I thought you'd bring the chocolate and graham crackers?

It is PARRRRRRTY TIME

The point? Does not the truth of this passage come through, no matter what translation is used, one shall be taken and the other remain? The New Testament was originally drafted in the Greek language, the international language of the time, just as is English considered the international language of this current time. What is the point in getting hung up on certain translations, what difference does it make whether it was translated as a couch or bed? The point of truth being addressed is that one is taken and the other is left behind. Unless they "Paraphrase", which is a from of taking the liberty to personally interpret what is said and not present verbatim, as close as possible to the type of print one is using as compared to the original, one translation is as good as another....if the original truth prevails. Probably the closest to an actual meaning in our language is the American standard which uses our modern terminology.

The point that should be made concerning the 24th chapter is the fact that two completely different events are being foretold by the Christ....as all of this chapter is not dealing with the end of time and the final judgment but the first part of this Chapter is dealing with the destruction of Jerusalem after the death of Jesus which in fact did take place around 70 AD.

Chapter 24 begins with Jesus teaching his disciples as he is leaving the city, "And Jesus said unto them, See ye not these things (speaking of the temple)? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." 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?" -- Matthew 24:2-3. Thus, what we have is Jesus addressing two completely different subjects. 1) When will the destruction of Jerusalem come with the temple being thrown down, (which the disciples wrongly assumed was the end of time or the last trump). 2) Next, they ask the question AND what shall be the sign of they coming, and the end of the world. Jesus clearly proceeds to answer the first question, and informs them of the tribulation of that which is to befall Jerusalem and the peoples therein, and informs them that this is the fulfillment of what Daniel the prophet spoke of in the "Abomination of Desolation" -- Matt. 24:15. Indeed Jesus cannot be speaking of the end of the world for He advises anyone that is caught up in this to FLEE INTO THE MOUNTAINS and pray ye that your flight be not in winter, neither on the sabbath day. (Vs. 17-20). What good would it be to run at the end of time, and specifically why would Jesus be advising anyone caught during such a time to run? If they were Christian, would they not welcome the final judgment?

Also note that Jesus said that THIS GENERATION SHALL NOT PASS TILL ALL THESE THINGS BE FULFILLED. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Clearly in the preceding verses Jesus was addressing the destruction of Jerusalem for how can he warn someone of something that he is not privy to himself? As he admits that no one knows when the final day of judgment will come...only the Father. And warns them next of that day...the judgment. Vs. 36-51. Chapter 24 is a hard study, in the fact that Jesus flows from addressing one question and begins answering another concerning the end times without pausing, which no one knows when it will happen. How can one be warned if they are not to know when it is coming? Thus, what Jesus is teaching is the fact that they, the disciples, should stay prepared at all times. But, most important notice that in Chapter 23 leading up to 24 Jesus tells the scribes and Pharisees also that they will be punished by God for their wrong doing, as He tells them that, "Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon THIS GENERATION." -- 23:36. Twice Jesus uses this statement once speaking to the Pharisees(23:36) and once speaking to his disciples(24: 34), thus, he must be referring to the destruction of Jerusalem and the punishment of God toward Israel for their sins of how they have treated God's righteous prophets...to include the Son of God himself. For indeed, the destruction of Jerusalem and the Nation of Israel is made in prophecy and foretold to happen at the changing of the Covenant. -- Jer. 31:31-37, which tells us that the seed of Israel shall be cast off for all they have done during this day when the ordinances or Laws shall pass away. (R)

Just curious Ralph have you ever tried putting things into your own words?

They say there's a heaven for those who await.
Some say it's better but I say it ain't.
I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints.
'Cause sinners have much more fun.

-Billy Joel Only the Good die Young

I suppose getting left behind is not a good thing.

Idiot! No it's not. It's three men in a tub!

Ye shall be cast in the Lake of Fire for such blasphemy. Ye shall perish in the heat of a billion suns and your body forever ravaged by vermin. You still have time to repent. Go now to your local Baptist church and get on your hands and knees and beg for forgiveness.

Great idea for a thread Gary. To bad you cast it among swine.

Yes but just think even dogs eat of crumbs from the master's table and there are a few dogs here.