Jesus tells us to worship Him in spirit and truth John 4:23-24 God's truth is the bible, His word, Jesus. When we read the bible we learn truth. We grow in the knowledge of His Word. This makes us accepted by Him. It teaches us how to teach others accurately. 2 Tim. 2:15 We need the Word of God (bible) to properly develop spiritually. Knowing the scriptures makes us equipped to serve God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 We can never reach a point where we know enough biblical knowledge. So the person out there that is not standing in his kingdom, should continually study the Scriptures to learn deeper truths until the day we die. If we do not try and understand the biblical doctrine and continue to look for truth, then we will never know how to worship Him. We must worship in spirit and truth. Some may say "I believe something different than you do. Why should I take time to study your beliefs?" Let me just say, I have studied what you believe for many years. I have examined both views of eschatology. God has graciously blessed me and caused me to realize the truth of fulfilled prophecy in the first century during that historical time period of Christ and the Apostles. Let me show you more truth. Let me show what Jesus and the apostle said. We can agree, what they said is truth right? If we pray and seek guidance from the Holy Spirit with a humble and learning spirit, and afterwards then conclude that it is not reasonable; then it will make your position much more credible.
God's truth is love and we're told to be humble toward one another. 1 Pet.5:5 God gives us grace when we're humble. But to the knowing all the on that's boastful and proud, God is against. James 4:6 God tells us to show our love in truth. And in 2 John 6 we're told to walk in love. So let's receive His grace and set aside or pride and study in His Spirit. Let's seek His Kingdom truths found in His word.
In the first century Christ and the Apostles taught all prophecy would be fulfilled in their lifetime. Matt.16:27-28; Matt.24:34; Heb.10:37; Rev.1:1-3. If this is true then that means when we die we will go directly to heaven with our new body. I believe when I die, that very moment I will be face to face with Jesus. There is evidence from the word himself that will happen.
Jesus has accomplished many amazing things that we will never know about until we get to the Heavenly Kingdom. Jesus has fulfilled all prophecies and according to His word He has consummated our salvation and all is finished Heb.9:28. This is better news than waiting and waiting. He tells us how to live in His Kingdom now. Jesus returned in the first century (70 AD) as completed victory for us. We do not need to wait for His coming. He already came. We have our salvation fully consummated. Heb.9:28
Hebrews 10:37 tell us Jesus would return in a little while, and that He will not be late. And all of the N.T. writers make it clear it would happen in their lifetime. Jesus was not late He returned at His second coming in 70 AD Just like He told His disciples. (He would come in their lifetime) Many first century Christians were persecuted, many were tortured and killed. When Christ returned He raised the dead and rescued those then living who where waiting for Him to come 1 Thess.4:14-18
Living in God's earthly kingdom, everything has been fulfilled for us. We have been judge by Christ already. Again, when we die on earth, We immediately enter the physical presence of Christ in heaven for eternity. 1 Cor.15:53-54
Let's look at the word "soon"
How do we know that "soon" really meant soon, as the word is defined in the
dictionary ("close in time")? Answer: Because there are
over 100 passages in the
New Testament that confirm this time line. Jesus said his return (Greek "Parousia,"
meaning "presence") would be while some of those living in the first century
were still alive. That's what "soon" means. Examples: Matthew 10:23; 16:27-28;
24:29-34; 26:64.
In Revelation, Jesus' "soon" return was announced by "about to happen," "must shortly take place," and
"the time is near." You just cannot
twist Scripture to make "soon" mean thousands of years later especially because
of these clarifying statements. Was Jesus a true prophet or not?! I'm
saying Jesus is a true prophet. If you're saying He did not return when He
said He was you're calling Him a liar.
Let's take another look.
Revelation 1:1, 22:6, 22:7, 22:12, 22:20,
Don't you think Jesus is trying to tell them something? He's coming quickly in the first century. Many will say Jesus didn't come and that's why they think Jesus is still coming in the future.
Mark 9:1, will not taste death until He comes.
Mark 13:30 generation will not pass away un till He comes.
Jesus said he would be back before the end of the first century. You cannot keep saying, "He is coming soon"
Maybe the problem of the second coming is us. A prophecy told by Jesus will come true no matter what anyone says.
Luke 21:5-6 not one stone - this is talking about the temple being destroyed at His coming.
Luke 21:7 -when will these things be?
Mat 24:3 when
Mark 13:4 when
Its very clear they are asking when will the Temple be destroyed?
Luke 21:7 What will be the signs?
They asked What will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?
All of the signs Jesus describe were identical to what happened in 70 AD of the destruction of Jerusalem
They connected that the coming of Jesus would occur when the Temple would be destroyed They asked when will the end of the age occur.
The word coming is the word Parousia. they did not know Jesus would be leaving and coming back again. They thought Jesus was staying in Jerusalem and rule as King. Jesus talked to them about His death and going to His Father. And there say what? what are you talking about. They didn't get it at all. Look at John 16:16-17
Even after the crucifixion they didn't understand, He was going to be raised from the dead. If they had no idea of Jesus death, why would they ask about his return?
Well they wanted to see the Parousia. They wanted to see the power of the Kingdom. They say you been telling us of the kingdom coming where is it?
In Daniel 9:26 they knew the Temple would be destroyed they knew their bible.
Luke 21:20-22 surrounded by armies - flee to the mountains.
Micah 3:12 Clearly describes the destruction of Jerusalem - fulfilled
Mat 24:34 this generation! not two or three thousand years later.
Do you think the disciples would ask a question like, so if this is not for us in our lifetime why are you telling us this that's going to happen 2,000 years into the future. Again what meaning would it have for them, if it were for the 21st century and beyond. He was looking right at them and said "This generation" If it were not for them, He could have said "That Generation" meaning in the future. But He didn't. A generation is 40 years and the temple was completely destroyed 40 years later.
I hear someone out there saying "What about the "day or the
hour that no one knows?" and
"a day is as a thousand years." Matthew 24:36; 2 Peter 3:8. If you are
using these two verses and think that's enough to shut off all discussion
I just ask you to take the time and understand it's meaning. I'm not going
to spend much time on these two points so I'll get to the point.
Let's read a couple of verses before the "no one knows the day or the hour" in Matthew 24:36, so that we don't just pull it out of context. Let's start in verse 34 Matthew 24:34 Jesus said "Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place". For starters, Jesus is saying it would happen in the first century not in the 21st century. The day and the hour took place between 66 AD and 70 AD (3-1/2 years prophesied by Daniel 12:7,11)
The context is the end of the age Matthew 24:3 (The Old Covenant) Temple destroyed (Matthew 24:2). Jesus tells his disciples that this was imminent when they saw Jerusalem surrounded by armies (Luke 21:20-24). Then it would be "about to happen" (Luke 21:36,. These prophecies were fulfilled in AD 70.
Basically Jesus was saying, I cannot tell you the day or the hour when all these things will happen, but they will happen before some of you kick the bucket. And the time frame will be between 66-70 AD as prophesied by Daniel. Regarding "this generation", Jesus said the same thing in other ways, like "some standing here will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom" (Matthew 16:28; Matthew 10:23; 26:64; Revelation 1:1-3; 22:6-20).
Okay let's look at "a day is as a thousand years" What is the context? The context is, the scoffers were reminding Peter that Jesus had promised to return in judgment in their generation. Peter tells them "God is not slow to fulfill his promise" as they were "waiting for the hastening day of the Lord" (2 Peter 3:12). Peter wrote and warned those about the soon coming destruction in 66-70 AD when Jerusalem was wiped out, and the temple was destroyed. "A day is as a thousand years" cannot be taken literally. Peter is saying God in not slow, it will be in His time, when He chooses.