What does the word "near" mean?

[Unqualified]

Next

 

[Josheb]

Soon

What specifically does that mean? What exactly does that mean? Is a week near or soon? How about a month, or a year, or a decade, or a century, or more? When you use the word "near" eschatologically, what do you want others to understand from your usage?

 

[Josheb]

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.

Incorrect. I did not exclude an individual from seeing the question exegetically. Neither did I limit anyone's answers to an exegetical answer. I, personally, agree, when it comes to an eschatological use of the word "near" the question asked should be answered exegetically, but I do not require everyone to answer the question asked in this op the exact same way I do. This op's inquiry was intentionally worded to allow for personal responses, for subjective responses. I'm trying to avoid the commonly occurring problem found throughout this board's ops.

And I ask those of you who do answer the question exegetically not to sabotage the thread with off topic or digressive content. This thread could and should be a series of very short, succinct post. When I have a sufficient sample, I will use the information to inform a separate op. One of the points I will be making is that it is very difficult for Christians to focus, to stay on topic when discussing even the simplest of inquiries. Another observation will note how often some replaced one vagary with another. All of it will then be compared to and contrasted with content and method from the New Testament.

For now, specific answers to the specific question asked are all that is sought, and I appreciate the answer you have provided.

 

[Josheb]

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.

Yep.

Let's see how others define "near" in their own words.

 

[tailgator]

What specifically does that mean? What exactly does that mean? Is a week near or soon? How about a month, or a year, or a decade, or a century, or more? When you use the word "near" eschatologically, what do you want others to understand from your usage?

It's going to depend how I use the word.
If I were traveling and came near to Jerusalem in distance then I would be using the word to describe the distance as being a short distance.

If I were using the word to describe time,then I would be described a short amount of time.In my first post ,I used the word to describe a short amount of time being a year .


Most of what Ive read in the bible uses the word to describe time.But In some instances it is used ,I question to whom it is being used.Or to who I believe the statement is being made.
In verse 3 below the word egguj is used.It could be interpreted near or at hand.

Revelation 1
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.



Many a preterist use this word to say all these things were fulfilled but I believe the audience for this message would hear it thousands of years after it was written.A people in a later tribulation being placed in prison and killed for their testimony of Jesus.The word" egguj" means near but I still question who the message is for.

I believe the tribulation of the saints in Israel will start next year.The time is near.

 

[eleos1954]

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"?

the word near ... is in relation to proximity ... we are in more proximity (closer) to His coming ... we are more in proximity to the time of His coming (closer). It's not related to a specific time. Eschatologically wise ... we are closer (nearer) to His coming ... it is in proximity (a future event) to His return ... and yes ... we do not know the specific day/time that will happen ... that's why the word near is used.

The point is ... we are to be in a ready condition ... because we are unaware of the exact day/time.

 

[Truth7t7]

The mark of the beast will start in the seven years tribulation. Which will happen after the rapture which is soon. It can happen @ any time. But Israel will be 80 y.o. In 2028. The Bible, lord last gave us 70 years to live but 80 if you are strong. When all these things happen, this generation will not see death…clarification wanted…

No such thing as a pre-trib rapture, the tribulation will start when the (man of sin/antichrist) is revealed -in Jerusalem and it will last for 3.5 years, ending in the return of Jesus in fire and final judgement (The End)

 

[Josheb]

It's going to depend how I use the word.
If I were traveling and came near to Jerusalem in distance then I would be using the word to describe the distance as being a short distance.

If I were using the word to describe time,then I would be described a short amount of time.In my first post ,I used the word to describe a short amount of time being a year.............................





I believe the tribulation of the saints in Israel will start next year.The time is near.

Thank you.

 

[Josheb]

Tally so far....

@Josheb : "close in either time or space."

@AlexB23 : "closer to now compared to the time since Jesus rose from the dead,"

@hislegacy : "opposite of far," "close, nigh, close, adjacent."

@RandyPNW : "You're not going to get "sweet and concise" from me...." "'near' is, at its heart, a proximity."

@eleos1954 "not far distant in time, place, or degree. in the near future"

@Unqualified : "next"

@tailgator : "soon"​

So far.... it appears everyone defines the word "near" in very much the same way, even if the word is not applied to scripture the same way. I'll wait (maybe a month) for a few others to weigh in. Thank you all.

 

[Always in His Presence]

Tally so far....

@Josheb : "close in either time or space."​

​

@AlexB23 : "closer to now compared to the time since Jesus rose from the dead,"​

​

@hislegacy : "opposite of far," "close, nigh, close, adjacent."​

​

@RandyPNW : "You're not going to get "sweet and concise" from me...." "'near' is, at its heart, a proximity."​

​

@eleos1954 "not far distant in time, place, or degree. in the near future"​

​

@Unqualified : "next"​

​

@tailgator : "soon"​

So far.... it appears everyone defines the word "near" in very much the same way, even if the word is not applied to scripture the same way. I'll wait (maybe a month) for a few others to weigh in. Thank you all.

You are missing and important person on the list - you.

 

[Josheb]

You are missing and important person on the list - you.

Read it again. I am the first one mentioned in Post 49.

 

[Always in His Presence]

so..... what is the point of this thread?