QUESTION Does every reference in the bible to "Last days" or "judgement" refer to Christ's second coming?
♦ANSWER
No. A typical "rookie" mistake is to think that every occurance of a word refers to the same person or event. This is because many bible readers don't take context, subject matter, audience, timeframe or even the actual words used* into account. They are also rarely aware that prophecies often have double applications (minor and major).
- [ * ]READER ERROR: Some expressions actually carry no time indications at all but are simple expressions of faith, 1 John 2,17 is an example of this it reads ..." Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but the one who does the will of God remains forever." All believers in the original Edenic judgement have understood that Satan's system of things ("this world") is condemned, dying "passing away"... heading for its end. All also entertain the hope of an eventual eternal reward sometime in the future.
Below is a list of text which it is claimed support the idea that the biblical writers preached a first century "return of Christ" sorted and explained according to context.
FALSE EXPECTATIONS
John 21.21-23 So when he caught sight of him, Peter said to Jesus: “Lord, what about this man? Jesus said to him: If it is my will for him to remain until I come, of what concern is that to you? You continue following me. So the saying went out among the brothers that this disciple would not die. However, Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but he said: If it is my will for him to remain until I come, of what concern is that to you?
- EXPLANATION: While it is true false expectations and interpretations arose within the first century Christian community, the inspired bible writers, Apostles and first century Christian leaders had as a commission to correct errors and counteract false rumours. For example the writer of the gospel of John clarifies Jesus did not say the Apostle in question would not die, he affirms that Jesus posed a supposition not an affirmation.
PROPHECY
Rev. 1.1 A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place. And he sent his angel and presented it in signs through him to his slave John
Rev 1.3 Happy is the one who reads aloud and those who hear the words of this prophecy and who observe the things written in it, for the appointed time is near
Rev. 22.7 Look! I am coming quickly. Happy is anyone observing the words of the prophecy of this scroll.
Rev. 22.12 Look! I am coming quickly, and the reward I give is with me, to repay each one according to his work.
Rev 22.20 The one who bears witness of these things says, Yes, I am coming quickly.
Rom. 16.20 For his part, the God who gives peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.
- EXPLANATION: Prophecy is effectively "history written in advance". For example a Prophet may describe an event as already happened although in fact it remains many thousand of years in the future. The introduction of the book of REVELATION has John, the writer, claim to be projected forward in time to what he calls "The Lords day" (see Rev 1 verse 10). From this projected future standpoint, all the prophetic events can be described as coming "quickly" , "shortly" "near" or "soon" from a divine perspective (Compare Romans 16:20 also a prophetic pronouncement)
A number of bible writers addressed events during or at the end of the first century. These were as follows
"DAY" OF SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTENMENT 30CE ONWARDS
Rom. 13.11-12 And do this because you know the season, that it is already the hour for you to awake from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than at the time when we became believers. 12 The night is well along; the day has drawn near. Let us therefore throw off the works belonging to darkness and let us put on the weapons of the light.
Heb 1.2 Long ago God spoke to our forefathers by means of the prophets on many occasions and in many ways. Now at the end of these days he has spoken to us by means of a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the systems of things.
- 2 CORINTHIANS 6: 1,2 : " Working together with him, we also urge you not to accept the undeserved kindness of God and miss its purpose. For he says: In an acceptable time I heard you, and in a day of salvation I helped you. Look! Now is the especially acceptable time. Look! Now is the day of salvation.
JUDGEMENT OF NEW CHRISTIAN ARRANGEMENT (Compare Hebrews 3:6) PENTECOST 33 CE ONWARDS
1Pet 4.17 But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but let him keep on glorifying God while bearing this name. 17 For it is the appointed time for the judgment to start with the house of God.
James 5.8-9You too exercise patience; make your hearts firm, because the presence of the Lord has drawn close. 1 THESSELONICANS 3:13 "... so that he may make your hearts firm, blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the presence of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.
END OF THE JEWISH SYSTEM : 70CE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMLPLE
1Cor 10.11 Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for a warning to us+ upon whom the ends of the systems of things have come.
1 Pet 1.20...you were set free from your futile way of life handed down to you by your forefathers. 19 But it was with precious blood, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, that of Christ. True, he was foreknown before the founding of the world,+ but he was made manifest at the end of the times for your sake.
1 Cor 7.29 Moreover, this I say, brothers, the time left is reduced
1 Pet 4.7 But the end of all things has drawn close.
ADVENT OF THE ANTICHRIST [emergence if apostate "false" Christianity**] END OF 1ST CENTURY CE > 2ND CENTURY
1 John 2: 18 Young children, it is the last hour, and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared, from which fact we know that it is the last hour.
The "last HOUR" of first century authentic Christiany
All scriptures NWT
CONCLUSION: Jesus used very specific words and terms when speaking about his "return/coming" (Greek verb, ERKHOMAI) associated with global judgement and his "presence" (Gk PAROUSIA), associated with global events effecting all humanity leading directly to that final judgement. It would be a mistake to conclude all prophecy, references and predictions refer to these two specific events when context and language indicates otherwise
FURTHER READING:
Are We Living in the Last Days?
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/book ... last-days/
1914 - A Significant Year in Bible Prophecy
https://www.jw.org/en/publications/book ... -prophecy/[/quote]
JW
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