Thought for Today: Thursday October 16
There are three reasons that many people do not believe in the return of the Moshiach. FIRST, they claim that Yeshua’s return did not take place as the early church hoped – so it must be a myth. SECOND, the theory of inevitable progress keeps some people from believing that Yeshua is coming back. Why do we need the Moshiach to come back if we can reach perfection on our own? THIRD, the teaching of the Moshiach’s return cuts across the plans and dreams of millions of people. They want to eat, drink, and be merry and have their pleasures endlessly. The day will come that the Moshiach’s return would interrupt what they are doing.
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Rhy Bezuidenhout
I don't personally count Paul's teaching very high, but I can use it as a barometer for the beliefs of a set of people living in those days. As modern-Christianity if based off of Paul's teaching then it will have a large impact on the general "Christian understanding" in the world.
Here are just 3 examples of how I see his preaching changing:
Early, Imminent View (c. 50-54 AD)
- Believers' Death - The living & dead transformed together at Yeshua's arrival (1 Thess 4).
- End-Time Sequence - Sudden, like a thief in the night; no preceding signs (which goes against Yeshua's teachings of the end days) (1 Thess 5).
- Church Life - Live urgently; the world is passing away (1 Cor 7).
Later, Developed View (c. 60-64 AD)
- Believers' Death - To die is to be "with Christ" immediately (which goes against Rev. 2; Paul expects his own death (Phil 1).
- End-Time Sequence - Must be preceded by a great rebellion and the man of lawlessness (2 Thess 2).
- Church Life - Build lasting church structures, appoint elders, ensure sound doctrine (Titus 1:5).
So, my wonder is why did Paul change his beliefs as he grew older as that contributes to your FIRST point as even Paul wasn't consistent in his teachings, so it gets read according to which dogma you want to preach on?
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