Seeing that the writers of the gospels were clearly teaching the “return of Christ” would be in their generation and the Bible had nothing to do with me, American, or the 21st century.
We can assume the passages in question weren't literal but both most straightforward jesus and paul seemed to think the end was literally imminent.
Every generation of Christians thinks that end is near. You can find bunch of videos on Youtube claiming end is near, rapture is coming, Jesus is coming...ect.
And yes, when you read the Bible, there is a bit of confusion because it talks of different things. First it talks how apostles will be tortured, which for some was true. then it talks about coming of Jesus from the dead, which happened during their time.
the actual "second coming" was more precisely described in Revelations, and in that, there is no mistake, second coming isnt near, not all conditions were met.
Major Biblical Conditions for the Second Coming:
Key Aspects of the Second Coming:
Obviously, a lot of conditions didnt happen. We still dont have widespread pain by stinging insects. While gnostics do believe the beast is Christianity itself, still a lot of conditions didnt happen, so no one would logically believe that second coming would be in their time unless they see all conditions happen, not just wars, but all details happen.
In Revelation 9, insects (specifically locusts) are depicted as a supernatural, demonic plague released from the "bottomless pit" during the fifth trumpet judgment to torment, but not kill, unbelievers for five months. These locusts resemble horses prepared for battle, having human-like faces, women's hair, lion-like teeth, and scorpion-like tails.
Key Details Regarding the Locusts in Revelation:
or
) to depict creatures with human faces, lion teeth, breastplates of iron, and wings that sound like charging chariots.
Command: Unlike natural locusts that devour vegetation, these are explicitly commanded not to harm any green thing, but only humans lacking the seal of God on their foreheads.
Torment: They possess the power of scorpions, causing torment so severe that people will seek death but not find it.
Duration & Purpose: The five-month torment period reflects the typical lifespan of locusts, symbolizing a temporary, divine judgment intended to showcase God's power.
King: They are led by a king, the angel of the bottomless pit, named Abaddon or Apollyon (meaning "Destroyer").
In Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32 Jesus states that no one knows the day or hour of the end times. Not the angels or the Son— only the Father.
What should we make of the fact the bible characters thought the end was near?
What end? The end of what?
The disciples initially understood “the end” (Matthew 24:3) to mean the immediate , apocalyptic conclusion of the current age, characterized by the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem , the end of the Roman oppression, and the arrival of the Messianic Kingdom. It was seen as the final judgement.
The disciples initially understood “the end” (Matthew 24:3) to mean the immediate , apocalyptic conclusion of the current age, apocalyptic conclusion of the current age, characterized by the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem , the end of the Roman oppression, and the arrival of the Messianic Kingdom. It was seen as the final judgement.
I can agree with that in part. . But can you tell to me which "the current age" you believe that they were referring to?
Bible characters are just that.
And accepting that they are loosely based upon real people...We nonetheless have no idea whatsoever what said people actually thought.
Post dated mythology is what it is.
Good Morning SL.
Hope all is well with you and yours, my mate.
The answer was given in my post #6. It was seen as the final judgement.
The answer was given in my post #6. It was seen as the final judgement.
But it isn't. Stop swerving.
"Debby" wrote: at 6 above. The disciples initially understood “the end” (Matthew 24:3) to mean the immediate , apocalyptic conclusion of the current age, characterized by the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem , the end of the Roman oppression, and the arrival of the Messianic Kingdom. It was seen as the final judgement.
Simply tell us what the "current age was?
It can't be hard considering that it was only you that mentioned it. If you don't know just say so.
Hi Stephen.
Yes all is well here.
I hope that you are recovering well, and that wife and family are all good.
I retire fully in 1 month, and we are planning to put the house on the market and move to the coast.
Thanks to the Welsh GOV, at the moment there are plenty of second homes and holiday rentals going on the market at affordable prices.
Sound like a good move. I am pleased for you both. I have always loved the Devon and Cornwall coast.
Retirement is fine as long as you can keep occupied with interests outside of the home. Strange how many retirees believes that its all over once they finish working life because they have no interests or hobbies . I have been lucky in that sense with my Bonsai and the grandchildren's sports ( they can run rings around me now.)
I feel ok myself health wise. but if I'm honest I am not looking forward to my nephrectomy op.
Still, it is what it is, that being quality of life as opposed to quantity of life. As I have said a few times now, I am sure that there are plenty in St John's bone yard that would like to to here to complain.
All the best Vic. Keep in touch.
The current age is widely understood to be the extended, final era of human history before the end of the world as described in the New Testament. The current age was extended because of Jesus.
he current age is widely understood to be the extended, final era of human history before the end of the world as described in the New Testament. The current age was extended because of Jesus.
You really don't know anything do you. The age in question was the age or the Ram, you Bible ignorant clown!
When Jesus spoke to the disciples about the end of the age and to the Pharisee about not knowing the age he was speaking of the age of Moses. THE RAM Aries. andit was this age that was coming to an end. And a new age coming Pieces the Fish.
The Bible explicitly condemns astrology and nowhere is a reference made to the zodiac signs. But animals are used as references in some cases like Ram in animal sacrifices.
The Bible bans astrology and not ritual sacrifice.
The old Bible is a bit picky and choosey in the hocus pocus section isn't it Debs?
The old Bible is a bit picky and choosey in the hocus pocus section isn't it Debs?
As are its adherents
"Debby" wrote: The current age is widely understood to be the extended, final era of human history before the end of the world as described in the New Testament. The current age was extended because of Jesus.
Stephen wrote: You really don't know anything do you. The age in question was the age or the Ram, you Bible ignorant clown! When Jesus spoke to the disciples about the end of the age and to the Pharisee about not knowing the age he was speaking of the age of Moses. THE RAM Aries. and it was this age that was coming to an end. And a new age coming Pieces the Fish.
"Debby" wrote: The Bible explicitly condemns astrology and nowhere is a reference made to the zodiac signs. But animals are used as references in some cases like Ram in animal sacrifices.
As I said; you know nothing about the bible. For a start I am talking Astronomy. Not Astrology, (learn the difference) . Although there are many cases in the bible where the it is fact that the ancient used the Heavenly bodies ( stars / planets) as astrological "signs". Indeed the sign of Jesus is the Fish, Pieces, you ignorant clown.
Try this on nobhead,
Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. Mathew 24:30
Do you see that! ^^^^^^^? they were looking to the heavens (space) for signs!!!
And what was that sign, thicko? It was the heavenly house of Pieces the Fish. They were waiting and expecting the "new heaven" as mentioned in Revelation!!! 21-1
Why do you think that the NT refences "fish" and "fishermen" so often?
Are you denying that the sign of Jesus was the Fish?
This is the "mysteries of heaven" that Jesus , was speaking about and that were only revealed to and taught to the priest and kings of those ancient times..
He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. Matthew 13:11
Was Jesus a king?
Was Jesus a priest?
Were Jesus' chosen 12 priests?
You must be the dumbest person to have ever held a bible.
Here endeth the lesson.
Hope your op goes well.
No mention of pieces of fish in Revelation. Only mention of fish in John 6:12-13 where Jesus fed 5000 with 2 loaves of bread and two fish.Read your Bible. Don’t make stuff up.
As for your other questions.
was Jesus a priest?
was Jesus’s king?
we’re Jesus chosen 12 priests?
The Jews hailed Jesus as king of the Jews.
some even considered him a priest because Jesus quoted the Bible.
Jesus picked 12 disciples. They were not priests but ordinary people with ordinary professions.
Yep, if ever you're looking for an example of exaggerated Middle Eastern folk mythology look no further the the tale of the fish sandwiches.
Are you a Bible denier as well. Jesus feeding 5000 is well quoted and found in John 6:12-13 Read it!
We should believe they thought the end was near.
Just like modern Christians read Revelations and connect the dots to modern events, people of Jesus's age believed that the big important things were going to happen in their time, not some far-flung future that had no relevance to them.
When the years dragged on without event, we start to see coping scripture like 2 Peter, which is clearly trying to reassure Christians about an overdue parousia.
The Holy Bible tells us, no man knows the day or hour of Christ's return. Christ, himself, tells us [Matthew 24: 36] I believe that is as accurate as can be and need be said. People need to spend more time preparing and less time predicting.
We tell God what to do and then blame Him for our errors.
- Dr. Pet Dragon of Sorbonne University
The Bible is undeniably a book of oftentimes exaggerated Middle Eastern folk mythology.
No one actually fed 5000 people with 5 loaves and two fish...Unless it was an attempt to get into the Guinness book of records, or the Sea of Galilee was well stocked with basking sharks and the locals were actually attempting to get into the Guinness book of records by baking the biggest loaves ever.
And yes it was 5 loaves...Read your Bible...And don't make stuff up, like the overenthusiastic compilers of the Bible did.
And if there were such a picnic I'm guessing that it was the women that did the catering, whilst the men sat around discussing all sorts of nonsense....Typically, Jesus's boys only club were given the credit for everything.
If you pare it down realistically, then perhaps there were 50 people having a get together, thereby, 5 big loaves and two big fish together with side salads etcetera, would make a reasonable picnic by the seaside...Not to mention the wine and hashish, which would certainly account for all the fanciful tales that ensued.
You need to put the book into a human context Debs and interpret it logically rather than literally...It will then make better sense.
"Debby" wrote: No mention of pieces of fish in Revelation. Only mention of fish in John 6:12-13 where Jesus fed 5000 with 2 loaves of bread and two fish. Read your Bible.
I asked you what is the sign of Jesus? You ignored the question because you know dam full well that it is the Fish. Don't you?
"Debby" wrote: No mention of pieces of fish in Revelation.
I didn't say there was . I said they were looking for the sign/s of "new heaven" as mentioned in Revelation!!! 21-1
"Debby" wrote: The Bible explicitly condemns astrology and nowhere is a reference made to the zodiac signs. But animals are used as references in some cases like Ram in animal sacrifices.
BULLSHITE!
The bible is riddle with both astronomy and astrology. You just can't distinguish between the two.
What did the wise men from the East say when they approach King Herod ?
They said that they had seen HIS star. Matthew 2 didn't they?
Who did they mean when they said HIS star ?
So what was this particular Star telling the kings, or wise men or magicians?
And why did the call it HIS star?
According to the Gospel of Matthew , the star of Bethlehem , acted as a divine guide, appearing in the East to the Magi , leading them to Jerusalem , and then reappearing to ‘go before them’ and ‘stand over’ the specific house in Bethlehem where the young Jesus was.
It was a divine guide and not some zodiac sign.
They called it his star because it was standing over the specific house in Bethlehem where the young Jesus was born. Read your Bible and not the horoscope for details about Jesus’s birth.
You haven't answered the questions . I answered this first one for you, See [A] below
What did the wise men from the East say when they approach King Herod ?
[A] They said that they had seen HIS star. Matthew 2 didn't they?
LOOK>>>> Matthew 2: Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
So?
Who did they mean when they said HIS star ?
So what was this particular Star telling the kings, or wise men or magicians?
And why did the call it HIS star?
