NOGO

One more comment about 1 Thess 4:16:17 "we who are alive and remain". Note again the word "remain". At that time some believers had died in Christ but the expectation was that the end of the world would come soon. So, the author here expects attrition in the Christian ranks ie those who "remain". The author did not see Christianity as an expanding religion since the end was at hand as can also be seen from the following passages.

1 John 2:18
Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour.

James 5:8
You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.

1 Peter 4:7
The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.


Many antichrists have already appeared back then (first century).


Hebrews 9:25-26
nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.


One should read all of Hebrews 9 in order to understand the context. Verse 25 and 26 say that Jesus did not offer the sacrifice of blood to God often like the high priest because otherwise he would have had to suffer often since the start of the world. Instead he suffered only once at the end.

End of what if not the end of the world?

This was the final sacrifice at the consummation of the ages. KJV translates "consummation of the ages" as "end of the world". In the logic of Hebrew 9 this translation is the only one that makes sense.

[ May 16, 2002: Message edited by: NOGO ]</p>

Bree

Moving to RRP, at your request...