Parousia

[Nonson]

The subject is Parousia. Anyone have some well reasoned opinions, or your church's position on it? Peace

[BenCA]

What opinions? I think that there will be parousia. what is your opinion on this

[Nonson]

BenCa, at this point I don't believe my opinion to be important. There are surely those out there in cyberspace who have very definite ideas about Parousia. _____________________________________________ There is a mythical(?) teaching of the Algonquian tribe that there is a supernatural force that pervades all of the natural world. Sort of akin to the Force in Star Wars. This same idea is to be found among the Ojibwa tribe, but they call it a god. The Algonquian call it manitou, the Ojibwa, manito. There are other primitive peoples who hold similar ideas. And a lot can be inferred from them. Peace

[andrewblow]

Hi, all >

I believe (Bill - sorry - I'm going to use that word quite a lot - it simply means I believe the Bible as I understand it).......

That Jesus Christ is coming back to this earth in bodily, personally recognisable form (You won't have to have SEEN Him - we'll all know !!!!). I am the first to say that other sincere believers may see it differenly, or consider things may have a different order, but the following is what I believe is based on the teaching AND the context of Scripture > > >

Certain world events are prophesied before this happens:
The formation of the State of Israel : 1948
Russia's invasion of Israel (not yet)
One World Government (not yet)...etc.

However, God has set out a specific 7 year period through which He will take the world - usually called 'The Tribulation'. Around the beginning of this time will be (what is sometimes called) 'The Rapture of the Church' when ALL TRUE BELIEVERS - WHATEVER THEIR DENOMINATION (total known only to God)will be taken out of this world to spend time WITH GOD. (Why do you think some USA airlines don't let both captain + no. 1 be believers?? - the plane would be left uncontrolled).

When the 'CHURCH' is gone, God will bring judgement onto the earth.......but the Israelite nation will have SEEN AND RECOGNISED HER MESSIAH and will set about trying to evangelise the (then) world - and as a result, being heavily persecuted. The whole world will join to anihilate Israel.

At the end of the 7 years Christ himself will return and will reign on earth for 1000 years (the millenium), Satan is restricted and life will be as God originally planned it.

(MAYBE) to show satan never changes, God will release him for another period. Utter mayhem will result, ending with 'Armageddon', when God's forces will finally and totally defeat evil and satan and all his lot are confined to hell for eternity. Every person will stand before God and answer for their lives (main question -"What did you do with Jesus?") and God will divide 'the sheep from the goats' (not my words).

There is more to it than that - and more that I don't know, or understand, but I believe that this is the basic framework to the end of the world (as we know it) and the SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST.

"Even so - come Lord Jesus".

[B_Ungaro]

Greetings Andrew,

Friend, you are dangerous.

Good Luck.

[andrewblow]

Hello Bill -
Dangerous to WHO ?

If I'm out of my tree, I haven't a clue, I'm totally and crucially mistaken.....and eternity shows me to be an idiot, then >

A. No-one has been hurt by me holding these beliefs.
B. The 'MYTH of 'god' will die with me - but so what - I was mistaken! The good I did in my life will simply have served it's purpose
- no more - no less - that's OK.

B U T >
C. I believe I'm in extremely good company with brothers and sisters around the world in their multi-million from pre-Christian ages to the present - and the future and your 'myth' will prove to be MY GOD AT WORK, as He leads His church through 'the last days'.

'GOOD TRIUMPHING OVER BAD' is typical 'fairy story', but where did this great desire in the heart of man start? Because God put it there and it needs a vehicle for expression. God's desire for 'good' to triumph WILL FINALLY BE SEEN THROUGHTOUT THE WORLD and - when ABSOLUTE REALITY finally comes home to people (the Bible says) "some will seek death, but not find it" (so great is their fear), but believers will "see a new heaven and a new earth.....the dwelling of God will be with man.....He will wipe away every tear, because the former things have passed away - behold - everything has become new."

Dangerous Bill - NO : just anticipating......
Regards,
Andrew.

[Nonson]

Having no wish to show in detail the dissimulation by Andrew in the above message, I must however point out that at no point in it does he speak of morals, ethics, pain, pleasure, fundamental understanding, proper use of body and body members, proper use of words and ideas, or of the spiritual glue that binds us to Christ. _____________________________________________ Who here believes that his communique is anything more than an attempt to excuse himself from having to explain "in spirit" his refusal to engage in an honest discussion of the most practical things of Christian Teaching? Peace