A Two-Part Question for JWs about Matthew 24:14

[Skeptical]

This question is primarily asked to JWs, but anyone with a Bible-based view may participate in this discussion. But my two-fold question is: According to Matthew 24:14:

14 And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations,+ and then the end will come.

a) What exactly was the good news of the Kingdom that was preached in the first century CE?
b) Since Jesus was referring to all the inhabited earth during the first century, what "end" was he referring to?

And the reason why I ask these questions is because I understand that JWs have a different interpretation of what the gospel or good news is compared to other Christians. Also, since the inhabited earth during the first century went beyond the Roman province of Judea and the city of Jerusalem, what concern would "the end" be for Christians living in other regions of the inhabited earth? (Colossians 1:23)

[Skeptical]

Why would first century Christians who were living in in Asia and Africa be concerned about the catastrophic events that would occur in Jerusalem foretold by Jesus in Matthew 24:14?

Matthew 24:14 does not speak about events in Jerusalem. The verses that concern Jerusalem and the end if the temple based system of worship there are Luke 21:20 -24

Would 1st century Christians in far away regions have been concerned about the plight of Jerusalem as described in Luke 21:20 -24?

Christians living outside the region would , (we can presume), have been concerned for the plight of their brethren, but they would not have been directly effected by the fulfillment of the features of Jesus prophecy that applied to the destruction lf Jerusalem.

I think its fair to say hearing that Jesus had predicted such a catastrophic event more than 30 years before it happened and that his predictions came true, would be faith strengthening for Christians wherever they lived, even though those outside of Judea would not have had to follow the specific instructions he gave .



JW

I am interested in the event and I live thousands of miles from Jerusalem and it was 2000 years ago. I even did research on the Arch of Titus. Very faith strengthening.

Um, okay. But what about Nostradamus' predictions? Also, what about scientist, Carl Sagan's educated foretelling of the 21st century 28 years ago in 1995? (See video starting at the 2:20 mark.)



And here is a quotation of what he said.

“Science is more than a body of knowledge; it is a way of thinking. I have a foreboding of an America in my children’s or grandchildren’s time—when the United States is a service and information economy; when nearly all the key manufacturing industries have slipped away to other countries; when awesome technological powers are in the hands of a very few, and no one representing the public interest can even grasp the issues; when the people have lost the ability to set their own agendas or knowledgeably question those in authority; when, clutching our crystals and nervously consulting our horoscopes, our critical faculties in decline, unable to distinguish between what feels good and what’s true, we slide, almost without noticing, back into superstition and darkness.”

https://bigthink.com/hard-science/a-pro ... -of-today/

[onewithhim]

This question is primarily asked to JWs, but anyone with a Bible-based view may participate in this discussion. But my two-fold question is: According to Matthew 24:14:

14 And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations,+ and then the end will come.

a) What exactly was the good news of the Kingdom that was preached in the first century CE?
b) Since Jesus was referring to all the inhabited earth during the first century, what "end" was he referring to?

And the reason why I ask these questions is because I understand that JWs have a different interpretation of what the gospel or good news is compared to other Christians. Also, since the inhabited earth during the first century went beyond the Roman province of Judea and the city of Jerusalem, what concern would "the end" be for Christians living in other regions of the inhabited earth? (Colossians 1:23)

Other, self-proclaimed, Christians go so far with the good news and then they stop. There is more to the good news than these Christians teach. They say the good news is Christ's death on the cross, period. He himself taught that the good news was about the Kingdom. It is clear from that scripture which you quoted. Why do these self-proclaimed Christians avoid saying anything about the Kingdom of God? It is actually a government by Christ that will rule over the earth in due time. We have prayed for it every time we recited the Lord's Prayer. "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on the earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:9,10) When I was growing up, we recited this prayer in school, yet no one knew what this "Kingdom" was at all. Why did Christendom drop the ball, so to speak?

Jesus' death on the 'cross' was literally the life-saving act of God and His Son. It is most important. But what Christendom leaves out is the Kingdom. It is a government that will bring an end to evil, and all the wickedness that some men perpetrate, so that righteous people can live in peace.

(Yes, the inhabited earth was all the earth that was known to the people at that time. But Jesus was referring to the end of Satan's old corrupt system of things and the beginning of God's new system of things here on Earth.)

"The God of heaven shall set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed...and it shall break in pieces and consume all [of mankind's] Kingdoms [or, governments], and it shall stand forever." (Daniel 2:44) Christendom is all political. It has neglected to inform people about God's own government. Christendom is in bed with the politicians, as you might have noticed.

[Skeptical]

This question is primarily asked to JWs, but anyone with a Bible-based view may participate in this discussion. But my two-fold question is: According to Matthew 24:14:

14 And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations,+ and then the end will come.

a) What exactly was the good news of the Kingdom that was preached in the first century CE?
b) Since Jesus was referring to all the inhabited earth during the first century, what "end" was he referring to?

And the reason why I ask these questions is because I understand that JWs have a different interpretation of what the gospel or good news is compared to other Christians. Also, since the inhabited earth during the first century went beyond the Roman province of Judea and the city of Jerusalem, what concern would "the end" be for Christians living in other regions of the inhabited earth? (Colossians 1:23)

Other, self-proclaimed, Christians go so far with the good news and then they stop. There is more to the good news than these Christians teach. They say the good news is Christ's death on the cross, period. He himself taught that the good news was about the Kingdom. It is clear from that scripture which you quoted. Why do these self-proclaimed Christians avoid saying anything about the Kingdom of God? It is actually a government by Christ that will rule over the earth in due time. We have prayed for it every time we recited the Lord's Prayer. "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on the earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:9,10) When I was growing up, we recited this prayer in school, yet no one knew what this "Kingdom" was at all. Why did Christendom drop the ball, so to speak?

Jesus' death on the 'cross' was literally the life-saving act of God and His Son. It is most important. But what Christendom leaves out is the Kingdom. It is a government that will bring an end to evil, and all the wickedness that some men perpetrate, so that righteous people can live in peace.

(Yes, the inhabited earth was all the earth that was known to the people at that time. But Jesus was referring to the end of Satan's old corrupt system of things and the beginning of God's new system of things here on Earth.)

"The God of heaven shall set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed...and it shall break in pieces and consume all [of mankind's] Kingdoms [or, governments], and it shall stand forever." (Daniel 2:44) Christendom is all political. It has neglected to inform people about God's own government. Christendom is in bed with the politicians, as you might have noticed.

Well, my next question may merit a different thread, but did first century Christians know anything about a two-class kingdom? Because from what I understand, JWs didn't know anything about this until the year 1935. Therefore, where is it in the Bible that God's ancient Jewish people and Jesus-following people had that understanding?

[JehovahsWitness]

... did first century Christians know anything about a two-class kingdom? Because from what I understand, JWs didn't know anything about this until the year 1935. Therefore, where is it in the Bible that God's ancient Jewish people and Jesus-following people had that understanding?

The bible indicates God reveals understanding progressively on a "need to know basis" ; so if the believers do not fully grasp the understanding of certain prophecy, it may well be because it is not God's time for them to (compare Acts 1:7). Early Christians had the book of Revelation but arguably since they were thousands of years away from when the earthly class would arrive on the world scene , they had no need to identify them in scripture.

[2timothy316]

[Replying to Skeptical in post #41]
Nostradamus made thousands of predictions and very few were near correct. Not from some prophetic knowledge but because of just shear chance. I could write out thousands of scenarios about the next 100 years and sure one or two will be right. Jesus, on the other made only one prediction about the fall of the Jewish system of things and it was correct.

As far as Carl Sagan, you're right, he is making an educated guess. Yet here is what was said about the days we live now in 2 Timothy 3:1-6. 2000 years before Carl.

"But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away."

Today, is seems everything is a crisis. Divisions everywhere, no one wanting to agree on anything. People only lovers of themselves and what they want. People simply hate someone else just for being alive. People that shoot first and ask questions later. People are stubborn and prideful. Meanwhile those that say they are followers of God. Yet when faced with choosing what the Bible says to do and what they want to do, they prove through their actions they are just hypocrites.

[Skeptical]

... did first century Christians know anything about a two-class kingdom? Because from what I understand, JWs didn't know anything about this until the year 1935. Therefore, where is it in the Bible that God's ancient Jewish people and Jesus-following people had that understanding?

The bible indicates God reveals understanding progressively on a "need to know basis" ; so if the believers do not fully grasp the understanding of certain prophecy, it may well be because it is not God's time for them to (compare Acts 1:7). Early Christians had the book of Revelation but arguably since they were thousands of years away from when the earthly class would arrive on the world scene , they had no need to identify them in scripture.

So, who of the early Jesus followers (before they were named as "Christians") believed that they were going to heaven and who of the early Jesus followers believed that God's purpose was for a paradise earth? (Since you indicated somewhere that first century Jesus followers had the belief of a paradise earth.)

[Skeptical]

[Replying to Skeptical in post #41]
Nostradamus made thousands of predictions and very few were near correct. Not from some prophetic knowledge but because of just shear chance. I could write out thousands of scenarios about the next 100 years and sure one or two will be right. Jesus, on the other made only one prediction about the fall of the Jewish system of things and it was correct.

As far as Carl Sagan, you're right, he is making an educated guess. Yet here is what was said about the days we live now in 2 Timothy 3:1-6. 2000 years before Carl.

"But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away."

Today, is seems everything is a crisis. Divisions everywhere, no one wanting to agree on anything. People only lovers of themselves and what they want. People simply hate someone else just for being alive. People that shoot first and ask questions later. People are stubborn and prideful. Meanwhile those that say they are followers of God. Yet when faced with choosing what the Bible says to do and what they want to do, they prove through their actions they are just hypocrites.

Interesting... However, would that imply that those 2 Timothy 3:1-6 societal characteristic didn't exist prior to 2000 years ago?

[JehovahsWitness]

... did first century Christians know anything about a two-class kingdom? Because from what I understand, JWs didn't know anything about this until the year 1935. Therefore, where is it in the Bible that God's ancient Jewish people and Jesus-following people had that understanding?

The bible indicates God reveals understanding progressively on a "need to know basis" ; so if the believers do not fully grasp the understanding of certain prophecy, it may well be because it is not God's time for them to (compare Acts 1:7). Early Christians had the book of Revelation but arguably since they were thousands of years away from when the earthly class would arrive on the world scene , they had no need to identify them in scripture.

So, who of the early Jesus followers (before they were named as "Christians") believed that they were going to heaven and who of the early Jesus followers believed that God's purpose was for a paradise earth? (Since you indicated somewhere that first century Jesus followers had the belief of a paradise earth.)

Was there a part of " thousands of years away from when the earthly class would arrive on the world scene" you are having trouble understanding?

[2timothy316]

[Replying to Skeptical in post #41]
Nostradamus made thousands of predictions and very few were near correct. Not from some prophetic knowledge but because of just shear chance. I could write out thousands of scenarios about the next 100 years and sure one or two will be right. Jesus, on the other made only one prediction about the fall of the Jewish system of things and it was correct.

As far as Carl Sagan, you're right, he is making an educated guess. Yet here is what was said about the days we live now in 2 Timothy 3:1-6. 2000 years before Carl.

"But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away."

Today, is seems everything is a crisis. Divisions everywhere, no one wanting to agree on anything. People only lovers of themselves and what they want. People simply hate someone else just for being alive. People that shoot first and ask questions later. People are stubborn and prideful. Meanwhile those that say they are followers of God. Yet when faced with choosing what the Bible says to do and what they want to do, they prove through their actions they are just hypocrites.

Interesting... However, would that imply that those 2 Timothy 3:1-6 societal characteristic didn't exist prior to 2000 years ago?

So you're saying the things Carl Sagan pointed out, did those not exist prior to the 1950s? Is that what he was implying?

That is not what I got out of it. He was saying that those things would become worse and more widespread as time goes on. The inspired writer of 2 Timothy was noting the same thing. He wasn't wrong. Even an atheist can see that people are losing their natural affection for others. Becoming more biased than ever, agreeing to nothing. Even looking to religion as new ones pop up every week. Religions wrap themselves up in politics, betray those that they once supported them or they betray one they once supported. They slander each other and bold face lie about themselves. Love of money has lead to denying things that the data shows ruins our planet. Facts are now 'alternative facts'. Did all of these things exist 2000 years ago? Yep. But they were not so intense, widespread, and deadly. If one can't see these things then they avoid the news and their head is in the sand. They say, "Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly as they were from creation’s beginning.” 2 Peter 3:4

[Skeptical]

... did first century Christians know anything about a two-class kingdom? Because from what I understand, JWs didn't know anything about this until the year 1935. Therefore, where is it in the Bible that God's ancient Jewish people and Jesus-following people had that understanding?

The bible indicates God reveals understanding progressively on a "need to know basis" ; so if the believers do not fully grasp the understanding of certain prophecy, it may well be because it is not God's time for them to (compare Acts 1:7). Early Christians had the book of Revelation but arguably since they were thousands of years away from when the earthly class would arrive on the world scene , they had no need to identify them in scripture.

So, who of the early Jesus followers (before they were named as "Christians") believed that they were going to heaven and who of the early Jesus followers believed that God's purpose was for a paradise earth? (Since you indicated somewhere that first century Jesus followers had the belief of a paradise earth.)

Was there a part of " thousands of years away from when the earthly class would arrive on the world scene" you are having trouble understanding?

No there is not. However, your question to me doesn't answer my question. Plus, in another thread, you or someone else mentioned that the first century Jesus followers understood that God's fulfillment of his purpose was referring to paradise earth. But now it sounds like you're saying that they were clueless about this because they were 2 thousand years away from it. Therefore, did you change your mind about that?