Posted on 04/04/2002 7:25:55 AM PST by nate4one
I felt the need to write this response to Brother Grimes after reading a letter he had published on the web, titled above. I found it to be good hearted yet unfortunately all too typical of a defense by a "partial-preterist" or a "futurist" scholar. Filled with holes by, either intentionally or unintentionally, left out scripture, I felt it was necessary to respond with why Brother Grimes is not only wrong, in my opinion, but in error of not rightly dividing the Word of truth.
Response To Brother Grimes First Point "The Second Parousia Will Come Unexpectedly"
This point we have heard all too often in our churches is not only one that is completely incorrect, but is also one that flies in the face of direct biblical statements to the contrary. I am sure that the passages I will present are fully intentionally ignored and done so often, that when read, do not even register in the mind of most Christians!
1. The Parousia Would Be Expected and Anticipated Just Before It's Occurrence!
1Th 5:1 But as to the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need to have anything written to you. 1Th 5:2 For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 1Th 5:3 When people say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape. 1Th 5:4 But you are not in darkness, brethren, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 1Th 5:5 For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. 1Th 5:6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
In this letter to the Thessalonians, Paul was writing concerning the great hope of the Parousia of Christ that they were waiting for. Paul clearly points out in this chapter that it would not be as a thief in the night for them. They were told to watch for the times and the seasons. Paul was so confident that they were watching (vs. 1) that he said he had no reason to repeat exactly what those signs were. He affirmed that they knew full well what they were watching for and that it would be as a "thief in the night" but only for those who were" in darkness." Those not in darkness would not be taken by surprise as a thief! (vs. 4).
2. The Warning To Watch
To answer the first point made by Brother Grimes, I needed only the above passage. However I do wish to address the verses he had specifically sighted and ignored the context of.
Brother Grimes Quoted Luke 12:35-40:
Luk 12:35 "Let your loins be girded and your lamps burning, Luk 12:36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the marriage feast, so that they may open to him at once when he comes and knocks. Luk 12:37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes; truly, I say to you, he will gird himself and have them sit at table, and he will come and serve them. Luk 12:38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants! Luk 12:39 But know this, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. Luk 12:40 You also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an unexpected hour. [when ye think not; KJV] "
To defend Brother Grimes position that this supports a surprise Parousia, he must abandon logic on at least 2 points.
a. The warning to "watch" is meaningless even though it is the base of Christ's parable in Luke 12.
Just as in the Olivet Discourse of Matthew 24 and more easily understood in Luke 21:20, these warnings to watch would be thrown out the window to support a surprise Parousia! Instead of forcing verse 36-37 to contradict verse 40, the contexts must be examined.
Would there be a purpose in warning someone of a specific event, if it was going to overpower them by surprise anyway?
Why would they watch and be counted faithful for doing so if they were going to suffer the same fate as the "householder" in verse 39 and be taken by surprise by a thief (Christ) anyway?
This logic does not make sense and forces a contradiction of all passages that warn the Christians to "watch." More obviously, it forces a contradiction of Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6.
b. Christ Himself could not have predicted even the "generation" of His return in the 1st century because He didn't "know the day nor the hour!"
A "partial-preterist" believes that Christ predicted His return to be in that generation. They believe a 3rd return (not found in scripture) is to take place in the future for the resurrection of all humanity. This poses not only many problems with scripture (like adding a 3rd coming, ignoring Luke 21:22 and Daniel 12:1-3,7), but it also gives a contradiction to Christ in this area of a warning and His prophecy of "this [that] generation."
If Christ did not know the "day nor the hour," how did He know the generation?
The key is that God the Father revealed only a portion of the timing to Christ by giving Him the signs and the time framed generation of it's occurrence. The specifics were not known. Likewise He passed this knowledge onto His 1st century followers. He told them His return would be "unexpected," but that in watching they would be able to "open to him at once when he comes and knocks" (Luke 12:36).
They would not know the day nor the hour, as He did not, but they would have an expectation at the time of His Parousia, because they were waiting for the signs!
His last statement and reason for the "surprise" Parousia is his interpretation of Matthew 24: 4-14. Most of these verses I do not need to defend because even a glance at some of the condensed passages from Josephus explain this Matthew passage as being fulfilled (vs. 6-8, . Also, scripture itself can clear up the fulfillment of a few of the Matthew signs he pointed out.
Sign:
Mat 24:5 For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray.
Fulfillment:
1Jo 2:18 Children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come; therefore we know that it is the last hour. 1Jo 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out, that it might be plain that they all are not of us.
Sign:
Mat 24:9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation, and put you to death; and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake.
Note: This passage is the warning to the 1st century Christians that affirmed Christ's judgment against the 1st century Jewish leaders in Matt23:31-38. A chapter Brother Grimes appears to believe is fulfilled!!
Fulfillment:
Book of Acts!
Sign:
Mat 24:10 And then many will fall away, and betray one another, and hate one another. Mat 24:11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.
Fulfillment:
1Jo 2:18 Children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come; therefore we know that it is the last hour. 1Jo 2:19 went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out, that it might be plain that they all are not of us.
Jud 1:3 Beloved, being very eager to write to you of our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. Jud 1:4 For admission has been secretly gained by some who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly persons who pervert the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jud 1:5 Now I desire to remind you, though you were once for all fully informed, that he who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. Jud 1:6 And the angels that did not keep their own position but left their proper dwelling have been kept by him in eternal chains in the nether gloom until the judgment of the great day; Jud 1:7 just as Sodom and Gomor'rah and the surrounding cities, which likewise acted immorally and indulged in unnatural lust, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. Jud 1:8 Yet in like manner these men in their dreamings defile the flesh, reject authority, and revile the glorious ones. Jud 1:11 Woe to them! For they walk in the way of Cain, and abandon themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error, and perish in Korah's rebellion. Jud 1:12 These are blemishes on your love feasts, as they boldly carouse together, looking after themselves; waterless clouds, carried along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; Jud 1:13 wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars for whom the nether gloom of darkness has been reserved for ever.
Note: This passage is clearly talking of men within the Body of Christ!
Sign:
Mat 24:11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. Mat 24:12 And because wickedness is multiplied, most men's love will grow cold. Mat 24:13 But he who endures to the end will be saved.
Fulfillment:
Jud 1:17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; Jud 1:18 they said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions." Jud 1:19 It is these who set up divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.
Note: Clearly Jude referenced this passage because he was in the midst of witnessing it'f fulfillment!
Sign:
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations; and then the end will come.
Fulfillment:
Col 1:5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel Col 1:6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing--so among yourselves, from the day you heard and understood the grace of God in truth,
Note: The typical defense against this is calling Paul's statement an exaggeration or hyperbole based on the way Jews typically described situations or events. So they should also apply this to Matthew 24:14 where Christ prophesied this exactly!! I, however, believe it to be true enough that Paul was right on.
Response To Brother Grimes Second Point "At The Second Parousia All Humanity Will Be Judged"
This statement mistakes the whole point of the Parousia in the first place.
1. Deliverance to the persecuted Christians from the wicked and the defeat of death once and for all!
Christ labeled this as a "time of vengeance." He further proclaimed that this time of vengeance would fulfill ALL that was written. He left no "if's" "and's" or "but's!"
Luk 21:22 for these are days of vengeance, to fulfil all that is written.
The time of vengeance was pronounced by Christ.
Mat 23:29 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, Mat 23:30 saying, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' Mat 23:31 Thus you witness against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Mat 23:32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. Mat 23:33 You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? Mat 23:34 Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, (Matt 24:9) Mat 23:35 that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of innocent Abel to the blood of Zechari'ah the son of Barachi'ah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Mat 23:36 Truly, I say to you, all this will come upon this generation. Mat 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! Mat 23:38 Behold, your house is forsaken and desolate.
Note: Christ finishes His Woe to them concerning the "time of vengeance" by pronouncing the sign of it's completion, the destruction of the temple (Daniel 12:7, Hebrews 9:9) which Brother grimes admits was fulfilled in AD 70!
Rev 6:9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne; Rev 6:10 they cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before thou wilt judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell upon the earth?" Rev 6:11 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.
Note: This is clearly in direct harmony with Christ's Woe and His admonition to His 1st century disciples in Matthew 24:9.
Rev 19:2 for his judgments are true and just; he has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication, and he has avenged on her the blood of his servants."
Note: The vengeance for His saints was taken out on the Harlot ("Babylon"). This is after the "time of vengeance" was fulfilled and it gives away the identity of Babylon in Revelation. It was Jerusalem!!
Clearly all humanity is not the subject of judgment, but when the judgment fell upon Jerusalem "all that is written" was fulfilled. From Revelation 6, 19, Matthew 23, 24, Luke 21 and Daniel 12.
Dan 12:6 And I said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, "How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?" Dan 12:7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven; and I heard him swear by him who lives for ever that it would be for a time, two times, and half a time; and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be accomplished.
The "Holy people," the Jews, were the subject of judgment.
The manner of fulfillment it still being studied and debated but Christ was no liar and His word is true! It was fulfilled when (that generation) and how ("in the clouds," "shattering of the Holy people," etc) He said!
I would ask Brother Grimes one thing.
Since God so loved the world, does He give every man the choice to be saved?
Do all men have to opportunity to receive Him?
If Brother Grimes doctrine forces an answer "no," then he is of a reformed faith and betrays his own logic when Christ uses the phrases of "And I saw the dead, small and great," and "and they were judged every man according to his works."
Because clearly "every man" is every man who was being judged at that time. The dead who died under the Old Covenant "both small and great." (Rev 20:12-15 quoted by Brother Grimes).
Response To Brother Grimes Third Point "All Dead Persons Will Rise at the Second Parousia, Some To Life and Some To Damnation"
I do not at all disagree with the above statement. Being consistent with reformed theology however, which I hold, it was referring to all dead persons at the time of this event. And as I posted above, it happened when Christ declared it to take place in Luke 21:22,34, Matthew 23:36,24:34 and Daniel 12:7!
Brother Grimes' second point in this 3rd position is the denial of a bodily resurrection to date. He does not see the possibility of this happening to them already.
What was this resurrection or "change" spoken of? Brother Grimes quotes the following passage.
Phi 3:20 But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Phi 3:21 who will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power which enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Obviously Brother Grimes is not holding to a belief that this has taken place due to the fact he is yet unable to walk through walls!
On a more serious note, he is again mixing logic as to the method of fulfillment.
Just as in the following passage:
Act 1:11 and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way [like manner] as you saw him go into heaven."
How did He go? In the clouds!! These angels were clearly describing His return as being "in the clouds" as Christ Himself declared against the High Priest (Matt 26:64) to His Disciples (Matt 16:27, 24:30) etc .
As I have showed it happened as and when He said it would, that generation!
Likewise the method of the "change" is not one of being able to walk through walls, but being in a "spiritual" body which is immune to death as Christ Himself was. We would be "clothed in life" in a spiritual body which fulfilled the defeat of the last enemy, death!!
1Co 15:20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1Co 15:21 For as by a man came death [spiritual], by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead (into a spiritual body). 1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
Note: Adam brought in the curse and spiritual death. Likewise Christ will eliminate it at His return.
1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 1Co 15:24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 1Co 15:25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 1Co 15:26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 1Co 15:27 "For God has put all things in subjection under his feet." But when it says, "All things are put in subjection under him," it is plain that he is excepted who put all things under him. 1Co 15:28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things under him, that God may be everything to every one. (Heb 2:8"…As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him").
Note: All was waiting to be put under His feet.
1Co 15:29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 1Co 15:30 Why am I in peril every hour? 1Co 15:31 I protest, brethren, by my pride in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 1Co 15:32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." 1Co 15:33 Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals." 1Co 15:34 Come to your right mind, and sin no more. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. 1Co 15:35 But some one will ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?" 1Co 15:36 You foolish man! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 1Co 15:37 And what you sow is not the body which is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. 1Co 15:38 But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body.
Note: The body is equated to a dead seed being sown. The resurrection required the death of the body. Therefore this "change" would not be "visible" until they who received this promise at the return, had died. However the spiritual reality of being clothed with life would still have happened!
1Co 15:39 For not all flesh is alike, but there is one kind for men, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. 1Co 15:40 There are celestial bodies and there are terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 1Co 15:41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. 1Co 15:42 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. 1Co 15:43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 1Co 15:44 It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. 1Co 15:45 Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 1Co 15:46 But it is not the spiritual which is first but the physical, and then the spiritual.1Co 15:47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 1Co 15:48 As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. 1Co 15:49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.1Co 15:50 I tell you this, brethren: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
Note: This has been affirming the nature of the "change" or clothing they were to receive!
1Co 15:51 Lo! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 1Co 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 1Co 15:53 For this perishable nature must put on the imperishable, and this mortal nature must put on immortality. 1Co 15:54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." 1Co 15:55 "O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?" 1Co 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ
Note: They would be changed by being clothed in life. This would be the victory over death. It is also linked to the destruction of the temple and the Old Covenant system of the "law" which was to be destroyed and was the symbol of that age (Heb 9:9).
The spiritual reality of being clothed in life is found in 2 Corinthians 5:1-4 which states this truth to be available before death, although physical death would be required for it to be visible and "raised" (1 Cor 15:35-38).
2Co 5:1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2Co 5:2 Here indeed we groan, and long to put on our heavenly dwelling, 2Co 5:3 so that by putting it on we may not be found naked. 2Co 5:4 For while we are still in this tent, we sigh with anxiety; not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
I believe the above rebuttal to be the nature of change that they had received. The dead were resurrected into these spiritual bodies and judged by Christ at the Great White Throne of God. I believe the living were judged righteous or wicked by their salvation or death during the events of the tribulation which was overcoming the world at that time.
Now, as it is, I believe the following to be completely true:
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. Joh 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, Joh 11:26 and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
Response To Brother Grimes Fourth Point "At the Second Parousia, Everything That Is Evil Will Be Destroyed and a New Heavens and a New Earth Will Be Created."
Again the method is confused. To believe Christ came in the clouds against Jerusalem in AD 70 in a prophetic hyperbole sort of way and then fail to see how this is a spiritual fulfillment is inconsistent.
The Bible is a book of covenant. The Old and the New. In those days, one was passing away and another would be consummated.
Heb 1:1 In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; Heb 1:2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
Heb 8:13 In speaking of a new covenant he treats the first as obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
1Jo 2:8 Yet I am writing you a new commandment, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.
Note: This last statement is just before John's admonition that the world was passing away (vs. 17) and they were already in the "last hour!"
The Old Covenant was with a physical nation named Israel and the New Covenant was with people of all races throughout the world. This is a study for another time but the New Covenant which was to be consummated at the Lord's return is summed up in Hebrews 8:10-12 and Hebrews 10:12-22.
Heb 10:12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, Heb 10:13 then to wait until his enemies should be made a stool for his feet.after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds," Heb 10:17 then he adds, "I will remember their sins and their misdeeds no more." Heb 10:18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. Heb 10:19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, Heb 10:20 by the new and living way which he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, Heb 10:21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, Heb 10:22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Note: AMEN!!!
So let's get to the meat of this New Heavens and New Earth. It is found all throughout the New Testament.
Truth 1:
Rev 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
Truth 1 Complete:
As clear throughout scripture, it was the Old Covenant which was passing away. Symbolized by the temple (Heb 9:9). Therefore this "New Heavens and Earth is the New Covenant!!
Truth 2: Rev 21:2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband;
Truth 2 Complete:
The Bride adorned for her Husband:
2Co 11:2 I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I betrothed you to Christ to present you as a pure bride to her one husband.
The New Jerusalem is…:
Heb 11:10 For he looked forward to the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Note: The parable of the wise man who built his house upon the Rock?!
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received what was promised, but having seen it and greeted it from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. Heb 11:14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. Heb 11:15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return.Heb 11:16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
Heb 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, Heb 12:23 and to the assembly of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven, and to a judge who is God of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, Heb 12:24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks more graciously than the blood of Abel.
Note: The Church of God, the Body of Christ is the New Jerusalem, the "Bride adorned for her Husband!"
Truth 3:
Rev 21:3 and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them;
Note: AMEN!!!
Truth 3 Complete:
Mat 1:21 she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Mat 1:22 All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: Mat 1:23 "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel" (which means, God with us).
Rom 6:5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
Rom 6:8 But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.
Note: The manner of resurrection is already discussed.
Eph 3:17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 1Co 6:17 But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Col 1:19 For in him all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell, Col 1:20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Rom 15:33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
ETC!!!
Truth 4:
Rev 21:4 he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away." Rev 21:5 And he who sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true."
Truth 4 Complete:
Mat 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
2Co 5:17 Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.
Joh 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, Joh 11:26 and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
And I ask you, Brother Grimes, "Do you believe this?"
I wish that I knew who Sean was due to my desire to correct the err told him in the letter from Brother Grimes. My only prayer is that he stumbles upon this letter in response.
The words of Christ are "faithful and true" indeed. Either "all that is written" (Luke 21:22) happened at the point of the AD 70 destruction or none of it was. There was only 1 "time of vengeance" in scripture to fulfill all these things. Either Christ was right on time and our ideas of the manner of fulfillment are off, or Christ was a madman, not to be honored as God nor trusted to have repaired and mediated the New Covenant with man which we believe to now exist!
May Brother Grimes be brought into the full truth of the word and may "Sean" come to break through the error taught him "in Jesus Name!"
May the Lord bless and keep all who are in Christ!
Nate
A link to Brother Grimes original letter is Here.
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