Re: [asa] A theology question (imminent return of Christ)

Yes Jesus did not know the day and the hour. But he knew that it was going
to be within several months to several years.

This is very clear, "this generation" and "some here shall not sleep" are
very clear time statements that Christ expected the fulfillment of his work,
(his return, the end of the age, the beginning of the age to come) within a
lifetime of when he made those statements.

Dont make this more complicated than it is.

----- Original Message -----
From: "gordon brown" <Gordon.Brown@Colorado.EDU>
To: <asa@calvin.edu>
Sent: Saturday, October 11, 2008 11:26 PM
Subject: RE: [asa] A theology question (imminent return of Christ)

> On Fri, 10 Oct 2008, Dehler, Bernie wrote:
>
>> Thanks Edward. I guess you are just helping me be comfortable knowing
>> there is no clear answer as to how Jesus could have been wrong in
>> teaching His imminent return. I guess it is just a mystery, like the
>> trinity. Your CS Lewis quote said it well- very applicable (in some
>> ways).
>>
>
> If by imminent you mean during the lifetime of the disciples, I don't know
> where you find Jesus saying that his return was imminent. Was it what he
> said in the Olivet discourse about all these things happening before their
> generation passed away? The disciples' question to which he was responding
> had three parts, and it is up to the reader to sort out which question
> each part of the discourse is responding to. He also says that only the
> Father knows the day and hour of his return.
>
> The Olivet discourse mentions many things that must occur before Jesus
> returns and seems to be warning against assuming that his return will
> happen before they take place.
>
> In John 21 Jesus indicates that Peter will be old when he dies. John also
> insists that Jesus did not say that John would live until Jesus returns.
>
> Acts 1 indicates that prior to Pentecost the disciples had some
> misconceptions. I Thessalonians 4 may indicate that Paul thought of
> himself as being included in those who would remain until the Second
> Coming, but by the time he wrote II Timothy 4 he was convinced otherwise.
> Also see his comments on eschatology in II Thessalonians 2.
>
> Gordon Brown (ASA member)
>
>
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Received on Sat Oct 18 00:46:40 2008