The text reads: “Published on Dec 12, 2018 – Messianic Rabbi Zev Porat joins us via Skype from Jerusalem to explain the significance of the secretive ceremony performed by the Sanhedrin near the walls of the Old City Monday, the final day of Hanukkah, to consecrate a stone altar for the future Third Temple.”
Jewish Temple Altar Rebuilt, Ready for Use
Rendering of the Jewish priests performing the ritual service on the altar in the Jewish Temple.
The Temple Institute in Jerusalem has announced that it has finished building an altar suitable for the Temple service. The altar, which took several years to build, can be operational at little more than a moment’s notice, reported Matzav Haruach magazine.
The Temple Institute is committed to preparing all the necessary clothing and tools for the rebuilt Holy Temple in Jerusalem. In addition, the institute operates an educational center for visitors and a preparatory training program for members of the priestly family who wish to be ready to serve as soon as the Temple is rebuilt.
The altar is a central component to the Biblical sacrificial service. In fact, there were separate altars for the incense and for other sacrifices.
The larger altar sat in the outer courtyard of the Tabernacle, and later the Temple. It was approximately five meters (16 feet) tall and 16 meters (52.5 feet) wide, with four “horns”, or raised corners, and a ramp.
According to the Bible, the altar may not be made out of stones hewn by metal implements. The altar prepared by the Temple Institute, under the direction of architect Rabbi Shmuel Balsam, follows this requirement.
It is constructed instead from bricks fired at roughly 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,832 degrees Fahrenheit), to withstand the immense heat of the Temple’s eternal flame and the weight of the sacrificial animals. Its measurements conform to the interpretation of Maimonides.
What makes the altar so unique is that it can be disassembled and reassembled easily, allowing it to be transported quickly and efficiently from its current location, on display at the institute, to the Temple Mount when the time comes. It was inaugurated in December 2014 and is now ready for use. With Passover around the corner, and the Passover sacrifice a central component of the traditional celebration, perhaps that time will come soon!
Editors note: New details have been released about the construction of the altar. To find out more, click here.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-security-usa-israel/u-s-warns-citizens-in-israel-of-rocket-fire-risk-idUSKBN1Z51P3
https://www.axios.com/netanyahu-israel-iran-soleimani-killing-b846c02b-f592-4b56-9827-9310cac092b8.html
God says what He means and can’t lie, nor does He change over time. He would never say it if He didn’t know it was what He would do.
“I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
– Genesis 12:1-3
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch.
– Isaiah 62:1
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they that love thee shall prosper. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will say now, peace be within thee. For the sake of the House of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.
– Psalm 122
“I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.”
– Isaiah 62:6-7
They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.
– Romans 15:27 (NIV)
https://www.timesofisrael.com/security-officials-doubt-iran-will-strike-israel-following-soleimani-killing/
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-01-03/israel-had-advance-notice-of-u-s-plan-to-kill-iranian-general-suleimani-sources-say
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-said-to-warn-gaza-terror-groups-against-responding-to-soleimani-killing/
Great insight Jacqueline
Israel has been a puzzle to me for many years as I also believe that the activities surrounding Israel from a historical perspective seem to synchronize God’s plans for mankind as a whole. In other words, as you also alluded to, Gods time table for man has been shown in the past to involve Israel in some capacity.
I think it is also important to remember that the people of Israel through Moses were given a specific way to measure time and this involved the moon cycles and agricultural cycles in order to synchronize mans activities with the divine will of God. There is a great deal of evidence that God’s calendar was at work when he sent fourth his son Jesus Christ as a ransom for all the nations and we know that the Anti-Christ will attempt to disrupt or change the appointed times ordained by God in the last days.
All that being said, I and some of the Messianic Jews I am familiar with have great reservations about what stage of progress and prophecy the Nation of Israel is currently in. It is my belief that Israel has even now yet to be truly repatriated as a people and a Nation. God’s dealings with Israel have always involved repentance and then restoration. It would appear that the blindness on the part of the Jews currently occupying the land is still in place as concerning the messiah, which would put the Jewish people as a whole (or Nation) in continued opposition to God. In other words, it would beg the question, “If God has allowed the Jewish people to return to their land as a Nation still in disbelief of the Messiah, then why did he put them off of the land for their disbelief in the first place”?
If you were to ask the Jews of today why God allowed the destruction and dispersion of the Jewish people in 70 C.E. (or close approximation) the rabbinic leaders will be very quick to retort the notion that their exile had anything to do with the rejection and murder of the Messiah (Jesus of Nazareth), but problems with maintaining covenant terms possibly with the sacrificial system. Incidentally it is worth noting that this is the longest period of divine estrangement from the Jewish people in history and clearly something unprecedented was done to offend God beyond what modern Jews believe the generic insult could have been.
The fact that the temple (as you also stated) has yet to be rebuilt has placed the Jewish people in violation of God’s law for those who believe that God requires sacrifices for atonement and has yet to produce the Messiah. This is also problematic for those who believe that the Nation of Israel is experiencing God’s favor as demonstrated through their being allowed to be a nation again.
If you look at the minor prophets as well as the books of Daniel, Ezekiel, Jeremiah etc you will find consistent themes about what the restoration of Israel would look like and how God will gather his people from the four corners of the Earth. To date there has been a surface scouting of the people of Israel, centering attention on Jews from Europe to the exclusion of Jews from other parts of the world particularly in African and other Middle Eastern countries. God also detailed through his prophets his methodical plans to heal the backsliding of his people through changing their hearts into obedient ones. The purpose of the repatriation was to glorify God as he stated in scripture that the restoration of his people was not for their sake but for the sake of his holy name.
It might surprise you to know how many Jews in Israel openly practice homosexuality and atheism. The fact that the temple has not been rebuilt, the gross abuse of the Palestinian people and other neighboring national groups, the fact that the Israeli government has been implicated in moving the agreed upon property lines with their neighbors through war and dishonest means, how they treat the strangers in their land, and the racial prejudice that exists against their fellow Jews from countries other than Europe illustrates that the Jews of today are still like the generation that existed during Jesus day and have not accepted God’s direction on much of anything.
Israel will indeed be a focal point of worship and will serve as a mirror of what arrangements and order exists in heaven, but I do not believe personally that this has happened as of yet. God promised in addition to the many blessings that he would pour out on Israel an end to the dependency on the rabbinic system as everyone will know God through holy spirit and would no longer rely on other men to interpret the will of God and learn about him.
Israel’s connection to the United States relies very heavily upon the Evangelical community and their belief that bible prophecy concerning Israel and the return of Christ are tied together. The problem with this ideology is that there is no reliance on God in this equation to direct the execution of his prophecies in our day, but upon the efforts of man which never ends well in the bible. This is not to say that the events in Israel are meaningless, on the contrary. I feel that they are important but not in the way that most Christians and Jews believe it to be. We may indeed see things by way of prophecy in the future that do not neatly fit into the interpretations that we were taught in scripture by men.
I think each and every one of us should use the time we have to center our faith and prove ourselves ready like the wise virgins who planned their activities with discretion believing that they had to be prepared to wait as long as it took for the bridegroom and packed a extra oil. I for one do not want to be in the foolish virgin’s camp who evidently relied on their assessment of how long they had decided to wait as indicated by not packing any extra oil for their lamps. If this is indeed the end of days then we can\’t afford to be on short supply of patience and endurance in God and his word.
Those of us who have resolved to wait on Jesus to tell us all things will not be disappointed as we have not seated our selves at his table but are waiting to be seated and desire to not go ahead of his teachings in anyway. For this reason I take what I see in the Middle East in stride not drawing definitive conclusions but to wait and see how events unfold and let God determine what relevance they should have.
Thank you again for keeping on top of these developments Jacqueline and the tireless efforts that you make to spiritually enrich all of us by offering different points of perspective as a facilitator and not a master of anyone’s faith.
I believe Israel is God’s Time-table and keeping eyes on it will help along with prophecy determine where we might be in this very disturbing period.
This is really me just thinking out loud from what I am seeing in scripture but a lot can happen “quickly” as Revelations says. And there is a lot due to happen before the attack of Gog and Magog on Israel. But I like to think out loud.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2019/11/27/donald-trump-impeachment-escape-hatch-israel-netanyahu-column/4298605002/
Trump is in Israel now and not in Florida as was reported by the news. He claims Isis wants to sign a peace treaty.
Netanyahu welcomes Trump.
There is the tremendous firing of rockets now going on in Israel, yet the Temple will be rebuilt in the straits of time or trouble.
The Temple has already been built and can be assembled quickly, the altar has been built and tested.
https://www.jewishvoice.org/read/article/update-building-third-temple
Does the prophecy speak of a man/government? that will allow Israel to quickly assemble the temple and begin sacrifices. There are about twenty acres north or south of the Dome of the rock and if they put a wall they can do it.
This allowance will be short-lived and the desecration of the temple will happen by the man putting a statue of himself in the Most Holy and declaring to worship him. Thus causing sacrifices to cease and becoming an enemy of a former friend.
I can actually see this now. The Kurds being abandoned shows the profile is there.
These are just musings and thoughts in my head. No claims being made either way.
Matt 24 is private with just 4 apostles and they asked about the end of the age. Notice that the Jews aren’t dispersed throughout the nations when he was talking in Luke 21: A careful reading of Matthew shows it is talking about far future than the destruction in 70 CE.
There will be another Temple built!
Matt 24: 3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’[a] spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.
Read entire scripture here:https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/mat/24/1/s_953001
It is interesting that “root of David” is only found in Revelation. Normally Christ is said to be of the root of Jesse.
“Lion of the tribe of Judah” is only found in Revelation. He is a lion conqueror and meek as a lamb, both in Revelation. This book really is detailed in its revealing!
Hi Jacqueline,
I’m still alive & kicking; just been away doing a lot of soul searching and “using discernment” as Matthew 24 puts it. Fascinating topic here! My own thoughts (for what they’re worth) is that when Jesus said about “not straining out the gnat” I tend now not to pay too much attention to detail.
I know that some people get really involved in working out Scripture, and there’s nothing wrong with that, as these topics are important and as we are curious creatures we want to know, especially about where we will spend Eternity – Heaven or Earth? Personally, I now hold the view that when I’m resurrected I’m not bothered if I’m in Heaven or on Earth, as long as I’m with my parents again, and my brother. I know this may sound a bit blaise, but to me I see my resurrection as a family reunion, and that’ll make me happy! And one day my kids & grandkids will join too. But we can only live one life at a time so I try to be the best Christian that I can possibly be as an individual.
So Jerusalem may still have a role to play in God’s due time? Didn’t Apostle Paul say something about that in Romans 11? And I think he was quoting Amos when he penned those words. Very interesting times lie ahead I’m sure!
Hubby, I actually thought about you this week and Henry asks about you often whether you commented,
I answer just as you that you are exhaling now, we all do. I just want to see my mom again so badly. It doesn’t matter where we are. Just everybody aunts, uncles, grandparent, etc all together again. So glad you are standing up straight now, being a man individually with our God! We love you.
I ascribe to MINDS, this acronym means to help one person at a time, to help one go help another.
I couldn’t get on board with pushing for a crown in heaven. In my heart like you , I will take whatever he gives me, just let me be with my grand, kids and mother etc.
So much is happening now and wed try to help where we can until an abused one can get up on their feet and take off running or walking on their own with God.
That how I answer when they ask where the different ones are.
We are a small rag tag group being propelled by Holy Spirit to stay the course as long as we have thousands coming on reading and just having a resting place until they can sort things out.
The main thing is to help them stay alive in hope until they can crawl out from under their burden.
Sometimes you stop and wonder who do we think we are???
The answer us if you saw us, A BUNCH OF NOBODIES! It seems Holy Spirit can work best with those torn down but get back up again.
It warms many hearts to see your sincere comment on your life.
As regards Israel. God never changes, He says simply, you are MY witnesses. He told Abraham that by means of your seed all share be blessed and your seed share be like the sand if the sea and inherit certain lands.
This has never happened yet. He said i will bless those that bless Israel and curse those that curse yum God can’t lie. She is his wife, He loves her among all the people in the earth.
So glad to have learned God doesn’t change and keeps his word. We can trust him.
I keep up with what’s happening in your country.
Are there any firs burning there? We are having a tough time on this side if the pond.
Oh btw, I have been listening to a few if the Anglican ministers views on scripture since you mentioned it some time ago and like what I hear, it makes sense.
Jacqueline,
Something along the same lines I have noticed kf imterest is that Jesus said those in the kingdom will be called least that practice and teach contrary to Gods way and law. So not that they wouldnt be there but that they would certainly have NO high position. So the many who teach contrary to the bible (OT and NT) yet claim they are special and chosen, it seems will be disappointed when they dont have the crown of rulership given them that they seem to think they have earned and wear already.
17¶”Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.
18“For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all things are accomplished.
19Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least mitzvot, and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Many find difficulty in explaining Jesus clear words here and also when he says “get away from me workers of lawlessness I never knew you”. I hope not to hear that one, the lower position is o.k. as Im already used to being on the bottom in this world, so even the lowest there should be better than the highest here, even the imagined one.
Lee Anthony, I like you quoted that he didn’t come to do away with the law but fulfil it. So that is why we see a temple during the thousand years as he must fulfil everything before the law can be over.
Yet when the New Jerusalem city come down for the marriage of the Bride here on earth, it does not have a temple in that city.
I asked a Bible Student sister when I first found them and learned they all was waiting on a crown as one of the 144,000. I said what if you are not in that number but still in heaven as they believe?
Before Henry and I sitting there she said she wouldn’t accept it! I said but you would get everlasting life. She said emphatically, no I would rather just die the second death And be gone. We were shocked that she wouldn’t accept what God decided for her but reject it.
People better look again at that lake of fire!
Fire refines Gold after you subject gold to it over and over again but never destroys or consume it.
Fire sterilizes a needle tip but does not destroy it. If fact for turns wood to charcoal.
Just saying fire don’t always consume or put stuff out of existence.
I took am just glad to see like John who baptised I can be a lesser one in the kingdom, but be there, alive on the earth. I see the kingdom rule in Revelation as Jesus on earth not ruling from heaven as the Witnesses and Bible Students have taught us.
Not adding, taking away or allegorizing Revelation makes it easier to understand Gods laid out future until the Ages to Come start.
I have found in my study of the Bible that it is not really about 144000 going to heaven as it’s theme.
It is about Matt 6: for Gods kingdom to come and his will to be done ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
Some religions have coined the phrase Harvest age or Christian age to say it is about choosing them to go to heaven.
So the question is Why should others worry or think about Jesus. And they say the 1000 years is about a second chance. Revelation shows only those in the first resurrection and survivors of the great trib plus those born and dying during THAT time are there. This kingdom rule is about Jesus and the saints ruling on earth not in heaven.
After the thousand years during the Great Throne judgement all who ever lived come back for an unspoken Judgment day.
Then Revelation shows in 21: and 22: that still it is coming down from heaven to the EARTH.
This gives all mankind hope that God cares about earth and not just the ones designating themselves as saved and living in heaven.
We win victory not by lauding it over all by power but by the power of love.
He redeems all creation that ultimately commits to him. He will have rulers from among mankind but it is about the Kingdom of God not the rulership of the consecrated now. The 2 disciples that wanted to be at his right and left hand sounds like most of those claiming heaven now.
This is just how I am seeing it from study now. It is about redemption, restoration by Gods Kingdom as the focal point.
https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Israel-shuts-down-tensions-rise-after-increased-rocket-attacks-607586
https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https://nypost.com/2019/11/12/nearly-200-rockets-launched-at-israel-from-gaza-strip-since-killing-of-islamic-jihad-leader/&ct=ga&cd=CAEYCSoSODcxOTk4ODgzOTU2NDcxNjA1MhowZTNkNmNhNmUzN2Q1MGFkOmNvbTplbjpVUw&usg=AFQjCNFBQRD1QhJB9eqX-MigMWMiGBP7-Q
https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https://jewishvoiceforpeace.org/gaza-attacks-immoral/&ct=ga&cd=CAEYcCoSODcxOTk4ODgzOTU2NDcxNjA1MhowZTNkNmNhNmUzN2Q1MGFkOmNvbTplbjpVUw&usg=AFQjCNHGC3NYpfEifFtaAsjziJRU_SXoOQ
I know some might know this but, All languages writes toward Israel.
Check the map left to right and languages right to left and up and down, all are geometrically pointing toward Israel.
Yahweh keeps his promise to Abraham not like we were told that He cast Israel aside.
The Church has not replaced Israel.
Christians are Witnesses of JESUS and the Jews are not Jehovah Witnesses.
79% of the Bible is devoted to talk about Israel.
My heart always hurt when I think that a Tribulation greater than the holocaust will hit Israel!
I wondered why the holocaust isn’t mentioned in scripture? Now I have found someone else that has a thought on this. It deserves a look and listen at least. Do I see holes yes but, anyway here it is,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7Lk6HWLnF0&t=312s
The purpose of this site is to encourage ‘Critical Thinking’, to hear what the Spirit helps others to see on our Holy Scriptures.
Israel responds to rocket attack!
https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Rocket-sirens-sound-in-Tel-Aviv-Gush-Dan-583473
https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/IDF-strikes-Gaza-in-retaliation-to-rocket-launch-at-Tel-Aviv-583480
Jacqueline,
Such wise words and so comforting! I’m so gla our paths crossed!
Hi Jacqueline,
Those false predictions are missing 3 other dates according to Judgement Day Must Wait and those are 1941, 1954 and 1958/9. Just shows just what false prophets WT are! God said in Deuteronomy that we should not listen to false prophets, and not be afraid of them!
Nubby Tope, the internet has been so helpful. I would talk about the 1984 prediction which was huge when I was young but elders would say “the society never predicted that”! Elders Circuit and District overseers denied anything and to me are the biggest liars because they practice it daily.They protect the governing body like Russell is protected by his devotees. Same religion just watchtower society more organized and richer.
1914 and into 1915 Russell had people still hopeful. The “invisible presence”, doctrine of error became prominent. Just a whole system of error.
But there was not TV, telephone or modern transportation so those old writings need to be retired and put away. I refuse to be bitter over this deception but will resist falling back into it’ new made up history being put out on the internet by devotees of Russell. No study of the ” studies in the scriptures” for me either as they are presented as gospel and can’t be questioned.
I am in a good place spiritually now and there is not great need to help others as many we helped have opened thousands of face book pages and YouTube etc. Now we old timers can rest and dig deep into study of the Bible, as we have with God’s help got the word out to JUST WALK AWAY! DON’T SIT DOWN WITH ANY SO CALLED JUDICIAL COMMITTEE!
This one thing alone has stopped suicides and those still in will talk to their relatives if not DF.
Another one of Christendom religions have lost their grip. Many never married or had children in both religions because of the imminent deception but they have the future to have all their desires satisfied. God is good and thanks to our savior Jesus Christ we can live again! It has been a great journey for me and now my hope is to be kind and loving as I will still gently help someone get free and stand by them until they can ?. I won’t point them to any religious group, just to Christ. Hopefully you guys will write articles of hope for the readers. We have a lot.
Jesus warned specifically against religions thst say he is invisible but has come! How clear now, God kept this understanding unclear until now that it can reveal the date setters of the 19th and 20th century. We will be able to tell all about them. Take care
Here is some information on the Parousia I thought might be of interest:
https://youtu.be/EA0Lpb7Q9Yk
https://youtu.be/uoh2ZZnqRYE
The PAROUSIA
ACCORDING TO GREEK SCHOLARS
G. Abbott-Smith
” … technical term for the visit of a King” — A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testatment p. 347
Henry Alford
“The coming of the Lord in the end … shall be a plain unmistakeable fact, understood of all … The lightning, lighting both ends of heaven at once, seen of all beneath it, can only find its full similitude in His Personal coming, Whom every eye shall see, Rev. i.7” — New Testament for English Readers Vol. 1, p. 167
W.C. Allen
[on v.27] “The idea apparently is that the presence of the Son of Man will not be local, but everywhere visible”
— International Critical Commentary: Matthew p. 257
W.F. Arndt; F.W. Gingrich
“coming of a hidden divinity, who makes his presence felt by the revelation of his power” “visit of a person of high rank” “of Christ … nearly always of his Messianic advent in glory” “gave rise to an opposing use … the coming of the Antichrist” — A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature p. 635
F.W. Beare
“The readers are warned to disregard any such rumours of a Messiah who is already in the world, but hidden, for there will be no secrecy about the arrival of the Son of Man. It will be as visible to all as lightning …” –The Gospel According to St. Matthew p. 470
John Broadus
“The word suggests … that Jesus will come and stay with his people … Messiah’s coming will be alike visible to all, and so there will be no occasion for some to tell others where he may be seen.” — An American Commentary on the New Testament pp. 482,489
W. Adams Brown
” … “presence” as opposed to absence … hence the arrival which introduces that presence … a technical term used in NT to denote the coming of Christ in glory at the end of the age … it emphasizes the element of permanent presence which the coming of Christ is to introduce … It has its parallel within the OT in the prophetic anticipation of the Day of the Lord … that great crisis of human history when J[ehovah] shall be manifested as the Judge and Saviour of Israel, and His Kingdom shall be set up among men … All the evangelists represent the Parousia as preceded by certain theophanic signs in the heaven” — Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible Vol. 3 pp.
674-676
A.B. Bruce
“Both expressions — in the desert, in the secret recesses — point to non-visibility. The false prophets bid the people put their faith in a Messiah not in evidence, the Great Unseen = “The hour is come, and the man is somewhere, out of view, not far away, take my word for it”. … the coming of the true Messiah … compared to the lightning, to suggest a contrast between Him and the false Christs as to visibility …” — Expositor’s Greek
Testament Vol. 1 p. 294
E.W. Bullinger
” a coming which includes the idea of a permanent dwelling from that coming onwards” — A Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament p. 169
D.A. Carson
“The term can refer to “presence,” “arrival,” or “coming” — the first stage of “presence” … closely tied with
Jesus’ glorious “appearing” … — Expositor’s Bible Commentary Vol. 8 p. 497
John Peter Lange
[on Matt.24:3,27] “The [parousia] is the [epiphaneia] of 2 Thess. ii.8; 1 Tim.vi.14, etc., in antithesis to the times of the hidden influence and government of Christ … So will Christ at His appearing manifest Himself by an unmistakeable brightness, irradiating the whole earth. It is not here, then, the mere suddenness that is meant, but rather the omnipresent, unmistakeable, and fearful visibility. The Gospel According to St. Matthew pp.422,426
I.H. Marshall
” … conceives of the return of Jesus to this world in visible spendor, like a monarch.” — The Epistles of John p.
165
J.B. Mayor
“visible presence” is regularly used for the Second Coming” — The Epistle of St. James p. 150
Alfred Plummer
“It intimates that the return of the Messiah in glory will not result, like the first Coming, in a transitory stay, but will inaugurate an abiding presence … The final event would be sudden and everywhere visible; there would be no sending of tidings that it was on its way … The Messiah would not lie hidden for a time and become gradually known; His appearance would at once carry conviction as to who He was, and there would be no need to learn this from others. The report that He was in one particular spot was enough to prove that the report was false …” — An Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel According to St. Matthew pp. 329,334
Lawrence O. Richards
“Parousia is sometimes used in a technical sense as the term for an official visit or the arrival of a person of high rank. But even then the word does not normally emphasize the person’s arrival but the fact of that person’s physical presence with those to whom he or she has come … When parousia is used to describe the return of
Jesus, our thoughts are directed to the fact that he will return in person …” — Expository Dictionary of the Bible
Words p. 65
A.T. Robertson
“The word parousia occurs in this chapter alone (3,27,37,39) in the Gospels, but often in the Epistles, either of presence as opposed to absence (Phil. 2:12) or the second coming of Christ (2 Thess. 2:1) …[on v.27] As seen visible in contrast to the invisibility of the false Messiahs …” — Word Pictures in the New Testament Vol. 1 pp. 188,192
Stephen S. Smalley
” … the primary thought in John’s mind is the motivation for Christian commitment provided by the future appearance of Jesus. — Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 51 p. 129
Joseph H. Thayer
“In N.T. esp. of the advent, i.e. the future visible return from heaven of Jesus, the Messiah, to raise the dead, hold the last judgment, and set up formally and gloriously the Kingdom of God” — A Greek-English Lexicon of the
New Testament p. 490
Marvin R. Vincent
[on Matt.24:27] “Shineth … The coming of the Lord will be a plain, unmistakable fact, like the lightning which lightens both ends of the heaven at once, and is seen of all. It will not be connected with some particular place, but will manifest itself and be recognized over the whole world. Compare Apoc.i,7: ‘Every eye shall see him.’” Word Studies of the New Testament Vol.1 p.129
W.E. Vine
“denotes both an “arrival” and a consequent “presence with”.” — Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words p. 11
TedR thanks for not being afraid to look up info for yourself and others. Hopefully others will add to the conversation without fear.
I really like where Alfred Plummer said no one would have to tell you Christ has arrived. This is A KING!
The Spirit has helped me to see all of us can understand the Bible if we ask for help in Jesus name. Small groups of Christians are really thriving spiritually on the internet as we are fee to check out what each other say. I am glad to see this day when I am free from constraint on Bible study and being terrorized by religious elder bodies.
PS: This is one quote from the link on the date setters: http://www.bible.ca/pre-date-setters.htm
1984
“The Jehovah’s Witnesses made sure in 1984 that no one else would be able to top their record of most wrong doomsday predictions. The Witnesses record is currently holding at nine. The years are: 1874, 1878, 1881, 1910, 1914, 1918, 1925, 1975, and 1984. Lately, the JW’s are claiming they’re out of the prediction business, but it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks. They’ll be back.”
Currently, the Bible students have prediction dates like 2036 there and about.
Kent this is really my answer to your question dealing with Parousia that is based on:
Daniel 12:11-13 New International Version (NIV)
11 “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.
13 “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”
I have had a difficult time responding because I don’t associate these scriptures with Parousia beginning in 1874 or 1914 because those dates to me are made up and assigned because Russell didn’t live until 1948 to see Israel become a nation and was speculating like so many of the other “Great Revisionist” during his time. Catholicism had released it’s ugly grip in 1799 and the Bible houses were on fire. But there arose what are called the “Date Setter” preachers, go here for all of them but I will name just a few.
http://www.bible.ca/pre-date-setters.htm
Mother Shipton, Thomas Parker, Johann Albrecht, Charles Taze Russell, John Wesley, Miller, and of course our late Harold Camping.
They all had their unique way of getting to their date. Charles Russell went the Daniel 12:11-13 route and assign a day for a year and got his starting point or got a date and counted back, I am not sure.
Normally one would just use 360 days as a year with these numbers and get over 3 1/2 years. Don’t know why he chose the day for year formula which I admit is in the Bible but to me, this doesn’t fit.
I am trying to use my mind also and can be just as wrong but this is it, my thoughts.
Daniel 12: is about the time of the end and has to do with Israel. From our study of Luke 21: I discern there will be a third temple (http://askjacqueline.life/conference-call-using-just-the-bible-research/) or at least sacrifices will begin again. (Refer to the articles above.) And that the sacrifices will cease and the disgusting thing that causes desolation will occur. From THAT TIME, I am understanding the count will begin of 1,290. 1335 and it will involve the Great Tribulation (see Dan12 below). So future not 1874 or 1914. 1948 hadn’t happened.
Daniel 12 New International Version (NIV)
The End Times
12 “At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise[a] will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. 4 But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”
I could be very wrong but I have prayed and looked at this. Now you see why I am not able to discuss Parousia with ex- witnesses that lean toward 1874 or 1914.
I believe Russell and the Jehovah witnesses JUMPED THE GUN. Choo choo steam trains and propeller planes are nothing compared to the internet and Concorde planes and who knows what will be.
A whole lot of assumptions have to be made to your mind and history to try and make the “Second Coming” of Christ fit 1874 or 1914. I only learned of the 1874 thing when I associated with the Bible Students and see how they are honest in their belief but my brain couldn’t accept this. It went against all common sense.
The Date Setters have constantly tried to defy Jesus when he said:
Matthew 24:36-44 English Standard Version (ESV)
No One Knows That Day and Hour
36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son,[a] but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
If Satan (the master of the house) couldn’t predict the day and be ready why is the date setting preachers doing so?
Parousia (/pəˈruːziə/; Greek: παρουσία) is an ancient Greek word meaning presence, arrival, or official visit.
There is nothing about invisible presence here but rather we are warned against those that say he is here but you just can’t see him! Acting as false prophets.
Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect–if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time. “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the desert,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. (Matthew 24:4-5; 11; 23-27)
So I believe He will COME again as the word Parousia suggest.
I haven’t wanted to discuss this but be satisfied within myself but it keeps coming up, so I decided to give my take on this.
Maybe others have some thoughts on it also. We discuss a lot on Thursday but many can’t make it and Holy Spirit has helped us I am convinced to look at this with clear fresh 21st century eyes without trying to fit it to other old thinking. Thank you
https://start.att.net/news/read/category/news/article/newser-these_may_be_the_3_deadliest_months_in_human_histo-rnewsernor
If we take the statements at face value on what constitutes the 144,000 we find definite qualifying statements about them. #1 They were virgins. No self respecting Jew would have been a virgin. It is a requirement to procreate according to Genesis. This idea of a superior position because of abstinence came into Greek culture when Alexander came back from the far East an was falsely impressed with the asceticism of the monks he encountered there. The Catholic Church picked it up an appropriated it into their system of celibate priesthood and accompanying celibate female nuns. Rev. 14:4 also says they were the “firstfruits”, and other scriptures support the position that that was exclusively the “first fruits” that Jesus began harvesting at the last supper because they followed “the Lamb” where ever he went. The list is not the list that was born to Jacob but reflects a list of only the faithful. I could go on, and on .
Thanks Rena, some good points.
IN his day, any aggressive action can be taken from anywhere in the world with all of the long range warfare available. Thats why the Korean president was strutting around so much, just to show off his abilities, a while back. Its called sword rattling. People are sure showing where their loyalties are however. We know where Jehovah God’s loyalties are because of all of his promises to natural Israel for the future. Romans 11. God is not a man that he should lie. I have always been impressed with a movie called “The Quarrel” about two Holocast survivors who have a great big argument about the existence of God. The main character, who has lost his faith said: “I know one thing God is going to have to apologize to us for the Holocast” The pain in his voice we all felt.
Rena do you know while looking up more on Jacobs trouble I hoped tofind that the Holocaust was the “double” instead of future events.
One out of three Jews were slaughtered in the Holocaust! Yet the coming tribulation is said to be worst! It brings tears to my eyes to think Jacob has more coming? I hope it was the Holocaust but it doesn’t look as if it fits.
One thing tho, it assures us that the Jews are still Jehovah’s people because Satan tries to annihilate them and keep them in fear. I believe that the “Bride class nationality is contrasted withe the many nationalities of the Great Multitude, not the small and big number.
Their reward will be great as the stars of heaven and the sands of Earth brings peace and glory to man.
I believe Revelation when it gives 3 points to prove the Jews are the 144,000. It says Jews’ tribes and how many from each tribe. 3 normally seals the thing said. So if this is right they will be glorified to the whole Earth and angels. I would love to attend their marriage feast.
Do you have any thoughts on that. Mine are just my brain understanding the Bible with help only from Holy Spirit. Take care
Some of you may not have seen these articles on Israel that happened this week.
Most have heard that the US president has said he will take troops out of Israel and his defense minister resigned!
Russia can go in and Iran and Syria can surround Israel and there are no troops in the middle east to go help her.
Could this be “Hooks being put in their Jaws” to drag them toward Armageddon.
PS: Please check your bibles carefully, there is no war of Armageddon it is a place to let us know where the chief concern will be Megiddo. Rev 16:15,16
It is the War of the Great Day of God Almighty but no battle of Armageddon. Just a note of how we have to not be sloppy with the scriptures now because things that seem to be the same,we are finding are not. ie Matt 24 chapter has future events that Luke 21 does not. It looks the same but different. Just what I see, could be wrong.