PS95
Well-Known Member
john 14:19?-- That's what Jws use to convince us of an invisible return in 1914 that only they know about.Indeed, the apostles of that time (including Paul) were only given what was necessary and pertinent to the beginning and growth of the church. The scriptures then tell us that those things sealed and not to be revealed until the end, and the "finish" of the church age would not come until the times of the gentiles were fulfilled--specifically, when the seventh angel is about to sound.
And you are correct about Paul for the most part. He only knew enough to say things even he did not fully understand--as he explained, because things were under restraint by "He who restrains...until He is taken out of the way." Even so, Paul was given lots of insight--but as "through a glass dimly." His insight was so sketchy, some of it he confessed not knowing, saying, "—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows."
But that time of revealing was to come, and has come.
As for the return of Christ before or after Paul died--He is not to be found or seen among the dead--the world sees Him no more. As He said, regarding His returning in the glory of the Father, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation." Instead, as He further explained, His return would not be as expected, but in this way: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." Which then--whether Paul actually understood or the Holy Spirit was speaking and he too did not fully understand--his saying "we who are alive and remain" does make for a good description of those whom Christ had/has come [again] into with new life--not dead in the flesh--but alive in Christ in God, even while remaining in the world until the body of flesh passes.
But do not think it a theory or a mere belief or hope, for I speak what I know and testify what I have seen according to the promise and the finish, given to me.
Don't you think that Jesus was speaking about this death and that they would not see him for a time but then they would- as in
John 16
16“A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.”
17Then some of His disciples said among themselves, “What is this that He says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?” 18They said therefore, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not [d]know what He is saying.”
19Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, “Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’? 20Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. 21A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.