The common argument is that JESUS was somehow referring to the "transfiguration," but here's why that is a terrible argument ...
From the time Jesus spoke Matt 16:28 ... to the time of the Transfiguration, was no more than 6 days according to Matt 17:1 (the very next chapter).
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"After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves." (Matt 17:1)
Jesus clearly said some of his disciples would still be alive when he returned - Matthew 16:28
So which of the disciples died during those 6 days ??? The answer is NONE OF THEM died during those 6 days.
JESUS was referring to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
John would still be alive to see it.
John 21:22 ... Jesus answered, “If I want him (John) to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"
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Rev 1:9 (NASB) ... "I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in THE TRIBULATION."
Rev 1:9 (ESV) ... "I, John, your brother and partner in THE TRIBULATION."
Rev 1:9 (YLT) ... "I, John, who also am your brother, and fellow partner in THE TRIBULATION."
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LET THAT SINK IN FOR A MOMENT.
The whole book of Revelation was written specifically to John's generation.
Speaking directly to His disciples, JESUS SAID ...
MATTHEW 16:28 (NLT) ... "And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now WILL NOT DIE before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom."
MATTHEW 16:28 (NIV) ..."Truly I tell you, some who are standing here WILL NOT TASTE DEATH before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."
MATTHEW 16:28 (ESV) ... "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who WILL NOT TASTE DEATH until they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom."
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The "LAST DAYS" were pertaining to the "OLD COVENANT AGE."
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Hebrews 1:2 ... "but in these LAST DAYS he has spoken to us by his Son ..."
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1 Corinthians 10:11 ... "Now these things were written down for OUR instruction, on whom the "end of the Ages" have come. (Paul was speaking to his generation).
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1 John 2:18 ... "Dear children, THIS IS THE LAST HOUR." (John said the "last hour" was in the day in which he lived).
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Rev 1:9 (ESV) ... "I, John, your brother and partner in THE TRIBULATION ... " (John lived during the Tribulation)
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HEBREWS 9:26 (KJV)"... but now once in the END OF THE WORLD hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."
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Those verses can not mean something different for us, than it did for them (the original audience)
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No matter how hard you try, you cannot separate the "LAST DAYS" from the 2nd temple time period.
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"As Jesus left the temple and was walking away, His disciples came up to Him to point out its buildings. Do you see all these things? He replied... Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” Mark 13:1
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NOW THINK ABOUT THIS ...
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HEB 9:8 "... the way into the Holy Place is not yet revealed as long as the OLD temple is still standing; WHICH IS A SYMBOL OF THE PRESENT AGE." (The age of the old covenant)
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In other words ... The OLD covenant "age" would not fully pass away until the OLD temple fell.
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Hebrews 8:13 "... and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear." (The age of the old covenant)
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So ... guess what happened in 70 AD ??
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As the OLD temple burned to the ground in judgment (70AD), a NEW Temple was RAISED UP. The "dead in Christ" were released from Sheol and ushered directly into Heaven ... The believers who were still alive and waiting were suddenly CHANGED in the "twinkling of an eye" when they received the SALVATION & RIGHTEOUSNESS they had been waiting for. They suddenly became the NEW dwelling place of God, the NEW Temple, the NEW creation. (This was 40 years after the cross) 70AD.
KEEP IN MIND that up until that point, the 1st century believers were still WAITING for SALVATION and RIGHTEOUSNESS.
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Galatians 5:5 ... "For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the RIGHTEOUSNESS for which we hope.
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Romans 13:11-12 ... "for now SALVATION is nearer to us than when WE first believed."
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Ephesians 1:14 ... " The Spirit who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance UNTIL THE REDEMPTION of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory."
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Hebrews 9:28 ... "He will appear a second time, not to deal with our sins but to BRING SALVATION to those who are WAITING for him."
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SO WHEN WOULD THEY RECEIVE SALVATION & RIGHTEOUSNESS ??
(Here's a hint)
SPEAKING OF THE TRIBULATION ...
In Matt 24:21, Jesus quotes directly from Daniel 12:1 ... which says ...
“There will be a TIME OF GREAT DISTRESS such as has not happened from the beginning of the world *UNTIL THEN*. - (Daniel 12:1)
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But when Jesus quoted that passage from Daniel, He made a slight CHANGE ...
"For there will be a TIME OF GREAT DISTRESS, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world *UNTIL NOW*, nor ever will again." - (Matt 24:21)
DID YOU CATCH THAT ??
In Daniel 12:1 ... "UNTIL THEN"
In Matt 24:21 ... "UNTIL NOW"
JESUS WAS SPEAKING TO HIS OWN GENERATION.
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The early "believers" (to whom the scriptures were written) were NOT looking for a so called "rapture."
They were looking for this instead ...
"CHRIST IN YOU is the hope of Glory." - Col 1:26-27.
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The Jewish historian Josephus recorded in WARS - (book 6. chapt 9. section 3-4) that 3 million Jews were trapped in Jerusalem in 70AD ... and just over a million were killed, in exact FULFILLMENT of Revelation 9:18 ... - which said a "third" of men would be killed.
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Revelation 9:18 ... "by these three were the THIRD of men killed, from the FIRE, and from the SMOKE, and from the BRIMSTONE, that is proceeding out of their mouth."
JESUS already set up His Kingdom on the earth. He dwells in His NEW TEMPLE right now (believers).
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The ancient Jews did not recognize their Messiah because they expected a PHYSICAL, GEOCENTRIC, ETHNOCENTRIC, MILITARISTIC, Kingdom (Zionism). - They refused His claim ... “My Kingdom is NOT of this world." - John 18:36
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Jesus said ..."The Kingdom of God cometh NOT with observation: Neither shall they say, HERE IT IS or THERE IT IS ... for, behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.” -Luke 17:20-21
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When you consider how the ancient Jews failed to recognize the 1st coming of their Messiah ... then it's not very hard to see why the modern church has also failed to recognize the 2nd coming ... Christians continue to make the same mistake as the ancient Jews ... always looking for a physical kingdom they can observe !!
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Paul said ... "What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the TIME IS SHORT. From now on those who have wives should live AS IF THEY DO NOT; those who mourn, AS IF THEY DO NOT; those who are happy, AS IF THEY WERE NOT; those who buy something, AS IF IT WERE NOT THEIRS TO KEEP; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. FOR THIS WORLD IN IT'S PRESENT FORM IS PASSING AWAY." - 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
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Remember the early believers were under tremendous persecution at the time from both the Jews and the Romans. This was no time to settle down and start a family because these were very dangerous times. The followers of Christ had to be ready at a moments notice, to flee to the mountains of Judea to avoid the Roman occupation of Jerusalem.
Luke 21:20 ... But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that it's desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart. FOR THESE ARE THE DAYS OF VENGENCE, THAT ALL THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN MAY BE FULFILLED."
^ Notice it says "ALL THINGS WRITTEN" would be fulfilled at that time.
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Now let's talk about ...
THE ANTI-CHRIST ...
REVELATION 17:10 ...
"They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while.
This passage, which speaks of the line of rulers in Rome, tells us exactly how many rulers had already come, which one was currently in power, and that the next one would only last a short while. Take a look at how perfectly it fits with Nero and the Roman Empire of the first century.
The rule of the first seven Roman Emperors is as follows:
“Five have fallen …”
Julius Caesar (49–44 BC)
Augustus (27 BC–AD 14)
Tiberius (AD 14–37)
Caligula (AD 37–41)
Claudius (AD 41–54)
“One is…” Nero (AD 54–68)
“the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while.”
Galba (June AD 68–January AD 69, a six month ruler-ship).
While on the island of Patmos, John wrote that the number is “the number of a man's name; and his number is 666."
Known as "Nero Caesar" ... His name in Hebrew equals 666.
But first, let's understand why John was on the island in the first place.
We have the witness of one of the most ancient versions of the New Testament, called The Syriac Peshitto ... which says the following on the Title page of Revelation
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John used a puzzle called gematria in which numbers are used to represent certain letters. John used this puzzle to reveal Nero without actually writing down his name. Remember, the early churches were being persecuted during this time—not only from the Jews, but also from the Romans.
“Nero Caesar” fits the gematria code number "666."
In Greek "Nero Caesar" renders to "Neron Kesar."
For the Hebrew rendering, "Neron Kesar" becomes "NRWN QSR."
The number values are:
N = 50 , R = 200 , W = 6 , N = 50 , Q = 100 , S = 60 , R = 200
Since the 7 headed Beast in the book of Revelation is generically portrayed as a KINGDOM ... we should note that it is ONE OF THE HEADS (of the 7 Roman kings) which received a death blow:
REV 13:3 ...“And I saw one of his heads as if it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.”
Nero killed himself with a dagger (June 8, A.D. 68) ... According to Suetonius, he drove a dagger into his own throat (suicide).
The mortal sword wound to ONE OF THE HEADS is a wound that should have been fatal to the Beast (Roman empire). But after Nero’s death ... the "Beast" (Roman empire) continued to live on and dominate.
"At that point, everyone was amazed and followed after the beast” (Rev.13:3 b). The seven–headed Beast seems indestructible, for the cry goes up: “Who is like the Beast, and who is able to wage war with him? (Rev 13:4 b).
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Nero demanded those who were to buy and sell in the market place, had to pay homage to his statue. The consumer would offer a pinch of incense into the fire, and smear the ash on their forehead or right hand, proving their right to enter to buy and sell. This was the mark of the beast.
The Divided Kingdom of Daniel 2 ...
The Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream of a large statue that represents four kingdoms, the last of which is a "divided kingdom" (a mixture of people who are not united). In verse 41, we find this "divided kingdom" is portrayed on the statue as the feet and 10 toes (a mixture of iron & clay) ... a "divided people."
Now FAST-FORWARD to the years of Jesus' earthly ministry. Caesar Augustus separated the Roman empire into 10 provinces ("ten toes") ...
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1. Achaea
2. Africa
3. Asia
4. Crete et Cyrene
5. Cyprus
6. Gallia Narbonensis
7. Hispania Baetica
8. Macedonia
9. Pontus et Bithynia
10. Sicilia
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DANIEL 2:44 ... "In the time of those kings (10 toes) the God of heaven WILL SET UP A KINGDOM THAT WILL NEVER BE DESTROYED (because it's a Spiritual Kingdom) .
During the time of those 10 “kings,” Jesus was put on trial ... and Israel rejected her Messiah (spiritual husband) in favor of Caesar ("we have no king but Caesar") ... This was depicted as an adulterous affair between a whore (Israel) and a beast (Rome). This "affair" would continue for 40 years.
The Jewish historian JOSEPHUS wrote that in 64 AD, the Roman empire (led by Nero) ... brokered a "peace deal" with Israel's religious leaders. After 3.5 years of "peace," this "divided kingdom" of iron & clay fell into a civil war. Known as the Jewish/Roman war, it ended in the destruction of the Jewish temple & Jerusalem ... just as Jesus had predicted in Matt 24.
The FALSE PROPHET of Revelation was the Levite priesthood (Israel's religious leaders) ... Notice John 8:44 - Jesus called Israel's religious leaders "CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL," - messengers of the Law that kept the people of Israel trapped in the OLD covenant dogma. They were the same leaders that rejected Christ ... and chose Caesar ... "We have no king but Caesar."
Rome was known as "the new Babylon," because both Rome and Babylon shared a similar history of ruling over the nation of Israel.
The book of Revelation portrays Israel as a "harlot" and "the whore of Babylon" because both Israel and Rome became as one ... in the same way as when a man has relations with a whore, the two become one flesh.
The “harlot” is an established label for Old covenant Israel (Isa. 1:21; 57:8; Jer. 2:2, 20), and it could never be applied to any other nation, because only Israel had a relationship with God.
It’s not a future scenario. He already set up His Kingdom on the earth. He dwells in His NEW TEMPLE right now (believers). The Bible says absolutely NOTHING about another PHYSICAL TEMPLE in JERUSALEM ... but it does say this ... "I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down." - (GALATIANS 2:18)
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If there is a 2000+ year gap between the 69th and 70th week of Daniel (as modern Christians claim) why doesn't Daniel, or any other scriptures mention it ? THE WHOLE "GAP THEORY" IS BASED ON SPECULATION, NOT SCRIPTURE ... and yet entire denominations are built upon this assumption.
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Daniel was adamant that ALL of these things would take place during the 70 Weeks (490 year time frame) that he laid out, starting with the decree to rebuild the Temple. Yet modern Christians insist that the time frame extends 2,000 years (completely ignoring Daniel). This is called Dispensationalism.
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Daniel prophesied that in the "Last Days" Christ would be cut off after 62 weeks.
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Dan 9:26 ... "And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off."
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The writer of HEBREWS confirmed the "Last Days" time frame had already arrived in Hebrews 1:2 ... "but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son."
Referring to the "last days" ... God told Daniel to seal up the vision "for it is a LONG WAY OFF." (Daniel 12:4)
While writing the book of Revelation, God told John ... "Do not seal up the vision for it concerns things that must SHORTLY COME TO PASS." Rev 22:10
If a "Long way off" was 490 years (in Daniel) ... How can "SHORTLY COME TO PASS" be 2,000 years (in Revelation) ??
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ANSWER >>> IT CAN'T !!
John wrote the book of Revelation as a warning to the early church about the destruction that was "shortly to take place" ... and that destruction came in 70AD (the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem). The Book of Revelation was imminent for THEM not us.
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Daniel 9:26 ... "And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off.... And the people of the prince who is to come (Titus) shall destroy the city (Jersualem) and the sanctuary (Temple)... And till the end of THE WAR (Jewish/Roman war) desolations are determined.
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The Jewish rebellion against the Roman Empire began in 66 A.D. By the Spring of 67AD, NERO sent his general Vespasian to put down the rebellion.
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2 Thessalonians 2:4 ... "He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God."
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Revelation 11:1-2 ... "I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure the temple and the altar, and count the worshipers there. But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample over the Holy City for 42 months." (3 and a half years).
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This passage has absolutely NOTHING to do with a FUTURE tribulation. It's ancient history.
The Jewish/Roman war began in 66 A.D. ... 42 months later, in September of 70AD, Jerusalem fell to the Romans as they trampled the city and destroyed the temple. The Jewish/Roman war dragged on for seven years, ending at Masada in 74AD. (Therefore, this is not a future scenario).
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At the mid-point, after 1260 days (3.5yrs) the Roman armies entered Jerusalem. According to JOSEPHUS, this was God's wrath upon "apostate Israel." The Roman armies of Titus would "Exact God's wrath" upon the unbelieving Jews during this time ... as prophesied - the priesthood was slaughtered - and their fancy temple demolished.
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Daniel 12:11 ... “From the time that the DAILY SACRIFICE is abolished and the ABOMINATION THAT CAUSES DESOLATION is set up, there will be 1,290 days. “HOW BLESSED IS HE WHO ATTAINS TO THE 1,335 DAYS!”
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After 1,290 days the daily sacrifices ceased, and the Roman soldiers defiled the temple with their ensigns. There were EXACTLY 1,335 DAYS from the 9th of Av of A.D. 70 (when the Romans worshiped the ensigns at the Temple) to the 1st day of peace after the fall of Masada (15th of Nisan A.D. 74) when the war officially ended.
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The Jewish historian Josephus recorded in WARS - (book 6. chapt 9. section 3-4) that 3 million Jews were trapped in Jerusalem in 70AD ... and just over a million were killed, in exact FULFILLMENT of Revelation 9:18 ... - which said a "third" of men would be killed.
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Revelation 9:18 ... "by these three were the THIRD of men killed, from the FIRE, and from the SMOKE, and from the BRIMSTONE, that is proceeding out of their mouth."
QUESTIONS you should ask yourself ...
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1) Since the focus of the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21) deals with the destruction of the old temple and city, isn’t it reasonable to believe that the age in question was the age of the Jewish Old Covenant - (especially since the temple and city were destroyed in AD 70, and the time statements point to a "soon coming event") ??
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2) In Matthew 13:39-40; 13:49; 24:3; 28:20; etc., isn’t Jesus referring to the end of an AGE (Greek aion) rather than the end of the WORLD (Greek kosmos)? In other words, if the author was talking about the end of the world, wouldn’t he have used kosmos instead of aion ?
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3) Daniel 12:1-13 said the burnt offerings would be taken away during the "time of the end" ... Since the burnt offerings ended in AD 70, how is this NOT the correct timeline for the “last days” of which the Bible speaks ?
Charles Spurgeon was correct.
John Wesley was correct .
Here is the FOLLY of Dispensationalism.
IS THERE ANY PROOF THAT CHRIST ALREADY CAME BACK ?
Tacitus (Roman historian & eye witness in 70AD) wrote ...
"In the sky appeared a vision of armies in conflict, of glittering armour. A sudden lightening flash from the clouds lit up the Temple. The doors of the holy place abruptly opened, a superhuman voice was heard to declare that God was leaving it, and in the same instant came the rushing tumult of departure." (Histories, Book 5, v. 13).
Josephus (Jewish historian & eye witness in 70AD) wrote ...
"I suppose the account of it would seem to be a fable, were it not related by those that saw it, and were not the events that followed it of so considerable a nature as to deserve such signals; for, before sun-setting, chariots and troops of soldiers in their armor were seen running about among the clouds, and surrounding of cities. Moreover, at that feast which we call Pentecost, as the priests were going by night into the inner [court of the] temple, as their custom was, to perform their sacred ministrations, they said that, in the first place, they felt a quaking, and heard a great noise, and after that they heard a sound as of a great multitude, saying, "Let us remove hence" (Jewish Wars, VI-V-3).
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Eusebius (the earliest "Church" historian) wrote ...
"For before the setting of the sun chariots and armed troops were seen throughout the whole region in mid-air, wheeling through the clouds and encircling the cities" (Eusebius' Ecclesiastical History, Book 3, Ch. 8)
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The History is all there, and widely available ... the problem is ... modern Christians don't look into the history books.
Modern Christians have never grasped the fact that there were 2 covenants operating side by side (simultaneously) for 40 years from 30-70AD.
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During that time, the OLD Covenant was gradually fading and "ABOUT TO DISAPPEAR" (Heb 8:13). Meanwhile, the NEW Covenant was just starting to gain momentum.
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IN THE FOLLOWING VERSES, notice the change of message - as it pertains to two different people groups, and 2 different covenants - Clearly, one has WRATH, and the other doesn't.
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NEW COVENANT WORLD ...
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"If anyone hears my words and does NOT keep them, I DO NOT JUDGE HIM; for I did NOT come to judge the WORLD but to save the WORLD." - John 12:47
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OLD COVENANT WORLD ...
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JOHN 9:39 ... “For the JUDGMENT OF THIS WORLD I HAVE COME, that those who do NOT SEE (Gentiles) may see, and that those who SEE (Jews) may become blind.”
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NEW COVENANT WORLD
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John 5:24 ... "Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and WILL NOT COME UNDER JUDGMENT but has passed from death to life.
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OLD COVENANT WORLD
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John 12:31 ... "NOW is the time for the JUDGMENT on this world;
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NEW COVENANT WORLD
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John 3:17 ... "For God did NOT send His Son into the world that he may JUDGE the world, but that the world may be saved through him." (Young's Literal)
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OLD COVENANT WORLD
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Rev 20:13 ... "and they were judged, each one of them, according to their WORKS." << - (That judgment took place at the END of the OLD covenant AGE, as they were judged according to their WORKS, as that covenant demanded ... (Old Covenant ENDED in 70AD).
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NEW COVENANT WORLD
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John 8:15 ... "You judge after the flesh; I JUDGE NO ONE."
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John 5:22 ..."Moreover, the Father judges no one."
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AGAIN ... the Old Covenant continued to be practiced until the OLD TEMPLE was destroyed in 70AD.
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WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR US TODAY ?? ...
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John 12:47 ... "If anyone hears my words and does NOT keep them, I DO NOT JUDGE HIM; for I did NOT come to judge the WORLD but to save the WORLD."
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Luke 3:6 ... "ALL flesh shall see God's salvation."
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Ephesians 1:10 ..."ALL come into Him at the fullness of times."
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1 Timothy 2:6 ... "Salvation of ALL is testified in due time."
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Jeremiah 31:33-34 ... "ALL men will know GOD, from the greatest to the least."
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ll Peter 3:9 ... "ALL come to repentance"
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1 Timothy 2:4 ..."Who will have ALL men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."
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Hebrews 8:11 ... "ALL will know God"
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Colossians 1:20 ... "ALL reconciled unto God."
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1 John 2:2 ... "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and NOT ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (He will get what He paid for).
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2 Corinthians ... "Through Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself."
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Lamentations 3:31 ... "For no one is cast off by the Lord forever."
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Samuel 14:4 ... "But God will not take away a life; He will devise plans so as not to keep an outcast banished forever from His presence."
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Psalms 65:2 ... "To You (God) ALL flesh shall come."
Luke 15:4 ... "If ANY stray, He goes after that which is lost until He finds it."
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John 6:39 ... "This is the will of the Father who sent me, that I should lose nothing, but raise them up.
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Psalms 145:14 ... "He raises ALL WHO FALL."
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Romans 5:18 ... "Just as one man's trespass led to condemnation of ALL, so one man's act of righteousness leads to justification and life of ALL."
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Philippians 2:9-11 ... "Every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord."(In 1 Cor 12:3 Paul writes that no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit)
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John 12:47 ... "I do NOT judge ANYONE who hears my words and DOES NOT KEEP THEM, for I CAME NOT to judge the world, but to SAVE the world."
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2 Cor 5:14. ... "We are convinced that one died for ALL, and therefore ALL DIED."
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Colossians 3:11 ... "but Christ is all, and in all."
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Romans 3:3-4 ... "The unbelief of some will not nullify God's faithfulness."
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Romans 11:32 ... "He has shut ALL up in unbelief to show mercy on ALL."
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ACTS 10:28 ... "But God has shown me that I should not call ANYONE impure or unclean."
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John 12:32 ... "Jesus will draw ALL mankind unto Himself."
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John 17:2 ... "He has authority over ALL flesh to give eternal life."
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Psalm 33:15 ..."God fashions ALL hearts."
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John 3:35 ... "The Father has given ALL into His hands"
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John 6:37 ... "Everything that God has given to Christ will come to Him."
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Psalms 22:27 ... "ALL the ends of the earth and ALL the families of the nations will acknowledge God."
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Titus 2:11 ... "For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people."
