Earburner
Well-Known Member
Let me simplify it for you.Well, lets look at the first reference in Luke 17:20 (red text to show context)
17:20 Now at one point the Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God was coming, so he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, 17:21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
The Pharisee "demanded", which is the meaning of "to ask", which captures the spirit of inquiry! Thankfully your question wasn't given in the same spirit ;)
Context is important!
If Jesus is the Messiah, where is all the evidence of a dramatic Jewish revival? (this view was based on many prophecies the Jews thought would be fulfilled in the Messiahs coming - expected a Lion and they got a lamb!)
Have you looked at the meaning of “Not with observation”?
The translators struggled with interpreting it's meaning:
NET notes:
tn Or “is not coming in a way that it can be closely watched” (L&N 24.48). Although there are differing interpretations of what this means, it probably refers to the cosmic signs often associated with the kingdom’s coming in the Jewish view (1 En. 91, 93; 2 Bar. 53–74). See D. L. Bock, Luke (BECNT), 2:1412–14, also H. Riesenfeld, TDNT 8:150.
My view on this text should be read "not with careful watching”. Only other occurrence is a related word used of their critical watching of him See Mark 3:2, Luke 14:1; Luke 20:20
The kingdom would come, not with their careful watching but will burst upon them expectantly!
Then we have Luke 17:21 to finish Jesus' lesson
“Lo here, lo there” – to mean it (KoG) will not be announced by men, nor will it be just a local phenomena “The kingdom of God” – Grk. signifies “sovereignty” - royal power and majesty.
“Gods royal majesty is among you” “Within you” – Of course it wasn't ‘within’ the Pharisees. It was “in the midst of you” or better translated “among you”!
So the Pharisees forcibly ask of the signs of the Kingdom knowing it would manifest with mighty signs and wonders - this was a way of interrogating the Lord to try and make him slip up as they wanted him to do.
What they didn't realise is God's royal presence (through His Son) as the center of God’s kingdom was already in their midst and they couldn't recognize him. Matthew 12:28
The same will happen when Christ returns a second time but this time orthodox Christianity will take the place of the Pharisee.
I wont go into that now as it's difficult to control this type of knowledge in a forum setting.
As a side note; so few Christians read with context in mind so they misquote a Scripture - very few being shown this are humble enough to say okay I got that wrong and I have much to learn. Most will try to force the Scripture to mean something else.
F2F
The Day of Pentecost, and forward right up to today, has been the the true Second coming/manifestation of the Lord.
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