Posted on 12/21/2004 11:49:02 PM PST by JohnHuang2
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
By Joseph Farah
© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com
"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness. From then on and forevermore ..."
– Isaiah 9:6-7 (NASB)
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this week and prepare for 2005 next week, I can't help but think about how close we must be to the Second Coming – when the Lord will return for His church and personally rule over the Earth for 1,000 years.
Oh, I know, some of you don't believe in such things. You think it's just a bunch of silly superstition. Even some Christians don't believe in the Second Coming. Many prefer I stick to writing about news events of the physical world rather than arcane spiritual matters.
But, as a journalist, I can't ignore hard evidence – no matter where it may lead me. And the more I study the prophetic scriptures of the Holy Bible and look at the condition of our world today, the more convinced I become that we are nearing that time. In fact, I think we are very close.
For just as Jesus' virgin birth in Bethlehem was foretold by the Hebrew prophets hundreds of years earlier, so, too, was His return to Earth predicted. The only question is when.
The most dramatic evidence for His imminent return our generation has witnessed was the rebirth of the nation of Israel more than 50 years ago. The Jews, God's chosen people, were, as prophesied, scattered over the whole earth for nearly two millennia beginning shortly after Jesus' death on the cross. Yet, in my opinion, the scriptures leave no doubt that the Jewish state would exist once again before He returned.
Interestingly, Orthodox Jews have long taught that the world would last for 6,000 years before the Messiah would come and usher in a 1,000-year period of restful human history. Since God created the world in six days, according to Genesis 1:31, and rested on the seventh day, according to Genesis 2:1, they reasoned the world's history would climax the same way. They cite Psalms 90:4, which says: "For a thousand years in Thy sight are like yesterday when it passes by."
Likewise, Christians have looked to II Peter 3:8: "But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."
The early church understood this "six-day theory" of world history. It was widely accepted teaching for the first three centuries of the church. From the time of Adam, we've got genealogical records to show that 4,000 years passed until the time of Christ. From Jesus' time until the present age represents another 2,000 years for a total of 6,000 years or six days.
There's also a three-day theory: Jesus rose on the third day. Would the beginning of the third millennium – or thousand-year period – not be the likely time for His return to Earth? There is even strong scriptural evidence for such a theory provided in Hosea 6:2: "After two days will he revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight." Note that this prophecy is not about the Resurrection of Jesus – it's either about the resurrection of Israel after 2,000 years of dispersal or the physical return of the Lord.
In 1772, Edward Gibbons published "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," in which he cites early documents suggesting the Christian disciples of the first century were taught that Jesus would return after 2,000 years. We'll soon find out if they were right.
For many reasons, I believe Jesus is returning soon. But I'm especially drawn to II Timothy 3:1-5, which describes the state of the world in the "last days." Tell me if this doesn't sound like our world:
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
To me, that sounds like our world today.
Christmas represents a time of great hope for Christians. Of course, we're grateful that Jesus came about 2,000 years ago and died for our sins. Now we should be hopeful and expectant of His imminent return.
Merry Christmas. And happy birthday, Jesus.
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
So if we are to be with the Lord forever, how is it that He will be on earth for a thousand years? The verses following make no mention of His spending a thousand years on earth. Why do you think that is? Because it is not Scriptural. I believe that the interpretation that Christ will rule on earth for a thousand years is of the devil. For it gives a false hope to people that they can live as they want until Christ returns and THEN come to faith and be saved.
1. And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain.
2. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.
3. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.
Revelations is picture. Verse 1: Angel with key to the abyss. Taken literally, how does a "key" unlock Hell?
Verse 2: Bound Satan for a thousand years: Taken literally, how is a spirit tied up? Verse 3: Taken literally, how is the abyss locked and sealed?
That is the problem with the interpretation of the thousand year reign. The thousand years is taken literally but nothing else in Revelations is. A dragon, a serpent? The devil is not seen so how can he be a dragon or a serpent?
Because people believe in the rapture does not mean that they do not have faith. However, it can be a stumbling block to those new to Christianity for they may think that they can live as they want now and when Christ comes they can then turn to him and be saved.
God just loves to keep us wondering.
But I don't believe He is happy with a misinterpretation of His Word and the false hope it gives some.
To me, this makes it crystal clear that we can't know the exact time, but we can indeed know the approximate ERA in which He will return. I believe the re-establishment of Israel as a state in 1948 started the endtime clock ticking
I believe the end times began at the Ascension of Jesus into heaven. There is nothing in Scripture that states that a state of Israel must be established before the Second Coming (Judgement Day). What connection to Israel does Jesus have? There is none. We do not even know the era in which he will return. We can see the signs and these should make us aware that He can come at any moment. But to know when and where is not know to man and the where is not in Israel but in the heavens.
I think it has to do with the major events in Jesus' life falling on God's established festivals.
Only a couple (iirc) need to be fulfilled and they are in the fall (harvest?)
It won't be long until the Evo crowd shows up, telling us all how WE do not know how to interpret Scripture!!
HMmmm...
Why do I have this nagging feeling there's more to it than that.....
I think you are wrong about Scripture.
And, Scripture certainly doesn't give false hope. You evidently do not believe in the Scripture about Christ setting foot on the Mt of Olives.
You evidently do not believe in the Scripture about Christ returning with 10 thousands of 10 thousands of his saints.
You evidently do not believe the Scriptures about God making His home with man [we may not know what that means but it clearly seems to mean something different from the current status quo IN THE DIRECTION OF more overt presence in our sphere of reality].
You evidently do not believe the Scriptures about the New Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven as the new capital of the whole earth.
You evidently do not believe that the Scripture you quoted easily allows for Christ to be more overtly 'present' in some tangible sense not current now and for His saints gathered from the four corners of Heaven to return with Him.
Every knee.......
I'll be there a long time, as I can barely get back up now!
;^)
The parable about the workers coming different hours of the day including the one an hour or so before quitting time--and all receiving the same pay--could easily hint of GOD'S AMAZING GRACE and that from His perspective, He's not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
You can throw rocks at God's AMAZING GRACE if you wish. Given that it Cost Christ soooooooooooo much, I wouldn't recommend it.
Like those COMET SEEKERS that committed suicide in their new sneakers a few years ago??
HUH?
How can you come to THIS conclusion???
UHHHHH, HELLOW? What's so difficult? There's often a continuum from 100% literal to 100% symbolic!
Verse 1. How do we know at this stage what THE KEY is? Perhaps it's merely God's spoken word at the time. Perhaps it's a senior angelic guard ordering the angels guarding 'Hell's gates' to stand aside. The main point clearly for those with eyes to see, is that at one point in future time, HELL IS LOCKED, SEALED, CLOSED OFF, ENCAPSULATED. And then, there's a change. THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST CHRIST'S CHURCH. Gates are defensive.
Kind of sounds to me like CHRIST'S BODY goes in and raids Hell--somewhat akin to Christ's Body doing the same when His fleshly body was in the tomb.
Verse 2: Satan bound for 1,000 years. DO YOU REALLY doubt GOD'S CAPACITY to bind satan for 1,000 years? Amazing. Are you an authentic Christian, for real?
Verse 3: Do you REALLY DOUBT God's capacity to seal the abyss?
Hint: GOD IS THE BOSS. HE IS *WELL ABLE* TO DO EXACTLY AS HE SAYS whether it's 100% literal, slightly symbolic or wholesale symbolic.
Of that, I'm 100% certain regardless of your perspective on boggling at what Scripture says.
Your perspective and allegations
do NOT
equal
misinterpretation OR false hope.
NO HOPE placed in Christ and HIS WORD is ever false.
I don't think we're in the same planet or twilight zone.
If you can't find the connection between Jesus and Israel, spread throughout Scripture, including the NT, then I don't think I, Britanica, all the commentaries in the world or perhaps even Holy Spirit can be of the slightest help to you.
If we don't know the era Christ will return in, then we haven't been obedient to Christ's own words about discerning the time; watching; waiting; being alert and ready for His return with our lamps trimmed and extra oil ready as well. You can IGNORE and malign Christ's exhortations to thusly be ready and aware if you wish. I prefer to obey Him.
No trouble agreeing with it. Just hadn't ran across it before. Thanks.
LOL.
Who's the EVO crowd?
Some were......
NIV Luke 2:25-39
25. Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,
28. Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29. "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.
30. For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31. which you have prepared in the sight of all people,
32. a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
33. The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him.
34. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,
35. so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."
36. There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,
37. and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
38. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
39. When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
:You are no doubt right.
However, imho, and experience personally and with counselees, huge percentages of churches have turned into nests of doctrines of man; doctrines of traditions of man; turfdoms of man; wholesale absences of God; abuse and torture centers etc.
The state of churches around the world but especially in the USA is dreadful. Finding a quality, balanced, Biblical, Spirit-filled, loving, kind, consistent, SPIRIT-LED church can be very difficult to impossible in most communities in the USA. There are millions of unchurched authentic believers in the USA. It's not their preference. But they've had enough. And, it's not God's preference either but, believe it or not, He's led many of them to leave the hideous excuses for churches available in their locale.
Still, I believe we must do what we can to gather together with at least a handful of believers and worship and study The Word together.
/rant.
Glorified bodies; healed wholeness will be wonderful for all of us!
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