I've come to the view that most of the prophecies I used to believe were future and near at hand were actually fulfilled in the first century. It always bothered me that Jesus said these things would happen within that generation, and yet we use verses from other locations to explain away why it was taking him so long. The issue has been the form we have been looking for him to come back in. A study of clouds and their symbolism in the bible shows we should have been looking for his return in the spirit, not physically manifested coming down out of the sky. I have long believed the kingdom of God is within, and the indwelling of the Spirit as doctrine. But not to connect the dots of that to the second coming is because I have ignored the subject. We are in the next age, and have been for two thousand years. By the time we realize it, it will be past us and we'll be into the next age! ☺
The redemption of mankind happened at the cross. The judgment of Israel happened in AD70. There are some rather interesting descriptions of that event by Josephus if anyone cares enough to get that far and read his witness of the event. The 'parousia' either was at Pentacost, (what I think) or sometime in between, or at the event itself. There are differing opinions about that within the Preterist groups, which believe this eschatological view, but the point is that it already happened, and fulfilled eschatology makes Revelations much more understandable. I still think some of it has to do with this age, but it's more commentary than prophecy that does. For instance, the condemnations you read of about the Pharisees easily apply to the Institutionalized Churches (IC) of history since, including today, although we are seeing more of a movement toward grace teaching today. Too bad they still mix in so much law.
I'm also coming around to the view of the Universalists, although for me it's not so much a belief as a hope. No one really knows about the afterlife, after all, and there are arguments for some not reaching life. I think though that if God WANTS all men to be saved, then it is likely that all men will be saved. It may be after the age of faith, but at some point it would seem all would be drawn in. Eternal damnation is an impossibility according to the bible, since the tree of life is in heaven and to eat of it you must dwell there.
Short post today, just wanted to update my progression...
YOU can learn directly from God.
If you're religion is confusing to you, there's a reason. Get a red letter Bible, and read the words of Jesus to the priests and preachers of His day. Then understand this: There's no difference between them and the priests and preachers of our day. Why would there be? Just as there was in His day, there are some with good intent, but even they are learning from a corrupted system. Want the truth? Throw out everything you've learned from them, pick up the Bible, and read it for yourself. Not by chapter and verse as you were taught. Particularly in the New Testament, read the way they were written, as letters. And unless you're well versed in Old English, get a modern translation. One you can read and understand. Stick to the New Testament at first, so as not to be overwhelmed. And know this, it isn't the word of God the way you were taught. It's the word of God as understood by those who wrote it. Try to understand it from the point of view of those it was written to...we were taught to read it as if it was written to us!
The problem with that is, those the New Testament was written to were going through the transition from one Covenant to another. They were awaiting an event in their time. To learn about that event, one needs to consult historians, such as Josephus and his account of it in "Wars of the Jews."
The problem with that is, those the New Testament was written to were going through the transition from one Covenant to another. They were awaiting an event in their time. To learn about that event, one needs to consult historians, such as Josephus and his account of it in "Wars of the Jews."
Questioning the established theologies. The church teaches the law, just as it did when Jesus railed against it in His day. A discussion on the freedoms He gave us, and why true followers might want to operate on the outside. The truth is out there, but where?
Monday, August 2, 2010
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