This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world...

[Sinthesis]

1) Gen 37:9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?



2) Rev. 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman, (Judaism), clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars (of the Jewish Tribes now that Benjamin had been born since the days of Joseph's dream):
Rev. 12:2 And she, (Judaism), being with child, (Christianity), cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

Benjamin was born before Joseph's dream. Benjamin is one of the eleven brothers(stars) that bow down to the 12th brother (11th chronologically), who is Joseph.

All twelve brothers are symbolic of Israel, which is why Rev 12 mentions twelve stars.

 

[felix]

Yes, it is Christ, but WHO is Christ? Christ is a "many-membered body" with Christ Jesus being "the Head.

But Scripture no where specifies our throne in heaven with God. Only the throne of Christ is with God which we are promised to sit with Him in His throne.

 

[felix]

Let's go back to the discussion of the three main entities that are signs.

I intepret signs differently.

Woman - Israel
Child - Jesus Christ
Dragon - Satan
Horns, heads etc - Roman Empire with imperial provinces ruled by 7 client kings and 10 senatorial provinces ruled by governers as one have kingdom and other doesnt as in prophecy.

As I said, the identity of Christ is so important for this prophecy. Without that fooundation everything fails.

 

[JLB]

I intepret signs differently.

Woman - Israel
Child - Jesus Christ
Dragon - Satan
Horns, heads etc - Roman Empire with imperial provinces ruled by 7 client kings and 10 senatorial provinces ruled by governers as one have kingdom and other doesnt as in prophecy.

As I said, the identity of Christ is so important for this prophecy. Without that fooundation everything fails.

Okay,

The dragon with seven heads and ten horns.

The Government of Satan is represented by the dragon with seven heads and ten horns.
A singular sign that represents a corporate expression.


If the woman represents Israel, it is the same a singular entity as a "sign" representing a corporate identity.

The nation of Israel represented by the woman.

Are we in agreement with this idea?

JLB

 

[felix]

Okay,

The dragon with seven heads and ten horns.

The Government of Satan is represented by the dragon with seven heads and ten horns.
A singular sign that represents a corporate expression.


If the woman represents Israel, it is the same a singular entity as a "sign" representing a corporate identity.

The nation of Israel represented by the woman.

Are we in agreement with this idea?

JLB

No!

Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. (Rev 12:3)


Dragon = Devil or Satan
So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world (Rev 12:9)

Heads = Kingdoms
Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. (Rev 17:9)
And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. (Dan 2:35)
7 heads with 7 crowns = 7 kingdoms with 7 kings.

Horns = Kings without kingdoms
The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. (Rev 17:12)
Horns represent ruling authorities or kings without a kingdom. The 10 horns are 10 ruling authorities or kings without a kingdom.

Satan behind a world empire which is made up of 7 kingdoms ruled by 7 kings and 10 kings without a kingdom.

Which empire had this structure? Roman Empire (just before the time of birth of Christ).

Roman Empire has two province types: senatorial province and imperial province. A senatorial province was a Roman province where the Roman Senate had the right to appoint governors. An imperial province was a Roman province where the Emperor had the sole right to appoint rulers. A king has a kingdom but a governor does not have a kingdom, yet has all authority in that province as a king. In these states, some are called client-states ruled by client kings. There were exactly 7 client kings and 10 senatorial provinces before 4 BC.

Only after this exact description of the sign revealing the very identity of the empire, Christ is born.

 

[JLB]

No!

Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. (Rev 12:3)


Dragon = Devil or Satan
So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world (Rev 12:9)

Heads = Kingdoms
Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. (Rev 17:9)
And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. (Dan 2:35)
7 heads with 7 crowns = 7 kingdoms with 7 kings.

Horns = Kings without kingdoms
The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. (Rev 17:12)
Horns represent ruling authorities or kings without a kingdom. The 10 horns are 10 ruling authorities or kings without a kingdom.

Satan behind a world empire which is made up of 7 kingdoms ruled by 7 kings and 10 kings without a kingdom.

Which empire had this structure? Roman Empire (just before the time of birth of Christ).

Roman Empire has two province types: senatorial province and imperial province. A senatorial province was a Roman province where the Roman Senate had the right to appoint governors. An imperial province was a Roman province where the Emperor had the sole right to appoint rulers. A king has a kingdom but a governor does not have a kingdom, yet has all authority in that province as a king. In these states, some are called client-states ruled by client kings. There were exactly 7 client kings and 10 senatorial provinces before 4 BC.

Only after this exact description of the sign revealing the very identity of the empire, Christ is born.

Tell me if you remember this statement!

Rev 12:4 which says about the Dragon's tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth is in no way the same event of Satan and his angels cast down to earth in verses 7-9.

We have already separated verse 3 from verse 9.

The only point I am trying to make at this time is: a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads, is a sign representing Satan's Government by which he rule's the earth.

This sign represents the plurality of Satan's rule rather than just Satan himself!


Right now in this point of the discussion, who the heads are, or the crowns are isn't the point.

I want to establish the points in which we agree.


Do you agree on this point?

JLB

 

[felix]

The only point I am trying to make at this time is: a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads, is a sign representing Satan's Government by which he rule's the earth.

This sign represents the plurality of Satan's rule rather than just Satan himself!


Right now in this point of the discussion, who the heads are, or the crowns are isn't the point.

I want to establish the points in which we agree.


Do you agree on this point?

JLB

It is Satan's empire ruled by kings but not on whole world. Only the beast of Rev 13 as in verse 12 is for whole world.

Sent from mobile.

 

[JLB]

It is Satan's empire ruled by kings but not on whole world. Only the beast of Rev 13 as in verse 12 is for whole world.

Sent from mobile.

It is Satan's empire ruled by kings...


How about that?


JLB

 

[felix]

It is Satan's empire ruled by kings...


How about that?


JLB

Yes I agree.

 

[JLB]

Yes I agree.

Now we move to the woman.

Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.

This sign is a woman who represents Israel, The Church, or Jerusalem...

She is a sign that represents... a holy nation?

JLB

 

[felix]

Now we move to the woman.

Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.

This sign is a woman who represents Israel, The Church, or Jerusalem...

She is a sign that represents... a holy nation?

JLB

Yes. I agree.

 

[Stormcrow]

It is confirmed that Jesus did come back to reign over the 1000 year kingdom...

Christ's reign is eternal, hence His kingdom is eternal. The 1,000 years is not to be taken as a literal thousand years, rather it is a figure of speech. In much the same way someone today might say, "for the thousandth time, NO!", a thousand - as used by John - would've been used to convey an unknown, albeit seemingly long, period of time. Just as someone might not have literally told you "no" to something a thousand times, John's use of the word "thousand" is hyperbole: he's exaggerating to make a point.

 

[Stormcrow]

It never ceases to amaze me how literal literalists can be when reading clearly symbolic language - like stars falling from the sky - yet look for some way to allegorize the literal language Paul uses to show that Christ's prophecy, of a gospel spread throughout the entire Roman Empire, was fulfilled at the time he wrote to the Romans and Colossians.

Again, if Christ said the end would come after the gospel had been preached to all nations, then gave His disciples/apostles a command to go do just that, and then Paul (and later, Eusebius) tell us how the commission and prophecy were literally fulfilled, how is it that people continue to look for an end now that really came while some of the apostles still lived?

It's clear in reading many posts here and elsewhere that people in the church today - having been taught nothing but the twin lies of futurism and dispensationalism - have no idea what the end meant to Christ, His apostles, and Jews living in the latter half of the first century!

And this is why that - for as long as people persist in seeing Christ's words through the lens on 21st century American Evangelicalism - they will continue to be wrong about these things.

Christ did not come to 21st century America and speak the words of the Olivet Discourse to Swaggert, Lindsey, van Impe, and Richardson. It's ridiculous on its face to think He did, and yet that's the way every futurist and dispensationalist reads His words: as though they were spoken to us living today!

Futurism and dispensationalism are distractions and deceptions straight from the pit of hell, and the sooner the church moves past them, the better off everyone will be!

 

[JLB]

Christ's reign is eternal, hence His kingdom is eternal. The 1,000 years is not to be taken as a literal thousand years, rather it is a figure of speech. In much the same way someone today might say, "for the thousandth time, NO!", a thousand - as used by John - would've been used to convey an unknown, albeit seemingly long, period of time. Just as someone might not have literally told you "no" to something a thousand times, John's use of the word "thousand" is hyperbole: he's exaggerating to make a point.

19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. Acts 3:19-21

When He returns, then will this scripture be fulfilled -

And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!"

The 10 kings of Daniel and revelation are about to be revealed as well as the lawless one... And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 2 Thessalonians 2:8

What part of destroy with the brightness of His coming don't you understand!


whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration.


To say that Jesus has returned is to say the resurrection of the dead has already taken place!

If you still have flesh on your bones, then Jesus hasn't returned.

If you can convince people that they don't have flesh on their bones then go for it!


JLB

 

[JLB]

It never ceases to amaze me how literal literalists can be when reading clearly symbolic language - like stars falling from the sky - yet look for some way to allegorize the literal language Paul uses to show that Christ's prophecy, of a gospel spread throughout the entire Roman Empire, was fulfilled at the time he wrote to the Romans and Colossians.

Again, if Christ said the end would come after the gospel had been preached to all nations, then gave His disciples/apostles a command to go do just that, and then Paul (and later, Eusebius) tell us how the commission and prophecy were literally fulfilled, how is it that people continue to look for an end now that really came while some of the apostles still lived?

It's clear in reading many posts here and elsewhere that people in the church today - having been taught nothing but the twin lies of futurism and dispensationalism - have no idea what the end meant to Christ, His apostles, and Jews living in the latter half of the first century!

And this is why that - for as long as people persist in seeing Christ's words through the lens on 21st century American Evangelicalism - they will continue to be wrong about these things.

Christ did not come to 21st century America and speak the words of the Olivet Discourse to Swaggert, Lindsey, van Impe, and Richardson. It's ridiculous on its face to think He did, and yet that's the way every futurist and dispensationalist reads His words: as though they were spoken to us living today!

Futurism and dispensationalism are distractions and deceptions straight from the pit of hell, and the sooner the church moves past them, the better off everyone will be!

4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south. 5 Then you shall flee through My mountain valley, For the mountain valley shall reach to Azal. Yes, you shall flee As you fled from the earthquake In the days of Uzziah king of Judah.
Thus the Lord my God will come, And all the saints with You.

A clear reference to the second coming!


6 It shall come to pass in that day That there will be no light; The lights will diminish. 7 It shall be one day Which is known to the Lord-- Neither day nor night. But at evening time it shall happen That it will be light. 8 And in that day it shall be That living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, Half of them toward the eastern sea And half of them toward the western sea; In both summer and winter it shall occur. 9 And the Lord shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be-- "The Lord is one," And His name one. 10 All the land shall be turned into a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be raised up and inhabited in her place from Benjamin's Gate to the place of the First Gate and the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananeel to the king's winepresses.


11 The people shall dwell in it; And no longer shall there be utter destruction, But Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited.

You think this happened in 70 AD! :biglol


This is a future event! It is literal!


JLB

 

[reba]

That (verse 6) living water is that H2O? Like the Mississippi or Nile?


I think this is about the third time i have asked if the land we call Israel today is the land given to Abe?

 

[reba]

Temple mount is a little bit south and mostly west of MT Olive...

When Mt. Olives splits and the valley opens what happens to temple mount?

Mind you they are only about 2000 feet apart...

 

[Free]

Christ's reign is eternal, hence His kingdom is eternal. The 1,000 years is not to be taken as a literal thousand years, rather it is a figure of speech. In much the same way someone today might say, "for the thousandth time, NO!", a thousand - as used by John - would've been used to convey an unknown, albeit seemingly long, period of time. Just as someone might not have literally told you "no" to something a thousand times, John's use of the word "thousand" is hyperbole: he's exaggerating to make a point.

I agree that Christ's reign is eternal but one thousand can be symbolic for a long time or a large number of objects. I don't think that it is used anywhere in the Bible to mean "eternal" or "infinite." Not mention that I do not think the Bible states that Jesus will reign for a thousand years:

Rev 20:4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. (ESV)

Those who come to life will reign "with Christ for a thousand years." This is not necessarily speaking of the length of Christ's reign but how long those who are raised will join with him in reigning.

It's clear in reading many posts here and elsewhere that people in the church today - having been taught nothing but the twin lies of futurism and dispensationalism - have no idea what the end meant to Christ, His apostles, and Jews living in the latter half of the first century!

And this is why that - for as long as people persist in seeing Christ's words through the lens on 21st century American Evangelicalism - they will continue to be wrong about these things.

Christ did not come to 21st century America and speak the words of the Olivet Discourse to Swaggert, Lindsey, van Impe, and Richardson. It's ridiculous on its face to think He did, and yet that's the way every futurist and dispensationalist reads His words: as though they were spoken to us living today!

Futurism and dispensationalism are distractions and deceptions straight from the pit of hell, and the sooner the church moves past them, the better off everyone will be!

Why such rhetoric? It serves no good purpose. The problem with proof-texting, as you have done, is once again seen. The focus is on two passages that are made to say something which ignores the myriad passages against that position.

I must repeat what I stated on the first page: Everything is still in a state of decay but in the end everything is to be redeemed. So clearly the end has not yet come as there has been no great judgment, no changing of believers' bodies, no eternal life (people still die), no final resurrection, no final return of Jesus, no final restoration of all things, etc.

 

[Stormcrow]

The problem with proof-texting...

Well, yes, text is how we establish proof for our relative positions. The problem is, when someone offers none, they are criticized for offering no evidence. When they offer a couple of verses, they are criticized for “proof-texting.” So there's simply no winning with some people.

However, your charge, as follows, is disingenuous at best:

The focus is on two passages that are made to say something which ignores the myriad passages against that position.

I have never offered a mere two passages to support my view as you have wrongly alleged in your statement. Let me offer Christ's words and those of Paul again in case you missed them:

"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14 (NASB)

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. Romans 1:8 (NASB)

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; "THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH, AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD." Romans 10:17-18 (NASB)

but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; Romans 16:26 (NASB)

the gospel which has come to you, just as in all the world Colossians 1:5-6 (NASB)

the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven Colossians 1:23 (NASB)

There are significantly more than two passages right here that directly support the fulfillment of Christ's words. So while you accuse me of “proof-texting”, where's your “proof?”

Furthermore, I offered the words of the early church father Eusebius in support of Paul's claims and as proof of the fulfillment of Christ's words. Here is what he wrote again:

It is evident, that but a short time after the appearance of our Saviour Jesus Christ had been made known to all men, a new nation suddenly came into existence; a nation confessedly neither small nor weak, nor situated in a remote corner of the earth, but the most populous and the most religious of all, and so much the more indestructible and invincible, as it has always had the power of God as its support.

This nation, appearing at the time appointed by inscrutable wisdom, is that which among all, is honoured with the name of Christ.

Tiberius, therefore, under whom the name of Christ was spread throughout the world, when this doctrine was announced to him from Palestine, where it first began, communicated with the senate, being obviously pleased with the doctrine; but the senate, as they had not proposed the measure, rejected it. But he continued in his opinion, threatening death to the accusers of the Christians; a divine providence infusing this into his mind, that the gospel having freer scope in its commencement, might spread every where over the world."

Thus, then, under a celestial influence and co-operation, the doctrine of the Saviour, like the rays of the sun, quickly irradiated the whole world.

Presently, in accordance with divine prophecy, the sound of his inspired evangelists and apostles had gone throughout all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. Throughout every city and village, like a replenished barn floor, churches were rapidly found abounding, and filled with members from every people. Those who, in consequence of the delusions that had descended to them from their ancestors, had been fettered by the ancient disease of idolatrous superstition, were now liberated, by the power of Christ, through the teaching and miracles of his messengers.

Eusebius Pamphilus, The Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius Pamphilus

Then you ask, “why the rhetoric?” Quite simply, because I am trying to shock people into reality! I am trying to get people to understand that there are implications associated with mishandling the words of Christ and the apostles, and it's precisely because so many charlatans have come in the name of futurism that His words are not taken seriously by either those inside or outside the church!

You all become apologists for the very people who are trying to destroy the veracity of Christ and the integrity of the Bible when you argue that Christ either didn't mean what He said or you try to find ways to rationalize around them to support a doctrine that could not otherwise be Biblically supported!!

By making the arguments you (and others) have made, you have no idea how seriously you have undermined the very Biblical authority upon which you claim to stand and then you wonder why the lost don't take the Bible seriously?!?!?

It's because you who claim to believe it don't!!!

Again, in light of the words of Christ, Paul, and Eusebius, cited above, please tell me why I should take you or anyone other futurist in this thread seriously when what you write serves only to demean and undermine Christ's own very clear and specific words!

What part of this:

"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14 (NASB)

Isn't perfectly and exquisitely clear?

And what part of this:

"THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH, AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD." Romans 10:17-18 (NASB)

Isn't equally clear???

"Proof-texting?" Maybe. But where's your proof - equally and unequivocally clear - that I am wrong in taking these words at face value ???

 

[Stormcrow]

So clearly the end has not yet come...

End as defined by you and other Dispy/Futurists. But let's look at your reasons for believing this one at a time:

as there has been no great judgment

Israel was judged in 70 AD, with the destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple. See Matthew 21-23, Luke 19 & 21.

His second coming was all about judgment and He used Rome to execute it, just as God had used Babylon to execute judgment upon Judah in 586 BC.

no changing of believers' bodies

At best, this statement ignores the resurrection of Matthew 27:52 and reveals a complete misunderstanding about what the resurrection of the living ("raised to newness of life", "new creation in Christ") meant to Paul and the other apostles. At worst, it demeans Christ's redemptive work on the cross when Christ Himself said that work was "finished."

no eternal life (people still die),

but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 2 Timothy 1:10 (NASB)

Again, your sentiments reveal an utter lack of understanding regarding the finished redemptive work of Christ on the cross.

no final resurrection,

Addressed above.

no final return of Jesus,

The promise of His return wasn't made to you, me, or anyone else alive for the past almost 2,000 years. It was made to His apostles, who conveyed that promise to those to whom they wrote their letters.

"But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes. Matthew 10:23 (NASB)

"Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom." Matthew 16:28 (NASB)

"Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city, so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. "Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. Matthew 23:34-36 (NASB)
“Immediately afterthe tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Matthew 24:29-30 (ESV)

Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Matthew 24:34 (ESV)

Therefore you [the disciples He was addressing on the Mount of Olives!] also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matthew 24:44 (ESV)

Jesus said to *Caiaphas, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:64 (ESV)

"But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." Luke 21:36 (NASB)

"These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. "They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. "These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me. "But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them. These things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. John 16:1-4 (NASB)

the times, indeed, therefore, of the ignorance God having overlooked, doth now command all men everywhere to reform, because He did set a day in which He is about to judge the world in righteousness, by a man whom He did ordain, having given assurance to all, having raised him out of the dead.' Acts 17:30-31 (YLT)

having hope toward God, which they themselves also wait for, that there is about to be a rising again of the dead, both of righteous and unrighteous; Acts 24:15 (YLT)

so that you [Corinthians!] are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:7-8 (NASB)

But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away. 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 (NASB)

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:4-5 (NASB)

For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you [Thessalonians] turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 (NASB)

For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you [Thessalonians], in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? For you are our glory and joy. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 (NASB)

I do fully testify, then, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is about to judge living and dead at his manifestation and his reign-- 2 Timothy 4:1 (YLT)

When He said, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear. Hebrews 8:13 (NASB)

so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. Hebrews 9:28 (NASB)

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. James 5:7-8 (NASB)

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13 (NASB)

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

For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:17 (ESV)

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. 1 John 2:18 (NASB)

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, Revelation 1:1 (NASB)

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near. Revelation 1:3 (NASB)

~'Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth. Revelation 2:16 (NASB)

~'Nevertheless what you [Thyatira] have, hold fast until I come. Revelation 2:25 (NASB)

~'Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. ~'I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Revelation 3:10-11 (NASB)

And he said to me, "These words are faithful and true"; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place. "And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book." Revelation 22:6-7 (NASB)

And he *said to me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Revelation 22:10 (NASB)

"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. Revelation 22:12 (NASB)

He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20 (NASB)

Jesus said He would return while some of them still lived and they passed on that belief in the letters they wrote. Their belief in His imminent return was pervasive and overwhelming. If Jesus Christ did not come as He promised them, then He lied to them and they - in turn - have lied to us.

If Futurism is true, Jesus Christ and His apostles lied.

If you are right, then Christ is not who He claimed to be.

Is that enough "proof" for you???

QED.