Signs of the End - The Limited Jesus of Modern Theology

Signs of the End

A Discovery of Biblical Timelines

Signs of the End

A Discovery of Biblical Timelines

“But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that this day should overtake you like a thief.” 1 Thessalonians 5:4

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The Limited Jesus of Modern Theology

January 2010
Written by Jeff Exner

of the Tribulation. Therefore, this figure matches the wedding parallel found in the Jewish custom of the day and the reality of the returning groom. But the "day no one knows" is also a reference to the day known as the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah). No one could know this day until two witnesses observed the New Moon. Therefore, it was known as "the day no one knows the day or hour".

"Of that day or hour no man knows, but my Father only" is an expression used by a groom when asked when his wedding will be. He says this because it is his Father that will tell him when his preparations on the bridal chamber are completed and it is time. Again, the wedding pictures the rapture.

It is also important to look at the detailed information Jesus then gave them about the day and hour that we are supposed to believe He knew nothing about. If Jesus did not know the day or the hour, how could He give them specific information regarding that day and that hour? If He could come at any time, and He didn’t know when that time was, how could He give them detailed information about what must come to pass before He could come?

How could He give them detailed information about the “abomination that causes desolation”, with its corresponding day counts (1260), that would end in His return, and not know when it would happen? Why was He supposedly given all of this information, yet it is stated as a fact that He didn’t know when it would occur? Quite a strange assumption don’t you think? Why is our default assumption that Jesus was limited? Are we basing all of this on an assumption, based on a misinterpretation of one verse?

This idea of a limited Jesus was never an issue for the early Christians who actually heard Him say this. They never doubted His omniscience, so why should we? As a matter of fact, one of the earliest heresies was known as Docetism. The heart of this false teaching was that Jesus was only a spirit being (God), and not truly human. They did not doubt His Godhood, only His humanity. Now we’ve come 180 degrees and doubt Christ’s Godhood, but not His humanity! Note both errors are dealt with by the Apostle John.

By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. 1 John 4:2-3 (NKJV)

John is telling the recipients of his letter how to tell whether someone’s teaching was from God or Satan. The

current limited Jesus heresy is dealt with first. “Jesus Christ has come…” (emphasis mine) Note His pre-existence as God is stated first without any hint of limitation. Then the heresy of Docetism is negated by the next three words “…in the flesh…” verifying His humanity. In seven words John dispels both the limited Jesus, and the non-human Jesus.
When we consider God’s nature, the truth is that it is impossible for God to not be God, or to empty Himself of deity or Godhood.

     Let’s break down and define what we are talking about to see if we can eliminate confusion. I believe after breaking down the foundations of false religions, that the real issue is a misunderstanding of the Trinity, and understanding how an infinite (unlimited) Being communicates with His creation.

    Without a proper understanding of the Trinity, most will interpret Scripture viewing God as if He were just some glorified human. If the foundation is wrong, then everything that is built on it will also be affected. Each of us must answer the all-encompassing question:

"But who do you say that I am?" Mark 8:29 (NKJV)

    Concerning Christ’s deity and Him coming as God, not some limited mutant; let’s see what Scripture has to say:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:1-4 (KJV)

…to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: Ephesians 3:9 (KJV)

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. Colossians 1:15-18 (NKJV)

In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. -(Hebrew: YHWH Tsidkenu) Jeremiah 23:6 (NKJV)

While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?" They said to Him, "The Son of David." He said to them, "How then does David in the Spirit call Him 'Lord,' saying: 'The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool" '? "If David then calls Him 'Lord,' how is He his Son?" Matt 22:41-45 (NKJV)

But to the Son He says: "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom…” Hebrews 1:8 (NKJV)

Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13 (NKJV)

…Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen. Romans 9:5 (NKJV)

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." Matt 1:23 (NKJV)

The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 1 Cor 15:47 (NKJV)

I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me. John 14:10-11 (NKJV)

I and My Father are one." John 10:30 (NKJV)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NKJV)

And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. John 17:5 (NKJV)

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power. Hebrews 1:3 (KJV)

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. John 8:56-58 (KJV) (Note that here Jesus claims to be Yahweh, the self-existing, non-changing, without beginning and end Being).

For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 1 John 5:7 (NKJV)

No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. John 3:13 (NKJV)
(Here Jesus states that He is both on earth as man, and in Heaven as God at the same time).

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