not a riddle to be solved

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

"Don't be troubled by the return of Christ. Don't be anxious about things you cannot comprehend. Issues like the millenium and the Antichrist are intended to challenge and stretch us, but not overwhelm and certainly not divide us. For the Christian, the return of Christ is not a riddle to be solved or a code to be broken, but rather a day to be anticipated." From When Christ Comes by Max Lucado

Can the above statement be accepted by Adventists? Or is it part and parcel of our denominational bedrock to be incessantly occupied with such matters?

Or is this a veiled statement to keep non-SDA Christians mollified that they are on the right path - whatever path that may be....because there certainly are a LOT of paths?

[David Koot]

I wouldnt say be incessantly occupied with the issue. I think that could be an unhealthy focus. At the same time, it seems to me that if God gave us the information about how Jesus will return, and the millennium, etc., then it must be for our benefit, and to our advantage to have the info and understand it. Why else would He give it?

I do see Mr. Lucado's statement as potentially dangerous. People don't care HOW Jesus comes back, hence can be set up for deception.

Dave

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

umhmmm...what is it that makes us think *we* are the people for whom these riddles will be solved?

And going off topic (I can do that, can't I, since I'm the proprietress of the thread?), is biblical numerology a new catch-phrase that I hear, or has it been around for awhile? (I heard about its importance during the sermon today at church.)

My numerology experience at present:

[David Koot]

I was thinking of people generally. Seems to me that God gave the Bible to people so they could understand stuff. As for numerology, ummm I havent gotten into that. Gotta plead ignorance!