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Post by randy on Aug 7, 2021 18:44:54 GMT
I heard the term "last days," and see a basic confusion with many who are trying to understand this term. What are the "last days," if they were designated as such in the apostles' time, and are also used for the end of the age?
Really, I think we need to understand that the term often reflects the fall of a civilization, such as when Israel declines as a nation of God, and is close to national judgment. It involves a state of apostasy from the true faith, and is accompanied by an imminent judgment of God against that nation. That is why it is termed "the last days," because a nation is close to coming to an end.
The entire NT era is, as I often point out, a period of "great tribulation" for the Jewish People. In Jesus time, Israel was coming to an end. It was the "last days" for Israel in the present era. They were engaged in the worst kind of apostasy--the rejection of their own Messiah, and the rejection of his eternal atonement for their sins. They were insistent in living in their own sin nature, independent of God, and covering it up with a facade of allegiance to the Law of Moses.
Their judgment would come about 40 years after Jesus was crucified by the Romans, in 70 AD. Clearly, those were the "last days" for Israel, even though there remains a future Hope for Israel, when Messiah returns.
So Israel came into a time of punishment called "the Great Tribulation." They were destroyed as a nation by the Romans, and sent into an age-long exile called the "Jewish Diaspora." Some like to identify the "Great Tribulation" as only 3.5 years at the end of the age, when Antichrist rules, persecutes the Church, and brings all kinds of calamities upon the earth from God.
But the truth is, the "Great Tribulation" began with Israel's "last days," when Israel fell into great apostasy and lawlessness, and came under an age-long period of judgment. During this same period, the Gospel message has been extended to non-Jewish nations, to enable them to learn the same lessons that Israel has learned, with the same results. Nations rise, become Christian, and then they backslide, sin, and come under judgment. Their "last days" ensue.
I hope this helps you understand why, biblically, the "last days" started back in the time of Israel's Roman judgment and continues until today? It isn't just the Rule of Antichrist, or an end-time period in which plagues are sent out into the earth. No, this is an age-long process in which nations hear the Gospel, respond, and then ultimately fall away, with few remaining to be faithful to the Lord.
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Post by mfox on Aug 12, 2021 2:45:27 GMT
I heard the term "last days," and see a basic confusion with many who are trying to understand this term. What are the "last days," if they were designated as such in the apostles' time, and are also used for the end of the age? Really, I think we need to understand that the term often reflects the fall of a civilization, such as when Israel declines as a nation of God, and is close to national judgment. It involves a state of apostasy from the true faith, and is accompanied by an imminent judgment of God against that nation. That is why it is termed "the last days," because a nation is close to coming to an end. The entire NT era is, as I often point out, a period of "great tribulation" for the Jewish People. In Jesus time, Israel was coming to an end. It was the "last days" for Israel in the present era. They were engaged in the worst kind of apostasy--the rejection of their own Messiah, and the rejection of his eternal atonement for their sins. They were insistent in living in their own sin nature, independent of God, and covering it up with a facade of allegiance to the Law of Moses. Their judgment would come about 40 years after Jesus was crucified by the Romans, in 70 AD. Clearly, those were the "last days" for Israel, even though there remains a future Hope for Israel, when Messiah returns. So Israel came into a time of punishment called "the Great Tribulation." They were destroyed as a nation by the Romans, and sent into an age-long exile called the "Jewish Diaspora." Some like to identify the "Great Tribulation" as only 3.5 years at the end of the age, when Antichrist rules, persecutes the Church, and brings all kinds of calamities upon the earth from God. But the truth is, the "Great Tribulation" began with Israel's "last days," when Israel fell into great apostasy and lawlessness, and came under an age-long period of judgment. During this same period, the Gospel message has been extended to non-Jewish nations, to enable them to learn the same lessons that Israel has learned, with the same results. Nations rise, become Christian, and then they backslide, sin, and come under judgment. Their "last days" ensue. I hope this helps you understand why, biblically, the "last days" started back in the time of Israel's Roman judgment and continues until today? It isn't just the Rule of Antichrist, or an end-time period in which plagues are sent out into the earth. No, this is an age-long process in which nations hear the Gospel, respond, and then ultimately fall away, with few remaining to be faithful to the Lord. Hi Randy I believe that the last days were the last days of the Old Testament days the last days of the temple and sacrificial age What do you think John meant by saying that he was in the last hour?
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Post by randy on Aug 12, 2021 5:44:59 GMT
I heard the term "last days," and see a basic confusion with many who are trying to understand this term. What are the "last days," if they were designated as such in the apostles' time, and are also used for the end of the age? Really, I think we need to understand that the term often reflects the fall of a civilization, such as when Israel declines as a nation of God, and is close to national judgment. It involves a state of apostasy from the true faith, and is accompanied by an imminent judgment of God against that nation. That is why it is termed "the last days," because a nation is close to coming to an end. The entire NT era is, as I often point out, a period of "great tribulation" for the Jewish People. In Jesus time, Israel was coming to an end. It was the "last days" for Israel in the present era. They were engaged in the worst kind of apostasy--the rejection of their own Messiah, and the rejection of his eternal atonement for their sins. They were insistent in living in their own sin nature, independent of God, and covering it up with a facade of allegiance to the Law of Moses. Their judgment would come about 40 years after Jesus was crucified by the Romans, in 70 AD. Clearly, those were the "last days" for Israel, even though there remains a future Hope for Israel, when Messiah returns. So Israel came into a time of punishment called "the Great Tribulation." They were destroyed as a nation by the Romans, and sent into an age-long exile called the "Jewish Diaspora." Some like to identify the "Great Tribulation" as only 3.5 years at the end of the age, when Antichrist rules, persecutes the Church, and brings all kinds of calamities upon the earth from God. But the truth is, the "Great Tribulation" began with Israel's "last days," when Israel fell into great apostasy and lawlessness, and came under an age-long period of judgment. During this same period, the Gospel message has been extended to non-Jewish nations, to enable them to learn the same lessons that Israel has learned, with the same results. Nations rise, become Christian, and then they backslide, sin, and come under judgment. Their "last days" ensue. I hope this helps you understand why, biblically, the "last days" started back in the time of Israel's Roman judgment and continues until today? It isn't just the Rule of Antichrist, or an end-time period in which plagues are sent out into the earth. No, this is an age-long process in which nations hear the Gospel, respond, and then ultimately fall away, with few remaining to be faithful to the Lord. Hi Randy I believe that the last days were the last days of the Old Testament days the last days of the temple and sacrificial age What do you think John meant by saying that he was in the last hour? I think that in a sense you are correct that OT religion coming to an end marked the beginning of the "Last Days," or the "Last Hour." It is the time when national Israel, and its system of Law, was coming to an end, requiring that all mankind rely on Christ for mercy. Though this is an important element in the "Last Days" and the "Last Hour," I think it also involves the history of Israel, because I believe biblical prophecy calls for a restoration of the Jewish State, when Christ returns. In this respect, the "Last Days" reflects the continuation of Israel's rejection as a non-Christian nation, which is a very long period of deterioration and collapse. For 2000 years we've seen Jews helplessly dispersed and beaten, until they can find their Messiah. So I suppose the question is, when this tragedy of the Jewish non-Christian experience finally comes to an end, will there be a means of Jewish restoration? As I said, I think so. But in my view, it must be a *Christian* restoration. But I think you make a valid point--why "hour" and why "last days?" An hour is a very short period of time. And "last days" reflect a terminal point, also suggesting a brief period in which something is resolved. I can't say it's easily stated--only that in the history of mankind, Israel's 2000 year demise would indeed constitute "last days." And if the turning point is to be narrowed down to a single "hour," it would be at the juncture between OT and NT, only indicating a single change, as opposed to how long that change lasts.
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Post by mfox on Aug 13, 2021 3:02:02 GMT
Hi Randy I believe that the last days were the last days of the Old Testament days the last days of the temple and sacrificial age What do you think John meant by saying that he was in the last hour? I think that in a sense you are correct that OT religion coming to an end marked the beginning of the "Last Days," or the "Last Hour." It is the time when national Israel, and its system of Law, was coming to an end, requiring that all mankind rely on Christ for mercy. Though this is an important element in the "Last Days" and the "Last Hour," I think it also involves the history of Israel, because I believe biblical prophecy calls for a restoration of the Jewish State, when Christ returns. In this respect, the "Last Days" reflects the continuation of Israel's rejection as a non-Christian nation, which is a very long period of deterioration and collapse. For 2000 years we've seen Jews helplessly dispersed and beaten, until they can find their Messiah. So I suppose the question is, when this tragedy of the Jewish non-Christian experience finally comes to an end, will there be a means of Jewish restoration? As I said, I think so. But in my view, it must be a *Christian* restoration. But I think you make a valid point--why "hour" and why "last days?" An hour is a very short period of time. And "last days" reflect a terminal point, also suggesting a brief period in which something is resolved. I can't say it's easily stated--only that in the history of mankind, Israel's 2000 year demise would indeed constitute "last days." And if the turning point is to be narrowed down to a single "hour," it would be at the juncture between OT and NT, only indicating a single change, as opposed to how long that change lasts. Thanks Randy I think the problem is that Israel is only looking for a Messiah they need to be looking for a messiah and a savior who is also God
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Post by randy on Aug 13, 2021 15:24:43 GMT
I can't say that any better. Very much agree--that's the problem. In fact, that's the problem in our whole world, including the "religious" world. They are problem solving without looking to Jesus.
Jesus isn't an instant-answer machine. He isn't a a panacea. He's Lord, and when we submit to Him humbly, He will show us through every difficulty in the love that is His.
Messiah is in my definition a relationship with God, and a partnership with Christ, in which we defer to him in everything. As long as we choose to go down his path of love and humility, we will end up in a good place.
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Post by foxjj on Aug 14, 2021 2:28:31 GMT
Here is a copy of an Inspirational that I wrote on The Messiah some time ago:
The word Messiah is the Hebrew, or Jewish title, of The Anointed One. In the Greek language the same word is translated; The Christ. Consequently, when we use the name Jesus Christ, we are actually saying; Jesus The Christ, or, Jesus The Anointed One. Reading The Old Testament, we find many promises that God made to His chosen people. Among them are the promises that He would send a Messiah.
The Prophet Isaiah wrote a great deal about the Messiah, declaring His many titles. As an example, in Isaiah chapter nine verse six we read: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." As you can see from this one portion of scripture, the Messiah would be no ordinary man. Jesus is that Messiah as the Angel announced to the shepherds at His birth: "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." (Luke 2:11)
Jesus is the One who leads those who believe in Him out of darkness, bringing Peace in this life. As God's Anointed Messiah, Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice for sin. After fulfilling His mission He has gone on ahead to prepare a place for those who have put their faith in Him. (John14:3)
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Post by randy on Aug 16, 2021 1:36:35 GMT
Yea, Jesus followed God's anointed path to redeem us. Everything he did was according to the word of God, expressing the word of God, to show us Salvation.
Messiah was initially looked at by Israel as a future king who would end all Gentile oppression. But he was foreseen at the very beginning, when Man fell from God's grace. He would be bruised, but he would also bruise the devil.
So Messiah is really both Israel's salvation and the Savior of the whole world. But his anointed path lights the way for us to follow, spiritually.
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