Twisting Scripture

As I began studying the Bible as a young man, I wanted to see if the classic Christian doctrines are biblical. I wanted to be honest with the texts, even if I didn’t like what I found.  I studied all of the essential “first things” doctrines and confirmed that they are consistent with Scripture. These include: the existence of God, the Trinity, special creation, the sinful nature of man, salvation by grace through a living faith in Jesus alone, etc.

But when I got to the ”last things” (eschatology), I just couldn’t reconcile the views I heard taught in many churches with what the Bible clearly teaches. I have concluded that on this topic, error has crept into church teaching by reliance on uninspired documents, tradition, peer pressure, and presupposition.

HERE’S HOW FUTURISTS TWIST THE WORDS OF JESUS AND THE BIBLICAL WRITERS:

“This generation” (Mt. 11:16; 12:39; 16:4; 17:17; 23:36; 24:34) REALLY MEANS some other future generation.

“In a very, very little while” (Heb. 10:37) REALLY MEANS thousands of years later.

“The end is at hand” (1 Pet. 4:7) REALLY MEANS it was not at hand at all, but rather far distant.

“The time was short” (1 Cor. 7:29) REALLY MEANS the time was a long time off.

“It is the last hour” (1 John 2:18) REALLY MEANS millions of hours later.

Judgment to occur at Jesus’ return in his kingdom “before some standing here taste death” (Mt. 16:27-28) REALLY MEANS a time like Pentecost or the Ascension when there would be no judgment.

“Must shortly take place” (Rev. 1:1; 22:6) REALLY MEANS it would NOT take place shortly.

“The time is near” (Rev. 1:3; 22:10) REALLY MEANS the time is distant.

“Soon” (Phil. 2:19; Rev. 22:7, 12, 20) REALLY MEANS not soon at all.

“My kingdom is not of this world” (Lk. 17:20; Jn. 18:36) REALLY MEANS Jesus’ kingdom will be a literal millennial kingdom IN THE WORLD.

Paul said the gospel “has been proclaimed to the whole world” (Rom. 1:8; 10:18; 16:25-27; Col. 1:6; 23), but that couldn’t REALLY MEAN the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew 24:14 about the gospel being proclaimed to the “whole world.”

The “kingdom will be taken from you [the Jews] and given to a people producing its fruits” (Mt. 21:43) REALLY MEANS the kingdom belonged to the Jews forever.

“May no fruit ever come from you [the fig tree = Old Covenant Israel] again” (Mt. 21:19) REALLY MEANS someday Israel will bear fruit again.

Jerusalem and the temple to be “destroyed” REALLY MEANS a third temple will be built.

To explore how to understand such passages without twisting their meaning, check out my website:

www.ProphecyQuestions.com