Has Jesus Returned?, Part 11

Shawn McCraney teaches that before Jesus' crucifixion, those who died went to a place called sheol, which consisted of paradise for the faithful and prison for the unfaithful, and after Jesus' death, He preached to the spirits in prison, fulfilling prophecy and transforming the state of the afterlife. He suggests that after Jesus' ascension, those in the paradise section went to heaven, while the rest remained until the events of 70 AD when further judgment occurred, and in the present, believers go directly to paradise, whereas non-believers face a judgment process involving the Lamb's book of life.

The teaching suggests that the Book of Revelation was written before 70 A.D., supported by the interpretation of the number 666 as a cipher for Emperor Nero, which served as a coded warning to early Jewish Christians about impending persecution. Furthermore, the teaching questions the popular Dispensationalist interpretation of the Millennium, emphasizing that its depiction as a thousand-year reign of Christ on Earth is not directly supported by scripture, similar to how the term "Trinity" is used to describe a concept inferred from biblical texts.

The concept of a literal "Millennium," often cited as a 1,000-year reign based on a seven-verse passage in Revelation 20, is a debated interpretation supported by some early Christians like Irenaeus and Justin Martyr but condemned by others, including John Calvin, for potentially misinterpreting scripture. This teaching emphasizes the importance of understanding the symbolic and esoteric language in biblical texts, warning against the selective use of scriptures that could lead to doctrinal errors like chiliasm, which limits Christ's reign to a thousand years.

The teaching emphasizes that biblical symbols and numbers, such as "a thousand years," should be interpreted metaphorically, representing completeness or an uncountable significance rather than literal quantities. Rather than anticipating a future utopia, the concept of the "Millennium" is interpreted as a current and ongoing period in which Christ reigns in the hearts of believers, highlighting the transformation through prayer, preaching, and persuasion.

Shawn explains that the phrase "a thousand years is as one day" in 2 Peter is metaphorical, emphasizing that God's perspective on time is different from humans', hence it doesn't support a literal interpretation of the millennium. Additionally, he interprets the symbolic number 144,000 in Revelation 7 as representing Jewish Christians who escaped Jerusalem during a temporary military pause, aligning with John’s narrative and Old Testament imagery.

Shawn discusses the nuanced relationship between Sweden's secular society and its Protestant Christian traditions, highlighting the curiosity many Swedes have about religions with unconventional or conservative doctrines, such as Mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses. He also explores the role of logic and fundamental biblical values in religious belief, emphasizing respect for teachings that align with these principles while expressing skepticism towards doctrines perceived as illogical.

Shawn discusses a debate between two Christian pastors, Pastor F. (a futurist) and Pastor P. (a preterist), focusing on differing interpretations of eschatology, where Pastor P.'s claim that demons and certain groups like Jews ceased to exist post-70 AD raised significant questions about ongoing spiritual warfare and identity. Additionally, Shawn addresses questions regarding biblical interpretations of afterlife and prophecy, including Saul's interaction with the medium at Endor and the meaning behind Jesus' statement in Matthew 16:28, while also highlighting a listener's personal journey from the LDS Church to embracing Christianity in a Lutheran community.

Shawn discusses the concept of dual fulfillment in prophecy, arguing that certain events in Matthew 24 and 25 had immediate relevance to the generation in Jesus's time but also point to future occurrences that have not yet transpired. He emphasizes that the prophetic "generation" Jesus refers to as witnessing "all these things," including signs in the heavens and the gathering of the elect, is a future generation, and simultaneous global judgment will lead to the ultimate realization of righteousness and the consummation of God's kingdom.

Shawn emphasizes that the ultimate victory over death signifies that all things are placed under Christ, who will in turn be subject to God, fulfilling the notion that God will be all in all. He addresses concerns about the universality of grace, the nature of Jesus as loving and transformative beyond religious dogma, and entails that faith goes beyond adhering to rituals, recognizing God’s encompassing love and morality rather than exclusive beliefs for salvation.

Be kind and serve as a memorable example of joy and grace to others, even when sharing your beliefs, as this can leave a lasting positive impression. Sharing Gospel tracts with those you encounter adds a tangible reminder of your message and kindness.