Posted by Luis [followthelamb] on October 28, 1999 at 07:23:49 {BrTq3yWfsYQr78U8rp0YTco2oJsp5U}:
In Reply to: *Awake! 12/8/99 posted by Friend on October 27, 1999 at 20:06:26:
I appreciate your post and I can see that the apostle Peter under inspiration used similar words regarding the end of the Jewish Temple Age that truly did come to a close. The "parousia" is an event that has always drawn near ever since the apostles' day and is always drawing nearer for us even though no one knows the "day or hour." The apostle John under inspiration says, "for the appointed time is near" and even our dear Lord says "Yes, I am coming quickly." (Rev 1:3; 22:20) The apostles were inspired followers of Christ. But it is obvious that Luke 21:8 applies to those that have made warnings in God's name or in His Son's name that proved to be false. The Society's history speaks for itself regarding statements like, "The Time is at Hand!" that have proven false and disillusioning for many. I found responses to your earlier post quite interesting:
(Zack)
[Before we try to impugn the character and motives of these men, we should realize that while all four spoke of the "nearness" of the end and parousia, none of them, including Peter, ever announced that the waiting was over and the parousia had actually started, or that the resurrection of the sleeping faithful had already taken place. They certainly didn't advertise a specific year when they felt this would happen and for that matter, none of them attempted to ascertain this through mathematical calculations as several 19th century religious movements have done.
Neither did any of them attempt to create a following after themselves by saying ‘Look! Here is the Christ! It happened invisibly and if you didn’t notice that’s because you’re not a diligent enough student of scripture. Good thing WE are around to tell everyone!” Christians were to avoid those making claims like this. In the words of James, Christians were simply to "be patient."]
(J.H.)
[Let's face it: it's not an honest reading of the text that has brought you to this odd interpretation, but the fact that your sect would otherwise be trapped as violating Jesus' command. So you try to make Jesus not say these words, or claim they must be interpreted in such a limited fashion that a strong warning is rendered virtually meaningless.]
Therefore, Luke 21:8 is a fitting text for those like the Society or any other self-appointed spokesman that have made or are making the claim, "The Time is at Hand."