Quote:
Originally Posted by Zezima
Nell, Do you think humans can dictate when God comes back or delay his coming, like we were taught in the Recovery?
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No.
I don't think the second coming has anything to do with what was taught in the non-Recovery. What I remember is that "bring the Lord back" was used almost like a tag line for a lot of other teachings..."if" we do this, "then" we will "bring the Lord back." It was also used somewhat to manipulate the behavior of the membership.
I don't think you mean "dictate" literally, regardless, I don't think anyone "dictates" to God. I further don't think Lee's teachings are authoritative and God is not bound by them.
2 Peter 3 gives us some direction, but nothing that correlates to Witness Lee's teachings. To me v. 14 maybe gives us the best advice: "
be at peace with God". Then, v. 17 "
don't get carried away with error."
If Lee's teachings motivate his followers to "be at peace with God" and to "don't get carried away with error..." That's one thing, but I don't think that's what's happening. It's like that "tag line" is being held over our/their heads.
2 Peter 3 does specify "the day of the Lord", not limited exclusively to his coming. A lot will be happening related to his return and God's final judgment.
The Day of the Lord 2 Peter 3
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3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? ...
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way,
what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you
look forward to the day of God and
speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this,
make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
What do you think?
Nell