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Cities of Israel
From: "mrwickey" mrwickey@netzero.net
To: "John Dow"
Subject: Cities of Israel
Date: Sunday, September 29, 2002 11:56 PM
Hello,
I really enjoyed the Bible study last night, and not only in the study format, but also the fellowship. I thought about the question you posed to us regarding Matt 10:21-23. The more I thought about it the more I felt compelled to respond to you, because it is a very good question you asked. For what it is worth to you, I will attempt to explain as best as I can as I understand the scriptures. You might not agree, but that is fine and I know I could be wrong. It did not occur to me until this morning how the best way would be to answer you. I believe the answer can very clearly be understood if we can know just who the "Ye" are that Christ was referring to. Please look at the events associated with these scriptures, and you might also want read the entire chapter 10 to get the correct flow of the context of Christ's statements.Matthew 10:21-23 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. 23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. (KJV)
This is definitely talking about "end time" events (whenever they occur). We must read and believe the context and also the time frame of what Christ meant. Whatever we believe the time frame means when Christ referred as "the end" (verse 22) it is nevertheless the correct context of these scriptures. When is the time that brother shall betray brother, and the father the child, etc. and to actually cause and betray them to be put to death? When is the time that "ye shall" be hated of all men for Christ's name sake? When is the time when the "ye shall" will endure "to the end" in order to be saved? When is the time when "ye shall" be persecuted from city to city, and these cities are called the "cities of Israel"? According to Jesus Christ these things will all take place at the time of the "end", just before the "Son of man be come".
Some believe this has already happened, and will claim that the Son of man "came" at 70 AD. Some also claim these things are prophesied to happen when the world will be worshipping the false Christ; in which many will be betrayed, persecuted, and put to death; as Christ explained. As you know, these scriptures are tied directly with Matt 24, which explains events just prior to the "end of the world", or more correctly translated; the end of this "age". Who are the people called the "Ye" that Christ said would be go the cities of Israel? As you know, Christ also stated that "Ye" are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Who are the "Ye" in this case? Was it just the people that he spoke to at that time, or did Christ include all sincere Israelite believers.
Who are the "Ye" that Christ said are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13)? When Christ looked at and spoke directly to the people of his day did He mean they (and only they) were the light of the world and salt of the earth? There are over a hundred examples that could be used where Christ spoke to the "Ye" of the people of his day. But can we honestly and biblically apply these many examples only to the people of Christ's day that Christ happened to personally speak to? God forbid that we do! Who were the people that Christ held responsible and indicted for shedding all the righteous blood from Abel on throughout all of history (Matthew 23:35). No doubt, Christ looked at a small group of people and declared only to them these following words:
"That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar." (KJV)
Who was the "You" that Christ referred to when He said that statement? Was it is just that certain group that happened to live at that time in Christ's day? Or was it a very evil and wicked race of people from Cain on and throughout all of history that hate God and God's righteousness; and also hate the Israel of God? Christ could only be referring to an evil race of people who always were and always will be the enemies of God's people Israel; until of course Jesus Christ comes back to destroy these enemies. They must of course be destroyed as Israel was once instructed to do in past Israelite history, and now in this age there is only one way they can totally be destroyed and only in the "time of the end". Read all of Matt. 23. Jesus Christ certainty by no means had any warm and kind words for a certain race of people, since He certainty would not have spoken so harshly in this manner to His people Israel.
It is very evident that these enemies are all around us in this day and age ruling in the background behind the scenes, since this present world certainly does not reflect the righteousness of God. When will this righteousness be restored as all the prophets (including Daniel) have written and prophesied will take place in the "end times", "time of the end", "latter days", "day of the Lord", "in that day", end of the world" (age) etc.? Please understand, this is a time that has to be yet future, and only means the "end" of man's rule in this present evil world. When in history has God's righteousness ever been enforced on this present world? This present world under man's governments and man's form of righteousness is doomed to fail. The Bible does talk about a time when the world will worship a man that the apostle Paul called, "the man of sin"; and the world will believe the lie that this man is actually God. Read chapter two of 2nd Thessalonians, and believe exactly what is stated.
This information is also found in Daniel, which is where the apostle Paul, I believe, got his understanding of the "man of sin". Jesus Christ was the greatest prophet that ever lived, and I believe 2,000 years ago He looked far into the future and explained to the people of His day some of these "end time" events. He explained a time when false Christs would arise and deceive many, and He explained the severe and deceptive times when children would betray parents and cause them to be put to death, etc. This will also be a time when the saints that understand what is really going on will proclaim what the deception is, and will go from city to city to preach the truth. They will be hated of all men as Christ explained, simply because the world will be deceived to believe the "man of sin" is the returned Jesus Christ. However the real Jesus Christ will return bodily from Heavenly Jerusalem before the saints finish the work of going to all the "cities of Israel"; as Christ explained to the people of His day.
These cities include Canada, United States, Britain, and most of Europe, or where the Israelite cities are located. No one knows all the details of these events, since Christ only explained the main "highlights" that saints are to watch for and prepare. This is what I personally believe, however I realize I could be wrong. My brother Jerry in the past generally also believed along these same lines. There are other things I could write about. I did enjoy the Bible study, however at the time I didn't have much to say and I cannot explain things that are on my heart verbally as clearly as when I attempt to write them. You can do with this email as you want, and you have my permission to print it out for Paul if you want to. You guys no doubt will disagree with me, but that is all right. I guess Paul does not have email anymore or I would forward it to him. Anyway, I truly hope this has been helpful, and may God bless you.
Http://bibletruths.150m.com
In His Service, Mahlon
----- Original Message
From: John Dow
To: mrwickey@hotmail.com
Sent: Saturday, October 05, 2002 6:53 AM
Subject: Citys of Israel
Hellooooooooooo Mahlon
Before I start, I took this as a very sincere letter. Sorry, it took me so long to respond, I hardly ever check my E-mail anymore. I hope you take this as a sincere letter, back to you. I understand what you are saying, and I believed this way before to, and I totally agree with the whole thing revolving around the word Ye. But what does the word Ye mean? Simply, means you. The Ye or You in Matthew I have read this over so many time it isn't funny. The best that I can come up with is who Christ was talking to his disciples. KJV Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. If Christ told his disciples to go out into Israel, at that time then it fits that verse 23 is talking about his disciples. 23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come Was this to happen in a short time? Read verse 7 again, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand". That sounds quick. You also brought up Mathew 5:13-14, the Ye. Who was Christ talking to? The answer is in chapter 4 and 5 KJV Matthew 4:25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan. KJV Matthew 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: Does this mean that only they were the salt of the earth, or they only had heaven as a reward? No, but at that time they were. You brought up Matthew 23:35. Yes I understand what you are trying to say, now read the very next verse, when was this to happen? The word Generation does not mean a race. KJV Matthew 23:36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. Who's end was it our or theirs?? I don't know, Israel is not wondering around anymore. Christ fulfilled the Genealogy of Israel. I don't know. We don't do sacrifices anymore because Christ was the perfect sacrifice then the Abomination that causes Desolation had to have happened?? KJV Daniel 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Is this a literal 1290 days? If it is then it has happened? Did Christ fulfill this? KJV Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. Here it is in a nutshell, I don't believe in Futurism, Historicism or Preterism. I know that when I die I would rather make the mistake of giving Christ to much credit than not enough. I mean this letter very sincerely Maylon, please don't take this wrong, its more of questions then all the sides have answers.
I wrote this a long time ago. Once again all question no answers.Second Appearing, His coming When?
Read all of these verses referring to the second appearing, or His coming. Ask yourself a question, will this happen in our future? Or did this happen in their sort future? In many of the verses Christ is telling his disciples or someone else, that these things will happen to them at their time, Quickly, not 2000 years later. Futurism was started by a Jew named Francisco Riberia (1537-1591), We are coming from the view that if it was a doctrine that was created in the 1500's it doesn't exist . Preterism was stared by a Jew named Luis de Alcazar (1554-1613), once again it can't be correct because it was created by a man, not God. When the word "You" is said in the Bible, it is referring to the people Christ was talking to, NOT US, 2000 years later, but to them at the time. Namely the Disciples, in Mat. 24. The purpose of this article is to show that Some of the prophesies were to happen in their life times. Another important part to all this is the phrase Second Coming. Look it up, you won't find the phrase anywhere. The Words Second Coming is not in the Bible. Who are the You hear referring to?
NIV Matthew 10:23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Answer look at verse 1. Is he talking to us, things in our future or to the Twelve disciples, about things that will happen in their lifetime?
NIV Matthew 10:1 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.
When was these 2 next verses to happen? Obviously in their lifetime, if some were not to see death before they would see the Son of man coming in his kingdom, it had to be in their Generation
NIV Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. 28 I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."
NIV Matthew 26:64 "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
NIV Matthew 24:1 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings.
2"Do you see all these things?" he asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." 3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"Question Are the Buildings and the Temple still Standing??? In Matthew 24:3, was he talking to us 2000 years later or was he talking to his Disciples??? The next verse a Futurist will says that Generation means Race, Does it???
NIV Matthew 24:34 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
What does the Greek word here mean?
genea. noun nominative feminine singular common [UBS] genea,, a/j f generation, contemporaries; period, age (of time); family, posterity (posterity or perhaps origin Ac 8.33)
NIV Mark 8:38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
Question Do you know anyone, that Christ was talking to here, that is still alive???
NIV Mark 9:1 And he said to them, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power."
NIV Mark 14:62 "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
Question Are there still some standing there, at that time, that have not tasted death 2000 years later?
NIV Luke 9:26 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."
NIV Luke 18:31 Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled.
Question Was the Old Testament Fulfilled? Was Dan. 12, Dan 9:24-27, the seventy weeks of Daniel, Fulfilled?? Yes it was!!!
NIV Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. What happened in The Seventy Weeks or more correctly, Seventy Something of Daniel? Remember what we just read about the Prophets and what they predicted in Daniel was Fulfilled in Matthew 5:17. Daniel says LXE Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks have been determined upon thy people, and upon the holy city, for sin to be ended, and to seal up transgressions, and to blot out the iniquities, and to make atonement for iniquities, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal the vision and the prophet, and to anoint the Most Holy. 25 And thou shalt know and understand, that from the going forth of the command for the answer and for the building of Jerusalem until Christ the prince there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; and then the time shall return, and the street shall be built, and the wall, and the times shall be exhausted. 26 And after the sixty-two weeks the anointed one shall be destroyed, and there is no judgment in him: and he shall destroy the city and the sanctuary with the prince that is coming: they shall be cut off with a flood, and to the end of the war which is rapidly completed he shall appoint the city to desolations. 27 And one week shall establish the covenant with many: and in the midst of the week my sacrifice and drink-offering shall be taken away: and on the temple shall be the abomination of desolations; and at the end of time an end shall be put to the desolation.
NIV Hebrews 1:2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.
NIV Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
NIV Revelation 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
NIV Revelation 1:7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.
NIV Revelation 3:11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
NIV Revelation 22:6 The angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place."
NIV Revelation 22:7 "Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book."
NIV Revelation 22:10 Then he told me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near.
NIV Revelation 22:12 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.
NIV Revelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
From: "Mahlon"
To: "John Dow"
Date: Monday, October 07, 2002 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: Cities of Israel
Hi,
We got back from Kentucky about 7:00 PM last night, and I was very tired. I just wanted to "hit the sack", but not before I rebooted my computer and seen that you had sent two emails, but I didn't take the time to read them. I want to thank you very much for replying to me regarding the "Cities of Israel". We really enjoyed out visit to Elmore's. It was so good to see Charles Jennings after 20 years, and he gave a message that was very much needed; and everyone just simply got "charged up" with a renewed spirit. I just want to say, you would have really enjoyed the message that Charles gave. Several from Milan Center were there and they were all spiritually fed with fellowship and the messages, and were very glad to be there. Rick Miller made the comment that he would not want to miss this for anything in the world.
Anyway, now for the subject at hand. This will be a long message, but take your time and read it very carefully. I am not working today so I have the time to share my thoughts in a detailed manner, and I only hope you take them seriously and in the right way. I read you comments and they are well taken. I am well aware that the statements of Jesus Christ in Matt 10 was made only to the apostles at that time 2000 years ago. I want to run something by you suggesting something very different than I personally have ever heard or have ever read about. It is very possible that Christ gave instructions to the apostles to go from city to city simply to "pave the way", so to speak, for these cities to be prepared to receive the message of Christ at that time. I am only speculating, but it would only be logical for Christ to make sure His arrival to these cities would be announced beforehand. It is the same principle as president Bush coming to Ft Wayne at a certain date, and of course he would not want to appear at Ft Wayne unannounced, now would he? Do you get my point? Jesus Christ also would not want to appear in the cities of His day unless He was expected, especially with the very important message that the "kingdom was nigh" (or near). Now let's look at Matthew 10:23.But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. {have...: or, end, or, finish} (KJV).
It could very well be worded simply in the following manner..... "I know you apostles will not get to every city to announce "my coming"; or before I "be come", but I will preach the message of the soon coming kingdom anyway". What would be wrong to explain these scriptures in this way? Think this through, because this concept is very valid, and it is possible for this to be the correct explanation. I only want to make the point that it is possible that Christ's "coming" in Matt.10 could be misunderstood by both views, if you get my point. I personally do not believe what I have just suggested, since we have to fit all the pieces to form the correct "picture". The pieces that I have suggested simply do not fit with many other scriptures.
In my last email to you, I asked you several questions that must be answered in order to place the correct timing of the events of Christ's statements. You did not address these questions. Suppose Christ had "returned" to the people of His Day. Where is the New Testament evidence? He was not "returned" in the book of Acts, but I must say, the apostles were expecting Him soon. However it is very evident He still had not "returned" during the remainder of New Testament history, and still had not "returned" in the last chapter in the book of Revelation. The apostles asked Christ if He was going to again restore the kingdom back to Israel at that time (Acts 1:6). Christ simply responded that it was not for them to know the timing of that event. What was the kingdom of Israel supposed to accomplish on the world scene at that time? According to prophecy, the apostles knew this kingdom would restore Israel to rule the known world at that time in the righteousness of God. When Solomon was king over Israel he proclaimed the kingdom was the "kingdom of the Lord" (1 Chronicles 28:5 and 2 Chronicles 13:8). This is the kingdom the apostles were expecting, which they knew Christ would restore at His "coming". However the kingdom that David and Solomon ruled was only a type of the real kingdom of heaven, simply because that was a "fleshly" kingdom composed and ruled by flesh and blood. Flesh and blood will not inherit the real kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 15:50).
I have asked certain questions over the years and they have never been answered (and cannot be answered) by those believing that Christ "returned" in 70 AD. These questions must be answered to know the correct timing of the second coming of Jesus Christ. Where is the evidence in history that Jesus Christ restored the throne of David in Jerusalem to set up the kingdom of heaven with the resurrected saints to restore God's righteousness (Acts 15:16)? When in history did the seventh and last trumpet sound to announce for Jesus Christ to destroy God's enemies and overthrow the "kingdoms of this world" (Revelation 11:15)? When in history have resurrected saints lived and ruled with Jesus Christ for a thousand years (Revelation 20:4)? When in history was Jesus Christ accepted and ruling as King over all the earth (Zechariah 14:9)? If we use logic and common sense, and without trying to "spiritualize" these scriptures, we have to conclude that we still live in a world ruled by man's form of governments and the kingdoms of this world? This present evil world is still ruled by the enemies of God based on false gods, deception, war, misery, sickness and disease, total immorality, uncertainty, fear, and unrighteousness, etc. Is this not true? Need I say anymore? When in history, since the death of Christ, was the city of Jerusalem ever called the "city of truth" (Zechariah 8:3)? This question could be comical and humorous if it wasn't so sad that some are taken in by this deception. Present day Jerusalem is anything but a city of truth.
The premise Paul used at the bible study was that the Bible nowhere used the term "second coming of Christ". So let's use the term "again", and I ask; what is the difference? His premise seems to be that Christ "fulfilled" all the law and prophets; which I assume he implied that the law and prophets are no longer valid. That is not what is stated.Matthew 5:17-18 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled (KJV).
Christ did not say that he came to "fulfill" the law and prophets. Only that he came not to "destroy" the law and the prophets. Only the law was "fulfilled" (not the prophets), as explained in verse 18. It is impossible to "fulfill" prophecy if it has not yet come to pass what was prophesied to happen. "Fulfill" means to furnish or supply liberally, to render full, fill to the top, to make complete, to render perfect, full measure, bring to realization, etc. Check it out. "Fulfill" is the complete opposite of "destroy". Christ came to magnify the law and to make it honorable (Isaiah 42:21); which could be explained as "fulfilling and perfecting the law". Christ did not come to destroy the law or the prophets, which has to mean that the law and prophets still function and have a purpose because heaven and earth has not yet passed. The laws of God are indeed very valid, and until there is a new heaven and new earth, all the punctuation of the law will not pass, and it will still function, find the objective, find the fulfillment, be magnified to perfection, will be rendered full, and come to full realization. Jesus Christ became what the law demanded, which was a perfect sacrifice; and in that sense the law was also fulfilled. But this fact in no way has destroyed (or done away) with the law, as Jesus Christ himself explained. Prophesy has never been altered or destroyed, but of course some prophesy as been fulfilled regarding Christ's birth and His first coming to redeem His people Israel. The sure word of prophecy is as "light that shines in a dark place", as Peter explained.
2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (KJV)
Peter stated that the sure word of prophecy was to be heeded (not ignored) until the "day dawn" (or the shinning of a new day, new age, new earth, etc). Saints that understand the sure word of prophecy, which explains this "dawning", will have the title of the "day star" arise in their hearts. This title is the same title that Christ has, and carries the meaning of bringing and giving "light" with authority, and can only be applied in a future sense in the kingdom of God that will rule with power. All prophesy certainly was not "fulfilled" according to Peter, simply because most prophecy explains the "dawning" of the kingdom of God that will restore all things (Acts 3:21). This is the theme of all prophecy since the "world began". Read and simply believe what Acts 3:21 is explaining.
Acts 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. (KJV).
Note that the heaven must receive (or take up) Jesus Christ, which is where Christ bodily is residing; and He will remain there until the time of the event described in Act 3:21. That is the event that this world is crying out for, groaning and travailing for, and desperately needs. But we have to patiently wait for this event, because more history must still come to pass. Most of the book of Revelation and the angel that talked to Daniel explain what that history is; which has to be sometime in the future if we are honest with scripture and do not try to "spiritualize" plain scripture. The events of Daniel, especially chapter 12, simply has not yet happened because the angel explained to Daniel when the resurrection of the saints would occur. Daniel is still dead and is not yet standing in his "lot" (or resurrected, if you will, to his position of authority).
I believe the "70 weeks" prophecy is not a complete span (year after year) of 490 years because the angel explained this time period is divided in segments of time. Therefore this would mean a time period totaling 490 years, which is divided in time with sixty nine weeks accounted for to date; therefore ruling out a complete uninterrupted span of time year after year. Indeed the angel explained that a certain covenant would be confirmed for "one week" (the 70th week). This has to be the last final seven year period of the 490 years in which then (and only then) this prophecy would be fulfilled. I address all this in my "Kingdom of God" booklet including the "days" spoken of when Daniel stands in his "lot" in the "end of the days". Please read my book to understand fully what I am talking about. The angel explained events of this one week which simply could not have happened in past history, that is if we truly believe literally what the angel explained in detail to Daniel. I personally choose to believe the angel that spoke to Daniel. Now I want to address this very important word "generation", and how it is applied in scripture. Here is Strong's Lexicon definition of "generation", which carries the meaning of a "perverse race" (of people).1074 genea {ghen-eh-ah'} from (a presumed derivative of) 1085; TDNT - 1:662,114; n f AV - generation 37, time 2, age 2, nation 1; 42
1) fathered, birth, nativity 2) that which has been begotten, men of the same stock, a family 2a) the several ranks of natural descent, the successive members of a genealogy 2b) metaph. a race of men very like each other in endowments, pursuits, character 2b1) esp. in a bad sense, a perverse race 3) the whole multitude of men living at the same time 4) an age (i.e. the time ordinarily occupied be each successive generation), a space of 30 - 33 yearsAs you can see, it generally refers (37 times) to birth, nativity, stock, descent, and genealogy of the same family or race of men, or a perverse race of people, and is used only four times to mean "time" or "age". Now let us look at the scripture you referred to for proving your position.
Matthew 23:36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. (KJV)
What things was Christ referring to that would come upon "this generation"? He had just told a certain people they were responsible for shedding all the righteous blood from Abel on. He was not talking about His "coming". "This generation" could only mean a "perverse race" in this particular scripture. You should have used the following scriptures to best explain your position, and again it is just a matter of applying the correct meaning of "generation".Matthew 24:33-35 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, [even] at the doors. {it: or, he} 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.(KJV)
The correct setting and context is that the things Christ spoke of is "near; even at the doors", and the "ye" (whoever they are) will witness these things just before Christ's return. Using the age or time meaning; are we to assume that heaven and earth would "pass away" and "this generation" (30-33 years) would not? Are we to assume heaven and earth would "pass away" before "this generation" would? Has heaven and earth already passed away, and are we now living in a new heaven and new earth as prophesied would come? This all of course depends on the correct time frame that calls for "all these things" to be fulfilled. It makes a lot more sense to ask these questions from a "future" viewpoint, than from a "past" viewpoint that demands that "all these things" have somehow already been fulfilled, if you get my drift. "This generation" could also mean "this present evil age" if you will; which of course has not yet "passed away".
I believe the wicked perverse race of people of Christ's day (this generation) will still be on the world scene and will not "pass away" until the things spoken of must be fulfilled. Christ's words "shall not pass away" because they will be used as the eternal judgment on "this generation"; and only then will this perverse race "pass" and be no more. We could use both the meanings (age or race) and still make "all these things" to be fulfilled in a future event. We certainly cannot biblically apply them to explain that "all these things" will be fulfilled in "this generation" (30-33 years), and that Christ somehow "returned" during or very soon after this 30-33 year period. It is not even worded that way, nor is it even implied; if we are truly honest with scripture. I noticed in your article that you also mentioned Mark 9:1.
Mark 9:1-2 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. 2 And after six days Jesus taketh [with him] Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. (KJV)
Read exactly what is stated in sequence in these two scriptures. Christ explained that some of the apostles (not all) that were standing there would not taste death until they see the kingdom come with power. After six days, some (only three apostles) did not taste death, and seen in a vision the time in the future when the glorified saints would inherit the kingdom and rule with Christ in power. As explained, a conscious and glorified Moses and Elijah were brought forth from heavenly Jerusalem and actually talked with Christ. They were used to represent the resurrection in the coming kingdom that will rule with power. The reason Christ explained the tasting of death only proves that saints must die and taste death before they can inherit the kingdom.
But of course, three of the apostles had not tasted death in these six days; as Christ explained. Luke says about eight days (Luke 9:28). These three apostles had the high honor of Christ choosing only them to actually witness their own destiny and heritage before their death. Matthew 17:9 records this event as a vision, meaning the kingdom with power was not a reality at that time. But the vision was very real to the apostle Peter, and because he was frightened he wanted to make three tabernacles for the three glorified bodies and symbolically reduce them to the earthy state as he himself was in. Peter knew what the tabernacle of the flesh represented, however in his unconverted mind he did not understand his own glorified destiny and what he was to inherit, which was the purpose of the vision. However later he understood that he himself had to die ("put off my tabernacle") to inherit the kingdom.
2 Peter 1:13-14 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting [you] in remembrance; 14 Knowing that shortly I must put off [this] my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. (KJV)
He knew he had to taste death as Christ explained to him in order to be glorified as represented by Moses and Elijah, which Peter had witnessed. Note his quote in verse 14.. "even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me", and he wanted to put in remembrance, those he wrote to, also of their glorious inheritance. There are many other things I could point out to you but I have written quite a bit for this time. So in conclusion who were the "ye" that Christ spoke to in His day? You are very right as you have plainly proven. Christ only spoke to the people of His day as the scriptures explain. However suppose you and I had lived in Christ's day and heard these words of Christ? These words certainly would include us, and we would therefore be the "ye" of Christ's day. The fact is, and this is so very important to understand, we were there and existed in the loins and genies of our Israelite fathers when Christ spoke to them. We are all of the same family, and Our Father knows all the members of His family before they are born of the flesh; and has chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4).
I hope this message will be taken in the right way, and I am not asking you to believe me. The true doctrines of the Bible are much bigger than we are, and there is much more understanding in the pages of the Bible than we can mentally absorb and comprehend in the flesh. After all, we are talking about the Creator of the universe and what He has inspired and preserved for His people Israel as to their history and correct knowledge of their salvation. We, in faith, call this the Holy Bible. We are talking about the God who created the billions upon billions of stars in all the billions of Galaxies, and knows them all by name. Some stars are perhaps millions of times larger than our own sun. The nearest star to our planet earth (among billions of other stars) is the inconceivable distance that, traveling at the rate of speed that the space shuttle travels, would take 400 to 600 thousand years to reach. Yes, I said hundreds of thousands of years. What kind of a awesome Creator God do we serve? Then we make the feeble attempt to explain the Bible, as if we can understand the mind of the Almighty Creator God. However we can know truth, but only as revealed to us by His Holy Spirit. In the meantime we just keep reading the Bible and then believe it. We do not have to understand, and therefore humbly acknowledge we simply do not know as we ought; of which I am the first to confess. Anyway I have shared things the way I personally believe, and hope and pray it will be of some help. God bless you.
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In His Service, MahlonQuestions or comments?... Email: wickey777@verizon.net