Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Matthew 24:6
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.



7 comments:

Recovering said...

The problem is that we have heard of wars and rumors of wars every year since the Scriptures were written. I'm getting tired of watching and waiting for Him. I just want to please Him with my life and be in for a surprise when he comes. Is that a wrong attitude to have?

Gone Fishin' said...

Recovering>>The problem is that we have heard of wars and rumors of wars every year since the Scriptures were written. <<

I thinks that’s exactly why Jesus said, “But see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Wars are not a major tell-tale sign to signal His coming. When His disciples asked for the sign He gave them two very big ones. The abomination and the triple sign in the sun, moon and stars.

Recovering>>I'm getting tired of watching and waiting for Him. I just want to please Him with my life and be in for a surprise when he comes. Is that a wrong attitude to have?<<

I’d say, “Yes and no.” Obviously the part about pleasing Him is correct, but I think our group (and probably most groups) have really ended up thinking like you and are ignoring longing for His return and have lost interest in the subject as if it’s pop culture along with the rest of the Lindsey/LaHaye hype. It seems like we end up ALMOST being like those that Peter spoke of when he said that scoffers will come in the last days and say, “Where is the promise of His coming?” Obviously we are not tried and true scoffers, but we have obtained the mindset that could receive Pete’s comment: “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness.” 2 Peter 3:9

I think that while we are to love our neighbors, be content with what God has given us, love our life WITH God, etc, we are supposed to simultaneously hate this world and our lives and recognize that we are the TRUE aliens (no matter who the government says is the alien) that should be severely wishing to come home to our real place of citizenship. I haven’t been thinking like this lately, so thanks, and here’s a few verses I was think of.

1 Corinthians 1:7
…so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ…

2 Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Amplified
…who have loved and yearned for and welcomed His appearing.

NIV
…who have longed for his appearing.

Titus 2:11-13
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.

Heb 13:12-14
Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.

1 Peter 1:13
Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 3:11-12
Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat?

1 John 3:2-3
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when he appears, we will be like Him, because we will See Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
As for His return surprising you, you know how I feel about that! :o)

While THEY (unbelievers) are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them…BUT YOU are not in darkness that the day would overtake you like a thief.

Recovering said...

I totally agree with what you're saying. It is really hard to long for His return when you are loving life, excited about what He is doing in your life here, and you study history and see that there is nothing new under the sun.

I think maybe longing for His return might be one of THE hardest things for me to do. It's not that I don't think to myself frequently (especially when I see major evil or am having a hard time) but it's just hard to remain diligent when statistically, chances are I'm going to die of old age, cancer, or a heart attack and not be here for the end.

Thanks for the reply.

Anonymous said...

Hey Dave, have you ever done any research on Amillenium-ism or Post-millenium-ism? AKA Orthodox Presbyterian. Writers such as Gary DeMar, David Chilton, Greg Bahnsen. Let me know what you think.

Anonymous said...

Sorry Millenialism is the word

Gone Fishin' said...

Yes, I've read two of DeMar's books, and quite a bit of internet stuff. Preterism can be difficult at first. I remember reading "Last Days Madness" by DeMar, I don’t know, maybe six or seven years ago, with the mindset that he was probably wrong, but I was willing to convert if he could biblically prove to me his case. He came up with 3 or 4 verses that I didn't know what to do with at the time, but soon realized that the entire position is basically based on 3 or 4 verses. Once I felt comfortable with the 3 or 4 verses that I had formerly thought DeMar had good points on I had/have no doubts concerning the error of the position. I will say that Preterism DOES have some better points than pre-trib. At least they have some verses that APPEAR to support them at first glance. Pre-trib doesn't really even have that.

I haven't done as much studying with Amillennialism, but enough to conclude that it’s “off.” I find it interesting that they all have one thing in common—there will be no future antichrist for Christians. Pre-trib, of course, claims God wouldn’t allow that for the Church, while Preterism says he is historical. Amillenialism claims he is figurative. Hmmm. I find that very interesting, and I think it will play a negative part with people’s faith when it all “hits the fan” and you know who hits the scene.

Here’s my argument for anyone claiming the tribulation of Matthew 24 is historical. I think it’s unarguable, but then again I’m sort of biased considering I came up with the argument. :o)

http://thepre-wrathtribune.blogspot.com/2006/01/preterists-turn-jesus-into-false.html

Freddie L Sirmans, Sr. said...

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