Bible PROPHECY for the ENDtime

[Johnnboy]

Musicman

The wise servant is watching as the Master told him to do. The evil servant is careless and does not live as though he expects his Master soon. He is the one who receives punishment while the wise servant is found giving meat in due season (giving the present truth-truth applicable to the time in which we live) and receives the Master's blessing.

[Johnnboy]

Dr. Rich,

There is a reason that the Messiah used the wedding ceremonies as a parable in His discourses. In the ancient Hebrew wedding customs, it was the FATHER OF THE BRIDEGROOM THAT ALWAYS ANNOUNCES THE DAY AND HOUR OF THE COMING OF THE BRIDEGROOM. In regard to the second coming, which the ancient Hebrew custom is patterned after, the announcement of the day and hour of the second coming is given by the Father.

[Dr. Rich]

WHAT? Where in Matthew 24:45-51 does Jesus say that the ONE who has been left in charge of the Master's house has to 'watch'?

Sure, I see the alert, but I don't see anything about watching.

And notice that if he is good, he will be feeding "meat" (not milk and cookies" at the same time when Jesus comes like a thief.

For those of you who don't understand or have never read Revelation, please don't waste our time here with you comments if not in a question. Please read it first and then you tell me how the coming like a thief can possible be the same event as the coming in the clouds. I am serious about this. Check it out!

There is NO one that can make a choice after the first 37 new moons are over with! There are 5 more months to go. During this time the 7 plagues will be poured out on the living wicked--but not on those who have already become righteous. I can't find anywhere that anyone will have a chance to choose one way or the other during the last 5 months. If you can find it, please show me.

Therefore, why would the good servant left in charge be teaching anyone the real truth at the time Jesus comes in the clouds? Huh?

[Johnnboy]

“These types were fulfilled, not only as to the event, but as to the time. ... In like manner, the types which relate to the second advent must be fulfilled at the time pointed out in the symbolic service.” The Great Controversy, p. 399.

“Not only as to the event, but as to the time”-- This phrase, describing the Messiah's fulfillment of the spring and fall feast days, shows that the antitype occurred at the exact time illustrated in the type.

“IN LIKE MANNER”--This phrase emphasizes that the antitype of the feasts, related to the second advent, occurs exactly at the time symbolized (pointed out) in the old sanctuary services.

James White believed in this principle, and demonstrated so, by the songs he copyrighted in the 1870s. One of these songs clearly illustrates the fact that the antitypical Jubilee would occur on a 7th day Sabbath Day of Atonement at the time of the antitypical Jubile.

THE YEAR OF JUBILEE

1. “Oh, glory to God! It is coming again, 'Tis the glad jubilee of the children of men;

Then blow ye the trumpet, shout glory and sing, And join in the praises of Jesus the King.

Chorus: Shout with the voice of triumph, Soon shall the saints be free (be free);

Glory to the Lord! Hallelujah! Hasten the jubilee!”

2 . “'Tis the glad anti-type of that day long ago, When the hosts of the Lord might not gather or sow;

When the minions of Israel from labor were free, And the land was to rest in the glad jubilee.

Chorus: Shout with the voice of triumph, Soon shall the saints be free (be free);

Glory to the Lord! Hallelujah! Hasten the jubilee!”

3. “Yes, gladder by far is that rest “by and by,” When on wings like the eagle we mount to the sky:

We shall dwell evermore in that land of the blest, In that grand jubilee, in that Sabbath of rest.

Chorus: Shout with the voice of triumph, Soon shall the saints be free (be free);

Glory to the Lord! Hallelujah! Hasten the jubilee!”

Copyright, 1885, by the J. E. White Pub. Co. Used by permission.

[skyblue888]

Did you not know that the SoP places the coming of Jesus as a thief at the time of the close of probation?

He does not come as a thief when He appears in the clouds of Heaven after the seven last plagues.

sky

[Guest]

Musicman

The wise servant is watching as the Master told him to do. The evil servant is careless and does not live as though he expects his Master soon. He is the one who receives punishment while the wise servant is found giving meat in due season (giving the present truth-truth applicable to the time in which we live) and receives the Master's blessing.

That's exactly right JOHNNBOY, It's not either or. It doesn't say if the servant does this, then such and such will happen, but if he does that, then the other will happen.

It says This is what happens to the faithful servant, AND, this is what happens to the wicked servant.

Musicman has his own reasons for needing it to read as an either or choice. But it is obviously not written that way. He believes that this is referring to only one specific person, instead of taking into account that everyone who obeys God, is a servant of God. And whoever commits sin, is a servant of sin. Or, wicked servant. John 8:34

[Musicman1228]

Originally Posted By: JOHNNBOY

Musicman

The wise servant is watching as the Master told him to do. The evil servant is careless and does not live as though he expects his Master soon. He is the one who receives punishment while the wise servant is found giving meat in due season (giving the present truth-truth applicable to the time in which we live) and receives the Master's blessing.

That's exactly right JOHNNBOY, It's not either or. It doesn't say if the servant does this, then such and such will happen, but if he does that, then the other will happen.

It says This is what happens to the faithful servant, AND, this is what happens to the wicked servant.

Musicman has his own reasons for needing it to read as an either or choice. But it is obviously not written that way. He believes that this is referring to only one specific person, instead of taking into account that everyone who obeys God, is a servant of God. And whoever commits sin, is a servant of sin. Or, wicked servant. John 8:34

The prophecy in Matt.24:42-51 is about a single individual that is given a choice, either be Faithful and therefor Wise, or be unfaithful and suffer the consequences. God ALWAYS give people a choice in prophecy, because to do otherwise would indicate that God has predestined this servant one way or the other. God does not do this. Also, where in any other verse in the Bible does it say that God will reward EVERYONE by putting them over ALL of God's possessions? This bondservant is like Joseph was to Pharaoh. Was there more that one Joseph? That is why I KNOW that this prophecy is not speaking of two people but only one.

And Richard, you are making a personal determination by saying that it is 'obvious' that it is more than one person. It is NOT obvious to me, nor is it obvious to any number of people who are interested in taking Jesus exactly as His words indicate and do not make Jesus say what THEY want Him too.

[Johnnboy]

sky,

That is correct, there is no type in the old sanctuary system that would indicate the time of the close of probation. But we know that it closes sometime before the antitypical Jubilee, when the saints are delivered from the death decree, at midnight on the Sabbath Day of Atonement.

[Johnnboy]

Let's just see what the inspired commentary in the Spirit of Prophecy tells us on Matthew 24.

"Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. . .

Therefore be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smite his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; the lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." What earnest zeal should these words arouse in the heart of the true believer! Here the condition of the church at Christ's second coming is portrayed.

Again its spiritual condition is described in the parable of the ten virgins, five of whom were wise and five foolish:" ST, April 21, 1898, E.G. White.

[Musicman1228]

"Here the condition of the church at Christ's second coming is portrayed.

Again its spiritual condition is described in the parable of the ten virgins, five of whom were wise and five foolish:" ST, April 21, 1898 EGW.

The Great Disappointment of the SDA church was not in the fact that they got the date wrong so much as in the fact that the Advent leadership thought that the Adventists were the Bride when they were, in fact, the Bridesmaids. Note that in the prophecy in Matt. 25:1-13 there is NO MENTION of the Bride. She is not there. The Bridesmaids are in the prophecy because they are to get the Bride ready for her Bridegroom. In order for them to be able to prepare the Bride they MUST be awake, and here they are ALL asleep.

So there is a very important question that needs to be asked, and answered; WHY did the Bridegroom delay His coming. It was not the Father that delayed the coming, it was the groom. The Father told His Son the time WHEN He could go get His Bride (Rev.1:1-3), and a delay never takes place at a time AFTER the promised event is scheduled; so why the delay? BECAUSE THE BRIDE WAS NOT READY FOR THE WEDDING. And she was not ready because the Bridesmaids (all 10) were sound asleep when the should have been awake and watching for the servants of the groom to come and let them know that the Groom was on the way. Why were they asleep? Because the Bridegroom delayed His coming BECAUSE HIS BRIDE WAS NOT READY. If He had come to the Bride (the world) at that time she would not have been ready and the wedding would never take place. Therefore, because the Bridegroom wants to marry His Bride He postpones His return so there is time to wake up the Bridesmaid so they can get the Bride ready.

It is significant that the Cry that goes out at midnight that actually awakens the Bridesmaids is "The Bridegroom IS HERE, come out to meet Him". So in actual fact the Bridesmaids slept right through A coming of the Bridegroom. If this had been the Second Coming as described by EGW and believed by all and sundry at the time then the only ones that would have been saved would have been the Faithful and Wise Bondservant and his fellow servants because they were the ONLY ones that were awake at the time when the Master/Bridegroom came to seal them (the 144,000, ref. Matt 24:42-51).

Remember; just because something has been believed for a long time does not make it true; and just because an interpretation disagrees with that long held belief does not automatically make is wrong.

[Dr. Rich]

sure sounds (to me) like the sda church is this group that is now sleeping.

[Musicman1228]

Did you not know that the SoP places the coming of Jesus as a thief at the time of the close of probation?

He does not come as a thief when He appears in the clouds of Heaven after the seven last plagues.

sky

This is very perceptive of you, Sky. I

t is self evident that the coming as a Thief in the night CANNOT be the coming in the clouds when every eye will see Him. This coming as a Thief happens BEFORE the coming in the clouds because it happens ONLY to the Faithful and Wise Bondservant and his fellow Bondservants. And just after this event occurs these 144,000 go to the Sleeping Bridesmaids and wake them with the cry at midnight (no prophetic signs and wonders happening) "The Bridegroom is here, come out to meet Him". This cry causes the Shaking in the SDA church, which separates the 10 Bridesmaids into the 5 Wise and 5 Foolish Bridesmaids. And as the 5 Foolish go off to seek oil for their lamps (because it is still night time, hence the coming as a Thief) the Bridegroom, the Faithful and Wise Bondservant, his fellow Bondservant (attendants to the groom), and the 5 Wise Bridesmaids (attendants to the Bride) go into the marriage feast (rehearsal dinner?) and the door is shut on the 5 Foolish Bridesmaids.

Note: at this point the Bride is not yet at the wedding feast, as she is not mentioned in this prophecy. This is because the Bridesmaids have been sleeping and have not prepared the Bride for her wedding. This is why the Bridegroom delayed His coming.

Don't you think it is important to know the characteristics of each of these groups so you can know how to avoid becoming a member of the Foolish group?

[Musicman1228]

John, Richard, Johnnboy and Co.

Would you agree that that the parables of Jesus in which He speaks of the Kingdom of Heaven are also prophecies?

(Your answer will determine the next set of questions. We will be engaging in the Socratic teaching/learning model, where the teacher and learner change positions based on the answers that are given to the original question. Sometimes I will be the teacher, and sometimes you will be the teacher.)

[John317]

The Great Disappointment of the SDA church was not in the fact that they got the date wrong so much as in the fact that the Advent leadership thought that the Adventists were the Bride when they were, in fact, the Bridesmaids.

Could you post a reference or quote of that?

(By the way, as I'm sure you realize, it was not a Great Disappointment for the SDA church, since it occurred about 20 years before the SDA church existed.)

My understanding of the Great Disappointment is that the waiting ones had the wrong belief that this earth was the sanctuary to be cleansed at the end of the 2300 day prophecy of Daniel 8: 14. It was not really any more complicated than that.

Imagine if the Millerites had taught the full truth-- that on Oct. 22, 1844, Christ would pass from the Holy to the Most Holy in heaven and begin the pre-advent Judgment.

In that case, how much attention would Miller and the other Millerite preachers have received from the world? Probably none.

[John317]

Note that in the prophecy in Matt. 25:1-13 there is NO MENTION of the Bride. She is not there. The Bridesmaids are in the prophecy because they are to get the Bride ready for her Bridegroom. In order for them to be able to prepare the Bride they MUST be awake, and here they are ALL asleep.

So there is a very important question that needs to be asked, and answered; WHY did the Bridegroom delay His coming. It was not the Father that delayed the coming, it was the groom. The Father told His Son the time WHEN He could go get His Bride (Rev.1:1-3), and a delay never takes place at a time AFTER the promised event is scheduled; so why the delay? BECAUSE THE BRIDE WAS NOT READY FOR THE WEDDING. And she was not ready because the Bridesmaids (all 10) were sound asleep when the should have been awake and watching for the servants of the groom to come and let them know that the Groom was on the way. Why were they asleep? Because the Bridegroom delayed His coming BECAUSE HIS BRIDE WAS NOT READY.

I do agree that the Groom delayed His coming because His bride was not ready.

Originally Posted By: Musicman

If He had come to the Bride (the world) at that time she would not have been ready and the wedding would never take place.

But is "the Bride" the world, as you seem to indicate here? Or do you simply mean that coming for His bride would have meant coming to this earth? I suspect the latter is intended.

Originally Posted By: Musicman

Therefore, because the Bridegroom wants to marry His Bride He postpones His return so there is time to wake up the Bridesmaid so they can get the Bride ready.

Could you explain how you see this occuring? Who are the Bridemaids? Who, also, is the Bride, and how do the Bridesmaids get the Bride ready?

Originally Posted By: Musicman

It is significant that the Cry that goes out at midnight that actually awakens the Bridesmaids is "The Bridegroom IS HERE, come out to meet Him". So in actual fact the Bridesmaids slept right through A coming of the Bridegroom. If this had been the Second Coming as described by EGW and believed by all and sundry at the time then the only ones that would have been saved would have been the Faithful and Wise Bondservant and his fellow servants because they were the ONLY ones that were awake at the time when the Master/Bridegroom came to seal them (the 144,000, ref. Matt 24:42-51).

Explain this section more and in greater detail.

Originally Posted By: Musicman

Remember; just because something has been believed for a long time does not make it true;

Yes, of course; and the contrary is also true, that just because something is believed by many, and for a long time, doesn't mean it's false. Wouldn't you agree?

Originally Posted By: Musicman

and just because an interpretation disagrees with that long held belief does not automatically make is wrong.

This is generally true, but Seventh-day Adventists know that God is not going to send revelations to us that contradict what He sent before through His prophets and apostles.

I think you would agree that God won't send revelation that is contrary to what He sent through His bond-servant John the Beloved. God will send revelations that contradict people's opinions and interpretations of Scripture, but He definitely will not tell us things that are opposed to His own messages.

But who will? God's arch-enemy, of course.

[Dr. Rich]

John, it as MM who wrote what you quoted--not me. But I would agree to most of what he wrote.

The bride are those found in Rev. 7:9-16. They have overcome sin and washed their own robes because of the righteous acts, deeds/works of the 5 wise virgins (servants for the bride) as found in Rev. 19:7-9. Please notice that it does not say the righteous acts of Jesus Christ.

Also notice that the words 'saints' can only mean those that have been already sealed by God and have become righteous--the 5 wise virgins. (and perhaps the 144k)

An interesting side bar is found in Rev. 6:9-11. At first glance it would appear that these must be those who died at the hands of the RCC, but something caught my eye and that is that their blood was found under the altar because of the words of Jesus (God) and because they maintained it to the end.

First off, only a perfect animal could be sacrificed--meaning that these people could have no sin in them at the time of their death. Since no one could have the whole truth until the 144,000 become sealed just before the time of trouble, it would make sense that it must be that some of these will be killed and their acts are what cause the bride (un-numbered multitude) to become rightous.

Wow, it does appear that they are willing to give up their lives (even though they are now spiritual/human beings and would not have to die) as did Jesus for the first fruits, in order to save those who are 'the bride'.

If this is true, then it would answer why one of the Elders asked the question "These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they and from where have the come?" (Rev. 7:13)

The answer is: "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their (own) robes and made them white in the blood of the lambken (the ken of the Lamb which is Jesus.) This would be those who are found in Rev. 12:17 being born of the same 'Woman' as was Jesus--now called the brothers and sisters of Jesus. This same word "lamb" was used by John when he wrote what Jesus said about Peter feeding His sheep.

What I see here is totally awesome in that the plan for salvation was the picture of what the atonement was all about. First to be sanctified was Jesus as was the High Priest. Second are the 144k as were all of the Priest tribe. Third are the 5 wise virgins as represented by the Kingdom of Heaven.

The whole plan of redemption should have been over with this, but the 5 wise virgins and perhaps the 144k offered their lives in order to save those out of the whole wicked world during the time of trouble, just as Jesus did for them. What a perfect fit!

[John317]

I will go back and give MM credit for it.

I notice that he was quoted but then when I responded to him, I put your name in there instead. Like I say it will be changed pronto.

[Musicman1228]

John said, "But is "the Bride" the world, as you seem to indicate here? Or do you simply mean that coming for His bride would have meant coming to this earth? I suspect the latter is intended."

I wasn't clear. I should have said that the Bride comes out of the world. The Bride is the Kingdom of Heaven as exemplified by the un-numbered multitude that come out of ever nation, kindred, tongue and people (Rev.7).

John said, "Could you explain how you see this occuring? Who are the Bridemaids? Who, also, is the Bride, and how do the Bridesmaids get the Bride ready?"

The Bridesmaids must prepare the Bride BEFORE the wedding takes place. In this context the Bride could not be effectively prepared because the Bridesmaids were not ready, they were sound asleep. Jesus is very clear as to who the Bridesmaids are; they ARE the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt.25:1). And Jesus points even more clearly as to who these Bridesmaids are by saying that they ALL went out to meet the Bridegroom. The only reasonable explanation as to WHY they would go out to meet Him is that they had information understood from prophecy that told them WHEN the Bridegroom would show up. But because ALL the Bridesmaids were asleep they had not prepared the Bride, therefore the Bridegroom DELAYED His coming. There is only ONE group of believers in all of history that fulfills the requirement of this part of this prophecy, and that is the Adventist church.

The Bondservants (Priests, Matt.24:42-51) wake up the Bridesmaids. The cry that wakes them up occurs during a time that Jesus describes as 'midnight'; a time when there are no physical prophetic fulfillments are taking place. This cry states that "The Bridegroom IS HERE, come out to meet Him". The use of the present tense in this cry indicates that this coming was at a time when the Bridesmaids were sound asleep. The ONLY people awake at the time of this particular coming are the Bondservants described in the prophecy just before this one. This also means that when the Bridesmaids wake up they are confronted with something that really shakes them up; a group of people are telling them that the Bridegroom has already come, and they missed it. WHAT? Their understanding has always been that when Jesus returns EVERY eye shall see Him, so how could they possibly have missed this coming. Five of these Bridesmaids will say "There is no way this could have happened, you are liars and I don't and won't believe you". Another Five Bridesmaids will say "We have been taught that when Jesus comes every eye shall see Him, so please explain how this could happen using only the Bible". The 5 Foolish Bridesmaids are not open to a new understanding based on their previous understanding. The 5 Wise Bridesmaids are uncertain as to the truth of what they have just been told, BUT they are willing to listen to and explanation from Scripture. That is what Jesus meant by 'having extra oil'.

More later.

[John317]

James White wrote about this in a little book titled "Matthew 24". In it he cites a Greek scholar that through usage and syntax indicated that the word 'could be' translated that way. It doesn't really matter, though, as the word 'knows' as it is used indicates that there was something the Father knew that NO ONE else knew, not even His Son.

So now, when you look at Rev. 1:1-3 from that perspective it is apparent that God gave Jesus a revelation.

What is a revelation? Something that one didn't know before.

What was the only thing that Jesus said that He didn't know while He was here on earth? The day and the hour of His coming.

I think the evidence is that there was much more than the timing of the Second Coming that Jesus didn't know while He was on earth. He depended completely on the Father during that time for all His knowledge and wisdom. He only knew what God revealed to Him. His dependency on His Father was like ours in that way.

Originally Posted By: Musicman

Who DID know this information? The Father.

To whom did the Father give this information? His Son, Jesus.

To whom did Jesus give this information that He received from His Father? His Angel.

To whom did the Angel give this information? John, a disciple and bondservant of Jesus.

To whom was John instructed to give this information? The Bondservants of Jesus Christ who would be alive during the time of the end.

What did the revelation concern? WHEN Jesus would return to earth.

Here we see a concrete and solid 'chain of evidence' that is unbroken from the Father to the Bondservants. This give this information great credibility, and says that the bondservants WILL KNOW when Jesus is to come back.

This seems pretty clear to me. I hope it is clear to you.

I agree with you up to the point when you say that Jesus reveals "when he would return." If you mean that God reveals enough to us so that we will know when Jesus is "at the doors," ready to come, then I would agree, but I don't believe anyone will know the very year or day until just before He comes. Ellen White says that God will then announce to the waiting saints the time-- "the day and hour" --of His appearing. GC 640.

[Dr. Rich]

John wrote: "Ellen White says that God will then announce to the waiting saints the time-- "the day and hour" --of His appearing. GC 640."

Kool! How?

[Guest]

John wrote: "Ellen White says that God will then announce to the waiting saints the time-- "the day and hour" --of His appearing. GC 640."

Kool! How?

I thought you had read EGW's writings. He gave you the book and page number, look it up if you don't know.

[John317]

John wrote: "Ellen White says that God will then announce to the waiting saints the time-- "the day and hour" --of His appearing. GC 640."

Kool! How?

See GC 640. Do you still have that great, important book?

[John317]

Page 73 of James White's book called "Matthew 24" states: "An Old English Version of the passage reads, But that day and hour no man maketh known, neither the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the the Father. This is the correct reading, according to several of the ablest critics of the age. The word 'known' is used in the same sense here that it is by Paul in 1Cor.2:2: "For I determined not to know [make known] anything among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified." Men will not make known the day and hour, angels will not make it known, neither will the Son; but the Father will make it known."

Then James White names those he relied upon for this understanding. They were "Campbell", "Macknight", "Albert Barnes", and then just says "many others".

I might add, that James White (among others) firmly believed that the Adventists were the same as the "Ten Bride's Maids" of Matthew 25:1-13.

The Greek word we're talking about here is the verb, eideo, and it occurs many times throughout the New Testament. It frequently means to "see, perceive." It also carries the meaning of "to notice, to look at, to become aware of, to consider, to experience something, to visit." The standard, most reputable, dependable Greek lexicons that I've examined mention nothing about the word carrying the meaning of "to make known."

As far as I can see, the only place in the entire NT where the word could possibly be translated as "to make known" is in 1 Cor. 2: 2. I did check it thoroughly and found at least one translation that translates it there as Paul saying he was determined "to teach" the Corinthians only about Christ crucified. But should we conclude that eideo means "make known" in Matt. 24 simply because it's possible that it means "make known" in 1 Cor. 2: 2? It's a poor way to translate or exegete, unless the context itself strongly suggests such a meaning. And here we do not have such a strong suggestion.

For it could just as well be understood as Paul saying that he was determined to forget everything but Christ and Him crucified. (Inspired Letters of the New Testament, Laubach.)

The parallel verses occur in Mark 13: 28, 29, 32, 33, 35:

"From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know [ginosko] that summer is near. [29] So also, when you see these things taking place, you know [eideo] that he is near, at the very gates. [30] Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. [31] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

[32] "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows [eideo], not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. [33] Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know [eideo] when the time will come.

(35) Therefore stay awake—for you do not know [eideo] when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—

I think it's pretty plain that when we take the context into account, Jesus is talking about people not knowing the time of the second advent. He's not discussing how the event will be made known. The whole context has to do with the necessity of being careful because no one knows when He's returning.

[Musicman1228]

John,

I understand where you are coming from, because for many people it is less scary to NOT know when Jesus is coming again than it would be to know the day and the hour and have to do something about it. After all, this is what caused the Great Disappointment, and no one wants to go through THAT again.

But I am going to ask you a very important question and I know you will give me a thoughtful answer:

Why does God punish the Faithful and Wise bondservant (Matt.24:42-51) with eternal death for turning wicked and saying in his heart "My master is delaying his coming" if it was IMPOSSIBLE for this servant to know when the Master was coming back?

The only way that this wicked servant could say, "My Master is delayed" is if he knew with certainty WHEN the Master was to come. You cannot delay something the time for which is not know in advance. So please let me know your thought on this.

[phkrause]

John,

I understand where you are coming from, because for many people it is less scary to NOT know when Jesus is coming again than it would be to know the day and the hour and have to do something about it. After all, this is what caused the Great Disappointment, and no one wants to go through THAT again.

But I am going to ask you a very important question and I know you will give me a thoughtful answer:

Why does God punish the Faithful and Wise bondservant (Matt.24:42-51) with eternal death for turning wicked and saying in his heart "My master is delaying his coming" if it was IMPOSSIBLE for this servant to know when the Master was coming back?

The only way that this wicked servant could say, "My Master is delayed" is if he knew with certainty WHEN the Master was to come. You cannot delay something the time for which is not know in advance. So please let me know your thought on this.

We say that now, and we don't know when he's coming.