAL has PASSED me by because I was born AFTER 70 AD?  Is there a verse which says that I still have HOPE for that?

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Ed, as I said, Why hope for something you already have?

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Do you know what IMMORTAL means P70? It means  that one who is IMMORTAL does NOT die. Apostle Paul wrote that AT the SOUND of the last trumpet, we shall NOT all sleep but we shall ALL be CHANGED from CORRUPTIBLE to INCORRUPTIBLE, from MORTAL to IMMORTAL (1 Cor. 15:51-53).

Are you now IMMORTAL P70?

Are you telling me that you and I are ALREADY changed from being corruptible to INCORRUPTIBLE or from being mortal to being IMMORTAL (1 Cor. 15:51-53)?

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Why yes I am. We have been changed positionally. You and I have eternal Life right now Ed. There is no waiting. Whoever believes in Him and lives SHALL NEVER DIE.

As Jasus Said to Martha, I now say to you:

"Believest thou this"?

I do.

P70

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These verses do NOT say anything about being changed  "positionally." BTW, please tell me again what you mean by "changed positionally."

Anyway, it does NOT sound to me like being CHANGED from corruptibility to INCORRUPTIBILITY or changed from being mortal to being IMMORTAL, does it? 

Ed

Today at 12:32 AM edpobre said this in Post #124 The Bible does NOT claim that the 1st century WAS the "LAST DAYS." On the CONTRARY, the Bible teaches that there are THREE dispensation of times: in the past, God spoke to our fathers directly, then by the prophets, and in "these last days" God SPOKE to us by His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2).
Ed

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Peter claims he was living in the last days. Was he wrong?

Acts 2:14-21:
But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
‘In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy.
And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Or do you believe the "last days" started at Pentecost, and are continuing on today?

-A

Elsewhere, Peter says that he was living in the last time (1 Pet 1:20).

Yesterday at 03:22 PM armothe said this in Post #125



Peter claims he was living in the last days. Was he wrong?

Acts 2:14-21:
But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
‘In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy.
And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Or do you believe the "last days" started at Pentecost, and are continuing on today?

-A

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Amorthe,

When apostle Peter talked of the "last days," he was NOT referring to the first century only.

"These last days" mentioned in Hebrews 1:2 refers to a period covering the time "God SPOKE to us by Jesus" UNTIL the second coming of Christ when "these last days" will END with the "passing away of the heavens, the melting of the elements and the burning up of the earth and all the works that are in it" (2 Peter 3:10).

Just as "the world that then existed perished by flood, the heavens and the earth that NOW exist are being kept in store by the same word (2 Peter 3:5), reserved for fire UNTIL the day of judgmen t and perdition of ungodly men" (2 Peter 3:6-7).

Amorthe, if the "last days" referred only to the first century and Jesus CAME in 70 AD, why did these "END of the last days" event did NOT transpire? Why are there still "ungodly people" in our midst?

Think about it hard Amorthe!

Ed

Yesterday at 10:40 PM edpobre said this in Post #127 Amorthe, if the "last days" referred only to the first century and Jesus CAME in 70 AD, why did these "END of the last days" event did NOT transpire? Why are there still "ungodly people" in our midst? Think about it hard Amorthe! Ed

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I thought about it, and consulted scripture:

(The New Jerusalem)
Revelation 21:3  - And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them;

I confidently believe the above verse has been fulfilled. Which part of this verse is not true of today?

Revelation 21:6-8 - “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, the murderers, the fornicators, the sorcerers, the idolaters, and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Ah!.....the New Jerusalem has been established (It is DONE!) .....yet we see sinners still existing....

Revelation 21:25-27 - Its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. People will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Once again, we see the New Jerusalem established, but yet, sinners and evil still exist?! How can this possibly be?

Sounds a lot like Salvation if you ask me:

"will be my children" - Christians are God's children
"to the thirsty..." - Salvation is for everyone who chooses
"gates never shut" - Salvation open to everyone
"only those written in the book of life" - only saved people can enter into the kingdom.
"faithless, polluted.." - nothing sinful can enter the kingdom
"no night there" - absence of sin
"nothing unclean" - absence of sin

There you have it. Christians are living in God's kingdom today. Unbelievers live "outside the kingdom walls", yet - can enter the kingdom anytime they like via Salvation! This was the whole purpose of Christ - to COVER our sins with his blood. If we accept the fact that he did this for us.....God no longer views us as sinners! How awesome! Hence, nothing unclean enters His kingdom.

Salvation for all through Christ Jesus IS the new kingdom, the new Jerusalem. It's such an easy concept to understand, how can so few embrace this?

-A
(V)

.

22nd March 2003 at 08:03 AM ephod said this in Post #129

Hi A,

help me understand......

 

2 Peter 3

7By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

 
10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

12b That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

Has this been fulilled? I am trying to understand your point of view, since Rev 21 seems to be a future fulfillment of 3 Pet 3

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Care if I take a crack at it?

Seems to me  that your hang up hinges on the definition of "Heaven and earth"

Take a look at this:

Isaiah 51:15-16  But I am the LORD your God, Who divided the sea whose waves roared; The LORD of hosts is His name. 16 And I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, That I may plant the heavens, Lay the foundations of the earth, And say to Zion, 'You are My people.'" 

Notice how the time of planting the heavens and laying the foundation of the earth that is referred to here, was performed by God when He divided the sea (ver. 15) and gave the law (ver. 16), and said to Zion, Thou art my people; that is, when He took the children of Israel out of Egypt, and formed them in the wilderness into a covenant nation.

Now, I think you'd be hardpressed to use this scripture to convince anyone that God Created the Heavens and earth after he parted the sea and brought the Hebrew people out of Egypt, but that is exactly what this scripture testifies.

This is one of many Biblical examples of God using "Heavens and earth" to describe Nations, principalities and people, specifically here Israel.

When God brought the Hebrew people into the wilderness and Gave the Law, He referres to that event as the planting of the heavens and laying the foundation of the earth: that is Gods term for, bringing forth order, and government.

Likewise, the "destruction of heavens and earth" is also a term used time and again in scripture to describe Gods Judgements against Nations, principalities and peoples.

The "New Heavens and Earth" are distinct and different from the "Heavens and earth" God created in Isaiah 51, Just as Peter says the Heavens and earth He lived under (the H&E Created in Isaiah 51) is distinct and different from the Heavens and earth That Noah Lived under.All 3 are on the same Planet, each are totally, literally, unique administrations.

The New Heavens and earth is the New Covenant, which did not arrive in totality until the Old Heavens and earth of the Old Covenant were destroyed by Fire in 70AD.

Peace,P70


 

13th March 2003 at 02:40 PM edpobre said this in Post #127

if the "last days" referred only to the first century and Jesus CAME in 70 AD, why did these "END of the last days" event did NOT transpire? Why are there still "ungodly people" in our midst?

Ed

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Dear Ed,

Isaiah and John both make it quite clear that Sinners, murderers, adulterers, evildoers and all sorts of "Ungodly People" would still be "in our midst" after we enter the New heavens and earth. (Isaiah 65:17-21, Revelation 22:15)

 

Better try another argument.

P70

.

Today at 06:44 PM ephod said this in Post #132

P70

Thanks for your explanation---I do have to admit I disagree with it but you seem to have a good handle on the preterist view of things

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I appriciate the compliment!

Perhaps you could elaborate on your disagreement with my response.

Do you believe God created the physical Heavens and earth AFTER he brought the Hebrew people out of Egypt? How do you interprate Heavens and earth in that passage?

---do you think all prophecy is fufilled or there is still some future prophecies yet to happen?---I am just interested in your viewpoint.

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I'm glad you are interested! I am honored to share it with you.

Preterists like myself Believe all eschatology was fulfilled in the events surrounding Jerusalems destruction, but we affirm that many prophesies, by their very nature, are in a state of 'perpetual fulfillment', with no 'consumation point'.(Isaiah 9:7, for example)

Hopefully This Isn't The New Jerusalem,
ephod

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   Why do you hope that The New Covenant Church is not the "New Jerusalem"?

What is the Church Lacking in your view that keeps it from being the New Jerusalem?

Perhaps you could clarify?

In His present and eternal victory,

P70

If you take the time to read the Scripture Lewis's ideas refer to, it is clear that Jesus may not even have been speaking of the generation of the disciples to which He was speaking.

Mark 13:29, ther verse right before the one in question, says, "So you also, when you see these things happening, know also that it is near - at the doors!" 

Then, He says, "Assuredly, I say to you, 'this' generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place."

There is no way to determine if Christ was not actually refering to the generation who "see(s) these things happening."

In my opinion, the context shows that although Jesus Himself did not know the day or the hour, He did know that the generation who sees the things He knew would precede His return would not pass away until they see Him coming with the clouds of heaven.  Take note also that He will not return until after we see the sun and moon darkened, the stars falling from their places, and the powers of the heavens shaken. I think the key factor is when He asked, "But when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"

I emphatically agree with P70's interpretation of the "Heaven's & Earth" as referring to the Hebrew/Jewish system.

As a matter of fact, the Hebrew/Jewish covenant is what the prophet Isaiah had in mind when he said: "that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say to Zion, You are my people" - Isaiah 51:15-16

I also want to point out that even the Hebrew temple itself reflected this interpretation.

"The Sea"
The area outside the actual building of the temple was ther Court of the Gentiles, and was often referred to as the "The Sea". In Hebrew genre "sea" referred to the "wicked heathens", or gentiles. Gentiles were not permitted past this court.

"The Earth"
Travelling into the actual building we enter the Court of Women. Hebrew/Jewish women were not allowed any further than this area. This court was referred to as "The Earth".

"Heavens"
The Inner Court was where the sacrifices and atonements for the Hebrews, and even gentiles, were made. Only the Hebrew/Jewish men and priests were allowed in this area - often referred to as "Heaven".

"Elements"
I'll even take the analogy a step further and state that the actual laws of the covenant were referred to as "the elements".

Christ said: "until heaven and earth pass, not one jot or one tittle shall pass from the law, until all be fulfilled". Christ wasn't speaking of the literal/physical heaven and earth, but rather the "Old Covenant" (Mosaic). Once the Old Covenant was destoryed, Mosaic Law became meaningless.

Let's return to Isaiah and read chapter 24. I will not quote the entire passage, but note verse 1 & 4: "Now the Lord is about to lay waste the earth and make it desolate, and he will twist its surface and scatter its inhabitants....the earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers; the heavens languish together with the earth". Why is this happening? Let's read verse 5: "for they have transgressed laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant."

Which covenant is this? The Mosaic Covenant. Surely the literal Heaven's and Earth weren't going to be destroyed because the Hebrews disobeyed God? Not at all. This refers to the destruction of the Hebrew/Jewish system.

Thankfully, the Old Covenant would now be replaced with a New Covenant!

Hebrews 12:26-29: "At that time his voice shook the earth; but now he has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven. This phrase, Yet once more, indicates the removal of what is shaken that is, created things so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe for indeed our God is a consuming fire."

Isaiah 65:17: "For behold I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind."

2 Peter 3:12-13: "waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home."

So we see the destruction of the Heavens and Earth, and the melting away of the elements is reference to the Old Covenant. The Old Covenant had to be destroyed to make way for the New Covenant.

If you believe we are currently in the New Covenant, then you have to admit the Old Covenant (heavens and earth) along with the Mosaic Law, and Jewish Temple system have been made obsolte!

The New Covenant, obviously, is the sanctification of mankind through the blood of Christ Jesus.

- A

Yesterday at 09:01 AM 1-peter5-9 said this in Post #134

If you take the time to read the Scripture Lewis's ideas refer to, it is clear that Jesus may not even have been speaking of the generation of the disciples to which He was speaking.

Mark 13:29, ther verse right before the one in question, says, "So you also, when you see these things happening, know also that it is near - at the doors!" 

Then, He says, "Assuredly, I say to you, 'this' generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place."

There is no way to determine if Christ was not actually refering to the generation who "see(s) these things happening."

In my opinion, the context shows that although Jesus Himself did not know the day or the hour, He did know that the generation who sees the things He knew would precede His return would not pass away until they see Him coming with the clouds of heaven.  Take note also that He will not return until after we see the sun and moon darkened, the stars falling from their places, and the powers of the heavens shaken. I think the key factor is when He asked, "But when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"

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Pete,

It appears although you claim context is your guide here, you are ignoring a key factor that the context bears out, over and over and over in this short passage. Jesus' original audience.

I'll re-post the very same verses you posted to pont this out.

"So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near - at the doors"

"Assuredly I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place"

Pete,  who Is Jesus speaking to? Who is the "YOU" in these passages? Whoever you think "YOU" encompasses, to claim it does not include those who actually heard Him speak the words, is contextually unfounded.

I agree with you that even though Jesus didn't know the "Day or Hour", He knew that the Generation who saw the signs wouldn't pass away till all was fulfilled.

However I affirm Jesus was speaking to and about His and the apostles Generation, as is so plain and evident by His own words, and as is coroborated by at least 100 other scriptures.

What are they? I'm glad you asked

See my next post!

 

Following this brief post are 101 biblical, preterist "time-indicators" That place the 2nd coming squarely in the 1st century. There are many more than 101 to be found in Scripture, but these are probably the most blunt and obvious of them all. If we were to include every preterist time-indicator in Scripture, the number would possibly be in the hundreds. The purpose in displaying these passages (with some cross references) is to lay out in a concise, easy-to-read format the overwhelming testimony that our Lord actually fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, as He said He would. (Matt. 5:17)

Now it seems to me that the only way to "get around" these 101 Scriptures and remain a Futurist, is to dismiss the spirit of imminence that saturates the New Testament and to say that it only indicates things that are "soon in God's sight."

There are some major problems with that approach. If the imminence saturating the New Testament was only an "in-God's-sight" imminence, then why was the Old Testament not also saturated with an "in-God's-sight" imminence? Why did God not tell Adam and Eve, "The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand?" Why did He not tell Abraham, "The Son of Man is about to come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and will then recompense every man according to his deeds?" Why did He not say to Malachi, "This generation will not pass away until all these things take place?"

Why is it that a Second Coming in the 21st century was "imminent" in the 1st century, but was not imminent before the 1st century? There is no substantive defense against this objection. The fact is that what God said was near to the Apostles, He said was not near to the earlier prophets. Perhaps the clearest illustration of this truth is found in a comparison of Dan. 8:26 and Rev. 22:10:

6th century BC: "Seal up the vision; for it shall be for many days." (Dan. 8:26)

1st century AD: "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near." (Rev. 22:10)

What God said was far away in Daniel's time, He said was imminent in the Apostles' time. The implication is inescapable: The imminence in the New Testament was real.

Granted, it is not unreasonable to use an expression of imminence or brevity in reference to a relatively long period of time, (II Cor. 4:17) but it is biblically unreasonable to interpret every statement of eschatological imminence throughout the New Testament as meaning "2,000 years later." If we are going to claim scriptural support for such a hermeneutical approach, the only option is to make II Peter 3:8 ("With the Lord a day is like a thousand years") a "Code Key" that unlocks the "secret" meaning of the Spirit. But not only is that method Gnostic-like, it makes eschatology (and ultimately, soteriology) utterly impossible to understand correctly without the mystical elucidation of II Peter 3:8 (and Ps. 90:4).

On to the scriptures next post:

1. "The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." (Matt. 3:2)

2. "Who warned you to flee from the wrath about to come?" (Matt. 3:7)

3. "The axe is already laid at the root of the trees." (Matt. 3:10)

4. "His winnowing fork is in His hand." (Matt. 3:12)

5. "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matt. 4:17)

6. "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matt. 10:7)

7. "You shall not finish going through the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man comes." (Matt. 10:23)

8. "....the age about to come." (Matt. 12:32)

9. "The Son of Man is about to come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and will then recompense every man according to his deeds." (Matt. 16:27)

10. "There are some of those who are standing here who shall not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom." (Matt. 16:28; cf. Mk. 9:1; Lk. 9:27)

11. "'When the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-growers?' '....He will bring those wretches to a wretched end, and will rent out the vineyard to other vine-growers, who will pay him the proceeds at the proper seasons.' '....Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and be given to a nation producing the fruit of it.' ....When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard His parables, they understood that He was speaking about them." (Matt. 21:40-41,43,45)

12. "This generation will not pass away until all these things take place." (Matt. 24:34)

13. "From now on, you [Caiaphas, the chief priests, the scribes, the elders, the whole Sanhedrin] shall be seeing the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." (Matt. 26:64; Mk. 14:62; Lk. 22:69)

14. "The kingdom of God is at hand." (Mk. 1:15)

15. "What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vine-growers, and will give the vineyard to others. ....They [the chief priests, scribes and elders] understood that He spoke the parable against them." (Mk. 12:9,12)

16. "This generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” (Mk. 13:30)

17. “Who warned you to flee from the wrath about to come?” (Lk. 3:7)

18. “The axe is already laid at the root of the trees. " (Lk. 3:9)

19. "His winnowing fork is in His hand…." (Lk. 3:17)

20. “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” (Lk. 10:9)

21. “The kingdom of God has come near.” (Lk. 10:11)

22. “What, therefore, will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy these vine-growers and will give the vineyard to others." …The scribes and the chief priests …understood that He spoke this parable against them.” (Lk. 20:15-16,19)

23. “These are days of vengeance, in order that all things which are written may be fulfilled.” (Lk. 21:22)

24. "This generation will not pass away until all things take place.” (Lk. 21:32)

25. "Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.' Then they will begin to say to the mountains, 'Fall on us,' and to the hills, 'Cover us.'” (Lk. 23:28-30; Compare Rev. 6:14-17)

26. "We were hoping that He was the One who is about to redeem Israel.” (Lk. 24:21)

27. "I will come to you. …In that Day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.' …'Lord, what then has happened that You are about to disclose Yourself to us, and not to the world?'" (Jn. 14:18,20,22)

28. "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?" (Jn. 21:22)

29. “This is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: 'And it shall be in the last days…'” (Acts 2:16-17)

30. “He has fixed a day in which He is about to judge the world in righteousness…” (Acts 17:31)

31. “There is about to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.” (Acts 24:15)

32. “As he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment about to come…" (Acts 24:25)

33. “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)

34. “If you are living according to the flesh, you are about to die.” (Rom. 8:13)

35. “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us.” (Rom. 8:18)

36. "It is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand." (Rom. 13:11-12)

37. “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” (Rom. 16:20)

38. “The time has been shortened.” (I Cor. 7:29)

39. “The form of this world is passing away.” (I Cor. 7:31)

40. “Now these things …were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (I Cor. 10:11)

41. “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)

42. "Maranatha!" [The Lord comes!] (I Cor. 16:22)

43. "...not only in this age, but also in the one about to come.” (Eph. 1:21)

44. “The Lord is near.” (Phil. 4:5)

45. "The gospel …was proclaimed in all creation under heaven." (Col. 1:23; Compare Matt. 24:14; Rom. 10:18; 16:26; Col. 1:5-6; II Tim. 4:17; Rev. 14:6-7; cf. I Clement 5,7)

46. “…things which are a shadow of what is about to come.” (Col. 2:16-17)

47. “…we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord… …We who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds… …You, brethren, are not in darkness, that the Day should overtake you like a thief.” (I Thess. 4:15,17; 5:4)

48. “May your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Thess. 5:23)

49. “It is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire.” (II Thess. 1:6-7) [published by PreteristArchive.com]

50. “Godliness …holds promise for the present life and that which is about to come.” (I Tim. 4:8)

Next 51, next post.............

51. “I charge you …that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Tim. 6:14)

52. “…storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for that which is about to come, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.” (I Tim. 6:19)

53. “In the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self… …Avoid these men. For of these are those who enter into households and captivate weak women… …These also oppose the truth… …But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all…” (II Tim. 3:1-2,5-6,8-9)

54. “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is about to judge the living and the dead…” (II Tim. 4:1)

55. “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son.” (Heb. 1:1-2)

56. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who are about to inherit salvation?” (Heb. 1:14)

57. “He did not subject to angels the world about to come.” (Heb. 2:5)

58. “…and have tasted …the powers of the age about to come.” (Heb. 6:5)

59. "For ground that drinks the rain which often falls upon it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near a curse, and it's end is for burning.” (Heb. 6:7-8)

60. “When He said, 'A new covenant,' He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.” (Heb. 8:13)

61. “The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way of the [heavenly] Holy Places has not yet been revealed, while the outer tabernacle is still standing, which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation.” (Heb. 9:8-10; Compare Gal. 4:19; Eph. 2:21-22; 3:17; 4:13)

62. “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things about to come…” (Heb. 9:11)

63. “Now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin.” (Heb. 9:26)

64. “For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things about to come…” (Heb. 10:1)

65. “…as you see the Day drawing near.” (Heb. 10:25)

66. “…the fury of a fire which is about to consume the adversaries.” (Heb. 10:27)

67. “For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay.” (Heb. 10:37)

68. “For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the one that is about to come.” (Heb. 13:14)

69. "Speak and so act, as those who are about to be judged by the law of liberty." (Jms. 2:12)

70. “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. …It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure!” (Jms. 5:1,3)

71. “Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord.” (Jms. 5:7)

72. “You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” (Jms. 5:8)

73. “…salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (I Peter 1:6)

74. “He …has appeared in these last times for the sake of you.” (I Peter 1:20)

75. “They shall give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” (I Peter 4:5)

76. “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)

77. "For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God.” (I Peter 4:17)

78. “…as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is about to be revealed.” (I Peter 5:1)

79. “We have the prophetic word …which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the Day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.” (II Peter 1:19)

80. “Their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” (II Peter 2:3)

81. “In the last days mockers will come. …For this they willingly are ignorant of…” (I Peter 3:3,5)

82. “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God.” (II Peter 3:10-12)

83. “The darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.” (I Jn. 2:8)

84. “The world is passing away, and its desires.” (I Jn. 2:17)

85. “It is the last hour.” (I Jn. 2:18)

86. “Even now many antichrists have arisen; from this we know that it is the last hour.” (I Jn. 2:18; Compare Matt. 24:23-34)

87. “This is that of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.” (I Jn. 4:3; Compare II Thess. 2:7)

88. “For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation. …About these also Enoch …prophesied, saying, 'Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly…'” (Jude 1:4,14-15)

89. “But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, 'In the last time there shall be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.' These are the ones who cause divisions…” (Jude 1:17-19)

90. “…to show to His bond-servants, the things which must shortly take place.” (Rev. 1:1)

91. “The time is near.” (Rev. 1:3)

92. “Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come.” (Rev. 2:25)

93. “I also will keep you from the hour of testing which is about to come upon the whole world.” (Rev. 3:10)

94. “I am coming quickly.” (Rev. 3:11)

95. “And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is about to rule all the nations with a rod of iron.” (Rev. 12:5)

96. "And in her [the Great City Babylon] was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slain on the earth." (Rev. 18:24; Compare Matt. 23:35-36; Lk. 11:50-51)

97. “…to show to His bond-servants the things which must shortly take place.” (Rev. 22:6)

98. "Behold, I am coming quickly. " (Rev. 22:7)

99. "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near." (Rev. 22:10; Compare Dan. 8:26)

100. "Behold, I am coming quickly.” (Rev. 22:12)

101. "Yes, I am coming quickly." (Rev. 22:20)

"This Generation" - the exact phrase used in Luke 21- is also used elsewhere, let's compare:

Luke 21:31-32 - "So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place."

Luke 17:25 - "But first He must endure much suffering and be rejected by this generation."

We all know that Christ was rejected by the Jews in the first century. Hence, we must consider that the first century Jews were the same "generation" to see the signs of the end-times events.

Generation
1155 yevea' (geneav)(genea); = DBLHebr 1887; Str 1074; TDNT 1.6621. LN 11.4
1) Same generation, people in the same time (Lk 11:51);
2) People of same kind, an ethnic group, adj. race (Lk 16:8);
3) An indefinite time period about the length of a generation (Ac 14:16)

This
4047 outos (houtos), autn (haute'), tou'to (touto); = Str 3778 & 5023 & 5025-6 & 5123-30
1) this, these; (as an object) him, her, it (Mt 3:17; Lk 10:11; 15:30; 18:11; Jn 1:2);
2) marker of equivalence (Mt 27:46; Mk 7:2; Ac 1:19)

- (v)