Posted on 01/26/2016 5:33:50 PM PST by grumpa
WHAT IS A COMING OF GOD?
by Charles S. Meek
Searching the Scriptures over many years to understand eschatology, I have become persuaded that there is a major point most Christians miss about Bible prophecy. Jesus said that He would COME ON CLOUDS OF HEAVEN WITH POWER AND GREAT GLORY (with angels and trumpets, bringing cosmic disturbances and perturbations of the created order (heaven and earth, etc.). I dare say that not one Christian in a 100 understands the Old Testament context of these statements. Frankly, what most Christians understand about prophecy they have picked up in the echo chamber, and have never checked it against the Word of God.
If Jesus was to come again as divinity, FROM HEAVEN after his ascension, how would it look? How would the original audience have understood these prophecies? Would it or would it not match the COMINGS OF GOD in the Old Testament? The Second Coming passages in the New Testament are consistently about Jesus coming IN JUDGMENT upon the apostate Jews living in his day (Matthew 21:40-45; 23:29-39; 26:64-65; etc.). How did Yahweh come in judgment against groups of people in the Old Testament?
Would Jesus have to be physically present on earth to effect his divine judgment? The Greek noun most often used for Jesus Second Coming is Parousia. It is used sixteen times in the New Testament about the so-called return of Jesus. It literally means presence. It does not demand a literal physical-bodily appearance, and can correctly be said to be the EFFECTUAL DIVINE PRESENCE of Jesus. Is not Jesus present with us even now, effecting change and judging the world?
The language of coming on a glory cloud in the Old Testament is idiomatic apocalyptic phraseology about COMINGS of Yahweh, often IN JUDGMENT, against nations. One simply cannot grasp New Testament eschatology unless he grasps this context. Once understood, many things about Bible prophecy become much clearer.
Just for the record, I list below two categories of pertinent Old Testament activity of God. Notice how clouds are often described as the figurative abode and mode of travel of God. Also notice how the Bible uses metaphoric language of cosmic and earthly disturbances to describe these intrusions of God on earth. People did not see Him, but saw the EFFECTS of the presence of Yahweh in various ways.
1. COMINGS IN JUDGMENT. Scholars agree that most of these judgments have already occurred. In parentheses are the targets of the righteous judgment of God. Psalm 18:7-15 (enemies of David); 50:3 (people of God); 68:1-7 (enemies of God); 96:9-13 (for justice); 97:2-5 (enemies of God); Isaiah 13:6-13 (Babylon); 19:1-22 (Egypt); 24:1-23 (the city of Jerusalem, ref. 2 Peter 3); 26:21 (sinners); 29:3-6 (Jerusalem); 34:1-17 (Edom); 66:15-22 (the great judgment); Jeremiah 4:1-28 (Judah and Jerusalem); Ezekiel 30:3-19 (Egypt); 32:7-8 (Pharaoh); Joel 2:1-16 (against Israel, ref. Acts 2); 3:15-16 (the nations); Amos 5:16-24 (Israel); 8:8-9 (Israel); Hosea 8:1-14 (Israel); Micah 1:2-16 (Israel and Judah); Nahum 1:2-6 (Nineveh); Zephaniah 1:2-18 (Judah, Jerusalem, and enemies of Judah); Zechariah 14:2-11 (Jerusalem).
2. COMING/COMING DOWN, not necessarily in judgment, but to display his glory or to effect change in other ways. Genesis 11:5-8; 18:21; Exodus 3:8; 19:9-11; 34:5; Leviticus 16:2; Numbers 11:16-25; Deuteronomy 4:11-14; 5:22; 33:2; 2 Samuel 22:8-15; 2 Chronicles 5:13-14; Psalm 104:3; 144:5-7; Isaiah 30:26; 31:4; 35:1-2, 6, 10; 40:3-10; 60:19-20; 64:1-3; Daniel 7:13; Zechariah 1:16.
Take the time to look up each of those passages. Then compare the language to the New Testament: Matthew 24:30; 26:64; Acts 1:9-11; 2 Peter 3:7-12; Revelation 1:7; 6:12-17. Given that there are over 100 passages in the New Testament that say that Jesus would come/return while some of those living in the first century were still alive (Matthew 10:23; 16:27-28; 23:29-39; 24:34; Revelation 1:1-3; 22:6-20; etc.), does this study give you a different perspective of coming on clouds? Does Scripture really teach the necessity that the Parousia of Jesus be a literal physical-bodily appearance, or have you read something into the text that is not there? Can you see that this understanding resolves the conflict of the Parousia and the many imminence passages?
God bless.
(Mr. Meek is the author of CHRISTIAN HOPE THROUGH FULFILLED PROPHECY. Summary and reviews can be seen at Amazon.com.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQcLcstPxMk&feature=youtu.be&t=443
I also commend to the reader this 4-part series on What Is a Coming of God by Riley OBrien Powell:
https://onedrive.live.com/view.aspx?resid=D3BD424B0B25B83F!10868&app=Word
And be sure to peruse our Facebook site Evangelical Preterism!
If we could get a video of Moses parting the sea or equivalent it would be a good start.
I think he will return near Rochester, NY because it is so cloudy here. So keep your eyes open.
A better one is Ezekiel 38-39. The war between GOG, MAGOG, and GOD.
It will take place in the Valley of Megiddo (Israel), at the base of Mt. Carmel. On top of Mt. Carmel is a TV station .. that will be broadcasting the whole event.
The end will be reminiscent of the scene in “Raiders of the Lost Ark”, when the Ark was opened and the ensuing firestorm consumed all the Nazi’s. However, in Ezekiel, it says that all that was left were the enemies’ bones and their chariots. Ah evidence .. need evidence to convince the people .. GOD is for real.
But, that’s not the end of the story .. everybody who sees the event will be running to anyone they know and asking them “Do you know that GOD?” You can then lead them to Christ .. and thus the “Final Harvest” will begin.
Seems like God is always coming down on America,
but he never manages to land.
Excellent! I look forward to checking out the video links.
Perhaps you haven't heard: there is no if about it:
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11)
Sounds like the Scofield/Lindsey/Jenkins, etc. version. Great story, but it’s not basÄ“d on the Bible.
Excuse me .. GEEEEEE .. did somebody move Ezekiel 38-39 scriptures out of the Bible ..??
It’s the WORD OF GOD .. and yes, GOD does write great stories.
I find the Berean believers closer to The Final Harvest than I do Websters II at least in regard to the point being discussed by those two.
Thank you for your comments.
The book of Ezekiel is a favorite of mine.
Sorry, I don’t “get” what he’s trying to say. Is he saying Jesus isn’t coming back?
Thanks, I’ll return to this again.
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