A Two-Part Question for JWs about Matthew 24:14

[Skeptical]

This question is primarily asked to JWs, but anyone with a Bible-based view may participate in this discussion. But my two-fold question is: According to Matthew 24:14:

14 And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations,+ and then the end will come.

a) What exactly was the good news of the Kingdom that was preached in the first century CE?
b) Since Jesus was referring to all the inhabited earth during the first century, what "end" was he referring to?

And the reason why I ask these questions is because I understand that JWs have a different interpretation of what the gospel or good news is compared to other Christians. Also, since the inhabited earth during the first century went beyond the Roman province of Judea and the city of Jerusalem, what concern would "the end" be for Christians living in other regions of the inhabited earth? (Colossians 1:23)

[JehovahsWitness]

But how did the first century Christians who lived outside of Jerusalem and the Roman province of Judea understand what "the end" meant?

I do not have mind reading capacities, so I cannot say.

If they listened to Jesus explanation they would know that they were living at "the end" of the Jewish temple based system (and were to take specific actions to survive that "end") but also that Jesus alluded to the end of the entire world system at his return and the ultimate judgement of humanity.

That event is yet in our future.



JW

[Skeptical]

But how did the first century Christians who lived outside of Jerusalem and the Roman province of Judea understand what "the end" meant?

I do not have mind reading capacities, so I cannot say.

If they listened to Jesus explanation they would know that they were living at "the end" of the Jewish temple based system (and were to take specific actions to survive that "end") but also that Jesus alluded to the end of the entire world system at his return and the ultimate judgement of humanity.

That event is yet in our future.



JW

Huh? So, doesn't jw.org or the Bible have anything written about this? Or maybe they were expecting the end of the world to come in the first century? Because as I had mentioned before, even some of the "inspired" Bible writers thought that.

[Skeptical]

But how did the first century Christians who lived outside of Jerusalem and the Roman province of Judea understand what "the end" meant?

I do not have mind reading capacities, so I cannot say.

If they listened to Jesus explanation they would know that they were living at "the end" of the Jewish temple based system (and were to take specific actions to survive that "end")

But why would first century Christians who lived outside of Jerusalem and the Roman province of Judea take specific actions to survive that "end"? That doesn't make sense.

[Skeptical]

But how did the first century Christians who lived outside of Jerusalem and the Roman province of Judea understand what "the end" meant?

I do not have mind reading capacities, so I cannot say.

If they listened to Jesus explanation they would know that they were living at "the end" of the Jewish temple based system (and were to take specific actions to survive that "end") but also that Jesus alluded to the end of the entire world system at his return and the ultimate judgement of humanity.

That event is yet in our future.



JW

But that is not what the "inspired" Bible writers believed at first. However, after first century Christians started dying off, they realized they had to change what they were believing and what they were writing about. And if you don't believe me, look it up yourself.

[Skeptical]

Where does it say in the Bible that the first century Christians were taught that "the earth will be a paradise garden"?

That was not a quotation. When I am quoting scripture directly I always use "<--- quotation marks ---> " and or site the source reference.




JW

So, are you saying that the Bible didn't teach first century Christians that the earth will be a paradise garden?

[Skeptical]

HOW SHOULD WE UNDERSTAND COLOSSIANS 1:23?


Paul, a first century Missionary, implied that the Christian message had reached all territories of the then "known world". It should not be taken literally to refer to every land on the literal planet.

Yes, I understand that. But see my post #6.

I saw post #6 ; thanks very much. Above is an explanation of the significance of Col 1:23.



JEHOVAH’S WITNESS

Yeah, but the known world went beyond Jerusalem and the Roman province of Judea.

But there was much more work to be done. Starting in 36 C.E., with the conversion of Cornelius, an uncircumcised Gentile, the good news began to spread to non-Jewish people of all nations. (Acts, chap. 10) In fact, so rapidly did it spread that by about 60 C.E., the apostle Paul could say that the good news had been “preached in all creation that is under heaven.” (Col. 1:23) Thus, by the end of the first century, Jesus’ faithful followers had made disciples throughout the Roman Empire—in Asia, Europe, and Africa!

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1101993004

[JehovahsWitness]

... some of the "inspired" Bible writers thought that

This is a debate forum; would you provide a bible a reference to support your clam.?

[JehovahsWitness]

Yeah, but the known world went beyond Jerusalem and the Roman province of Judea.

Yes... So? Do you think you could see your way to writing in a sentence or two ( in your own words) what your point is?

[Skeptical]

... some of the "inspired" Bible writers thought that

This is a debate forum; would you provide a bible a reference to support your clam.?

Absolutely. No problem at all.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

16 because the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’su voice and with God’s trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first.v 17 Afterward we the living who are surviving will, together with them, be caught away in cloudsw to meet the Lordx in the air; and thus we will always be with the Lord.

And notice that Paul said "we the living" and not something like 'those of us who are living and.'

1 Corinthians 7:26-33

26 Therefore, I think that it is best for a man to continue as he is in view of the present difficulty. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Stop seeking a release.x Are you freed from a wife? Stop seeking a wife. 28 But even if you did marry, you would commit no sin. And if a virgin married, such a person would commit no sin. However, those who do will have tribulation in their flesh. But I am trying to spare you.
29 Moreover, this I say, brothers, the time left is reduced.y From now on, let those who have wives be as though they had none, 30 and those who weep as those who do not weep, and those who rejoice as those who do not rejoice, and those who buy as those who do not possess, 31 and those making use of the world as those not using it to the full;z for the scene of this world is changing. 32 Indeed, I want you to be free from anxiety. The unmarried man is anxious for the things of the Lord, how he may gain the Lord’s approval. 33 But the married man is anxious for the things of the world,a how he may gain the approval of his wife,

Paul's admonition and viewpoint sounds very similar to JWs' admonition and viewpoint about getting things like a college education in our current world system since they believe that there won't be time left to really use it.

[Miles]

a) What exactly was the good news of the Kingdom that was preached in the first century CE?

The same that is being preached today...namely that Jesus is God's appointed King and he will save mankind fron sin and death. That by means of Gods incoming government the earth will be a paradise garden and all suffering will end (read Revelation 21:4)



GOOD NEWS: JESUS AND HIS GOVERNMENT WILL RULE OVER THE PLANET

I've heard of Jesus ruling in/from the kingdom of god, but never having a government ("the governing body of a nation, state, or community") separate from himself.

Curious: What is your Biblical source?

.