Post by ResLight on Jan 17, 2015 15:11:31 GMT -5
I will be with you always, yes, even until the end [Greek, sunteleias, conclusion] of the age. -- Matthew 28:20, Complete Jewish Bible translation.
The Greek word often "transliterated" as "ego" in Matthew 28:20 is in the present tense, but the context shows that it is speaking, not just of the present, but also of the future. In Koine Greek, the present tense, when used in a future or past tense setting, especially as used of something that is ongoing, is not used simply as a present tense, but takes on the past or future tense as given by the context. Many, however, prefer that the English read "I am" in this verse, because they wish to connect it to "EHJEH" of Exodus 3:14, as it appears in the KJV: "I am". The motive is to make it appear that Jesus was speaking of himself as being "EHJEH", the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Exodus 3:14,15) There is, however, no indication that Jesus was claiming that he is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, either in this verse, or anywhere else in the Bible.
jesus-rlbible.com/?p=2827
Charles Taze Russell stated concerning Jesus' words of Matthew 28:20 in 1915: "We are now down at the end of the Age, 'Only waiting till the dawning is a little brighter grown,' only waiting till we pass beyond the veil, till we are joined to the Savior on the other side the veil. 'Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father.'"
mostholyfaith.com/Beta/bible/reprints/Z1915JUL.asp#R5727:5
The word "present" (as found in the CJB quoted above) before "age" does not appear in the Greek, but it should be apparent that Jesus was speaking of an age that was then in progress. The "age" being spoken of, I believe is referring to the same "age" that is spoken of in 1 Corinthians 4:4, of which Satan is the god. This age is not the Jewish age; although Jesus could have been referring to the Gospel age, which had already begun since John the Baptist, it appears to me that he was more than likely referring to the general "age" of mankind as condemned in Adam. Satan has been the "god" of this age ever since Adam sinned. All the offspring of Adam are the seed of the serpent, children of wrath, sons of disobedience; the only way out of being of that seed of the serpent is through an active faith for justification. (Romans 4:2-25; Galatians 4:1; 2:16,17; 3:26; Ephesians 1:1-10) Regardless, since the conclusion of both ages is at the same time, Jesus is with his followers even to the conclusion of both ages.
Many Bible Students believe, and I also believe, that the conclusion of the Gospel Age began in 1874; I believe this also designates the beginning of the time period of the conclusion of Satan's godship age. Nevertheless, it could be that by saying "conclusion of the age" in Matthew 20:28, that Jesus was referring to the final end of the age, at the point in which Satan is abyssed, that the righteous may shine as the sun. -- Matthew 13:43.
At any rate, Jesus was not saying that he would be with his followers to the conclusion of the age, and that then he would no longer be with them, for at the end of the age, he is surely with them in his parousia, as he said, "I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." (John 14:3, English Standard Version) Whether Jesus spoke of this as referring to only the "joint-heirs", or to all three classes of the consecrated (Revelation 7), the joint-heirs with Christ will certainly with Christ in a very special way. Jesus will additionally remain with those spoken of the twelve tribes of Israel, as they are also his people, and Jesus will be with the Great Multitude, as he leads them to the waters of life. Likewise, he will for all eternity be with those who receive life on earth during the ages to come, as can be seen from Revelation 21.
rl-bibleinfo.com/?s=%22three+classes%22
I have also posted the above at:
rl-bibleinfo.com/?p=1171
The Greek word often "transliterated" as "ego" in Matthew 28:20 is in the present tense, but the context shows that it is speaking, not just of the present, but also of the future. In Koine Greek, the present tense, when used in a future or past tense setting, especially as used of something that is ongoing, is not used simply as a present tense, but takes on the past or future tense as given by the context. Many, however, prefer that the English read "I am" in this verse, because they wish to connect it to "EHJEH" of Exodus 3:14, as it appears in the KJV: "I am". The motive is to make it appear that Jesus was speaking of himself as being "EHJEH", the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Exodus 3:14,15) There is, however, no indication that Jesus was claiming that he is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, either in this verse, or anywhere else in the Bible.
jesus-rlbible.com/?p=2827
Charles Taze Russell stated concerning Jesus' words of Matthew 28:20 in 1915: "We are now down at the end of the Age, 'Only waiting till the dawning is a little brighter grown,' only waiting till we pass beyond the veil, till we are joined to the Savior on the other side the veil. 'Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father.'"
mostholyfaith.com/Beta/bible/reprints/Z1915JUL.asp#R5727:5
The word "present" (as found in the CJB quoted above) before "age" does not appear in the Greek, but it should be apparent that Jesus was speaking of an age that was then in progress. The "age" being spoken of, I believe is referring to the same "age" that is spoken of in 1 Corinthians 4:4, of which Satan is the god. This age is not the Jewish age; although Jesus could have been referring to the Gospel age, which had already begun since John the Baptist, it appears to me that he was more than likely referring to the general "age" of mankind as condemned in Adam. Satan has been the "god" of this age ever since Adam sinned. All the offspring of Adam are the seed of the serpent, children of wrath, sons of disobedience; the only way out of being of that seed of the serpent is through an active faith for justification. (Romans 4:2-25; Galatians 4:1; 2:16,17; 3:26; Ephesians 1:1-10) Regardless, since the conclusion of both ages is at the same time, Jesus is with his followers even to the conclusion of both ages.
Many Bible Students believe, and I also believe, that the conclusion of the Gospel Age began in 1874; I believe this also designates the beginning of the time period of the conclusion of Satan's godship age. Nevertheless, it could be that by saying "conclusion of the age" in Matthew 20:28, that Jesus was referring to the final end of the age, at the point in which Satan is abyssed, that the righteous may shine as the sun. -- Matthew 13:43.
At any rate, Jesus was not saying that he would be with his followers to the conclusion of the age, and that then he would no longer be with them, for at the end of the age, he is surely with them in his parousia, as he said, "I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." (John 14:3, English Standard Version) Whether Jesus spoke of this as referring to only the "joint-heirs", or to all three classes of the consecrated (Revelation 7), the joint-heirs with Christ will certainly with Christ in a very special way. Jesus will additionally remain with those spoken of the twelve tribes of Israel, as they are also his people, and Jesus will be with the Great Multitude, as he leads them to the waters of life. Likewise, he will for all eternity be with those who receive life on earth during the ages to come, as can be seen from Revelation 21.
rl-bibleinfo.com/?s=%22three+classes%22
I have also posted the above at:
rl-bibleinfo.com/?p=1171
