There are several texts in the New Testament that suggest Jesus will return within that generation. (i.e. "Not one of you will see death before he returns.")
I sincerely don't understand this. Either he already returned thousands of years ago (Josephus makes mention of 'angelic armies' seen during the destruction of Jeruselem), or it is all fallacy?
2007-01-17 04:16:09 · 21 answers · asked by Thinking 'bout it 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This idea is a misunderstanding of scripture.
Jesus has no intention of returning as a living human. He already did that.
This time Jesus is returning in the hearts of those who have accepted his message and try to live their lives to emulate his teachings. Few actually do this. It requires a radically different interpretation of love from the one understood by most so-called believers. Most people see love as something that you keep in reserve only for those you have judged worthy of it.
This is not love at all. This is only judgment. Judgment is the exact opposite of what Jesus was teaching. Remember judge not lest ye be judged. Jesus asks us to love our neighbor. Notice that there is no accept for in this statement. Every one is intended to be included in this love Jesus ask us to have for our fellow man. This type of universal application of love requires no judgment on our part because Jesus’' intent was that no one be left out of it.
This is a difficult pill to swallow for any religion that thinks of it's self as being the one true and only correct way to God. This idea of exclusivity is the exact opposite of the message of inclusively that Jesus gave us.
Attaining the goals that Jesus set for us may be difficult within the constraints most religions impose. This is why many who seriously try to emulate the true teachings of Jesus in their lives do not ascribe to any particular religious following. They follow the truth in their hearts where Jesus has taken up residence.
Love and blessings.
2007-01-17 04:18:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋
There is other explanations. First, God is, but humans wrote the Bible. Some of those who wrote the words were better and more inspired writers than others.
Also, Jesus taught in parables. Parables which are short stories that teach morals. There are also other types of the use of words to convey meanings like symbols, correspondences and similes.
In Jesus last days, he went to Jerusalem. Jerusalem was the most Holy City in the Holy Land. This is understood to be a "journey toward God." And Jesus is sacrificed on the Cross when he gets to Jerusalem.
Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the lowly donkey. Jesus may have been called a King by some followers and detractors, but Jesus loved the sick and disabled the most. Jesus uses the metaphor about a Rich man's chances of going to Heaven being like threading a Camel through the eye of a neddle.
This is not a literal statement. It is a form of words that convey meaning in a useful and effective manner.
So, the Bible is more complex than many give it credit. Many people contributed to the Bible down through the ages. Most where righteous and good people but they could not say everything in plain English for a number of reasons.
The thing about life and death, love and hate, or any of the good and bad sparks when they confront you is that it requires both clear and unprejudiced thinking and faith but also free and imaginative thinking.
Faith is a form of knowing, but you or I can not prove it.
2007-01-17 13:05:28 · answer #2 · answered by zclifton2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not all shall pass from the generation that sees this happen. What happen? The statehood of Israel be reinstated as her own country. This happened in 1948, however she was not complete until she gained back her Capitol, which is Jerusalem. That took place in 1967 immediately following the six day war. So, which generation will not all pass away? The generation of 1948 or 1967?
Remember, a generation is 40 years. Those born in 1967 are turning 40 this year. Those of 1948 are turning 59 this year.
Jesus has not "returned" to earth. He will not do so until after the Antichrist has his reign for seven years. Then, Jesus will return to the literal earth. Read the book of Revelation, along with Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel.
2007-01-17 12:24:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
I read here the arguments by people here being twisted to their likings.
Does the Bible mentions that the second coming will depend on the shredding of the ten commandments such as "thou shall not kill (that include the Palestinians), appropriate your neighbours property, bulldozing of homes of others by my good people... etc" so that the time becomes ripe for the second coming?
Or if this process is slow, then expedite it by getting the help of Zionangelicals by demonizing the inhabitants of the land who have been there longer than my good people?
I see someone making this connection here.
2007-01-17 13:47:44 · answer #4 · answered by Ottawan-Canada 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well good question
there are two types of return mentioned in the bible
one is the second comin and another is at the end of time
the second coming is mostly mentioned in john chapter 14 and i must tell u that this second coming is already over cause GOD came in form of holy spirit on the day on pentecost read acts chapter 2
and there is another return mentioned in the bible that jesus will come to the earth this refers to the end of time but not "second coming" and that day nobody knows cause it'd come like a theif in night read 2peter 3 chapter
GOD bless
2007-01-17 12:24:48 · answer #5 · answered by suzana r 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
despite the disclaimer of many hopeful Christians there is nothing ambiguous or mysterious about this verse.
Mat 16:28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
since all those standing there when Jesus purportedly said this are long dead and dust without having seen Jesus coming in his kingdom either the inerrant Word of God is in error and Jesus never said this or Jesus lied or Jesus was mistaken. take your pick.
PS. sorry Jeanmarie but Jesus did NOT come to destroy Hebrew law to make it easier to be righteous.
Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
PPS. hehehe! more thumbs down on truth. for all their talk of believing "Truth" Christians sure hate it. i guess when "Truth" becomes just a deified idol you can focus on the deity instead of the actuality.
2007-01-17 12:27:00 · answer #6 · answered by nebtet 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes.
First Satan will be booted out of heaven and play God or Christ.
Satan will deceive the whole world.
THEN.
1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
2007-01-17 12:19:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
It's true. Yet Christians claim he will come back. The Bible says he is over 2000 years late. In Luke 21:25-32 Christ tells his followers about the end of the world and his pending return from heaven and then tells them that their generation would not pass away before these things happened.
With that kind of bad timing, I can safely say that the threat of the Revelation is false.
2007-01-17 12:20:18 · answer #8 · answered by acgsk 5 · 1⤊ 4⤋
When was Christ's kingdom established?
Everyone was under the law of Moses until when?
When Jesus rose from the dead. He over came death/sin by doing this. This was his kingdom and his entire reason for coming.
He was not talking about his second coming.
2007-01-17 12:31:30 · answer #9 · answered by Jeanmarie 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Another example of plain wording being twisted/interpreted to explain away the inconsistency.
2007-01-17 12:23:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋