catalyst wrote:What if your Bible Jesus has already "returned" prior to now?
What if the writings of Matthew in the below example, attributed to bible jesus were LITERALLY right? Other things are taken literally, so I don't understand why these particular verses should be any different.
(NIV Matthew 10:23) When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
Apparently Jesus was giving general instructions which apply to all of those who preach the gospel and not just to this particular assignment for the twelve apostles since he includes information about persecution which did not occur until later.
(NIV Matthew 16:27-28) For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. [28] I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.�
One of those standing there was John, who wrote the book of Revelation. He saw that coming of the kingdom in visions given to him by God even tho the actual event is still in the future.
(NIV Matthew 24:34) I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.
"So also,
when you see all these thing, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place."Matt.24:23,24 ESV
The generation that will not pass away is the one which sees the predictions Jesus has just made being fulfilled, not the one he was speaking to. You should interpret the Bible literally, but you should also interpret in context.
Would that mean you don't have a shot at being "up there", as it is already all said and done?
IF the above were LITERAL comments, then would that mean that here and now is "hell", and you are here now regardless of what you do or don't believe and your "satan" is just playing with your minds?

Satan is playing with your mind to keep you from believing the gospel and receiving forgiveness.
"The god of this world has blinded the eyes of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ."
2 Corinthians 4:4, ESV
One of the reasons Jesus came was to give sight to the blind. While he was on earth he healed those who were physically blind. Today he is willing the give sight to those who are spiritually blind if the will turn to him for help.