The Final Days
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” Matthew 24:36 NASB
No one knows – “Prophecy Expo Presents: The Final Days – An Intelligent Look into Bible Prophecy” coming to a city near you. That’s the advertisement I received in the mail yesterday. The full-color, four page brochure promised to provide inside information about the “meaning of the present crisis, and how near we are to the return of Christ.” If you attended this free seminar, you would understand “the true meaning behind the economic, political and religious news of today.” Apparently the conference speaker forgot about Yeshua’s remark, “No one knows.” Of course, proclaiming that no one knows isn’t very appealing. After all, once you’ve said that you don’t know, who will bother to listen? J
People want to know, don’t they? If we just knew how close we are to the return of Yeshua life would be so much easier. We could calculate how much money we will need. We could plan for the future. We could get in those last few days of vacation. We could quit the jobs we hate. If we only knew.
But life isn’t like that – and it never will be. If Yeshua doesn’t know, do you think anyone else does? When will we realize that all the prognosticators are either deluded or charlatans? Of course, the Church itself struggled with this verse. It didn’t like the fact that Yeshua didn’t know. After all, He is God so how can He say that He doesn’t know? Theologians use verses like this one to argue for a kenotic Christology, that is, that Yeshua gave up His full divinity in the incarnation. He didn’t know because He was human and human beings simply don’t know these kinds of things. But that makes His claim about being divine suspect and we don’t like that. We would rather call this a “paradox.”
No one is really very comfortable with the oudeis oiden in this verse. If we break down the Greek combination, we can see why. Oudeis is the conjunction of ou (the strong form of “not”) and heis (“one”). Thus, “not even one,” or “no one” or “none at all.” It is a blanket pronouncement that there isn’t a single being who knows except the Father. Speculation is a worthless exercise. This word is combined with oiden, from the verb eido. It can mean either “to see” or “to know,” depending on the context. Where is means “to know,” it has the nuance of “to perceive, be aware of, understand.” Most importantly, it is contrasted with ginosko. Ginosko means “to know experientially as a result of progress.” Ginosko is the kind of knowing that comes from observation, testing, drawing conclusions and learning. It is partial knowledge since further actions often correct or enhance what we know. But oida is intuitive knowing. It is full knowledge because it does not depend on gathering additional information. It is like knowing that you are in pain. You simply know it. You don’t have to take any tests to know that your finger hurts. You take tests to find out why it hurts, not if it hurts. When Yeshua says that not a single being knows, He means that no being has full knowledge of the day and hour, except the Father. It isn’t a matter of gathering the facts. It isn’t examining the “signs of the times.” This kind of complete understanding simply isn’t available to any being except God Himself. In fact, Yeshua goes on in this scene to warn His disciples not to be concerned about investigating and determining this day and hour. Why? Because when it arrives, completely unexpectedly, it will be unmistakable to everyone.
There are two choices here. One is to concern ourselves with the “what if” scenarios of the “prophetic times” mentality. On that path we exert mental and spiritual energy attempting to discern how close we are to the end so that we can adjust our lives in anticipation. The other path is to recognize that if that day is literally unknown and unexpected, there is no sense wasting any effort on it. The only action required in the face of the unknown and unexpected is to do today what is required today. Tomorrow will take care of itself.
Topical Index: no one knows, oudeis, oiden, eido, oida, know, Matthew 24:36
Good word Skip! Looking forward to seeing you in December at the Bridges Retreat.
No one was aware of His first Advent either. No one was prepared, and everyone was completely surprised. He is our G-d of infinite surprises. “I didn’t know He would do it that way”- is pretty much the standard answer of those whose lives have been rescued and redeemed. Our G-d is not a “cookie-cutter’ G-d, but rather a G-d of infinite variety and detail. Unlimited diversity and yet marvelous unity.
Behold, Abraham, Moses and David. These three. All three have what in common?- They all are “surprise!”- different. Totally unique, but the same G-d. Now these are only three,- what if we were to multiply Adam’s race by oh.. say- how many billion?
How many snowflakes have fallen since the first flake fell? Okay little fella- how your marvelous brain doing now? And yes Job..- where were we when He laid the foundations of the deep?
My friends, I (mini-me) do not even know what goes on in one square inch of soil or the complexities of a solitary brain cell, but this I do know.. (yes, experiential knowlege..) – our G-d, the G-d we now serve and love is the very same G-d of Abraham, Moses and David and of Billy Graham, Spurgeon, Moody, St. Augustine, Peter, Paul and Mary and one very beloved, Skip Moen. For this, dearly beloved is “our Father!” – and LORD of all.
“Figure” this out.. “Christ died for sinners of whom I am chief.” -I’m still working on that one.. my mind is useless- for this love is beyond any I have ever “encountered” in my very limited travels..- and yet I know- “Jesus loves me, this I know- for the Bible tells me so.” That about sums it up folks- but don’t think it ends here..- lol!- NO. NO. and no. This is only the beginning. The beginning of a relationship with the living G-d and a totally new and radical approach to life itself. My mind is scrambled,turned upside down- my heart is beating with new and fresh vitality.. Why? Because Jesus loves me- this I know. That Man gave His life’s blood for me! He, my Creator became the Creature. The very ONE who made this world was incarnated into human flesh and born in a obscure barn in the back streets of Bethlehem- the house of bread.
A bit of mystery? Oh- have I bitten off more than I can chew? Tears are the safety valve of the heart. Thank G-d for this “safety valve” built into this creature.
Simplicity. Mystery. History. “The Word became flesh and lived among us.” This was the “game-changer”. History pivots around this point. The incarnation of the Christ is the center point and the “explanation” of all prophecy.- And that was only the first Advent.
Could we also say: “But wait!.. – there’s more!- for this story- HIS-story is not yet over. There is another chapter in the Lamb’s Book of Life yet to be unveiled. We missed His appearing the first time. None were prepared, none were looking- all were busy and distracted by the daily grind of Bethlehem. Too busy trying to scratch out a living. Too busy buying and selling. Too busy accumulating stuff and things. Too busy with “me-ism” and consumerism.
Aren’t you glad it is not at all like that today? Has YHWH in the word He has given unto us, revealed any signs or clues of His next appearance? Over three hundred prophecies were fulfilled before His first appearance. He came the first time as a Lamb. It will not be the Lamb we will see, but rather the Lion. What do these words describe?- “and when I saw Him- I fell at His feet as dead.” -This is no cuddly child in a mangy manger.. This is the Conquering Christ. Commander of the host of heaven’s armies. Oh.. and have I mentioned- LORD of all?
We might could “handle” (the) Christ as an innocent child in a manger, but as for “LORD” of all? -We haven’t a clue.. unless.. -we know “it is written.”
YES, CARL – IT IS WRITTEN, IT IS WRITTEN, IT IS WRITTEN ALL OVER THE WORLD… ♥
I agree with you, Skip, that we must be concerned with obedience for today, but I don’t think that negates understanding the times we live in according to Bible prophecy. I know there are a ton of “charlatans” out there proclaiming they know the exact date and time of His return, and of course, people like that do ignore Yeshua’s words. However, I see nothing wrong with studying the scriptures, thematically, to know what events must take place before He returns. In fact, if more would do so, they would realize how important Israel is in all of this. NOTHING replaces knowing His voice over the voice of others. We should be like the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.
The point is that if Yeshua doesn’t know, what can possibly make us believe that we can know. Arrogance and misunderstanding. If Yeshua’s first remarks are about the TEMPLE, then nothing he says applies to the END. All of the “signs” were completed before the destruction of the Temple in 70AD. So, of course, we have no information about the END (if there really is an END in the usually sense as Christians understand it). While I agree that we should study and be alert, I see no point at all in trying to fit contemporary history to biblical prophecy. Every generation since 300AD has attempted to do this, with ridiculous results.
Skip,
now you are really scaring me by this statement, ” All of the “signs” were completed before the destruction of the Temple in 70AD.” that is how the kingdom theologists & domionionists are believing & i do believe they are in dire error…
jan
I agree with your main point that we can not know the day and the hour and that what matters is how we live today. But I also read that throughout His ministry on earth, He was recognised by people who knew and understood the Scriptures and His actions and life was compared to the prophecies in Scripture regarding Him as Messiah. I also agree that even then there often was a wrong understanding of Him and His work.
I wish to be on the lookout for Him everyday-whether He comes now or in 1000 years. But whenever I want to see Him at work in me today.
Less than 2hours ago one of my mentors died. She lived by studying, expecting His presence and living with Him. She could recognise Him when He came.
Ilze,
Our condolences to you on the loss of your friend and mentor. From your heartfelt description we intuit that she was a true daughter of Abraham and a Spirit led woman. We are confident that her wisdom and guidance, borne from experiencing His faithfulness in all things, will not be lost on you and those she touched while here. Be comforted and bless YHWH for her life. Michael and Arnella
Why? Because when it(?) arrives, completely unexpectedly, it(?) will be unmistakable to everyone. OH YES, THANK YOU LORD JESUS – THE WONDERFUL SURPRISE OF YOUR IMMINENT RETURN – I WAIT EXPECTANTLY ON MY BELOVED… (it) is HE – HE WILL BE RETURNING NOT (it)… 🙁 THE DAY MEANS NOTHING – THE PERSON MEANS EVERYTHING – I AM NOT ASHAMED OF ANTICIPATING HIS RETURN WITH ALL THAT IS IN ME… THIS CANNOT BE WRONG OR INAPPROPRIATE… ♥
There are two choices here. One is to concern ourselves with the “what if” scenarios of the “prophetic times” mentality. On that path we exert mental and spiritual energy attempting to discern how close we are to the end so that we can *adjust our lives in anticipation.* The other path is to recognize that if that day is literally unknown and unexpected, there is no sense wasting any effort on it. The only action required in the face of the unknown and unexpected is to do today what is required today. Tomorrow will take care of itself.
THERE IS NO AMOUNT OF ADJUSTING THAT WILL EVER COMPARE TO THE EXPECTANCY OF HIS IMMINENT RETURN – HALLELUJAH…
“The only action required in the face of the unknown and unexpected is to do today what is required today. Tomorrow will take care of itself.”
Skip, really – how can one “adjust our lives in anticipation?” it is not about wasting any effort on it – our effort is our expected & yearning for One we love & want to be with – our Creator that loves us like no one else can – does that not make you long for HIM or does this earth complete your image of true love – have you felt what you expect to feel when you meet HIM face to face – i think not or you are really earthly bound for sure… ♥
Doris Day – Que Sera Sera
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZbKHDPPrrc
What am I missing here?
Matthew 24:32-34 (Complete Jewish Bible)
32 “Now let the fig tree teach you its lesson: when its branches begin to sprout and leaves appear, you know that summer is approaching. 33 In the same way, when you see all these things, you are to know that the time is near, right at the door. 34 Yes! I tell you that this people will certainly not pass away before all these things happen.
The verse is clear enough. The question is does it apply to the destruction of the Temple in 70AD or is it about the “end.” Some significant issues arise if we think Yeshua is speaking about the “end”. These issues disappear if he is speaking about the events of 70AD. Furthermore, please note that the disciples ask TWO questions, not one.
24:1 Jesus left the Temple …and his disciples came up to draw his attention to the Temple buildings
24:2 He said to them in reply: “you see all these? I tell you solemnly, not a single stone here will be left…everything will be destroyed
24:3 And when he was sitting on the Mount of Olives the disciples came and asked him privately, “Tell us, WHEN is this going to happen and WHAT will be the SIGN of your coming and of the end of the world?
24:7 WHEN: Jesus says there will be wars, famines, earthquakes…
24:9 then they will torture and kill his followers, who will be hated..
24:13 The good news will be proclaimed
24:14 Then the end (the fall of Jerusalem) will come
The coming of the Son of Man will then be evident
24:30 The sign of the Son of Man will appear in Heaven….and they will see the Son of man on the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory
The Doors – The End
http://www.nme.com/nme-video/youtube/id/GGXeXm0uMDo/search/I%20Want%20to%20Kill%20You
This is the end Beautiful friend
This is the end My only friend, the end Of our elaborate plans, the end Of everything that stands, the end No safety or surprise, the end, Ill never look into your eyes…again
Can you picture what will be
So limitless and free
Desperately in need…of some…strangers hand
In a…desperate land
Lost in a Roman…wilderness of pain
The Doors – The End by Jim Morrison
Michael, that is really a strange song in the end – literally – the snake, the snake 7 miles long… ♥
never really heard or read the words till today – just kinda strange… 🙁 jan
the blue bus eh…
Can you picture what will be
So limitless and free
Desperately in need…of some…strangers hand
In a…desperate land
Lost in a Roman…wilderness of pain
Yes I can picture it. We haven’t been left to wonder.
Zec 5:1 ¶ Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll.
Zec 5:2 And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof [is] twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.
Zec 5:3 Then said he unto me, This [is] the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off [as] on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off [as] on that side according to it.
Zec 5:4 I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.
This is the end result of rejecting YHWH and His law. It’s telling that jim says they are in need of a “strangers” hand, the earth is the LORDs, and the fullness thereof. He’s only a stranger to those who reject Him. The earth is restored under the hand and rule of the Messiah, He’s not a stranger to it, He’s the creator of it.
Hi Jan,
Yeah kinda strange, and that was the point of another great song by JM and the Doors
People are Strange
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awi14wDTxNw
People are strange when you’re a stranger
Faces look ugly when you’re alone
Women seem wicked when you’re unwanted
Streets are uneven when you’re down
For me, the Doors’ music was “otherwordly” in the extreme
Kind of like what the great Engish poet, William Blake, conveys in his poem
The Marriage of Heaven and Hell
Just noticed Blake’s birthday is tommorow; he must be a fire sign 🙂
Michael, one of my dearest female friend’s b-day is tomorrow also but i could care less if she is a fire sign or not – this is the unbiblical/wordly comments that you make (that i spoke of in a previous post/comment)…
JUST TO GIVE LIGHT TO MY POINT/COMMENT – WHERE IS GOD/JESUS/SCRIPTURE IN THIS:
Michael
November 27, 2011 at 4:33 pm
Hi Jan,
Yeah kinda strange, and that was the point of another great song by JM and the Doors
People are Strange
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awi14wDTxNw
People are strange when you’re a stranger
Faces look ugly when you’re alone
Women seem wicked when you’re unwanted
Streets are uneven when you’re down
For me, the Doors’ music was “otherwordly” in the extreme
Kind of like what the great Engish poet, William Blake, conveys in his poem
The Marriage of Heaven and Hell
Just noticed Blake’s birthday is tommorow; he must be a fire sign
JAN
“WHERE IS GOD/JESUS/SCRIPTURE IN THIS?”
“fire sign or not – this is the unbiblical/wordly comments”
Hi Jan,
Sorry for the delayed response, we were without electricity in Milpitas until now
Regarding Jesus, in the lyric below we have the “desparate land”
Which in my view is Israel occupied by the “roman”
Psychologically speaking, it has become a “wilderness”
In a…desperate land
Lost in a Roman…wilderness of pain
Regarding astrology, I am a Scorpio as my mother you to say
I didn’t believe in it, but now I think it is remotely interesting
In the Hebrew worldview Scorpio is associated wiith:
– Month of Chesvan
– Tribe of Benjamin
– VHHY
– Dan
– Manasseh
– Death
“my dearest female friend’s b-day is tomorrow also but i could care less if she is a fire sign”
Hmmm
Well my first wife was a fire sign and she had a lot in common with the Doors’ JM
We used to listen to his music together back in 67, 68, & 69 and saw him in concert
Singing “light my fire”
And I too used to have a dear friend who had a B’day a couple of days ago
But she got mad at something I wrote and reacted like Mommy Dearest 🙂
Michael,
i’m sorry you have had no electricity there in Milpitas until now – what is going on there – that there is no electricity??? should we be worried???
where do you find all this stuff???
In the Hebrew worldview Scorpio is associated wiith:
– Month of Chesvan
– Tribe of Benjamin
– VHHY
– Dan
– Manasseh
– Death
jan
Michael,
here again – i’m not sure nor do i really know what you are talking about here:
“And I too used to have a dear friend who had a B’day a couple of days ago
But she got mad at something I wrote and reacted like Mommy Dearest ”
who is Mommy Dearest – in psycho – the movie???
seems one person is upset & mad with what you & i say/write/wrote on here – oh well, what’s new in the world??? 🙁
jan
“Mommy Dearest – in psycho – the movie”
“seems one person is upset & mad with what you & i say/write/wrote on here”
Hi Jan,
I was just joking about Mommy Dearest the movie, but she did remind me of my mom
And although I have the highest regard for her, she never spoke to me again
As I recall
So I never knew why she reacted the way she did to my email
If someone were to say the same thing to me, I would probably say something like:
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that”
My wife also reacts to me in ways I don’t understand
So it’s my problem and I try to take responsibility for it
JAN AND MICHAEL, AND THE REST, PLEASE STAY WITH ME. EXODUS 31: 1. SEE THE LORD SAID TO MOSES, 2. SEE, I HAVE CHOSEN BEZALEL, SON OF URI AND (OTHER NAMED PEOPLE) AND I HAVE FILLED THEM WITH THE SPIRIT OF GOD, WITH SKILL, ABILITY. AND KNOWLEDGE IN ALL KINDS OF CRAFTS–TO MAKE ARTISTIC DESIGNS IN GOLD AND SILVER, BRONZE, TO CUT AND SET STONES, TO WORK IN WOOD, TO ENGAGE IN ALL KINDS OF CRAFTMANSHIP. ( NOTE THAT ABILITY TO WORK AS A SKILLED CRAFTSMAN WAS A SPIRITUAL GIFT, EQUIPPING A PERSON FOR SEPCIAL SERVICE TO GOD.) CONTINUE ON VERSE 7. –TO MAKE EVERYTHING I HAVE COMMANDED YOU” THE TENT OF MEETING, THE ARK OF THE TESTIMONY WITH THE ATONEMENT COVER ON IT, AND ALL THE OTHER FURNISHINGS OF THE TENT——— AND MUCH MORE–
NOW TO THE ENGLISH POET, YOU WERE SPEAKING OF : WILLAIAM BLAKE: B. IN NOV. 1757–D, 1827, HIS FATHER WAS POOR, AND COULD DO LITTLE FOR HIS EDUCATION. HE PUT HIM IN A SCHOOL FOR DESIGN, AND LATER TO A DRAWING SCHOOL, EVENTUALLY AS A YOUNG MAN HE BECAME AN APPRENTICE TO AN ENGRAVER. AT THE END OF THAT HE WAS ADMITTED TO THE ROYAL ACADEMY. LATER, BY A PROCESS ALL BLAKE’S OWN , HE HAD ENGRAVED UPON COPPER BOTH THE TEXT AND DECORATIVE DESIGNS OF HIS POEMS AND HAD TINTED THE WHOLE BY HIS OWN HAND, AFTER PRINTING. THE ENTIRE PERFORMANCE BESPOKE GENIUS.—– SEVERAL OF HIS POEMS SUCH AS “MARRIAGE OF HEAVEN AND HELL” (1790) NEVER REALLY WERE OF NO INTEREST TO THE GENERAL READER. BUT WERE VALUED BY THOSE PEOPLE WHO WERE CONNOISSEUR OF ENGRAVING AND ILLUSTRATION. — — THEN IN MY OPINION, I VALUE HIS SIMPLE LITTLE POEM, “THE LAMB”— LITTLE LAMB, WHO MADE THEE?
DOEST THOU KNOW WHO MADE THEE?
GAVE THEE LIFE, AND BID THEE FEED,
BY THE STREAM AND O’ER THE MEAD?
GAVE THE CLOTHING OF DELIGHT,
SOFTEST CLOTHING, WOOLY, BRIGHT,
DOEST THOU KNOW WHO MADE THEE?
I WILL TELL THEE:
HE IS CALLED BY THY NAME,
FOR HE CALLS HIMSELF A LAMB
HE IS MEEK, AND HE IS MILD,
HE BECAME A LITTLE CHILD.
I A CHILD, AND THOU A LAMB,
WE ARE CALLED BY HIS NAME.
LITTLE LAMB, GOD BLESS THEE!
LITTLE LAMB, GOD BLESS THEE!
THIS POEM WAS ETCHED ORIGINALLY BY WILLIAM BLAKE INTO ONE OF HIS ETCHED ENGRAVINGS—– BACK TO EXODUS 31, IN THE BEGINNING, OR THE FIRST RECORD OF IT, ORDAINED BY YAHEW —A GOD GIVEN TALENT —
AND ON OUR UPSTAIRS GUEST BEDROOM ON THE KING SIZE BED ( OUR MEN ARE TALL -) WE HAVE A COPY OF THE POEM NEXT TO A WHITE WOOLY STUFFED LAMB, AND TWO LITTLE GIRL DOLLS WITH CROCHETED DRESSES AND CAPS, AND ALL OF THE EIGHT GRANDCHILDREN, AND FIVE NOW- GREAT-GRANDS, HAVE CUDDLED NEXT TO THESE ITEMS AS WE READ THE POEM OVER AND OVER TO THEM AND EXPLAINED IT TO THEM ON THEIR AGE LEVEL. WITH PRAYERS TO FOLLOW.
GOD BLESS THE LAMBS, ALL OF YOU.—- JUST WANTED TO SHARE THIS—LAVAYE B. (ALSO, ON SKIP’S GREAT PICTURE OF CHRIST CHURCH CATHERDAL, I WROTE SOME MATERIAL ON ST. ALDATES CHURCH & PARISH, ANOTHER 1000 YEAR OLD BUILDING FROM ITS ORIGINAL, NOW A VERY VIBRANT ANGLICAN CHURCH, & PARISH,DIRECTLY ACROSS THE ST. FROM IT. WE VISITED THERE IN 2000, WISH SOME OF YOU WOULD READ THAT MATERIAL AND COMMENT — THANKS , LAVAYE BILLINGS
Hi LaVaye and Jan,
I’ll try to slip LaVay’s beautiful little poem by Blake between the two of you
In a format for the less detail oriented 🙂
The Lamb
By William Blake 1757–1827 William Blake
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Gave thee life, and bid thee feed
By the stream and o’er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing, woolly, bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice?
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee,
Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee:
He is called by thy name,
For he calls himself a Lamb.
He is meek, and he is mild;
He became a little child.
I a child, and thou a lamb.
We are called by his name.
Little Lamb, God bless thee!
Little Lamb, God bless thee!
The one God made these two things for some reason (Tiger and Lamb)
The Tiger
By William Blake
1757-1827
TIGER, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare seize the fire?
And what shoulder and what art
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand and what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? What dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
When the stars threw down their spears,
And water’d heaven with their tears,
Did He smile His work to see?
Did He who made the lamb make thee?
Tiger, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
Michael,
i just took the time to do a little research on Jim Morrison/Pam Courson & what sad lives for 2 young people & yes, how it ended for both of them at the young age of 27. i will take my little soon to be 59 years of simplicity & no notoriety compared to all that i read about both of them. the video of the interview with his father & sister where very very interesting to say the least…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kz63-q8otYM&feature=related
not the life that i would suppose that God/Jesus have for any of us… ♥ really really sad… 🙁
Glory, I completely agree with you–“Israel is the key” Read what Peter said to the men of Israel in Acts 3:19-21. Jesus condemned the Jewish leaders for not knowing the signs of their times when He arrived the first time and He will condemn man for not knowing the signs of the times when He appears again.
32 Now let the fig tree teach you its lesson: when its branches begin to sprout and leaves appear, you know that summer is approaching.
33 In the same way, when you see all these things, you are to know that the time is near, right at the door.
34 Yes! I tell you that this people will certainly not pass away before all these things happen.
Hmmm
“Now let the fig tree teach you its lesson”
Makes me think of the line in Shakespeare’s King Lear: “Ripeness is all”
Door makes me think of the song by the Doors: “Break on through to the other side”
And this people, “the Jews,” will still be somewhere around the neighborhood when it all happens
I may be mistaken but, “The Final Days” seems to be written as a warning to those who would pick a specific date,.. like those of the famous 1844 ‘disappointment’. This is a very appropriate caution. Anticipation can easily turn to prognostication, and the Torah has much to say about that. I also say this as someone who is a part of the denomination that most likely sent Skip the advertisement.
In the case of Matthew 24, I always thought Jesus was talking BOTH about what was shortly to take place AND what was to come later. God’s promise to Abraham had both near and far prophetic applications.
In my local church there are those who stress the 2nd Coming and seem to have a lot of anxiety in wanting to ‘be ready’, but on the other side there are those who leave out ALL ‘end times’ views — and believe that both heaven and hell are here and now on earth. I think one group has departed the path to the right, and the other has departed the path to the left. There are little theological stepping stones in each direction.
Question #1: Are we ready? “For in such an hour as you think not..” – like a thief in the night..- were you “expecting” your house to be broken into last night? Two words: anticipation and (above all) preparation.
Should our Master come at this very hour- are we prepared to “meet our Maker?” This is in no way the morbid fear of death, but rather the joyous reunion of the ONE who gives life unto all.
And yes, beloved sister Jan- our BrideGroom- the Husband of Ruth- our Heavenly Boaz, our ADONAI. We are going to meet Him, we are going to greet Him, we are going to know Him by the prints of the nails in His hands. There is a wedding feast, my friends, yet to be.
There are many things -yet to be- that have not yet “come to pass.” Tomorrow for instance, or for that matter five minutes from now..
Will I be loving our LORD five minutes from now or will love Him tomorrow? (Oh please..-allow me to confess my love for my Beloved). Will I “avad” Him today.. Do I love Him at this moment. I am living my life, breathing the good air of this earth, living in blessed anticipation for the sound of the shofar announcing to all the earht “in the twinkling of an eye”- His appearing?
It is far “past time” to stop looking for the signs and start looking for the Son in blessed anticipation of a glorious “event” yet to be. This, in Christian circles (lol!) is our “Blessed Hope”. Oh yes!- We were in total suprise and shock when G-d clothed Himself in humanity. How could YHWH stoop so low as to become a man?
Friends..- Who was Yeshua? – that is the question of the ages..- Who is this King of glory? It is the LORD- strong and mighty- mighty to save- mighty to deliver- our soon coming (again) King of all kings, and LORD of all lords.
May it be today. I am stoked! But, if not.. why don’t we listen again (for the first time!) to His words: “occupy til I come..”
Yesterday I set out three flats of bright yellow pansies. They are the only flower that provide color in the grey winter. I set these out in “anticipation”. They are planted in good soil (it is all about the soil- friends!) and I gave them all a good drink of saved/stored rain water. YHWH again gave them another drink last night- only this time it was ‘fresh.” Does G-d care about the flowers and the sparrows? -Absotively/Posolutely- He does. Do we have “hope” for today? Do we have a “G-d confidence” for today? Will He “be there” for us? Does He (always) give us what we need- when we need it? – “Always”. He has yet to fail His people..
“Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow..blessing all ours- with ten thousand beside..” Great is Your faithfulness- O G-d my Father,..-there is “no shadow of turning”- Semper Fi. Amen!
Mat 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.
Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
I have a hard time reconciling this statement with the fall of Jerusalem in 70AD. The Babylonians did a pretty comparable job on Jerusalem in the past, but the statement goes far past that. “since the beginning of the world” would include not only the events of the flood, but those preceding it as well.
Gen 6:5 ¶ And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually.
Gen 6:6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
Gen 6:7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
While there is no doubt that error exists in trying to date the future event of the return of the Messiah, to confine these statements to the 1 event of the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem is (I believe) wrong as well. It’s quite interesting that there is a certain amount of ambiguity (I hope I spelled that correctly 🙂 ) in the “division” of His response concerning the “2 questions”. Perhaps it was done that way on purpose. Just thinkin’
Great discussion, thanks again Skip, for a timely word.
If the Hebraic worldview regarding “time” is about looking to the past to instruct us on how to live in the present with the future to our backs and if additionally, Hebraic ideas of time is that they are cyclical and repeat themselves, then perhaps what we should do is avoid the patterns of those who missed Yeshua’s first coming (Luke 19:41-44) and model ourselves after those who were watching, ready and did not miss His first coming (Luke 2:25)?
Simeon comes to mind in Luke 2. We are told that he was a devout and righteous man (living right). We are told that he was “waiting” or “looking” for the consolation of Israel (thinking right). We are told that the Holy Spirit was upon him (dependent and submissive). We are told that he received a special revelation by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had first seen the Lord’s Christ. We are told that he was “moved” by the Spirit and led into the temple courts (yielding and sensitive to the Spirit’s leading). In following what the Law required, Yeshua’s parents brought Him to Simeon and Simeon “took Him in his arms and praised God saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Not only did Simeon understand the past (the prophets), not only did he appreciate the present (Yeshua – God’s Salvation in the Person of this infant) but he also understood the future coming together of Gentile and Jew into the kingdom of God. Pretty remarkable really.
I AGREE DAVID – I AGREE – VERY VERY PRETTY REMARKABLE REALLY… ♥
JAN
well spoken brother David.. We also may live in anticipation of His soon appearing! There is nothing to prevent this from happening -today! (known in Christian circles as the “Blessed Hope!”)