Is Scripture fulfilled concerning the return of Christ or must more come to pass before He could Scripturally return.
I know that the Pre Tribs (which I am) believe the Rapture could come at any moment because technically since Jesus will meet us in the air and His feet never touch the Mt. Of Olive it doesn't constitute a "return".
So, with that said. Rapture aside, Is Scripture fulfilled concerning the return of Christ or must more come to pass before He could Scripturally return knowing that when He does it's the Day of the LORD, that great and awful day which the likes of never has been and never will again.
I think that Scripture is fulfilled and Christ could come any day.
However, this was also the view of the Early Church as they anticipated His return.
As generations pass it seems to me that we see more and more indicators or situations that point to His coming.
For example, it would have been impossible for previous generations of the world to have witnessed events that occur in a single given place on the globe.
Now this is a daily reality as we vicariously experience through media and technology what is happening on the other side of the world.
I also think of the establishment of Israel as a nation.
This had not been the case for centuries and was foreign to the Early Church.
Perhaps 100 years from now Christians will see His return as more imminent than we could have imagined, or perhaps Christ will come tomorrow.
This is one of the areas that I am not as knowledgeable as I should be. I should have my position and defense of that position down "pat". But I only started being concerned with such teachings recently. For a long time I didn't see Eschatology has "of great importance" then I realized that It is of the greatest importance and began to study.
Eschatology is mentioned in nearly every book of the bible in some manner or comment. It was important to them, it should be important to us. I know like many other topics it is an area of much debate.
The bible indicates that another temple will be built before He returns for judgement. So I would say that as far as return for "Judgement" it couldn't be today.
I survived a few classes in seminary, but I also questioned eschatology as being a topic worthy the emphasis it often garnered.
Perhaps the focus Scripture gives to these times is not the same as we often possess.
Too often eschatology becomes a theory that is based on Scripture but not founded upon explicit biblical texts as men become dogmatically mired in their own understanding.
It is worthy of exploration, and certainly it is important insofar as it is biblical.
But devoting time speculating on how God's plan will unfold pales in importance to our faithfulness as it unfolds.
Jesus will come before Santa Claus (e for Saltee & Scarlett O'))
Perhaps a better name to draw conversation would have been:
Jesus will come before Santa does. Which one is of greatest importance to spend time debating?
The Church is the welcoming committee, not the caterers. It's not our job to speculate when He will return, just that He will return.
I don't think there are any prophecies that need to be fulfilled before His return. And I'm certainly not going to split hairs over a technicality that because His feet don't touch the ground it's not a "real" return.
I've heard Billy Graham say that when the gospel has been preached to every nation----then the Lord will return
Well-----the Gospel has ALREADY been preached to every nation
1) The Jews out of "every nation" heard the Gospel preached at Pentecost---in Jerusalem
2) The Gentiles out of "every nation" had gathered at Antioch and heard the Gospel being preached themselves
I've heard people come up with all sorts of reasonings, thoughts, etc----one like---
Well----the reason the Lord hasn't returned is because He's waiting on a few more people to be saved----He's "postponing" his return---moving the day back---then back again, and again----just waiting on a few more folks to be saved
But Believers need to understand----there is a day marked on God's heavenly calendar---that has been etched there from the eons of eternity past----that when that day comes---regardless of who has and who hasn't been saved----He will return on that day---
When the day of His return comes----if Aunt Polly hasn't been saved---or if Uncle Johnny hasn't been saved----they will be left to enter into what Jesus describes as "The Day of Jacob's Trouble!!"
well, haha, I did say brief and incomplete. I'm not the one to give a detailed answer, as I am just beginning to study Eschatology. A few minutes on google should give you the additional info you seek. If you don't have it soon I'll come back and give you my opinion. Free at that.
I was raised a Dispie, I'm familiar with the arguments. I was curious to see if you actually could prove your case from scripture without relying on others. Nothing wrong with citing others as long as you understand their arguments
and could make them yourself givin time.
To answer your question, NO. I know I should be able to and am trying to get it all together. I know what I believe, and believe what I believe to be taught in Scripture. I just can't at this point lay out the Scripture in a systematic form to "defend" my position. I am working on that.
Fair enough, but it seems you've been taught a system "I know what I believe" but did not come to that belief through study," I just can't at this point lay out the Scripture in a systematic form to "defend" my position.".
My advice to you is to do what I did, read and study the arguments that support your view, then do the same for the arguments against your view. I think you will find it exciting and profitable.:thumbsup: