Eschatology

Submitted by Servant of Christ (United States), Dec 29, 2006 at 14:21

36I tell you the truth, all this will come upon this generation. Matthew 23

The footnote also says that it generation can mean race. The Jewish race is still here.

34I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Matthew 24

30I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Mark 13

See above.

The authors of the New Testament thought they were living in the last days.

7Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1

29What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. 1 Corinthians 7

15According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage each other with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. Hebrews 1:2

20He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 1 Peter 1:20

18Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 1 John 2:18

8You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. James 5:8

Most of the New Testament authors thought they were living in the last days. Jesus himself said that he shall return within the last generation.

Again, see above. Yes, the NT authors thought they were living in the last days. I am a futurist so this is how I interpret this. Yes, this is referred to as the last hour or the end of times. However, the last 'hour' is a metaphor stressing the importance of being prepared. For no one knows the hour of the Lord. Here are some verses that support this:

For a thousand years in your sight
are like a day that has just gone by,
or like a watch in the night. (Psalm 90:4 NIV)

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. (2 Peter 3:8 NIV)

There are other views such as the Preterist and the Historicist views that I am not as familiar with. The Preterist view says that Jesus has already returned (spiritually, that doesn't mean he's dwelling on this earth). I won't try to represent these two ideas since that would do them no justice and I would not be able to express their ideas accurately.

But there is no contradictions that you speak of.

May God Bless You

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