The fallacy of believing Jesus was talking about the temple of stones on the Mount of Olives

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Jay Ross

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Now the interesting questions that needs to be asked is, "Who will cause the Temple to be destroyed as spoken about in 2 Chronicles 7:19-22?": -

2 Chronicles 7:19-22: - 19 "But if you turn away and forsake the statutes and commandments I have set before you, and if you go off to serve and worship other gods, 20 then I will uproot Israel from the soil I have given them, and I will banish from My presence this temple I have sanctified for My Name. I will make it an object of scorn and ridicule among all the peoples.21 "And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ 22 And others will answer, ‘Because they have forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them—because of this, He has brought all this disaster upon them.’”​

Your long winded rebuttal/response: -

This fulfillment happened when the Kingdom of Judah fell into widespread idoltary and rebellion against God. The temple was destroyed by the armies of Nebuchadnezzar II during the Babylonian conquest of Jersualem. But note that the RESPONSIBILITY fell primarily on:

1.) The kings of Judah who promoted idolatry,
2.) false prophets and corrupt priests,
3.) and the people who followed pegan worship.

For example, some of the worst kings mentioned in Scirpture include:
  • Manasseh
  • Amon
And the true prophets repeatedly warned Judah before destruction came, including:
  • Jeremiah
  • Isaiah
  • Ezekiel
And the actual destruction of the temple is described in:
  • 2nd Kings 25
  • 2nd Chronicles 36
  • Jeremiah 52

Why is this rebuttal wrong?

The two actions that God said would happen at the same time was: -

The final scattering of the Israelites, i.e. the remanent that return to the land of Canaan who had rebuilt the temple, which was often referred to as the second temple, and which was coupled with turning the Temple into rubble such that it would not/could not be rebuilt. Every attempt to rebuild the temple by the Israelites, God stopped.

As I stated previously,
Tribulation Signs, I would suggest that you have not meditated long enough on the John 2:18-22 verses to fully understand what Jesus had actually stated.

Shalom
 

Spiritual Israelite

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Because that’s my personal belief, I (grafted branch) have a hard time believing that anyone who doesn’t interpret 2 Thessalonians 2:4 the only one true way doesn’t have the Holy Spirit working in their lives.
But, why say that to me? That comes across as if you think I would disagree with what you're saying here, but I don't. I never indicated in any way, shape or form that someone misinterpreting a Bible verse means that the Holy Spirit is not working in their lives. The Holy Spirit would not work in anyone's lives if that was the criteria for Him to work in people's lives since we all misinterpret at least some scripture at one time or another.

Ok, I agree. I haven’t heard anyone on this forum claim they believe the Bible says something that they know the Holy Spirit doesn’t.
Why would any Christian ever do that? I don't understand why this is even something you feel the need to say.

Here’s what we can observe about ourselves, we all have the Holy Spirit in our lives, and we all think the Holy Spirit is teaching us, and we all come to different interpretations.
Yes, I know that. Do you think I don't know that? If not, then why are you telling me this?

I would say that the Holy Spirit Himself doesn’t teach how to determine when our interpretations come from Him, else we would all agree on the entire Bible as we would abandon all interpretations that didn’t come from Him.
I believe the Holy Spirit can confirm in our hearts when we are interpreting something correctly or not, but how can something like that be explained or proven? It can't, really. But, what the Holy Spirit can do is show us how different scriptures relate to each other and we can confirm that our understanding of one scripture is true by showing how it fits with other scripture and how other scripture supports that interpretation. You do believe that the Holy Spirit can help us understand scripture, don't you?

If you agree so far then anyone claiming their view is correct because the Holy Spirit taught them that view, that person making that statement is ignoring the observation I just cited above and, well, I personally tend to be highly skeptical of that person’s views.
I don't understand what you're trying to say here. You don't think that the Holy Spirit ever teaches us anything or shows us what scripture is saying? If so, what do you think Jesus meant when He said this...

John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Don't you think Jesus was saying to the disciples here that the Holy Spirit would remind them of things that Jesus told them and help them to understand what He said? If you do think that, then why wouldn't the same concept be applied to us in relation to all of scripture, including the things that Jesus is recorded as having said? You don't think that the Holy Spirit ever teaches us what scripture means?
 

TribulationSigns

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Your long winded rebuttal/response: -

Aww… poor baby, you. Did the “long response” hurt your attention span? Some of us actually read more than one chapter of the Bible a day.

Why is this rebuttal wrong?

The two actions that God said would happen at the same time was: -

The final scattering of the Israelites, i.e. the remanent that return to the land of Canaan who had rebuilt the temple, which was often referred to as the second temple, and which was coupled with turning the Temple into rubble such that it would not/could not be rebuilt. Every attempt to rebuild the temple by the Israelites, God stopped.

And your point is? It does not refuted anything I said.

As I stated previously,

LOL!
 
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grafted branch

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You do believe that the Holy Spirit can help us understand scripture, don't you?
Yes, the Holy Spirit can help us understand scripture, but how is it that two people both claim the Holy Spirit helped them understand the scriptures with one person understanding the Premil view while the other understanding the Amil view? We don’t say it but if we conclude that the Holy Sprit teaches all things, including eschatology, then one person is an outright liar and the Holy Spirit isn’t teaching them. I would say the Holy Spirit teaches all things necessary for salvation, if we go further than that we run into problems.

I don't understand what you're trying to say here. You don't think that the Holy Spirit ever teaches us anything or shows us what scripture is saying? If so, what do you think Jesus meant when He said this...
When it comes to understanding 2 Thessalonians 2 and other eschatological passages, I don’t think the Holy Spirit is actively teaching us their meaning. Again, I would say the Holy Spirit teaches all things needed for salvation.
 

Jay Ross

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Aww… poor baby, you. Did the “long response” hurt your attention span? Some of us actually read more than one chapter of the Bible a day.

Just because you read more than one chapter of the Bible a day, that does not automatically mean that you have any understanding at all of the scriptures that you have read.

And your point is? It does not refute anything I said.

What I was suggesting to you was that you had, in your rebuttal, wrongly linked 2 Chronicles 7:19-22 to the Babylon Exile, which was a past event, to what Jesus had spoken about in John 2:18-22 when He used the sign of the Jews causing the temple to be destroyed in 70 AD as His justification of rebuilding the temple with the Saints of His Body in three days of the Lord in the distant future, which is very different to the traditional understanding of these verses. In John 2:19 Jesus was pointing towards a future event when the literal temple that Jesus had cleansed would be destroyed by the Jews and not to the crucifixion of Christ and His subsequent resurrection three day later.

John then inserts his commentary into this passage by writing this: - John 2:21-22: - 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

Now the Temple of His body also includes Christ's Saints of this present time period and the age to come. The disciples also remembered, after he had been raised from the dead, that He had said this, and they believed the scriptures and the word that Jesus had spoken concerning the future Temple.


It seems that your head is always spinning to fast.
 

TribulationSigns

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Just because you read more than one chapter of the Bible a day, that does not automatically mean that you have any understanding at all of the scriptures that you have read.

Interesting. Yet Scripture never teaches that believers should limit themselves to one chapter a day either.

The issue is not whether someone reads one chapter or ten — the real issue is whether the Holy Spirit opens their understanding through the Word.

Christ said, “Search the scriptures… they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39). The Bereans were called noble because they searched the Scriptures daily, not because they barely touched them.

Ironically, mocking me for studying more Scripture says more about your attitude toward God’s Word than mine. A person can read little and still remain blind. A person can read much and grow greatly in wisdom. But discouraging deeper study is never presented as a virtue in the Bible. Educate yourself:

John 14:26​

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 16:13​


“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

1 Corinthians 2:10-14​


“But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

1 John 2:27​


“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”

Luke 24:45​


“Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,”

2 Peter 1:20-21​


“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.


For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

Psalm 119:18​


“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”

James 1:5​


“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

Ephesians 1:17-18​


“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling…”

John 6:45​


“It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”

John 5:39​


Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

Shall I go on and on?


What I was suggesting to you was that you had, in your rebuttal, wrongly linked 2 Chronicles 7:19-22 to the Babylon Exile, which was a past event, to what Jesus had spoken about in John 2:18-22 when He used the sign of the Jews causing the temple to be destroyed in 70 AD as His justification of rebuilding the temple with the Saints of His Body in three days of the Lord in the distant future, which is very different to the traditional understanding of these verses. In John 2:19 Jesus was pointing towards a future event when the literal temple that Jesus had cleansed would be destroyed by the Jews and not to the crucifixion of Christ and His subsequent resurrection three day later.

John then inserts his commentary into this passage by writing this: - John 2:21-22: - 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

Now the Temple of His body also includes Christ's Saints of this present time period and the age to come. The disciples also remembered, after he had been raised from the dead, that He had said this, and they believed the scriptures and the word that Jesus had spoken concerning the future Temple.

Future temple? Ahem... I will allow you to be deceived by your own false private interpretation. :-)

It seems that your head is always spinning to fast.

:laughing:
 

Jay Ross

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Ironically, mocking me for studying more Scripture says more about your attitude toward God’s Word than mine. A person can read little and still remain blind. A person can read much and grow greatly in wisdom. But discouraging deeper study is never presented as a virtue in the Bible. Educate yourself:

It seems that your pride is showing by your mocking of what I have posted, which is my understanding of the scriptures and not the traditional theology by which the "theologians" attempt to present as being the gospel truth.

Now, I am content with my understanding of John 2:18-22, unfortunately, both you and I may not see the truth that Jesus was speaking before we both draw our last breath. However, I am sure that the Holy Spirit, if we actually listen to Him, will reveal the truth of the matter in this case.

Shalom
 
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Spiritual Israelite

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Yes, the Holy Spirit can help us understand scripture, but how is it that two people both claim the Holy Spirit helped them understand the scriptures with one person understanding the Premil view while the other understanding the Amil view?
Because people can be wrong.

We don’t say it but if we conclude that the Holy Sprit teaches all things, including eschatology, then one person is an outright liar and the Holy Spirit isn’t teaching them.
To be mistaken doesn't make someone a liar.

I would say the Holy Spirit teaches all things necessary for salvation, if we go further than that we run into problems.
Why would the Holy Spirit not want to teach doctrine? Did Jesus only speak to the disciples about things necessary for salvation or did He also teach them spiritual principles and doctrine? The latter, right? And what did He say the Holy Spirit would do?

John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Did Jesus only tell them things that were necessary for salvation? No, He told them other things as well. And He said the Holy Spirit would teach them and help remember what He said and to understand what He said about "all things" that He said.

When it comes to understanding 2 Thessalonians 2 and other eschatological passages, I don’t think the Holy Spirit is actively teaching us their meaning.
Why do you think that? You don't think God cares whether or not we understand what He inspired to be written in His word regarding eschatology?

Again, I would say the Holy Spirit teaches all things needed for salvation.
Yeah, you say that, but I don't know what that is based on. I asked you what you think about what Jesus said in John 14:26 and you didn't answer my question for some reason. Do you think Jesus was only talking about all things needed for salvation in John 14:26? Is that all Jesus ever talked about? No, right?
 

grafted branch

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Because people can be wrong.
People can be wrong but the Holy Spirit can’t. If someone claims the Holy Spirit taught them an interpretation that we know is incorrect then that person is not only wrong on their interpretation but they are wrong on being able to know if it’s the Holy Spirit teaching them in the first place. We can know for certain if we are saved or not by way of the Holy Spirit(Romans 8:16).

Now, since we can experience and know with certainty how the Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit, one would think believers would already know the difference between when the Holy Spirit teaches and when He’s silent. If someone claims the Holy Spirit has taught them an interpretation that they later have to adjust then I would think they might question their own salvation. It seems to me the problem is claiming the Holy Spirit teaches beyond salvation itself because making that assumption can cause salvation to be questioned. That’s not good.

Since you seem to be insisting that the Holy Spirit is currently teaching eschatology, how would you explain Matthew 24:15 where it says “whoever reads, let him understand”? Neither the book of Daniel nor the Olivet Discourse has a consensus among believers, quite the opposite, they are some of the most contested and debated scriptures.

An argument can be made that the Holy Spirit did teach it to those to whom Matthew 24:15 was meant for in the past or that the Holy Spirit will teach it in the future, but if the reader is to currently understand by way of the Holy Spirit, then you’re going to have to assume anyone who doesn’t understand it the one correct way doesn’t have the Holy Spirit, the command was given “whoever reads, let him understand”.
 
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Spiritual Israelite

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People can be wrong but the Holy Spirit can’t.
Obviously.

If someone claims the Holy Spirit taught them an interpretation that we know is incorrect then that person is not only wrong on their interpretation but they are wrong on being able to know if it’s the Holy Spirit teaching them in the first place.
Obviously.

. We can know for certain if we are saved or not by way of the Holy Spirit(Romans 8:16).
What do you mean by this exactly?

Now, since we can experience and know with certainty how the Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit, one would think believers would already know the difference between when the Holy Spirit teaches and when He’s silent.
Yeah, you'd think, eh? But, we're not perfect, so we may sometimes be in tune with the Holy Spirit and sometimes not. Being saved doesn't mean we are perfect and can't ever be mistaken about when the Holy Spirit is or is not speaking to us or teaching us something.

If someone claims the Holy Spirit has taught them an interpretation that they later have to adjust then I would think they might question their own salvation.
I think this is a bit of a stretch, to say the least. You're acting as if you can't be saved unless you're perfectly in tune with the Holy Spirit at all times. Can you show any scripture which supports that idea?

It seems to me the problem is claiming the Holy Spirit teaches beyond salvation itself because making that assumption can cause salvation to be questioned. That’s not good.
That's something you are claiming, but I don't believe it makes any sense to make that claim.

Since you seem to be insisting that the Holy Spirit is currently teaching eschatology, how would you explain Matthew 24:15 where it says “whoever reads, let him understand”? Neither the book of Daniel nor the Olivet Discourse has a consensus among believers, quite the opposite, they are some of the most contested and debated scriptures.
Not sure what you're asking here. Can you clarify?

An argument can be made that the Holy Spirit did teach it to those to whom Matthew 24:15 was meant for in the past or that the Holy Spirit will teach it in the future, but if the reader is to currently understand by way of the Holy Spirit, then you’re going to have to assume anyone who doesn’t understand it the one correct way doesn’t have the Holy Spirit, the command was given “whoever reads, let him understand”.
I don't have to assume anything. You are the one making a lot of unfounded assumptions here, in my opinion.

You didn't address most of what I said in post #428. Why is that? Just read that post if you want to know how I see this and then you can respond to what I said there instead of repeating the same things over and over again as if I haven't already addressed these things.
 

claninja

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And these things are revealed by the Holy Spirit, right? Paul indicated in 1 Corinthians 2:10-16 that the things that he spoke, which are also things that he has written, are "not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.". So, what do you think he meant by that?


I don't even know what you mean by that, so I can't comment on it.


Do you believe that spiritual discernment involves having the help of the Holy Spirit to understand what scripture is teaching?


The preterist framework is a joke. In no way, shape or form has Jesus yet returned while having His people gathered to Him "in the air". If you did away with that ridiculous framework then you would understand that the temple of God that Paul references in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 could not possibly be a physical temple.


So, are you then saying that "the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish" was already at work when Paul wrote the letter? That's not what he indicated. He indicated that ""the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish" is something that would occur once the man of sin came and was revealed, which had not happened yet when he wrote the letter.


Yeah, I know what you think. But, do you understand that something being restrained can mean that something is already happening to some extent, but just not to the full extent?


These questions are not an issue for me at all because I understand that Paul was talking about things in relation to a time before the future coming of Christ when we will be gathered to Him in the air. These questions arise for you only because you believe in the false doctrinal framework of preterism.


Yes, He did say that. You are correct. But, of course, I don't believe you know what He meant by that. He also said right after that, heaven and earth would pass away. He implied that this generation will pass away when heaven and earth pass away and heaven and earth have not yet passed away. The same generation He described a verse earlier during which people would see the things that would indicate that His second coming is near, will not pass away until those things are fulfilled.

I’m saying “spiritual discernment” doesn’t give you the answers as to what Paul was talking about in 2 Thessalonians 2. Instead, your framework more likely does. If spiritual discernment gave us the answers, we’d likely all be on the same page.

I’m saying the purpose of spiritual discernment is to understand that God sent his son to die for sin, that the kingdom is not of this world, love your enemies, turn the other cheek, fruits of the spirit, etc….

As to vs 9-10, the workings of the man of sin were not solely future to Paul. Lawlessness was already at work in secrecy, and the restrainer was restraining the revealing of the man of sin in Paul’s day. The revealing of the man of sin and his lawlessness coming into public, deceives those that rejected the truth to be saved. Working by the power is Satan was already present. Signs and false wonders directed at those who already rejected the truth - future revealing man of sin.

So to recap:

Present during Paul’s day - working of lawlessness in secrecy, restraining of the revealing of the man of sin, those perishing rejected the truth, Satan working via the man of sin in secrecy.

Future to Paul - restrainer being removed, man of sin being revealed. Man of sin deceiving those who already rejected the truth via open manifestation of Satan’s power - signs and false wonders.


As to the temple of God, the BDAG lists it use under physical temple building, Paul doesn’t use any qualifying language to clearly demonstrate he is talking about the church, and Paul is talking about a sign associated with the coming of Christ, which is consistent with the OD where Jesus mentions the abomination of desolation of the temple and false prophets/messiahs prior to the coming of Christ. From an audience perspective, the temple of God would direct the audience to think about the physical temple that still stood, unless Paul provided qualifying language.
 
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grafted branch

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Being saved doesn't mean we are perfect and can't ever be mistaken about when the Holy Spirit is or is not speaking to us or teaching us something.
Do you think it’s possible that right now you are mistaken about what the Holy Spirit teaches? Or are you certain about what the Holy Spirit teaches because the Holy Spirit Himself taught you that?
 

Spiritual Israelite

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I’m saying “spiritual discernment” doesn’t give you the answers as to what Paul was talking about in 2 Thessalonians 2. Instead, your framework more likely does. If spiritual discernment gave us the answers, we’d likely all be on the same page.

I’m saying the purpose of spiritual discernment is to understand that God sent his son to die for sin, that the kingdom is not of this world, love your enemies, turn the other cheek, fruits of the spirit, etc….

As to vs 9-10, the workings of the man of sin were not solely future to Paul. Lawlessness was already at work in secrecy, and the restrainer was restraining the revealing of the man of sin in Paul’s day. The revealing of the man of sin and his lawlessness coming into public, deceives those that rejected the truth to be saved. Working by the power is Satan was already present. Signs and false wonders directed at those who already rejected the truth - future revealing man of sin.

So to recap:

Present during Paul’s day - working of lawlessness in secrecy, restraining of the revealing of the man of sin, those perishing rejected the truth, Satan working via the man of sin in secrecy.

Future to Paul - restrainer being removed, man of sin being revealed. Man of sin deceiving those who already rejected the truth via open manifestation of Satan’s power - signs and false wonders.


As to the temple of God, the BDAG lists it use under physical temple building, Paul doesn’t use any qualifying language to clearly demonstrate he is talking about the church, and Paul is talking about a sign associated with the coming of Christ, which is consistent with the OD where Jesus mentions the abomination of desolation of the temple and false prophets/messiahs prior to the coming of Christ. From an audience perspective, the temple of God would direct the audience to think about the physical temple that still stood, unless Paul provided qualifying language.
So, just to be clear, you obviously don't think you need the Holy Spirit's help to understand what 2 Thessalonians 2 is about. Which is sad.

That's like telling the disciples that they didn't need the Holy Spirit's help to understand what Jesus had said to them, despite Jesus having said this to them...

John 14:26 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Also, there was no event in 70 AD where Jesus came and His people were gathered to Him. So, without the foundation of understanding that 2 Thessalonians 2 relates to the yet future coming of Christ when we will be gathered to Him in the air, you have no hope of understanding what 2 Thessalonians 2 is about.
 

Spiritual Israelite

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Do you think it’s possible that right now you are mistaken about what the Holy Spirit teaches?
Sure, that's always possible, but obviously I strongly believe otherwise.

Or are you certain about what the Holy Spirit teaches because the Holy Spirit Himself taught you that?
I feel certain, but, obviously, my opinions are not facts no matter how strongly I believe them.
 

covenantee

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As to the temple of God, the BDAG lists it use under physical temple building, Paul doesn’t use any qualifying language to clearly demonstrate he is talking about the church, and Paul is talking about a sign associated with the coming of Christ, which is consistent with the OD where Jesus mentions the abomination of desolation of the temple and false prophets/messiahs prior to the coming of Christ. From an audience perspective, the temple of God would direct the audience to think about the physical temple that still stood, unless Paul provided qualifying language.
If Paul had been referring to a physical temple, what physical temple would that have been?

It couldn't have been the temple in Jerusalem, or in Revelation.
 

claninja

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So, just to be clear, you obviously don't think you need the Holy Spirit's help to understand what 2 Thessalonians 2 is about. Which is sad.

That's like telling the disciples that they didn't need the Holy Spirit's help to understand what Jesus had said to them, despite Jesus having said this to them...

I didn’t say I don’t think I need the Spirits help. That’s your either misunderstanding or misrepresentation of my position. I’m saying the purpose of the Spirit isn’t to give us insight into ambiguous NT teachings that have no commentary nor explanation by the author. If the Spirits purpose was to give us understanding of these types of things, there wouldnt be 101 different interpretations and denominations.

John 14:26 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you

The Holy Spirit would teach all things and bring to remembrance all things “that Jesus had said to the disciples

“All things” is defined but what Jesus told the disciples - the kingdom is not of this world, turn the other cheek, love your enemies, dying and being raised on the 3rd day, etc…

Also, there was no event in 70 AD where Jesus came and His people were gathered to Him. So, without the foundation of understanding that 2 Thessalonians 2 relates to the yet future coming of Christ when we will be gathered to Him in the air, you have no hope of understanding what 2 Thessalonians 2 is about.

I completely agree it didn’t happen according to your framework.

however, different frameworks exist. For example, if the coming of the son of man on the clouds was to occur like the ancient of days (several OT examples of God descending upon the clouds in judgement upon nations and enemies) AND the gathering post destruction of Jerusalem is to be understood in similar fashion to the parable of the wedding feast (city destroyed then good and bad being gathered into wedding hall) , then your argument that it didn’t happen, is not necessarily true.
 
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claninja

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If Paul had been referring to a physical temple, what physical temple would that have been?

It couldn't have been the temple in Jerusalem, or in Revelation.

I lean toward physical temple in Jerusalem, which is possible. But I think another viable option, which could be stronger now that I think about it, is that it could be idiomatic - sits in the temple of god - basically a symbolic seat of divinity (not literal physical temple nor the church)