rwdeese, sometimes scripture will have the past, present and future in the same chapter.
This is true, but it isn't a guessing game. If the Scripture does not say it, then one may be guilty of adding to the word.
The Word will reveal the Word. I've studied prophecy, and the end time extensively, and if I've learned one thing.....no one knows everything, but God does reveal His plans to His servants.
The context principle is the most sound principle of hermeneutics.
As far as Matthew 24, I see past, present and future. Because God's thinking and words are not ours (He's not bound by linear time). His Word speaks at times as though things that have not happened to us, have already to Him. Example: we are already redeemed, and dancing around the throne.....to Him. He is not bound by time. Christ spoke a lot of past, present, and future a lot of the time, all at once. The book of Revelation is a real good example of this. The book of Daniel also.
1. It is nice that YOU SEE it that way, but the Scriptures nowhere indicate that it as past, present and future.
2. God isn't trying to confuse people. One should never guess at the word.
He does tell us what we may expect to face in our lifetime, and what we will face for judgement or eternity. Are we the rapture generation? I really don't know. My Grandma thought she was, but she died in the Lord. I have a pretty good understanding of what future events hold, but not the exact "when" of them.
No He doesn't. All those things have already taken place. They were futrue to the disciples, but not to us. You might want to look carefully at Matthew 24 and ask this question: Who is Jesus speaking disciples or us? The Scripture tells us plainly!
[qutoe]Also, The Bible is broke down in different dispensations. What is the plan of salvation for us today (dispensation of Grace), will not be applicable after the rapture. [/quote]
Interesting! What passages mentions the "dispensation of grace?"
On a more personal note: You seem to be familiar with what I believe (previous posts), and to have some understanding about UPC doctrine, and our Articles of Faith. I do understand there are a lot of interpretations of the Word by different denominations, but the Word tells us there is no private interpretation.
In some ways this is a little funny - especially the part about "no private interpretation."
This isn't saying what you think it is saying. The verb in verse 20 of 2 Peter 1 is "ginomai" which means "to cause to be, to become, come into being." Peter is merely speaking about the process by which the Scriptures came into being - their origin, not their understanding. In other words, this passage is communicating the idea that the Scriptures did not originate in the mind of any prophet.The apostle Peter is here speaking about the process by which the Scriptures came into being, namely, their origin, and not about the understanding of Scripture already given. Verse 22 confirms this idea by saying prophecy never came by the will of man but through the Holy Spirit.
Yes, I am very familiar with UPC doctrine.
God does tell us to study to show ourselves approved, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of God. I'm very careful what I teach and preach. I therefore make sure what the Word of God says, and if I don't know, I study it until I do, or I don't teach it. My #1 message is Jesus Christ died (God in flesh) for our sins to redeem us back to Himself, and the plan of salvation....Acts 2:38. That right now is the most important teaching for present time. Prophecy is great to study, but it's only given to us to let us discern the signs of the times to get ourselves ready.
It wouldn't matter if all those thing were in our future anyway. Scripture tells us to always be ready.
I know there are movements that believe that happenings in the 24th Chapter of Matthew have happened already. Also, that the rapture has already happened, Is this you?
Yes... I used to teach what you are teaching, but the more I read the contexts for each passage, the more I realized it was made up. In fact, I have the copy of the second book in history that ever taught the rapture doctrine - cuz it was not taught in the early church - period!
We do not. You and I have been here before, and like I said before, I have no desire to debate it, because you have a different interpretation of scripture.
Actually, I know some UPC pastors who do not teach it. If you would like their websites, I can provide them.
However, in the 3rd verse of Matthew 24, the disciples asked Jesus what would be the sign of His coming, and the end of the world? Then Jesus began to tell them. It's impossible for some of the things that Jesus talked about, to have happened already. For one thing, the mention of His coming. If these things have already happened in the 24th Chapter of Matthew, why isn't the world ended yet?
Well, if one studies Hebraisms, one will know that the Jews of that day believed that a new world would begin when the Messiah arrived. They believed in two ages - the one they lived in, and the Messianic age. You will discover if you look to the Greek that the word for world can be translated "age". The disciples knew nothing about the "end of the earth." However, they were taught from youth about the "Messianic Age," so they were asking Jesus to tell them when the end of their age would take place. A careful reading of the parallels passages in Mark and Luke confirm this truth. To read into the text a 21st century mindset that says that they were talking about the end of the planet would be foreign to a Jew in that day.
Just what is your definition of the "context principle of interpretation"? Revelation comes from God, the Word never contradicts itself, and I've found that scripture interprets scripture. The Bible has to be taken as a whole.
When one reads Scriptures in context they are clear. When one tries to arbitrarily enter other passages into a context without any rhyme or reason, this confuses truth.
Community Forum
Topic: IS THE WORLD COMING TO AN END? (Read 24202 times)
March 23, 2009, 12:15:35 pm
