Post by ResLight on Aug 23, 2013 20:02:32 GMT -5
Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn't bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire. -- Matthew 3:10
One who believes that Christ returned in AD 70 has presented the above verse, evidently with the thought that this confirms that Christ returned in AD 70.
John the Baptiser was indeed referring to the harvest and the end of the Jewish age, which did come to an end in the years AD 69-73.
The result of that harvest time was the rejection and destruction of the Jewish system. The announcement of her desolation came in the year 33 AD, just before Jesus was put to death. Jesus stated:
Matthew 23:37 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to her! How often would I have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you would not!
Matthew 23:38 Behold, your house is left to you desolate.
Matthew 23:39 For I tell you, you will not see me from now on, until you will say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of [Yahweh].'"
While Jerusalem became desolated in AD 70, Jerusalem still had not said of Jesus, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of Yahweh." We do today have a small number of Jews who have recognized Jesus as being the Messiah, but, as a whole, we have not yet seen Jerusalem recognize her Messiah. Eventually, as Paul stated, all Israel -- then (and still to this day) are in this age counted as an enemy of the seed of Abraham -- will be eventually saved. This salvation has not yet happened. -- Romans 10:25-28.
There is nothing, however, in the verse that would mean that Christ had returned in A.D. 70, or that new heavens and new earth of 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-5 had begun in A.D. 70.
One who believes that Christ returned in AD 70 has presented the above verse, evidently with the thought that this confirms that Christ returned in AD 70.
John the Baptiser was indeed referring to the harvest and the end of the Jewish age, which did come to an end in the years AD 69-73.
The result of that harvest time was the rejection and destruction of the Jewish system. The announcement of her desolation came in the year 33 AD, just before Jesus was put to death. Jesus stated:
Matthew 23:37 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to her! How often would I have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and you would not!
Matthew 23:38 Behold, your house is left to you desolate.
Matthew 23:39 For I tell you, you will not see me from now on, until you will say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of [Yahweh].'"
While Jerusalem became desolated in AD 70, Jerusalem still had not said of Jesus, "Blessed is he who comes in the name of Yahweh." We do today have a small number of Jews who have recognized Jesus as being the Messiah, but, as a whole, we have not yet seen Jerusalem recognize her Messiah. Eventually, as Paul stated, all Israel -- then (and still to this day) are in this age counted as an enemy of the seed of Abraham -- will be eventually saved. This salvation has not yet happened. -- Romans 10:25-28.
There is nothing, however, in the verse that would mean that Christ had returned in A.D. 70, or that new heavens and new earth of 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-5 had begun in A.D. 70.
"He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." (Matt. 3:10-12.) These words were spoken to the Jews as a nation, and our Lord was the one who would do the baptizing. As many of that nation as received him were baptized of the holy Spirit at Pentecost, and the remainder were afterward baptized with fire-- trouble. The time of trouble which finally, in A.D. 70, destroyed their national existence was the fiery baptism foretold by the Prophets, and here by John. The three verses here connected (10-12) refer to the same fire. The unfruitful tree cast into the fire and the chaff burned represent those of that nation who "knew not the time of their visitation." -- The Watch Tower, June 1,15, 1892, page 182.
mostholyfaith.com/bible/reprints/Z1892JUN.asp#R1410:126
mostholyfaith.com/bible/reprints/Z1892JUN.asp#R1410:126
