Well… we say it’s the end of the week… but not quite…
What we have here today is the “End of the World” – or in certain circles of Biblical Doctrine it’s called “The Rapture” – meaning the time when believers are transported to Heaven… and the event that are programmed to come afterward begin. In theological terms it’s called ‘eschatology’ – or the order of things to happen at the ‘end times.’ And as you might imagine there’s fairly heavy discussion and differences of opinion as to just what happens to whom, and when.
But we do have pretty nearly the manuscripts that are close to the original Greek language… and although I’ve never studied that ancient language… I do have reference books and so study the best I can relying on scholars who do have the ‘moxie’ (to switch eras a little.)
In any case this is an interesting chain of events… a retired engineer (I don’t know what flavor) anyway… he was instrumental in putting together a radio network of stations that has done a generally good job of playing and providing music and Biblical instruction over the air.
However since the late 60’s or mid 70’s he has picked certain days and times in which he believes he has discerned *exactly* when these end times begin and a lot about them. The difficulty is there is disagreement among various schools of interpretation of those events at the last – generally in the last book of the New Testament – the book of The Revelation.
In the Gospel according to St. Mark Ch 13:32-33 some verses plainly say no one except The Father – that is God the Heavenly Father – knows the day nor the hour when these certain things take place. Therefore it’s impossible (if one believes the account of the Bible and that it is inspired by God and therefore free from error) to set the exact day and hour when these things begin to take place at the end of the age.
You can satisfy yourself and read the scripture translation you prefer… or study the original Green (Koine’) I think it was called during the first century. I don’t even pretend to know Spanish which I did study in college for 4 years and even took a crash refresher course afterwards – and can barely order breakfast. So you’ll have to go elsewhere to get that information…
In any case we’re just warned off trying to set the day and time of the beginning of these ‘end times.’ There are plenty of books on the subject from several different viewpoints. But one thing seems to me to be crystal clear – and that is we are NOT to try and ascertain the *exact* time or day when this commences. We are to observe the seasons and the “signs” which are written about to give us a general idea of the end drawing near – but exactitude is not in that I’ve been able to extract from those writings… in fact it’s counter-productive to do something the Lord has clearly said we’re not to try and ascertain.
So… that’s where we are… I hope you don’t find something there that takes you away from all the truths of the Gospel and the reliability of the Scriptures. For I am certain God has provided for us all that we need to know… and I’m not concerned about the things that are ‘beyond my ken.’
Well… so much for today’s JUST A MINUTE… I’ll look for you next week… God be with you and your family over the weekend.
Cordially, IN HIM
Jack & Barbara Buttram
“JUST A MINUTE”
I THOUGHT I’D BETTER TELL YOU …
Just a Minute: Tomorrow evening it’s the end of the world – according to a certain radio speaker.
If you’re familiar with the Bible, you probable know is, it could be. -- In Mark’s Gospel Chapter 13: verses 32-33 Scripture says: “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels …, neither the Son, but the Father. – “ So – “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.”
That’s pretty plain -- I don’t know. And if you believe the Bible – neither do you.
When we lived in the
Well… we dwell in a free country. I expect to be with you – Lord willing – next Monday. <> I’m Jack Buttram. (END)
Jebco Editorial Service
wmuu.com
Delayed Audio Link
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment