Religions of the Middle East, Tuesday 5/14/02

There were 2 handouts today, "The Second Coming of Christ" and "Calvinism and Arminianism."

Regarding the end of the world:
Mark13- Olivet Discourse(Mount of Olives)- place where Jesus did a lot of his teachings.
Jesus says the Tower will fall
Peter, James, and John = the Inner Circle
Son of Man = Messiah- from book of Daniel7:13-14
Order of things to come:
1. Temple destroyed- happened in 70 AD
2. Tribulation
3. "Second Coming" (Parousia-greek for "coming")-coming of Messiah
4. God's Kingdom established under Messiah(Jesus)
Jesus says:
-some standing here won't die until they see the kingdom come
-when you see the signs, the second coming is immanent(Parable of the Fig Tree)
-this generation won't pass away until all these things happen

2Peter answer to the delayed Parousia
1. God reckons time differently-it only seems long to us.
2. God is waiting for more people to repent

Conservative response:
1. "won't die" comment refers to the Transfiguration(Mark9:1-2)
2. "generation" who won't pass away =
-the Jews(genos=race)
-the generation who sees the tribulation after a rebuilt temple is destroyed

Desolating Sacrilege-abomination which makes desolate
references in Daniel & Maccabees
references to Antiochus Epiphanes, Roman Emperor(Nero?), Beast/Anti-christ, Man of Sin, 666 ?????????
During the 7 year tribulation period, the Anti-christ will rule for 3 and 1/2 years.

The first 3 Gospels are synoptic Gospels(Matthew, Mark, and Luke)

Gospel of John=high Christology
-long metaphysical discourses about Jesus' nature and mission and relationship with his Father
-"In the beginning was the Word..."- Word(logos)- word does not always mean word literally- In Philo-Gods wisdom and creative force(creative and rational power)
Word = pre-incarnate Jesus
Jesus is fully God- God in human flesh
-No parables
-Born Again = spiritual rebirth
- die to sin, coming into life of faith
-strong emphasis on belief in Jesus for salvation
-LAW not relevant
-Jesus' enemies = "the Jews"