eclipsenow
Scripture is God's word, Science is God's works
- Dec 17, 2010
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First, use a modern translation - ye's and the's are pompous and unnecessary. And there are better translations than the KJV - this is ONE area where I agree with my opponent Keras!Paul made this distinction in 1 Thessalonians 5.
It's a distinction between the world and the Church. The Church will be able to anticipate the return of Christ even if they don't know the exact day, they'll still be expecting it, and will still be watching for it.
Second, being in 'darkness' is not understanding the gospel. This is about knowing Jesus, not knowing some silly timetable. Being 'ready' is about being found trusting in Jesus.
1 Thess 5:1–11
5:1–11 The Thessalonians are told to prepare for the same thing that will come unexpectedly upon the ungodly—the day of the Lord (vv. 2, 4). Paul assumes that Christians and non-Christians alike will be alive and present when the Day arrives, Christians watchful and ready, non-Christians surprised as by a thief who comes at night. In other words, the rapture of Christians spoken of in 4:17 will not occur before the arrival of the Day that will also bring sudden and inescapable destruction to the wicked (2 Thess. 2:1, 2 notes). See “The Return of Jesus Christ” at 4:16.
1 Thess 5:1–11 - ESV Reformation Study Bible - Bible Gateway
5:1–11 The Thessalonians are told to prepare for the same thing that will come unexpectedly upon the ungodly—the day of the Lord (vv. 2, 4). Paul assumes that Christians and non-Christians alike will be alive and present when the Day arrives, Christians watchful and ready, non-Christians surprised as by a thief who comes at night. In other words, the rapture of Christians spoken of in 4:17 will not occur before the arrival of the Day that will also bring sudden and inescapable destruction to the wicked (2 Thess. 2:1, 2 notes). See “The Return of Jesus Christ” at 4:16.
1 Thess 5:1–11 - ESV Reformation Study Bible - Bible Gateway
Oh boy! Luke 21. It's a hard passage. But let's try it.Jesus commanded it.
Luke 21:5 - 24 is about the end of THAT temple that the disciples could see with their very own eyes. Jesus predicts some of the persecution that will come their way, and uses the language of the Old Testament about changing regimes and calamities as this occurs when referring to signs in heaven. Then, controversially, Sydney Anglicans see 25-28 as everything being shaken up by the death of Jesus. There was an earthquake and the sun went dark and things changed in heaven as our sin was forgiven. Jesus rose again and was ushered into the right hand of the Ancient of Days - fulfilling Daniel as the conquering king is welcomed home. As 27 & 28 says "At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Futurists demand that Jesus be coming back to earth - but why? Daniel says he was coming before the Ancient of Days! Futurists have got Jesus descending to earth when this passage could very well be describing the disciples seeing his death and resurrection and ascension - and the irony is it is the Son of Man going before the Father to receive glory after his death on the cross!
Another factor going for this interpretation is 32. It was going to happen in THAT generation. The temple was surrounded by armies and destroyed in AD70, the disciples were persecuted, there were earthquakes and darkness as Jesus died, and he won our redemption in that generation. It all fits.
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