One of my favorite topics, although I also think it is the MOST misunderstood topic in Christianity.
In my view, to correctly understand about the Second Coming, one needs to have a correct* and clear understanding about:
(*Correct understanding = the understanding that God has regarding these things. aka God's viewpoint. Which may well not be the one limited theologians have promulgated for 2000 years)
The purpose for the creation of the cosmos, specifically
The underlying core principles of the cosmos, how it operates to fulfill that purpose
The underlying structure of the cosmos
What really happened in "the Garden"
How what happened in the Garden happened
Why it happened (who was responsible)
What it's effects or impact was
What the purpose or end state of the salvation providence is
How the providence is designed to resolve what happened in the Garden
What was the purpose of the first coming
What really happened at the first coming
Why it happened (who was responsible)
Why the second coming became necessary
How was the second coming of Elijah fulfilled
Why is that important
Why the scriptural prophecies regarding the second coming were written the way they were
Why it has taken time for the providence of salvation to be unrolled
What heavenly principles govern the development of, and accomplishment of, the providence
What the human role is in God's providence
How the providence expands (by what principles)
Why lineage is important in scripture and the providence
Etc.
The second coming is the culmination of a history of providence that God has unfolded, but if we understand that history only partly, if we do not grasp the principles that underlie it, how can we expect to formulate a clear and correct view of the second coming, or be able to correctly interpret the scripture as it refers to the second coming? What if our understanding of this is like unto the "understanding of a child"?
Paul wrote:
Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
So, what was Paul referring to? Even Paul, 2000 years ago, was stating openly that his understanding of God's providence and work was only partial. However, he also prophesied for a time when such partial understanding was superseded and FULL understanding realized. So, can anyone seriously assume that what they understand about the providence, let along the second coming, be complete or correct or less than "dim"?
Jesus: I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it. However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.…
Very clearly, Jesus told the disciples, what they heard and understood was limited, and that at some point in the future, someone would come - on Jesus behalf - to clarify and upgrade their understanding. We may THINK we know who "the Spirit of Truth" is, but again, what if that understanding is that of a child? I know historically, many have assumed and taught that this refers to the Holy Spirit, but then, what are these ALL truth things that we have supposedly been guided into, if that's the case? How is our understanding in any significant degree greater or clearer than the understanding of the disciples 2000 years ago?
Again, Jesus:
If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
What are these heavenly things?
The starting point of wisdom is to ask God, and seek God, and seek God's guidance, NOT by adhering to some rigid theological understanding developed by theologians, but by being open to God teaching us the truth. That's the main and most important thing. We see the results that not being open to a new understanding of the truth brings, from the very time of Jesus himself.
Thus, the above list of important topics.
Seek and you shall find, ask and it shall be given.
One of my favorite topics, although I also think it is the MOST misunderstood topic in Christianity.
In my view, to correctly understand about the Second Coming, one needs to have a correct* and clear understanding about:
(*Correct understanding = the understanding that God has regarding these things. aka God's viewpoint. Which may well not be the one limited theologians have promulgated for 2000 years)
The purpose for the creation of the cosmos, specifically
The underlying core principles of the cosmos, how it operates to fulfill that purpose
The underlying structure of the cosmos
What really happened in "the Garden"
How what happened in the Garden happened
Why it happened (who was responsible)
What it's effects or impact was
What the purpose or end state of the salvation providence is
How the providence is designed to resolve what happened in the Garden
What was the purpose of the first coming
What really happened at the first coming
Why it happened (who was responsible)
Why the second coming became necessary
How was the second coming of Elijah fulfilled
Why is that important
Why the scriptural prophecies regarding the second coming were written the way they were
Why it has taken time for the providence of salvation to be unrolled
What heavenly principles govern the development of, and accomplishment of, the providence
What the human role is in God's providence
How the providence expands (by what principles)
Why lineage is important in scripture and the providence
Etc.
The second coming is the culmination of a history of providence that God has unfolded, but if we understand that history only partly, if we do not grasp the principles that underlie it, how can we expect to formulate a clear and correct view of the second coming, or be able to correctly interpret the scripture as it refers to the second coming? What if our understanding of this is like unto the "understanding of a child"?
Paul wrote:
Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
So, what was Paul referring to? Even Paul, 2000 years ago, was stating openly that his understanding of God's providence and work was only partial. However, he also prophesied for a time when such partial understanding was superseded and FULL understanding realized. So, can anyone seriously assume that what they understand about the providence, let along the second coming, be complete or correct or less than "dim"?
Jesus: I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it. However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.…
Very clearly, Jesus told the disciples, what they heard and understood was limited, and that at some point in the future, someone would come - on Jesus behalf - to clarify and upgrade their understanding. We may THINK we know who "the Spirit of Truth" is, but again, what if that understanding is that of a child? I know historically, many have assumed and taught that this refers to the Holy Spirit, but then, what are these ALL truth things that we have supposedly been guided into, if that's the case? How is our understanding in any significant degree greater or clearer than the understanding of the disciples 2000 years ago?
Again, Jesus:
If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
What are these heavenly things?
The starting point of wisdom is to ask God, and seek God, and seek God's guidance, NOT by adhering to some rigid theological understanding developed by theologians, but by being open to God teaching us the truth.
Thus, the above list of important topics.
Seek and you shall find, ask and it shall be given.
One of my favorite topics, although I also think it is the MOST misunderstood topic in Christianity.
In my view, to correctly understand about the Second Coming, one needs to have a correct* and clear understanding about:
(*Correct understanding = the understanding that God has regarding these things. aka God's viewpoint. Which may well not be the one limited theologians have promulgated for 2000 years)
The purpose for the creation of the cosmos, specifically
The underlying core principles of the cosmos, how it operates to fulfill that purpose
The underlying structure of the cosmos
What really happened in "the Garden"
How what happened in the Garden happened
Why it happened (who was responsible)
What it's effects or impact was
What the purpose or end state of the salvation providence is
How the providence is designed to resolve what happened in the Garden
What was the purpose of the first coming
What really happened at the first coming
Why it happened (who was responsible)
Why the second coming became necessary
How was the second coming of Elijah fulfilled
Why is that important
Why the scriptural prophecies regarding the second coming were written the way they were
Why it has taken time for the providence of salvation to be unrolled
What heavenly principles govern the development of, and accomplishment of, the providence
What the human role is in God's providence
How the providence expands (by what principles)
Why lineage is important in scripture and the providence
Etc.
The second coming is the culmination of a history of providence that God has unfolded, but if we understand that history only partly, if we do not grasp the principles that underlie it, how can we expect to formulate a clear and correct view of the second coming, or be able to correctly interpret the scripture as it refers to the second coming? What if our understanding of this is like unto the "understanding of a child"?
Paul wrote:
Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
So, what was Paul referring to? Even Paul, 2000 years ago, was stating openly that his understanding of God's providence and work was only partial. However, he also prophesied for a time when such partial understanding was superseded and FULL understanding realized. So, can anyone seriously assume that what they understand about the providence, let along the second coming, be complete or correct or less than "dim"?
Jesus: I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it. However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.…
Very clearly, Jesus told the disciples, what they heard and understood was limited, and that at some point in the future, someone would come - on Jesus behalf - to clarify and upgrade their understanding.
Again, Jesus:
If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
What are these heavenly things?
The starting point of wisdom is to ask God, and seek God, and seek God's guidance, NOT by adhering to some rigid theological understanding developed by theologians, but by being open to God teaching us the truth.
Thus, the above list of important topics.
Seek and you shall find, ask and it shall be given.
One of my favorite topics, although I also think it is the MOST misunderstood topic in Christianity.
In my view, to correctly understand about the Second Coming, one needs to have a correct* and clear understanding about:
(*Correct understanding = the understanding that God has regarding these things. aka God's viewpoint. Which may well not be the one limited theologians have promulgated for 2000 years)
The purpose for the creation of the cosmos, specifically
The underlying core principles of the cosmos, how it operates to fulfill that purpose
The underlying structure of the cosmos
What really happened in "the Garden"
How what happened in the Garden happened
Why it happened (who was responsible)
What it's effects or impact was
What the purpose or end state of the salvation providence is
How the providence is designed to resolve what happened in the Garden
What was the purpose of the first coming
What really happened at the first coming
Why it happened (who was responsible)
Why the second coming became necessary
How was the second coming of Elijah fulfilled
Why is that important
Why the scriptural prophecies regarding the second coming were written the way they were
Why it has taken time for the providence of salvation to be unrolled
What heavenly principles govern the development of, and accomplishment of, the providence
What the human role is in God's providence
How the providence expands (by what principles)
Why lineage is important in scripture and the providence
Etc.
The second coming is the culmination of a history of providence that God has unfolded, but if we understand that history only partly, if we do not grasp the principles that underlie it, how can we expect to formulate a clear and correct view of the second coming, or be able to correctly interpret the scripture as it refers to the second coming?
Paul wrote:
Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
So, what was Paul referring to? Even Paul, 2000 years ago, was stating openly that his understanding of God's providence and work was only partial. However, he also prophesied for a time when such partial understanding was superseded and FULL understanding realized. So, can anyone seriously assume that what they understand about the providence, let along the second coming, be complete or correct or less than "dim"?
Jesus: I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it. However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.…
Very clearly, Jesus told the disciples, what they heard and understood was limited, and that at some point in the future, someone would come - on Jesus behalf - to clarify and upgrade their understanding.
Again, Jesus:
If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
What are these heavenly things?
The starting point of wisdom is to ask God, and seek God, and seek God's guidance, NOT by adhering to some rigid theological understanding developed by theologians, but by being open to God teaching us the truth.
Thus, the above list of important topics.
Seek and you shall find, ask and it shall be given.
One of my favorite topics, although I also think it is the MOST misunderstood topic in Christianity.
In my view, to correctly understand about the Second Coming, one needs to have a correct* and clear understanding about:
(*Correct understanding = the understanding that God has regarding these things. aka God's viewpoint. Which may well not be the one limited theologians have promulgated for 2000 years)
The purpose for the creation of the cosmos, specifically
The underlying core principles of the cosmos, how it operates to fulfill that purpose
The underlying structure of the cosmos
What really happened in "the Garden"
How what happened in the Garden happened
Why it happened
What it's affects or impact was
What the purpose or end state of the salvation providence is
How the providence is designed to resolve what happened in the garden
What was the purpose of the first coming
What really happened at the first coming
Why the second coming became necessary
How was the second coming of Elijah fulfilled
Why the scriptural prophecies regarding the second coming were written the way they were
Why it has taken time for the providence of salvation to be unrolled
What heavenly principles govern the development of, and accomplishment of, the providence
What the human role is in God's providence
How the providence expands (by what principles)
Etc.
The second coming is the culmination of a history of providence that God has unfolded, but if we understand that history only partly, if we do not grasp the principles that underlie it, how can we expect to formulate a clear and correct view of the second coming, or be able to correctly interpret the scripture as it refers to the second coming?
Paul wrote:
Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
So, what was Paul referring to? Even Paul, 2000 years ago, was stating openly that his understanding of God's providence and work was only partial. However, he also prophesied for a time when such partial understanding was superseded and FULL understanding realized. So, can anyone seriously assume that what they understand about the providence, let along the second coming, be complete or correct or less than "dim"?
Jesus: I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it. However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.…
Very clearly, Jesus told the disciples, what they heard and understood was limited, and that at some point in the future, someone would come - on Jesus behalf - to clarify and upgrade their understanding.
Again, Jesus:
If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
What are these heavenly things?
The starting point of wisdom is to ask God, and seek God, and seek God's guidance, NOT by adhering to some rigid theological understanding developed by theologians, but by being open to God teaching us the truth.
Thus, the above list of important topics.
Seek and you shall find, ask and it shall be given.