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How to Read the New Testament
Townhall ^ | 5/21/2007 | Mike S. Adams

Posted on 05/21/2007 1:31:42 AM PDT by bruinbirdman

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To: No Blue States

“If the events described in the Book of Revelation took place in the past, I’m at a loss to explain some of the current situations I see around us: the rebirth of Israel, the reunification of Europe, the number of global wars that have occurred, and the development of nuclear weapons.”

It’s because you’ve been so influenced by Lindesy, LaHaye, et. al., that you are trying to put their structure on top of what is in the NT.

If you read both sides of this contentious discussion it will shed alot more light on things than only reading what the Left Behind series says about it.


61 posted on 05/21/2007 7:06:19 AM PDT by webstersII
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To: fortheDeclaration
"However there are many who are not aware of the truth and are being deceived by these false teachers who twist or ignore clear scripture."
If there is any truth in the New Testament at all (and I believe there is), it is found in John, Chapter 3, verse 16. That single verse lays out the only requirement of salvation; i.e. being a Christian.

When she was alive, my mother and I used to "discuss" scripture endlessly. She often feared she had raised a heretic because of our endless disagreements about traditions of men, interpretations of Aramaic, Greek, Hebrew and Latin languages and ultimately eschatology. No matter how often we disagreed over details, or how heated our discussions became, we always ended our talks with the ultimate bottom line of John 3:16 and she could rest easy knowing her child, while misinformed and ignorant of scripture as she understood it (and had obediently taught me) - was not damned for all time, but saved by grace because "... whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." That's it; that's all. There is no scriptural requirement that anyone believe anything other than God loves us and gave his Son to save us. That's the bread that sustains us, all the rest is gravy.
62 posted on 05/21/2007 7:10:03 AM PDT by Drumbo ("Democracy can withstand anything but democrats." - Jubal Harshaw (Robert A. Heinlein))
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To: webstersII

Ive read some Lehaye and Lindsey.

I also read my Bible which is where my faith
comes from and is the only thing I know is true.

Its wrong of you to make the assumption that Ive only read the left behind series, its also insulting.
But I forgive you, because it must be stressful thinking you will have to suffer through the tribulation with the unsaved as if the suffering on the cross by Jesus wasnt enough to protect us from Gods wrath.


63 posted on 05/21/2007 7:19:21 AM PDT by No Blue States
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To: scottteng
find me rapture in the bible

Find me Trinity.
64 posted on 05/21/2007 7:20:16 AM PDT by presently no screen name
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To: carton253
If you just read the letter in its context - they were afraid they missed the coming - Paul says, there is a sequence of events that will happen first and he lists the sequence. These events were to be observed by the church... and until they saw them unfolding, the day of the Lord had not come. If they were to be raptured or caught away or whatever without warning... then would he not just have told them so? At least that is what I think.

Excellent point. That is how I read II Thessalonians as well.

65 posted on 05/21/2007 7:25:20 AM PDT by Uncle Chip (TRUTH : Ignore it. Deride it. Allegorize it. Interpret it. But you can't ESCAPE it.)
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To: ScubieNuc
and of course:

Matt 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

It will be worse than Noah's flood...Sodom's destruction...etc.

66 posted on 05/21/2007 7:44:22 AM PDT by invoman
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To: Matchett-PI

So I am a heretic because I believe the Bible at face value...??? Thats just plain silliness. Why are you making the Bible so difficult? It is plainly written...written by men through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit down here to teach us and to lead us into understanding and truth.

I know nothing of preterists or chiliasm. I do know what I have been taught by the Word of God...that He will come and gather up his church, both living and dead...the hour I do not know. Only that I should prepare myself for that coming time...to have my oil filled and ready.

I know that He loves me and I have given myself to Him, being transformed daily into His image...not perfect, but awaiting perfection. I have opened my mind to the Spirit of God, that He might fill me with truth and understanding...I am being changed daily, I have received the mind of Christ who lives in my heart.

Do I know when He will come? NO, only that HE WILL COME. And when He does...it won’t be pretty for a while as He takes care of some housekeeping.

I rely on the Holy Spirit, not on dead men to bring me understanding of the Word. I don’t believe the Bible was written so that it would be difficult to understand....not everyone on earth is a scholar....it was written so everyone could “get it”. Even the lowliest of the low..the poorest of the poor. If it says it...I believe it..plain and simple.

I have never predicted a date and time for the end...only knowing that at some time it will all end..unlike the Tyconius you mentioned, who predicted a date of the end of the world. Hardly a comparison to me...so please don’t put me in the same boat with this guy.


67 posted on 05/21/2007 7:58:03 AM PDT by leenie312
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To: bruinbirdman

Sounds like a Methodist.


68 posted on 05/21/2007 8:01:59 AM PDT by therut
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To: leenie312

Good post. Just as God delivered Noah from HIS wrath, He will deliver His saints, also, for we are not subject unto wrath. Just like they didn’t listen to Noah and his warnings - instead they laughed at him - so, too, are the naysayers of this day. It’s to be expected. We do not know the day or hour but we do know the season for...It Is Written.

We must keep oil in our lamps and be ready for The Shout! Imagine being here when the Holy Spirit filled church is taken out/taken up. When goodness is gone and evil reigns here!

While we are having our Marriage Feast - the bride/church with our Bridegroom/Jesus - those not ready and living in expectancy will finally see - Jesus is The Living Word and His Word is true and every knee will bow! However, too late to escape His wrath.


69 posted on 05/21/2007 8:04:30 AM PDT by presently no screen name
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To: Matchett-PI

Here’s all you have to know about this man...

Reformed Theological Seminary


70 posted on 05/21/2007 8:08:52 AM PDT by aMorePerfectUnion (-Taken -)
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To: Drumbo
However there are many who are not aware of the truth and are being deceived by these false teachers who twist or ignore clear scripture."

If there is any truth in the New Testament at all (and I believe there is), it is found in John, Chapter 3, verse 16. That single verse lays out the only requirement of salvation; i.e. being a Christian. When she was alive, my mother and I used to "discuss" scripture endlessly. She often feared she had raised a heretic because of our endless disagreements about traditions of men, interpretations of Aramaic, Greek, Hebrew and Latin languages and ultimately eschatology. No matter how often we disagreed over details, or how heated our discussions became, we always ended our talks with the ultimate bottom line of John 3:16 and she could rest easy knowing her child, while misinformed and ignorant of scripture as she understood it (and had obediently taught me) - was not damned for all time, but saved by grace because "... whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." That's it; that's all. There is no scriptural requirement that anyone believe anything other than God loves us and gave his Son to save us. That's the bread that sustains us, all the rest is gravy.

The Gospel is milk, Christians are suppose to be able to take in meat as well as milk (Heb.5:12-14)

Jude told us that we ought to contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.(vs.3),

In fact, he wanted to write about the Gospel, but was told by God to write about (gasp!) future events!

Paul tells Titus to 'rebuke sharply' those who were not sound in the faith (Tit.1:13)

He wanted to feed the Corthinians meat, but had to continue to feed them milk because they hadn't grown up (1Cor.3:2).

The Christian is to be taught the whole council of God after he is saved (Acts.20:27) and his last words were regarding the crown he, and others after him, would receive for-believing the Gospel?

No, for those 'who love His appearing (2Tim.4:8).

71 posted on 05/21/2007 8:09:31 AM PDT by fortheDeclaration (We must beat the Democrats or the country will be ruined! -Abe Lincoln)
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To: leenie312

Another great post!


72 posted on 05/21/2007 8:11:08 AM PDT by presently no screen name
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To: fortheDeclaration

If you read the Revalation, you are immediately struck by the ignorance of the people in that age. That leads many to believe the Bible will be outlawed prior to the End of the Age.


73 posted on 05/21/2007 8:12:56 AM PDT by AppyPappy (If you aren't part of the solution, there is good money to be made prolonging the problem.)
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To: bruinbirdman
How NOT to read the New Testament.
74 posted on 05/21/2007 8:14:42 AM PDT by BibChr ("...behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, so what wisdom is in them?" [Jer. 8:9])
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To: bruinbirdman

>>1. The Revelation to John was written around 65 AD, not 95 AD.<<

Why on earth would start with this?

The important thing about the new Testament are the words of Jesus.

Then, much, much, less important but relevant is the early history of the church and the apostles.

Everything else is way below that.

The author seems more interested in scoring theological points than in actually helping people read the New Testament.


75 posted on 05/21/2007 8:16:32 AM PDT by gondramB (No man can be brave who thinks pain the greatest evil)
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To: AppyPappy
the Bible will be outlawed prior to the End of the Age.

Gee, can't imagine that happening! Next we will hear that you can't say the Name of Jesus, The Ten Commandments will be an offense to some so they must be taken down and preachers won't be able to teach that homosexuality is a sin.
76 posted on 05/21/2007 8:18:32 AM PDT by presently no screen name
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To: omnivore; Alex Murphy; Dr. Eckleburg
Now what are we supposed to do with all the Rapture-themed bumperstickers?

Throw them out along with your copy of PDL?

77 posted on 05/21/2007 8:18:34 AM PDT by Gamecock (FR Member Gamecock: Declared Anathema By The Council Of Trent)
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To: leenie312

>>So I am a heretic because I believe the Bible at face value...??? <<

I hope that’s not what he meant.

That said, revelation to man is done through man and man is limited. Thus Abraham didn’t understand how old the earth was and men viewed women (and everything else) through the lens of their time and place.

Its the same with Christians today who have had a direct experience with God. We’re still human and limited by our humanity, our time and place.


78 posted on 05/21/2007 8:20:09 AM PDT by gondramB (No man can be brave who thinks pain the greatest evil)
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To: Matchett-PI
But the more challenging question will always be whether any form of chiliasm can ever be shown to be the view of the New Testament writers. ~ Dr. Charles E. Hill is associate professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando.

Hmmm --- so then Revelation 20:1-7 isn't in the New Testament that he uses? He must be using the New International Preterist Redacted Bible.

79 posted on 05/21/2007 8:20:34 AM PDT by Uncle Chip (TRUTH : Ignore it. Deride it. Allegorize it. Interpret it. But you can't ESCAPE it.)
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To: RoadTest
Simply your opinion. That’s all.

Which, of course, is your opinion.....

;-)

80 posted on 05/21/2007 8:21:08 AM PDT by Gamecock (FR Member Gamecock: Declared Anathema By The Council Of Trent)
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