Hi Folks!!! let’s discuss the issue of Christ’s second coming. Bible clearly speaks about it and discuss its associated events. In the last book of the N.T (.i.e Revelation ) 22:7 Jesus said “…behold, I come quickly” few verses later “…for the time is at hand” (22:10)" . It is clear from the every book of the N.T that Jesus would come “SOON”," VERY LITTLE WHILE". Now my Question to you is “Did Jesus Come When He Said He Would?†i.e. in the first Century.
If Christ came when He said He would, the modern day prognostics of doom are wrong and we must be able to demonstrate how Jesus was faithful to His word and how they have misunderstood what He said. If your claim that Jesus didn’t come as he promised is true, then God’s word is wrong. NO OTHER OPTION! what do you say…?
The title alone begs for attention then the posts following are just too funny when seen from a perspective of umm, humor… Its not cheap laughs. Deviant humor must be cultured and nurtured it takes imagination. And Oh come on its funny as hell…
It seems to me that there is a difference between Jesus and ‘Christ’. Jesus was an individual, who probably no longer exists (as an individual). ‘Christ’ is a principle. We can all achieve the ‘Christ’ state.
I also think you’re being too literal. If you look at the length that the universe has existed, half a million years could be considered relatively quickly. And what does, “I come quickly,” actually mean. To assume that it means, “I am going to be reincarnated on earth very soon”, is seriously jumping to a conclusion.
I probably shouldn’t comment, because I’ve never studied that section of revelations. But to assume that you, as a Christian, understand it, when the bible is clearly full of allegory and symbolism, is foolish. In fact, that section of revelations doesn’t seem like a reference to a ‘second coming of Christ’ at all.
Still, I’m kind of ashamed of you guys for just coming in here and mocking the guy.
“Now my Question to you is “Did Jesus Come When He Said He Would?†i.e. in the first Century.
The Bible does not say anywhere that Jesus would come again in the first century. On the contrary, it says very clearly and unambiguously that no human being can know the time of his return (Matt. 24: 36, Mark 13: 32, 1 Thess. 5: 1-2, etc).
You only half quoted Rev. 22: 10. The whole verse reads: “And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand†(Rev. 22: 10) [italics are mine]. The time reference here is related to the completion of “this book,†the Holy text which occurred with the completion of the book of Revelation when the Bible was completed.
Moreover, with respect to the “return of Christ,†the time references refer to an “era†of time, as board member rainshine87 correctly observed: “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (2 Peter 3:8 ).
We are presently living in the “New Testament†era. For example, our calendar recognizes that it is the year 2007; or two thousand plus years since Christ (AD, Anno Domini, the year of our Lord). The earth operates in this calendar and no man can know when it will all end. Passion
Hi bane. You wrote; “As I said before, he didn’t come back and he never will.”
You are correct to say that Christ hasn’t returned – yet. However, that he will return at some point in the future, at a time unknown to man (Matt. 24: 36, Mark 13: 32, 1 Thess. 5: 1-2, et al), is guaranteed for those who believe it. Of course, if someone does not believe it, then it will seem untrue to them. Augustine wrote: “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.â€
I could bring up Pascal’s wager here, but it has always troubled me on some level. Then again statistics do matter: in the long run, the 7 is said to show more than any other number at a craps table. Betting against the 7 in the long run can be painful even though the 6 & 8 show often enough in the short run. Passion
Hi bane. You wrote; †The idea that anyone would ever have to ‘bet’ that God even exists makes the concept of an all-powerful God seem VERY weak.â€
I hear you. That is why I earlier wrote; “I could bring up Pascal’s wager here, but it has always troubled me on some level.â€
Regardless, Pascal’s wager, so called, is more of a statistical thought experiment than a bet. The cost of being on the wrong side of this statistic is too great, according to Pascal. Passion
Hi tortoise. You wrote; †Just because a book says it’s true doesn’t mean it’s true, even if that book has a leather cover, even if the pages are really thin, etc.â€
I understand your thought tortoise. However, Christians believe that the Holy text - the words, ideas and values contained within the book - is the living word of God. The words within are a different thing than the physical book you describe.
You wrote; â€What’s the likelihood that Jesus will come back? Well, out of the billions of people who have died, how many have come back?
If Jesus was only a person, then you would have a valid point. However, Christians do not believe that Jesus was just a person (1 Cor. 15: 14-17).
Your wrote; †There’s evidence for exactly ZERO, 0, none. Is there a good reason to believe he’s going to come back? NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT.â€
Tortoise, your statement reveals that you have a very strong belief that Christ will not return. Imagine that same very strong belief in reverse and you will have an idea of how strongly Christians believe Christ will return. The evidence of that belief is overwhelming that he will, but only if one vests value in the primary source documentation of the Holy text as being absolute. Passion
Hi smears. Given the otherwise intelligent nature of some of your other posts, I must tell you that your post on this thread is disappointing. You’re being the “resident contrarian†of ILP shouldn’t cause you to become its resident fool. Passion.