For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which
are written may be fulfilled [Luke 21:22]. KJV
As a friend of mine says, "Context, context, context!"
The word "con-text" means to look at the "text" (Luke 21:22), and then look at
the verses that go with ("con") that verse. Well, let us look at the (con-text)
verses that go with that verse.
And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with
armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which
are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of
it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto
[verses 20,21]. KJV
In order to properly understand what Jesus was saying, we
need to know who the "ye" was, to whom He was speaking. To do that, we
need to look at the verse in this chapter that tells us to whom He was speaking.
And as some spake of the temple how it was adorned
with goodly stones and gifts, he said … [Luke 21:5]. KJV
Since this verse does not specifically tell us who the "some"
were, of necessity we must consult one of the parallel accounts in the "new
testament." Let us begin with this one:
And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples
saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are
here! And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings?
There shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown
down. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple,
Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, Tell us, when
shall these things be? And what shall be the sign when all these things
shall be fulfilled [Mark 13:1-4]? KJV
Now, we have the word "fulfilled" before us again. We
also know who the "some" is to whom Jesus gave His discourse. Now, we can
arrive at a conclusion. It was Jesus’ apostles who were to see, in their
lifetime, the "fulfillment" of all that had been written! It happened about
two thousand years ago. It is not a future event for us in the twenty-first
century AD. Now that we have established the time element, the "when"
of which Jesus’ apostles had inquired, we can look closely at the word "fulfilled."
The Greek root word that is translated by the word "fulfilled"
in Luke 21:22 is "pleroo." Here is the definition of the Greek word:
To carry into effect, bring to realization, realize;… of
sayings, promises, prophecies, to bring to pass, ratify, accomplish.
Greek-English Lexicon Of The New Testament by Joseph Henry Thayer, D.D.
pages 517, 518.
Now you know why I refer to the study of "last things" as
"realized eschatology." It is noteworthy here to say that any way that you
desire to look at it, everything that had been written WAS FULFILLED
between AD 30 and AD 70. All of the "sayings, promises and prophecies"
were fulfilled in the first century AD. They were fulfilled by the time that the
last apostle died. Recall who the "some" and "ye" were in the
context.
By now, you are probably asking, "Ron, do you believe that
the bible has anything at all to say about our future, and if so, what is it
that it reveals?" If you consider that Moses wrote the first five books of
the "old testament," then careful study should reveal to you that all
of the bible was written by Israelites, to Israelites, and for
Israelites. None of it was written to you or me. None of it has your name or
my name attached to it. For further discussion of this subject, please go to my
other web site,
www.eschatologyreview.com and search it out very carefully.
All, no exceptions, were fulfilled in the first century
AD. There are no unfulfilled prophecies today. No, the bible does not directly
speak of anything about our future. Yes, it contains many principles by
which we are to abide. It was not right for Cain to kill Abel (before the bible
was written). It was wrong for an Israelite to kill someone (while the bible was
being written). It is still wrong for us to kill another today (almost 2,000
years after the bible was written). To quote a friend of mine:
It is my view that the bible is not a history book of the
material universe. Instead, I believe it is a history of God’s redemptive
work. Therefore, for as long as I remain in my body, I expect to witness a
progression of sunrises and sunsets, seedtimes and harvests. The natural
world surrounding me will continue to function much as it has from the
beginning [ Adison Martin]
So, expect the following articles to be dealing with the
spiritual or unseen things of the kingdom of heaven, "beyond
the end times." May YHVH continue to bless you in your pursuit of truth.