So then they don't believe in an eternity where we all head off the planet and earth eventually fizzles?
Right. Actually you do not have to be full preterist to think that way, either. I think that way. The earth was said to remain forever. However, I believe that occurs while we will also see satan and sinners and death removed from earth forever, with no one being born in sin again at some point, since all sinners are removed.
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The 3.5 years you described above is not unlike many conditions we see in our world today. I wonder how people that live in the depths of third-world countries would view our eschatology? It seems to me that a lot of the theology we have in America is GREATLY influenced by American culture and NOT seen through the eyes of the rest of the "real world".
I think that just because similarities exist in the world today that mirror the prophecies, it does not mean that the primary fulfillment of that prophecy did not come to pass.
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For example, the heretical "Prosperity Doctrine." We've got Creflo Dollar telling us we should all be possessing the best and driving beemers, while people in Ethiopia and Haiti are just hoping for a meal.
Good point. I agree with you there. But I can also believe that God does prosper and people in Haiti could exert enough faith for them to personally prosper due to miraculous intervention from God. Anyway, I see your point.
__________________ ...MY THOUGHTS, ANYWAY.
"Many Christians do not try to understand what was written in a verse in the Bible. Instead they approach the passage to prove what they already believe."
If we always compare one view amongst all the others, we will always consider how unlikely that view might be. But that is not a logical way to assess truth. THERE IS A GOD. And if there is a God, we are not left to GUESS at a myriad of interpretations. T, it really is not looking for a needle in a haystack the way you think it is. Like I said, no one would say it is impossible top use the REAL currency just because there is a proliferation of counterfeit out there. It's the same principle.
In a way, yes, I agree with the principle. But there are probably differences of degree (how easy or hard it is to distinguish a real bill from a counterfeit, vs real interpretation from mistaken).
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
You could be right. (I guess.) But, when it comes to today's Christians "knowing" pretty much anything about the intended interpretations of various things, prophecies or otherwise, some of them are (possibly) right about what they "know", and some are wrong. Partial preterists "know". Trinnies "know". Mormons "know". Just sayin'.
I think EVERYONE knows some things that they are correct about. And I dare say all of us also KNOW incorrectly in other things.
__________________ ...MY THOUGHTS, ANYWAY.
"Many Christians do not try to understand what was written in a verse in the Bible. Instead they approach the passage to prove what they already believe."
Revelation 1:3 KJV Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
HEAR
G191
ἀκούω
akouō
ak-oo'-o
A primary verb; to hear (in various senses): - give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), ([shall]) hear (-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.
THAYER:
G191
ἀκούω
akouō
Thayer Definition:
1) to be endowed with the faculty of hearing, not deaf
2) to hear
2b) to attend to, consider what is or has been said 2c) to understand, perceive the sense of what is said
3) to hear something
3a) to perceive by the ear what is announced in one’s presence
3b) to get by hearing learn
3c) a thing comes to one’s ears, to find out, learn
3d) to give ear to a teaching or a teacher 3e) to comprehend, to understand
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: a root
Citing in TDNT: 1:216, 34
But what is the sense of the word "Understand" here?
Here are some of the defs of "Understand":
2.
to be thoroughly familiar with;
4.
to grasp the significance, implications, or importance of:
7.
to accept as true; believe:
If it's "understand" as in being able to fully interpret, I think we're all in big trouble.
So if a person is ate and digested by sharks how is his flesh reanimated??
Let's not be so wooden about the interpretation. I do not think flesh is reanimated if it has turned to dust as though the dust is reassembled from parts of planes and cars and trucks to see those things fall apart when the rapture occurs like some UPCI ministers whom I know preached it years ago. The overall point is not reanimation, but rather PHYSICAL rising. God can make an immortal body for someone from NOTHING, but the point in 1 Cor 15 is that it is physical as Jesus' was. Do not miss the forest for the trees.
__________________ ...MY THOUGHTS, ANYWAY.
"Many Christians do not try to understand what was written in a verse in the Bible. Instead they approach the passage to prove what they already believe."
But what is the sense of the word "Understand" here?
Here are some of the defs of "Understand":
2.
to be thoroughly familiar with;
4.
to grasp the significance, implications, or importance of:
7.
to accept as true; believe:
If it's "understand" as in being able to fully interpret, I think we're all in big trouble.
We would not be in big trouble. Just miss out on a blessing. Doesn't mean we're lost.
__________________ ...MY THOUGHTS, ANYWAY.
"Many Christians do not try to understand what was written in a verse in the Bible. Instead they approach the passage to prove what they already believe."
Right. Actually you do not have to be full preterist to think that way, either. I think that way. The earth was said to remain forever. However, I believe that occurs while we will also see satan and sinners and death removed from earth forever, with no one being born in sin again at some point, since all sinners are removed.
I think that just because similarities exist in the world today that mirror the prophecies, it does not mean that the primary fulfillment of that prophecy did not come to pass.
Good point. I agree with you there. But I can also believe that God does prosper and people in Haiti could exert enough faith for them to personally prosper due to miraculous intervention from God. Anyway, I see your point.
But this would seem to insinuate that if a person starved, they didn't have enough faith. But in Hebrews 11, we see that many were destitute, yet they were specifically labeled as people with great faith....enough to be mentioned in scripture.
Doesn't mean we're lost.
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