Posted on 12/13/2008 1:17:41 PM PST by WhatNot
Bizarre and predictable. The insanity of the authority of the individual.
I dunno what’s worse, the TV or my darn computer, LOL.
1074. genea (ghen-eh-ah') a generation; by implication, an age (the period or the persons) age, generation, nation, time.
How is it that you can say that it was the current generation? This is not what the Greek necessarily says. An age, most definitely (Biblically speaking), is more than 20/30 years! The "age" of Christianity....for instance, is now almost 2000 years old.
I didn't take it as condescending, and you need not apologize to anyone.
If the search for omens and signs of the future were any indication of true faith, ours would be the most Christian generation of all history. But Jesus said, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign" (Mt. 16:4).
The popular doctrine of a "future millennial reign" over the present world affords endless opportunities to take daily events and label them as signs of millennial fulfillment. Satiated with sensational international crisis, the searching Christian eagerly clutches at every announcement in hopes that this is it! - That this latest event will herald a new day and end the tension, the frustration, the failure and uncertainty. Such believers live for the future, and miss the joy and victory of the present reign of Christ.
The Millennialist focuses his attention on a period in between, a time soon to begin, but never yet; a time of peace and prosperity, but still bound by the limitations of this present world under the curse which came at the sin of Adam. He looks for a problem-free age of life in this present evil world. Though the sinners and rebels still thrive, it will be made tolerable by the physical presence of Jesus ruling with a rod of iron and the blessings of material rewards - all the things you always wanted but were denied. He looks to the future, but not far enough to the life of glory Christ promised - a new life in a new creation free of unbelievers. The ardent millennialist lives on the edge of his seat, eagerly scanning the news to see if some new event might fit into his list of things supposed to happen near or at the expected millennium; the list includes the mark of the beast,the appearance of antichrist, the "great tribulation", new temple in Jerusalem, and the war of Armageddon, to name a few. He rejects or overlooks the interpretation placed upon these prophecies by the Apostles, which indicates that they have already been fulfilled. Much of the religious world is occupied with seeking for signs that these things are about to be fulfilled in our day and age.
The preaching of an earthly kingdom of carnal satisfaction is the very opposite of the gospel Christ and the Apostles proclaimed. Christ presented man's need as that which cannot be met by material things. While He healed, fed a few people, and taught us to share with the person who comes to us in need, He refused to encourage anyone seeking after the goods of the world. He offered no political solution to world problems and denounced ambition for worldly equality and plenty. Instead He challenged man to deny self, to give up worldly satisfaction, even to the forfeiting of goods, homes, loved ones, and life itself in order to gain life in the next world.
The evasive hope of one-world peace underlies much of the social pressure against which the Christian faith struggles today. What is the source of our financial and national woes? Is it not the ambitious conspiracy of men who wish to give us a new and peaceful world by taking over our lives and remolding them to fit their dreams? They, too, look for a millennium, one which they think can be created by their own political and social processes. Well-meaning but drastically deluded church members think to please God by aiding them in their plan because they think it is God's purpose to bring total peace and unity into this present world, the same promises made by international socialists. To bring about a world where all carnal desires may be satisfied and where there is no struggle against existing sin is Satan's aim, not God's!
Sorry for the preaching, but I couldn't help it. It is what I see happening amongst Christians who desire to accept any hope they can grasp in this present world.
Don't you think that it would be more constructive to speak to the topic and add your understanding than to throw one-liners? They may be on the mark, but they don't add anything to the topic.
The idea of an earthly kingdom under Messiah was a Jewish tradition developed out of their refusal to accept the prophecies of Christ bringing salvation to all nations. They hoped for a kingdom limited to their nation, after the order of the kingdom of David and thought that when Messiah came He would throw out the Romans, enlarge the borders of Judea to encompass the territory held by Solomon, and give them prospeity and power over their enemies. They sought to make Christ an earthly King, but He refused (John 6:15). They then crucified Him, affirming, "We have no King but Caesar" (John 19:15).
It was only after the Apostle Peter set forth the fact that the prophecy of one sitting on David's throne was fulfilled by Christ, and that the pouring forth of the holy spirit was proof of it (Acts 2:29-33) that they cried out on the Day of Pentecost, "What must we do?" No such earnest desire was ever expressed as long as they held hopes of an earthly rule by the Messiah. The same alternative exists today. The person who lives in hope, ever so zealously, for the day when peace reigns on the present earth, where man may live in full satisfaction of his carnal desires in this life - that person can hardly obey the word of Jesus given by Paul: "...seek the things that are above where Christ is... set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. For you died and your life is hid with Christ in God" (Col. 3:1-3).
The purpose of Christ was to destroy the works of darkness and translate men from the dark kingdom to His own (Col. 1:13). Therefore the world seeks to confuse the issue, to distort the meaning of the kingdom and present false hopes to the ignorant and to keep as many in the dark as possible. For this reason the preching of false prophetic signs is popular with the world, but the presentation of the cross and its true meaning is as despised as ever.
However, I do like concise statements.
It seems like you and I probably have much in common. I especially like your reference to Acts 2. It clearly shows Christ sitting on the throne of David, something many deny today. Especially dispensationalists. Acts 15 shows the Tabernacle of David being reconstructed by the entrance of the Gentiles into the Kingdom of God, another fulfillment denied by those looking for an ‘earthly’ kingdom.
The Kingdom was never intended to be seen by the physical eye (without observation). Yes, the signs (Matt 24, the destruction of Jerusalem) were there to let them (1st century saints) know when the Kingdom had arrived in its fullness. The age of the church, the Kingdom of God, is never ending (Heb 12:22-24, Eph 3:21), not some unforseen plan B of God.
Didn't say you did. Just incuded you in the conversation because of your previous post to me.
However, I do like concise statements.
So do I...
Yes, the signs (Matt 24, the destruction of Jerusalem) were there to let them (1st century saints) know when the Kingdom had arrived in its fullness. The age of the church, the Kingdom of God, is never ending (Heb 12:22-24, Eph 3:21), not some unforseen plan B of God.
AMEN!!! Some think that the "generation" mentioned doesn't mean "those standing by", "this generation". They try to say it means an "age", an age transported into the future; an age that refers to Israel being reborn as a nation. However, the language used in Mt. 24 mitigates against that type of thinking. (Maybe those holding that idea should re-read Mt. 24).
Well, explain one thing...How is it that God told John to write about this warning to the people AFTER the devastation had already taken place...
Read previous postings on dating.
It would have to be to fit your theology...
Problem is, none of the events listed in Revelation happened way back when...
We've got a problem Houston...We missed the END...
Mat 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
So the Elect were gathered by the angels...Then where'd they go??? If we're not standing on the earth, where are we??? Is this Heaven???
Mat 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Everything has been fulfilled and yet we're here playing church...I think maybe there's a flaw in your deciphering...
We've got a problem Houston...We missed the END...
Hmmm...The verse taken by itself seems to throw you off, I reckon. Why not read Luke's description of this conversation between Jesus and His Apostles? It's the same thing, although in less of an apocalyptical language than Matthew's description. Please remember that a verse out of context is a pretext. Let the Scriptures explain Scriptures - it does a good job of it!
Everything has been fulfilled and yet we're here playing church...I think maybe there's a flaw in your deciphering...
Who said everything has been fulfilled? Not me! And I don't PLAY church...I take it very seriously - it's a matter of life or death when the end actually comes.
You didn't say that??? Well, you said this:
He rejects or overlooks the interpretation placed upon these prophecies by the Apostles, which indicates that they have already been fulfilled.
"He rejects or overlooks the interpretation placed upon these prophecies by the Apostles, which indicates that they have already been fulfilled."
Yep, I said that. What of it? The war of Armageddon, which is not a literal war between nations, but a war that God will fight is something else, I guess. I could take the time to explain, but I'm quite sure it would be useless doing for you. You would most likely, I think, ridicule it instead of addressing it. Anyway, the apostles did have something to say about what I said, and they indicate that they are past.
Anyway, time for a shower, then bed. Still working on bible lessons - will finish before the shower :-)
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