The Church and the Captivity

[Mr. M]

Those carried away to Babylon received these instructions from the Lord for a seventy year captivity.

Jeremiah 29:

4 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon:

5 Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 

6 Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished.

 7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.

Contrast this to Paul's instructions for the saints.

1 Corinthians 7:

29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, 

30 those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, 

31 and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.

32 But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. 

33 But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. 

34 There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband. 

35 And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.

For the most part, the body of Christ has lived as if Jeremiah's words are applicable, while Paul's seems more applicable than ever. How has this altered the impact of the Church's witness to the world?  I have heard it taught on many occasions that the apostles all thought that the Lord was to return in their lifetime, and that teaching such as this from Paul was an error based on misunderstanding. And yet this can be easily refuted by pointing out that they were simply living as they were instructed.

Luke 12:

35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he comes and knocks, they may open unto him immediately.

37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he comes shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

There is much discussion and ongoing disagreement regarding eschatology and its role in how we order our lives. The Lord's instructions were simple: Remain occupied until I come. Why should the Gospel message, or the lifestyle of believers be any different now, just because so many are convinced the end is near. The Message of hope remains, and does not require an imminent end of the world scenario. The world and its observers provide enough of this. Our blessed hope is eternal life under any present circumstances, and we remain devoted to the cause of Christ, which is that a life that pleases God is attainable and is His Will, that He fulfills by His Own means, and for our salvation. This is our joy and crown, to exhort one another daily.

Titus 2:

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 3:

12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 

13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 

14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.

Hebrews 10:

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 

25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Now, more than ever!

Edited June 21, 2023 by Mr. M
cosmetic

[Mr. M]

On 6/20/2023 at 9:14 PM, Mr. M said:

There is much discussion and ongoing disagreement regarding eschatology and its role in how we order our lives. The Lord's instructions were simple: Remain occupied until I come. Why should the Gospel message, or the lifestyle of believers be any different now, just because so many are convinced the end is near. The Message of hope remains, and does not require an imminent end of the world scenario. The world and its observers provide enough of this. Our blessed hope is eternal life under any present circumstances, and we remain devoted to the cause of Christ, which is that a life that pleases God is attainable and is His Will, that He fulfills by His Own means, and for our salvation. This is our joy and crown, to exhort one another daily.

Luke 12:

30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. 

31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 

33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 

34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

35 Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; 

36 and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. 

37 Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.

Selah...