The belief of end of the world comes from colonial mentality. The truth is, the moment you die that's the end of your world, life continues after that. There is no place in the bible that suggest that this world will have a dramatic end . But rather,

Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Matthew 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

What is the field represent in this parable?
The field represent this world. Matthew 13:38

So, this world will never end.
A sensible reader will put these words together and think, and understand.

When any pastor today come to tell you that this world will have a dramatic end, he is not talking from the spirit of God, he is only assuming things away from scriptures.

paxonel:
The belief of end of the world comes from colonial mentality. The truth is, the moment you die that's the end of your world, life continues after that. There is no place in the bible that suggest that this world will have a dramatic end . But rather,
Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

The house of Jacob does not represent the entire world though.

paxonel:
Matthew 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
What is the field represent in this parable?
The field represent this world. Matthew 13:38

Matthew 13 does not refer, in anyway to the entire world. A field represents a minute area compared to the world that it can never then be said to represent the entire world. The Kingdom of God as described in all of Matthew 13, does not in anyway represent the entire world, only a near tiny/small portion of it, maybe but never the whole world.

paxonel:
So, this world will never end.
A sensible reader will put these words together and think, and understand.
When any pastor today come to tell you that this world will have a dramatic end, he is not talking from the spirit of God, he is only assuming things away from scriptures.

LOL.... sensible reader my foot! It is insensible to assume that Jesus Christ, when telling His many parables, did not know the difference between the WORLD and a FIELD. He really did mean a field, and when compared to the world, it is safe to conclude that the field compared to God's Kingdom in all of the parables, does not cover the entire world in anyway shape or form.

Kobojunkie:
The house of Jacob does not represent the entire world though.
Matthew 13 does not refer, in anyway to the entire world. A field represents a minute area compared to the world that it can never then be said to represent the entire world. The Kingdom of God as described in all of Matthew 13, does not in anyway represent the entire world, only a near tiny/small portion of it, maybe but never the whole world.
LOL.... sensible reader my foot! It is insensible to assume that Jesus Christ, when telling His many parables, did not know the difference between the WORLD and a FIELD. He really did mean a field, and when compared to the world, it is safe to conclude that the field compared to God's Kingdom in all of the parables, does not cover the entire world in anyway shape or form.

you fail to point out what that minute area is and where it is located, therefore your argument isn't complete and you are wrong

Otherwise this whole thing is for the entire world.

John 3:16 For God so love the world...

Today after 2000 years of his resurrection, we have Christianity spread everywhere in almost the entire world and your belief that it is not for the entire world couldn't do anything to stop this spread.

paxonel:
you fail to point out what that minute area is and where it is located, therefore your argument isn't complete and you are wrong

The field in question does not refer to an actual place on the map. If you read through the parables about the kingdom carefully, you will note that the Kingdom only refers to a portion of the whole, and not a place on the whole or the whole itself. Imagine the world a map of so large area covered with different fields, the Kingdom of God is just one of those fields.

paxonel:
Otherwise this whole thing is for the entire world.

Not even close! Even when He tells the parable of the wedding Banquet, again Jesus Christ tell story of a single kingdom where it is possible there are many, many other kingdoms.

paxonel:
John 3:16 For God so love the world...
Today after 2000 years of his resurrection, we have Christianity spread everywhere in almost the entire world and your belief that it is not for the entire world couldn't do anything to stop this spread.

I am afraid you have it all wrong there. Jesus Christ did not come that the world may have what is called Christianity today. Plus, Christianity, as we have it in today's world, is a complete departure from the descriptions of Jesus Christ's Kingdom parables.

The Parable of the Weeds Explained

Matthew 13 vs 1-9 (ERV)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
36. Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.”
36. He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.
36. The field is the world, [/b]and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,
[b] 36. and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.
36. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.
36. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers,
36. and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
36. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

there was a first day and there shall be a last day.

Till the Taskmaster stops Firing. You are my Guy. And so the experience of The Son of Man is an End time Event that will be with us Humans for ever and until CHRIST come.

Kobojunkie:
The field in question does not refer to an actual place on the map. If you read through the parables about the kingdom carefully, you will note that the Kingdom only refers to a portion of the whole, and not a place on the whole or the whole itself. Imagine the world a map of so large area covered with different fields, the Kingdom of God is just one of those fields.
Not even close! Even when He tells the parable of the wedding Banquet, again Jesus Christ tell story of a single kingdom where it is possible there are many, many other kingdoms.

I am afraid you have it all wrong there. Jesus Christ did not come that the world may have what is called Christianity today. Plus, Christianity, as we have it in today's world, is a complete departure from the descriptions of Jesus Christ's Kingdom parables.

i rest my case!
But please don't quote me again for irrelevant talk

CodeTemplar:
there was a first day and there shall be a last day.

the argument does not follow.
Even if there is going to be a last day it's something no one today can determine, just like no one today can determine the first day.

paxonel:
The belief of end of the world comes from colonial mentality. The truth is, the moment you die that's the end of your world, life continues after that. There is no place in the bible that suggest that this world will have a dramatic end . But rather,

Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Matthew 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

What is the field represent in this parable?
The field represent this world. Matthew 13:38

So, this world will never end.

You have not finished your thinking for that seed planted has to grow, which it did.

But let us consider the outcomes.

If the seed does not grow, then we could blame the farmland.

If the land is fertilzed and the seed does not grow, then we would blame the seed. And if the seed is at fault, the seed shall be uprooted and thrown into the fire because it is useless to everyone.

Now, if the seed grows, then it is supposed to bear Fruits/seeds.

If it does not bear fruits, the tree shall be cut down and thrown into the fire again (as firewood).

If it bears fruits, the fruits shall be plucked and fertilzers shall be applied on the tree so that it shall produce again.

So, say the Truth, is man producing good seeds that he should live?

Regardless of your answer, you and I are not Determining whether this world shall be Terminated or Not!

But He Who Has Power To Do So, has Already Said That He Shall Do So!

So it Must Be Done!

Life and time are circular..no beginning no ending...we enter and exit the matrix at different times...

sonmvayina:
Life and time are circular..no beginning no ending...we enter and exit the matrix at different times...

Technically and scientifically this present world will end . but according to me , another world will pop out( this present humanity might not be part anyway) , the reason is, it has being hypothesized that this current world which was as a result of big bang scientically wasn't the beginning of creation. A Universe was existing. So it is just like cyclic nature. And current humanity will surely evolved probably maybe to mystical being. The gods as the Yoruba put it. ( Eniyan ni dorisa) . If you can see we are from just single cell and then to three cell and then to multiple cell that is evolutuon . we maybe emerging to something much more sophisticated than what we are now .

Remember we are once a monkey like creature before human.

vaxx:
Technically and scientifically this present world will end . but according to me , another world will pop out( this present humanity might not be part anyway) , the reason is, it has being hypothesized that this current world which was as a result of big bang scientically wasn't the beginning of creation. A Universe was existing. So it is just like cyclic nature. And current humanity will surely evolved probably maybe to mystical being. The gods as the Yoruba put it. ( Eniyan ni dorisa) . If you can see we are from just single cell and then to three cell and then to multiple cell that is evolutuon . we maybe emerging to something much more sophisticated than what we are now .

Remember we are once a monkey like creature before human.

I no join you..lol..we are all gods,just having a human experience..

sonmvayina:


I no join you..lol..we are all gods,just having a human experience..

it is better you say we are all part of what consist God including ant and the rest of creation .Why must God necessarily be human being or look like human being ? That is human centric veiw .

Have you study ant ? They are living in their own kingdom...probably they have their own pastors, imams and babalawo too.

vaxx:
it is better you say we are all part of what consist God including ant and the rest of creation .Why must God necessarily be human being or look like human being ? That is human centric veiw .

Have you study ant ? They are living in their own kingdom...probably they have their own pastors, imams and babalawo too.

I meant existence itself..

paxonel:
The belief of end of the world comes from colonial mentality. The truth is, the moment you die that's the end of your world, life continues after that. There is no place in the bible that suggest that this world will have a dramatic end . But rather,

Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Matthew 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

What is the field represent in this parable?
The field represent this world. Matthew 13:38

So, this world will never end.
A sensible reader will put these words together and think, and understand.

When any pastor today come to tell you that this world will have a dramatic end, he is not talking from the spirit of God, he is only assuming things away from scriptures.

Here's what I read in the Bible:

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
2 Peter 3:10-13 (NKJV)

​1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.
Revelation 21:1 (NKJV)

So I believe that you are quite desperately wrong about this.

Of course the Bible teaches that there will be a new heaven and a new earth, and that seems to me to fully fulfill any expectation that the earth will last forever. It will, just not as this corrupt one that we are currently living in. This one will be replaced with a new, eternal one where there is no unrighteousness of any sort, just as the passages above clearly say.

I'll also point out that "forever" in the Bible sometimes means "until the end of time" not until eternity. So, we know, for example, that when the Lord Jesus returns to reign over the whole Earth from Jerusalem, His rule will continue until the end of time. Then He will destroy the whole universe, resurrect and reward the Millennial believers and judge all unbelievers of human history and consign them to the Lake of Fire. After that, He will create a new universe, bigger and infinitely better than this one, full of light (with no darkness at all) and righteousness.

Then, as the Bible teaches, He will give the Kingdom over to the Father.

24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
1 Corinthians 15:24-28 (NKJV)

ihedinobi2:


Here's what I read in the Bible:

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

let me put it straight that this statement is like a parable(figurative language) and here is the meaning :
The day of the Lord represent the day of death for everyone which is the second coming of Christ.
Everyone have their different day when they will die therefore the day of Lord is different for everyone so it's not like there is a particular day set aside as the day of the Lord.
When anyone dies, that is the day Jesus returns or comes to judge that person. Hebrews 6:27
After that, life continues for those who didn't die,Therefore there is no end.

The day of the Lord comes like a thief that comes in the night without warning, that means death comes without warning.
Infact, the day we will die we will not be aware of what hit us.
That day, heaven and earth will pass away : that means we will not sense this clouds or heavens anymore, it will be as if the element of the clouds has melted or burnt with fervent heat (according to that scripture).
But in the real sense, there is no heat, no fire, it will just be end of life for the individual, that's all.
So, understand that it's a parable and it is not in anyway referring to end of the world if you read it with the proper interpretation.

11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
2 Peter 3:10-13 (NKJV)

yes! there is a promise of new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells, but that new heavens and new earth is an abstract entity(not what we perceive or observed with our five senses like a real world). This abstract entity called the kingdom of God dwells in us.(all believers)
Luke 17:20-21
So, there is nothing like another world called heaven.
Heaven is already here with us.
We represent the kingdom of God here on this earth where there is righteousness.
And what is that righteousness?
It is righteousness of God through Christ.
Not by our works
Not that we were good in the first place.
It's a gift,
So heaven is a gift.

Dtruthspeaker:


You have not finished your thinking for that seed planted has to grow, which it did.

But let us consider the outcomes.

If the seed does not grow, then we could blame the farmland.

If the land is fertilzed and the seed does not grow, then we would blame the seed. And if the seed is at fault, the seed shall be uprooted and thrown into the fire because it is useless to everyone.

Now, if the seed grows, then it is supposed to bear Fruits/seeds.

If it does not bear fruits, the tree shall be cut down and thrown into the fire again (as firewood).

If it bears fruits, the fruits shall be plucked and fertilzers shall be applied on the tree so that it shall produce again.

So, say the Truth, is man producing good seeds that he should live?

is man producing good seeds that he should live?
The answer is no!

But has God give up on man?
The answer is no!

Matthew 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Matthew13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

So, God has not give up on man. Infact, he has already separated those who are bearing fruit from those who are not.

Regardless of your answer, you and I are not Determining whether this world shall be Terminated or Not!

we do not have power to determine that, everything is well spelt in the scriptures

But He Who Has Power To Do So, has Already Said That He Shall Do So!

if it so, it should reflect in the bible that he has said so, otherwise you are the one saying it.

The last blackhole will evaporate in the next 10^100 years by then, the universe will be dark and empty

Fash20:
The last blackhole will evaporate in the next 10^100 years by then, the universe will be dark and empty

this is where philosophy trashed science. what do you mean by darkness and empty. Does it mean dark like it will not be impenetrable even with the highest light density such as what we experience at night without electricity ( remember owls has adapted and evolve well enough to see at night and that is a creation. And emptiness . What do you mean ? Do you mean where there will be absence of proton and neutron the element that makes up an atom . Remember you don't even need to have atom in the milky way before it reignite life. An element of proton and neutron just around it can ignite energy into it.

paxonel:
let me put it straight that this statement is like a parable(figurative language) and here is the meaning :
The day of the Lord represent the day of death for everyone which is the second coming of Christ.
Everyone have their different day when they will die therefore the day of Lord is different for everyone so it's not like there is a particular day set aside as the day of the Lord.
When anyone dies, that is the day Jesus returns or comes to judge that person. Hebrews 6:27
After that, life continues for those who didn't die,Therefore there is no end.

The day of the Lord comes like a thief that comes in the night without warning, that means death comes without warning.
Infact, the day we will die we will not be aware of what hit us.
That day, heaven and earth will pass away : that means we will not sense this clouds or heavens anymore, it will be as if the element of the clouds has melted or burnt with fervent heat (according to that scripture).
But in the real sense, there is no heat, no fire, it will just be end of life for the individual, that's all.
So, understand that it's a parable and it is not in anyway referring to end of the world if you read it with the proper interpretation.
yes! there is a promise of new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells, but that new heavens and new earth is an abstract entity(not what we perceive or observed with our five senses like a real world). This abstract entity called the kingdom of God dwells in us.(all believers)
Luke 17:20-21
So, there is nothing like another world called heaven.
Heaven is already here with us.
We represent the kingdom of God here on this earth where there is righteousness.
And what is that righteousness?
It is righteousness of God through Christ.
Not by our works
Not that we were good in the first place.
It's a gift,
So heaven is a gift.

I believe that you are violently wrong about everything that you just said.

The Day of the Lord is very obviously no metaphor (I believe that that is the word you wanted, not "parable" ).

1 Behold, the day of the LORD is coming,
And your spoil will be divided in your midst.
2 For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem;
The city shall be taken,
The houses rifled,
And the women ravished.
Half of the city shall go into captivity,
But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
3 Then the LORD will go forth
And fight against those nations,
As He fights in the day of battle.
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.
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.
Zechariah 14:1-9 (NKJV)

There are far more passages like the above than I can even begin to quote here. Why on earth should anyone believe that it is a metaphor? Where does the Bible say that it is a metaphor? It sounds entirely like something you made up all by yourself when you say that.

Certainly, when we die, we face the consequences of our ultimate choice to believe in God's Messiah or to reject Him. But I don't see where in the Bible it says that the day of the Lord is when anybody dies. That seems to be your own invention. I also don't see where it says that we are judged when we die. The Bible seems clear that the Church will be evaluated for her rewards only at the Second Advent (1 John 2:28; Matthew 24:45-51, cf. Matthew 25:14-30), the Millennial believers also evaluated for theirs at the end of the Millennium (Matthew 25:31-40) and all unbelievers judged after this latter (Matthew 25:41-46; Revelation 20:11-15).

Also, I think that your claim that death comes without warning is easily proven false. Those who are about to be executed know that they are going to die. Many who are about to be murdered know that they are going to die. There are more than enough suicides to show that you are quite wrong too. The day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night, yes, but Paul goes on to say that this is for unbelievers who don't know or care what God says and believers who are being careless about their watch:

2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 (NKJV)

32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!
Matthew 24:32-33 (NKJV)

It seems to me then that you are the one who needs to know that this is no metaphor at all and that the Bible really means what it says. Your interpretation is false in a very dangerous way.

As for the Kingdom of God being within, this is what the passage you are quoting says:

20 Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
Luke 17:20-21 (NIV)

That is, the Kingdom of God is already in the world, not that it is within anybody. The Kingdom of God is in the world because believers in Jesus Christ are in the world and they are citizens of that kingdom (Philippians 3:20). This does not mean that there is no Heaven. I can't even understand how anyone could think it means that. Nobody thinks that there is no nation called the United States of America just because there is an embassy in Abuja called the United States Embassy/Consulate. That would be absurd. It would be just as absurd to claim that there is no nation called Canada just because Canadians are sprinkled all over Africa, for another example. Likewise, there is no reason to say that there is no Heaven just because there are Christians in the world. In fact, the Bible says this:

11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation.
Hebrews 9:11 (NIV)

paxonel:
The belief of end of the world comes from colonial mentality. The truth is, the moment you die that's the end of your world, life continues after that. There is no place in the bible that suggest that this world will have a dramatic end . But rather,

Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Matthew 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

What is the field represent in this parable?
The field represent this world. Matthew 13:38

So, this world will never end.
A sensible reader will put these words together and think, and understand.

When any pastor today come to tell you that this world will have a dramatic end, he is not talking from the spirit of God, he is only assuming things away from scriptures.

Very wrong.
Even science agree that this world must end sometimes in the future.

shadeyinka:

Very wrong.
Even science agree that this world must end sometimes in the future.

every scientific conclusions have their references, come up with one reference in science to butress your point.
For Christians, the bible is our reference. You don't conclude without having an accurate backup of scripture

ihedinobi2:


I believe that you are violently wrong about everything that you just said.

The Day of the Lord is very obviously no metaphor (I believe that that is the word you wanted, not "parable" ).

1 Behold, the day of the LORD is coming,
And your spoil will be divided in your midst.
2 For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem;
The city shall be taken,
The houses rifled,
And the women ravished.
Half of the city shall go into captivity,
But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
3 Then the LORD will go forth
And fight against those nations,
As He fights in the day of battle.
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.
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.
Zechariah 14:1-9 (NKJV)

There are far more passages like the above than I can even begin to quote here. Why on earth should anyone believe that it is a metaphor? Where does the Bible say that it is a metaphor? It sounds entirely like something you made up all by yourself when you say that.

Certainly, when we die, we face the consequences of our ultimate choice to believe in God's Messiah or to reject Him. But I don't see where in the Bible it says that the day of the Lord is when anybody dies. That seems to be your own invention. I also don't see where it says that we are judged when we die. The Bible seems clear that the Church will be evaluated for her rewards only at the Second Advent (1 John 2:28; Matthew 24:45-51, cf. Matthew 25:14-30), the Millennial believers also evaluated for theirs at the end of the Millennium (Matthew 25:31-40) and all unbelievers judged after this latter (Matthew 25:41-46; Revelation 20:11-15).

Also, I think that your claim that death comes without warning is easily proven false. Those who are about to be executed know that they are going to die. Many who are about to be murdered know that they are going to die. There are more than enough suicides to show that you are quite wrong too. The day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night, yes, but Paul goes on to say that this is for unbelievers who don't know or care what God says and believers who are being careless about their watch:

2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 (NKJV)

32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!
Matthew 24:32-33 (NKJV)

It seems to me then that you are the one who needs to know that this is no metaphor at all and that the Bible really means what it says. Your interpretation is false in a very dangerous way.

As for the Kingdom of God being within, this is what the passage you are quoting says:

20 Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
Luke 17:20-21 (NIV)

That is, the Kingdom of God is already in the world, not that it is within anybody. The Kingdom of God is in the world because believers in Jesus Christ are in the world and they are citizens of that kingdom (Philippians 3:20). This does not mean that there is no Heaven. I can't even understand how anyone could think it means that. Nobody thinks that there is no nation called the United States of America just because there is an embassy in Abuja called the United States Embassy/Consulate. That would be absurd. It would be just as absurd to claim that there is no nation called Canada just because Canadians are sprinkled all over Africa, for another example. Likewise, there is no reason to say that there is no Heaven just because there are Christians in the world. In fact, the Bible says this:

11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation.
Hebrews 9:11 (NIV)

do you believe that everything written in the bible were written literally? (in clear language for people to understand)

Take a look at this one

Matthew 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

Did Jesus give interpretation to this parable?
Can you then interprete it and know what it means since Jesus didn't give it interpretation thereof?

The same thing applies to some scriptures you read. They were not given outright interpretation but they expected the reader to read and understand.

Look, the writers of the bible are not mad.
No sensible person talk mysteries in a real world, any phrase you come across in the bible that sound mysterious to you have interior meaning, go for the meaning.
If you fail to go for the meaning it's your fault, not the writers fault

Look at this one.

Revelation 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

Let's assume heaven was in the mysteries beyond the clouds how then will the king of the earth bring their glory to it?
They will climb ladder up to heaven?

Does that make sense to you?

Revelation 21:24 is a figurative language or parable and if you want to see the sense in it, then you should look at it that both the kings of earth and the kingdom of God where they bring their glory and honor, are all on this earth since they cannot climb ladder to the clouds

Well, you can choose to believe whatever you want to believe it's a free world
But understand one thing : If you have never read the bible from Genesis to Revelation such that every scripture you come across point to one thing which is the final conclusion of the whole bible you read, then you have not started reading.

paxonel:
every scientific conclusions have their references, come up with one reference in science to butress your point.
For Christians, the bible is our reference. You don't conclude without having an accurate backup of scripture

The Law of Entropy!


2Pet 3:10: "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."

2Pet 3:12: "Looking for and hastening to the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?"

Rev 21:1: "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea."

Luk 21:33: "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."

paxonel:
is man producing good seeds that he should live?
The answer is no!

But has God give up on man?
The answer is no!

Matthew 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
Matthew13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

So, God has not give up on man. Infact, he has already separated those who are bearing fruit from those who are not. [/quote]

Then the meaning of the Parables are lost on you and you never appreciated Jeremiah 2:21

"Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?

paxonel:

we do not have power to determine that, everything is well spelt in the scriptures
if it so, it should reflect in the bible that he has said so, otherwise you are the one saying it.

It is Written 2 Peter 3
"For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

I know this one would not be enough for you, so here is another


Revelation 20:11

“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.”

Revelation 21:1
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away

But I know you know all these, you just wish it would not happen.

paxonel:
The belief of end of the world comes from colonial mentality. The truth is, the moment you die that's the end of your world, life continues after that. There is no place in the bible that suggest that this world will have a dramatic end . But rather,

Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Matthew 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

What is the field represent in this parable?
The field represent this world. Matthew 13:38

So, this world will never end.
A sensible reader will put these words together and think, and understand.

When any pastor today come to tell you that this world will have a dramatic end, he is not talking from the spirit of God, he is only assuming things away from scriptures.

No, you are very wrong.

End of the world means, end of the reign of satan's rule over this earth, which is the return of Jesus. So, when we say end of the world, we are talking about the end of wickedness, lawlessness, evil, cruelty, and inhumanity. The coming of Jesus will end all these

Matthew 24:3
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

However, the earth is forever. The world of evil will end, but the earth will be regenerated with Truth and Goodness

Ecclesiastes 1:4
One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.

The end of the world is the end of the generation of wickedness and the institution of righteous rulership on the earth for ever.

OP, Paxonel, you have a knack for turning the Bible upside down.

I am sure you are aware of the curses that follow this behaviour, which will be in effect both here and in the hereafter.

shadeyinka:

The Law of Entropy!

Entropy always increase with time is not a proof that existence will end someday.

2Pet 3:10: "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."

2Pet 3:12: "Looking for and hastening to the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?"

Rev 21:1: "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea."

Luk 21:33: "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."

we've already discover what the day of the Lord is.
The day of the Lord is the day we all will die someday. That is the day the Lord will return and judge us.
It is appointed ones for men to die, after that judgement.
The day you die, that is the end of your world. After that life continues for those who are still alive.

Then, talking about the new heaven and the new earth, that one is your heart.
God's kingdom is in your heart.

MrPresident1:
OP, Paxonel, you have a knack for turning the Bible upside down.

For good of Christianity and me and you who believes in Christ.
Conventional doctrines are contradictory to reality and they are not doing us any good

I am sure you are aware of the curses that follow this behaviour, which will be in effect both here and in the hereafter.

there are no curses!
See, the only thing in this life that is permanent is truth and i will tell you why.

Learn from history,

In those days the church used to believe that the earth was flat is shape, it was a doctrine that was thought and it was a curse to believe anything otherwise. Everyone believed it trying to avoid the the so called curse until Galeleo came up with something different that the earth is spherical in shape, yet it took time for people to believe what Galelio was saying.

Today, virtually everyone have believed that the earth is spherical and not flat, now who has that curse affected for believing otherwise?

Rather the knowledge of that truth Galeleo brought is still improving lives today.

paxonel:
For good of Christianity and me and you who believes in Christ.
Conventional doctrines are contradictory to reality and they are not doing us any good
there are no curses!
See, the only thing in this life that is permanent is truth and i will tell you why.

Learn from history,

In those days the church used to believe that the earth was flat is shape, it was a doctrine that was thought and it was a curse to believe anything otherwise. Everyone believed it trying to avoid the the so called curse until Galeleo came up with something different that the earth is spherical in shape, yet it took time for people to believe what Galelio was saying.

Today, virtually everyone have believed that the earth is spherical and not flat, now who has that curse affected for believing otherwise?

Rather the knowledge of that truth Galeleo brought is still improving lives today.

The Bible is inerrant.

There are people who mis-interprete deliberately and there are those who do so by mistake. You are a deliberate mis-quoter, mis-interpreter, and mis-translator of the Bible. The way of the people who do what you are doing is cursed, both here and in the hereafter.

paxonel:
The belief of end of the world comes from colonial mentality. The truth is, the moment you die that's the end of your world, life continues after that. There is no place in the bible that suggest that this world will have a dramatic end . But rather,

Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Matthew 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

What is the field represent in this parable?
The field represent this world. Matthew 13:38

So, this world will never end.
A sensible reader will put these words together and think, and understand.

When any pastor today come to tell you that this world will have a dramatic end, he is not talking from the spirit of God, he is only assuming things away from scriptures.

Even the promise to Noah was that the world will never be destroyed.

paxonel:
Entropy always increase with time is not a proof that existence will end someday.
we've already discover what the day of the Lord is.
The day of the Lord is the day we all will die someday. That is the day the Lord will return and judge us.
It is appointed ones for men to die, after that judgement.
The day you die, that is the end of your world. After that life continues for those who are still alive.

Then, talking about the new heaven and the new earth, that one is your heart.
God's kingdom is in your heart.

I will take you up only on entropy!

Will our sun live forever according to the law of conservation of energy? The sun is always loosing mass and energy: will it not die someday?

Entropy increasing with time means that all known order in existence will tend towards disorder.