Speculation and Doubt

June 7, 2025

This morning Patty shared with me the daily video devotional.

Then,Ii suddenly realized two precepts:

1. When reading the Bible to understand its verses — whatever the translation — we have to interpret it in the context of the overarching fact that God has only loving kindness.
2. Waiting for the Second Coming of Christ should not be filled with impatience and hand wringing, no speculation and doubt.

First of all, as for my number “1.” translating any language into another is very difficult, requiring years of study. Even here in America, our English understanding of words’ meanings has evolved significantly from the King James English of 17th Century England. to our 21st Century.

Now, keep in mind that today, the common use of words (called the vernacular) is even different still.

Further, from the North to the South and East to West, use of the same words and phrases can have differences.

At the same time Young People have always had their own way of expressing themselves — to the shagrin of those of us of the Older Generation.

As for understanding the Bible, Strong’s Concordance often has the definition of the intent of a word, that is, the idea it conveyed in the vernacular, the common use, way back when…

What all this means is that unless we are reading the Bible through the eyes of God’s loving kindness — and consistently so — we will be adding our own points of view, our own prejudices, and our own definitions of the words we are reading.One basic rule while reading the Bible is to understand both the cultural context as well as the context of the words and phrases within whatever section we are reading.

One illustration of this is when one Apostle, Peter, points out how another Apostle, Paul, expresses himself. As it was, a Blue Collar Fisherman was talking about the writings of a Religious Scholar, who had a PhD in the Bible…

…in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. — 2 Peter 3:16, New American Standard Bible (1995 edition), NASB 1995.

So, there’s that.

Next, as for my number “2,” as Born Again Bible Believing Spirit Filled Christians, we should not have any trepidation and panic over the doubt over the Bible verse that asks the unbelievers’ challenge question “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” — 2 Peter 3:4, NASB 1995.

Do you recall that the Jewish Nation had waited expectantly for centuries for their Messiah to come as a conquering King to rule the nations? Then they missed Jesus of Isaiah 53:

Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows He carried; yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.

All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.

Don’t be quick to judge the Jews, because we are just like they were. We often think of ourselves as the chosen favorites of God. and we wouldn’t recognize Jesus if He were shaking our hand!

We don’t hardly read the Bible at all. We make up our own standards of ethics and morality. We carry on like God doesn’t exist. We go our own ways and answer to no one. We rarely even consider for a moment seeking the presence of God in our lives.

Look how our world is sliding sideways. Look at the fast rise of oppression and hate.

How far we have fallen from Micah’s exhortation!

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? — Micah 6:8. NASB 1995.

How long before we realize that “sticking to our guns” is not about to change disastrous consequences?

How long before we all realize those “guns” we rely on are nothing but peashooters?

At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. “Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” — Matthew 11:25–30, NASB 1995.

Strong words?

Yes.

Big claims?

Yes.

Great promise?

You better believe it!

And you should act on that belief!

Let me put it this way: If you believe you can get in your car and drive to the supermarket to buy groceries, but you don’t act on that belief, you’re gonna get mighty hungry…

An essential fact we should both believe and act on:

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. — John 3:16, NASB 1995.