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The Re-Appearance of Jesus as the Second Return / Reflections on Why Now?
« on: July 06, 2023, 06:28:15 am »
Today is July 5th in the year 2023. I am reading at getpocket.com about a July 5th speech given in Rochester, New York by Black American and former slave Frederick Douglass on July 5th 1852. The irony and indignation in Mr. Douglass' speech was scathing. That he would be asked to deliver a speech about our Nation's Declaration of Independence, the rights of which did not apply to his people, was almost beyond the comprehension and sensitivities of the white audience before him.
While reading and pondering, a thought struck me. Surely Jesus, even then, was watching and working hard toward his inevitable return. But before this could be, there was work to be done, the abolition of slavery. This was not work for the "Prince of Peace". This was work that needed to be accomplished by all Americans of this time.
As usual, we did it our way, with much bloodshed, suffering, and Civil War. But within 13 years, freedom and independence was finally won (at least at the national and legal level) for Black Americans. The practicality of which is still working it's way out today.
We went on in the next century to fight two world wars, countless other senseless wars, before we find ourselves now ... supporting Ukraine in another war started by Russia.
Where and when does our world responsibilities toward the long awaited return of Jesus end, and Jesus' bestowal start? Why did Jesus wait so long? Did he know we could successfully put an end to and move on from slavery? Are we now able enough to end the war in Ukraine for the purposes of Peace and Justice?
Our wars do eventually end, they are so destructive there is no other outcome possible.
The elephant in the room is "destruction" so complete it approaches our own legends of "Armageddon". Is it possible that Jesus, The Prince of Peace, will choose these times to return because the possibility of total destruction and suffering is so great, that even Our Father will not allow it!?
These are the thoughts I ponder this July 5th in the year 2023.
PJammer
While reading and pondering, a thought struck me. Surely Jesus, even then, was watching and working hard toward his inevitable return. But before this could be, there was work to be done, the abolition of slavery. This was not work for the "Prince of Peace". This was work that needed to be accomplished by all Americans of this time.
As usual, we did it our way, with much bloodshed, suffering, and Civil War. But within 13 years, freedom and independence was finally won (at least at the national and legal level) for Black Americans. The practicality of which is still working it's way out today.
We went on in the next century to fight two world wars, countless other senseless wars, before we find ourselves now ... supporting Ukraine in another war started by Russia.
Where and when does our world responsibilities toward the long awaited return of Jesus end, and Jesus' bestowal start? Why did Jesus wait so long? Did he know we could successfully put an end to and move on from slavery? Are we now able enough to end the war in Ukraine for the purposes of Peace and Justice?
Our wars do eventually end, they are so destructive there is no other outcome possible.
The elephant in the room is "destruction" so complete it approaches our own legends of "Armageddon". Is it possible that Jesus, The Prince of Peace, will choose these times to return because the possibility of total destruction and suffering is so great, that even Our Father will not allow it!?
These are the thoughts I ponder this July 5th in the year 2023.
PJammer