Posted by proplog2 [proplog2] on November 17, 1999 at 21:47:29 {xx2d.1sWpQ/CPYT8orz2lJ4aSwVkqg}:
In Reply to: Armegeddon as a Thief? posted by mntzion on November 17, 1999 at 06:07:54:
Don't miss the real intent of the "theif"
analogy. As you know anologies all fuzz out at a certain point so
you have to do your best to try to understand where the analogy
ends. Usually you can ask the person using the analogy. Since we
can't in this circumstance we must do our best from the context.
The emphasis is on being prepared. A thief doesn't advertise when
he's going to rob you. You have to make preparations. You have to
be alert to the possibility of a thiefs invasion. Since you can't
just stand outside your house and maintain a vigil you must at
least make sure doors are locked and treasures are safe and weapons
are available or you might want to maintain good relations with
neighbors so you can benefit from their observations. I think this
is even too much elaboration. Simply, one has to be watchful.
If one sleeps the thief will come and you will learn too late to
avoid the negative consequences. The blessing to individuals who
stay watchful is that they will avoid the more severe consequences
of Christs Return.
The reason for staying awake is that you can take the necessary
flight when you catch sight of the "disgusting thing standing where
it shouldn't". Having been alerted, the watchful ones will see
Christs Return from a secure place. They won't be watching the
sickle flashing overhead. That's why the admonition in Matthew is
to make your flight as soon as possible upon seeing the "disgusting
thing" otherwise winter may overtake you.
Jesus gives us a parallel illustration of his "revelation". One
is the ten virgins going out to meet the bridegroom. The bridegroom
does not come "quietly without fanfare" he comes unexpectedly and
the lesson? Matt 25:13 "Keep on the watch, therefore because YOU
know neither the day nor the hour." The other illustration Christ
used is about a master and his slaves. Mark refers briefly to the
same illustration in Matthew and concludes at Mark 13:35
"Therefore keep on the Watch".
Bahai's like the idea that Christs Return could be so
inconspicuous that it could be missed entirely. Their motive is
similar to JW's who wished they would have seen something dramatic
in 1914 but concluded that things worked out the way they predicted
except that Christ returns was invisible. The simple truth is that
nothing astounding has happened "YET". JW's minimize this with the
invisible return. Bahai's try to justify the worlds ignorance of
their beloved leader's life and death with the "theif" illustration.
Unfortunately for both Bahai's and JW's this same part of the Bible
admonishes "Then if anyone says to you 'Look! Here is the Christ'
or 'There! do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets
will arise and will give great signs and wonders so as to mislead,
if possible even the chosen ones. Look! I have forewarned you.
Therefore if people say to you, "Look! he is in the wilderness, do
not go out; 'Look! He is in the inner chambers, do not believe it.
(Now the crucial point about visibility) For just as the lightning
comes out of eastern parts and shines over to western parts, so the
presense of the Son of man will be." This appearance, as visible as
lightning, will come suddenly like a thief.
One of the indicators that Christ is near is given at 1Thess 5:2
"For you yourselves know quite well that Jehovah's day is coming
exactly as a thief in the night - Whenever it is that they are
saying "Peace and security" then SUDDEN (as a thief) destruction is
to be instantly upon them."
"But you brothers, You are not in darkness, so that that day should
overtake you as it would thieves"
The interpretation of cloud is another problem. How does the
normal person view clouds. I don't know of a better tool than the
dictionary for understanding usage.
1. A mass of VISIBLE vapor.
2. Any VISIBLE collection of particles in the air.
3. A cloudlike mass of things in motion.
4. Something that darkens or obscures.
Since there are these references that contrast "claims of Christ"
(Matt 24:4,23 & Mark 13:5,21,22 Luke 21:7 )with the "actual"
undisputed revelation of his presence I would tend to think "cloud"
means "as visible as clouds" or "lightning".
One thing you have to say about JW's throughout their history.
They have been on the watch. Occasionally they see things moving
in the darkness and sound a false warning.