Crazy Christian Theology

[BruceLeiter]

Christians love to focus on a return of Jesus based on the words of Paul, but I cannot find anything supporting this from the words of Jesus or prophecy. In fact, Jesus stated that he will return, but this is in regards to the final judgement, not some seven year tribulation period and 1,000 year kingdom.

31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. (Matthew 25:31-33)

We have the rules/Law to live by and we also know that our sin is forgiven through a life dedicated to our belief in Jesus. What more should we focus on, then living our lives for Jesus? Note that this reference to sheep and goats connects to the Ram and goat of Daniel chapter eight.

You're right that we shouldn't "focus" on Jesus' second coming, but it's the basis for our hope.

Jesus did talk about his raising believers from the grave "on the last day":

Jhn_6:39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.
Jhn_6:40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
Jhn_6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
Jhn_6:54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

 

[JustTheFacts]

You're right that we shouldn't "focus" on Jesus' second coming, but it's the basis for our hope.

Jesus did talk about his raising believers from the grave "on the last day":

Jhn_6:39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.
Jhn_6:40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
Jhn_6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
Jhn_6:54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

I fully believe that we will be raised from the dead. However, reading the words of Jesus closely, those who believe won't be judged. In addition, the seventh seal describes heaven time as compared to earth time and Jesus stated that his hour has not yet come so he couldn't be harmed. One hour of heaven time is equal to the time of the New Covenant and from Daniel and Revelation I believe this is 2300 years. That means that we will pretty much be with Jesus instantaneously when we die.