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The Coming of Jesus: Our Future Hope - What Now?

...d this as punishment upon His own people for the rejection and death of the Messiah (Mark 12:1-9) and for all the blood of the prophets the nation of Israel killed over the centuries (Luke 11:49-51).   Examining the Olivet Discourse in some detail alongside contemporary historical accounts by Josephus revealed that the Great Tribulation foretold by Jesus certainly was great and terrible. Miraculous events happened, the temple glowed with unnatural light at night as voices were heard saying “let us depart” from there; great portents were seen in the skies as angelic armies ran through the clouds over Jerusalem, the streets ran with blood and fiery destruct...

The Coming Kingdom of the Son of Man

...usalem as punishment. Hence the urgency towards his disciples to flee towns that won't listen and go to where they do accept the Gospel.   Matthew 24:34 Matthew 24:34 Matthew 24 is a similar conversation, but with some more details. Whilst walking by the temple, the disciples point out the magnificence of the building, and Jesus responds by saying "Truly I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down." (v.2) So obviously, the disciples ask the poignant question: "Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" (v.3) – notice here that they also link the tearing down...

An Examination of Conditional Immortality (Part Two)

...place of punishment is then picked up by Jesus in Matthew 10:28, which he uses in a more eschatological sense. Jeremiah 7:32–33Therefore, the days are surely coming, says the Lord, when it will no more be called Topheth, or the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of Slaughter: for they will bury in Topheth until there is no more room. The corpses of this people will be food for the birds of the air, and for the animals of the earth; and no one will frighten them away. In Isaiah, the worms and the unquenchable fire are consuming corpses — not living people. It’s not said that these things will burn forever, but even if they did, they are ther...

Did St. Nicholas Really Slap Arius?

...holas’s punishment by having him thrown into jail. In this narrative, Nicholas is vindicated by a divine intervention involving Jesus and Mary, who appear to him in prison and release him, and giving him back his bishop vestments. WWJD? It is crucial to approach this anecdote with caution, recognising that celebrating St. Nicholas’s supposed act of aggression may inadvertently justify short-tempered tendencies. Similar to those who fixate on Jesus’ cleansing of the Temple as “permission” to act brutishly towards those they disagree with, to the exclusion of Jesus’ teachings on love and forgiveness. WWJD? Reflecting on the Arius memes, it’s...

Do Christians And Muslims Really Worship The Same God?

...a severe punishment.” — Surah 3:4 One/Unique YHWH: “The LORD is one.” — Deuteronomy 6:4 Allah: “Say: He is Allah, One.” — Surah 112:1 Jealous of worship YHWH: “I the LORD your God am a jealous God.” — Exodus 20:5 Allah: “Allah does not forgive association with Him…” — Surah 4:48 Gracious YHWH: “But you, O Lord, are… gracious…” — Psalm 86:15 Allah: “So which of the favours of your Lord will you deny?” — Surah 55:13 Righteous YHWH: “The LORD is righteous in all his ways.” — Psalm 145:17 Allah: “Is not Allah the most just of judges?” — Surah 95...

Before The Pumpkins: Faith In The Flames

...d eternal punishment that awaits the wicked. So why do you delay? Do whatever you wish.” The interesting thing here is that if we look back at Revelation 2:8–11, we see that the church in Smyrna was one of the seven churches John addressed his Revelation to, and it’s possible that Polycarp was the bishop at this time too. It may be that these words of Jesus, via John, were what gave Polycarp the courage to stand up to threats of fire as he knew being faithful to the point of death would mean conquering the Second Death (i.e. the Lake of Fire): Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spi...