Debate Page 1

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ROBERT 3.2.2011
I saw the Family Radio signs on the house and simply had to mail a 
postcard to “Current Resident.”  It read something like this:
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Dear friends of Family Radio,

Judgment will come May 21. It is possible, however, that it will come quietly at the end of the day, with Family Radio reaching its expiration date as a ministry. If that happens, please keep your faith in Jesus but change the channel. There would still be good churches faithfully meeting together until he comes, and they would welcome you. God is still good. Jonah 4:2; Psalm 145:8-9; John 20:31; Romans 10:9-10.  -Robert

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PHIL 3.08.2011
Phil (not his real name) responded by mailing me a couple of 
essay-letters: Thief in the Night; and Hell
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Thief in the Night (2 pages)

Hell (3 pages)

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ROBERT 3.14.2011
Letter on Matthew 24:42-44
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Phil:

Thank you for providing those Bible study materials. In the future, if you prefer, you may reach me at the e-mail or facebook info at the top of this letter. … 

Your Thief in the Night paper teaches that believers are to watch, and I happily agree. However, I think you have misunderstood the word “watch.” It means to be ready, prepared, and guarded against a danger that can strike unexpectedly, and the reason believers must watch is precisely because they do not know when it is coming, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 24:42-44:
42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 
Verse 42 says to watch because you don't know.
Verse 44 says to be ready because you don't know.

This is why Thayer's Lexicon defines “watch” (Gk. grēgoreō) as follows:
to watch i.e. give strict attention to, be cautious, active:– to take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one. (Taken from www.blueletterbible.org, emphasis added.)
In verse 43 Jesus explains why we don't know: The thief must come unexpectedly, because if you knew the time then you might plan to be especially pious and watchful on that day but godless on the days leading up to it, just like the man in verses 48-51:
48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
As for Matthew 24:36, there is no reason for any different interpretation:
36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
There is only one sensible meaning of “no man,” and verses 42 and 44 include believers in it.

Likewise, there is only one straightforward meaning of 1 Thess. 5:1-2:
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
The reason Paul doesn't need to write about the times and seasons is because believers know perfectly well that it's going to come as a thief anyway. This is also why they must “watch and be sober” (verse 6).

The fact that they are “not in darkness” (verse 4) means they are not drunk but ready, not beating their servants but watching for their Lord, so that the day should not overtake them as a thief. It does not mean that they are enlightened about the time of the end. First of all, the above scriptures say they are not so enlightened. Secondly, there is no need for anyone to know the time in order to be watchful for it. Rather, it is the lack of knowing that makes continued watchfulness so important.  Again, verses 43 and 48-51 spell this out, as do the lexicons.

There is much more to write about, but I will impose no other burden on you at this time. Please consider this scriptural reasoning and explain to me any disagreements you might have with it.

Thank you.
Robert
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ROBERT 3.28.2011
Postcard
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Phil,

I eagerly await your response to my observations from Matthew 24:42, 44.  Please tell me what I am missing.  It appears that the very people who are commanded to “watch” and “be ready” do not know the hour of his coming.  Verse 44 assures them that Jesus will, in fact, come at just such an hour.  Apparently “watching” is inseparable from “not knowing,” at least for believers.  -Robert

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ROBERT 4.11.2011
Another postcard
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Phil,

Well, we are 40 days from Judgment Day, and I still have not received a response from you about Matt. 24:42-44.  I expect that by May 23, Mr. Camping will blame the human historical calendar for his apparent failed prediction.  It must not be his math or methodology.  Moreover, I expect him to remain in the ministry, rather than retiring or resigning with any dignity, because his flock depends too much on him, and he can’t abandon them as long as he lives.  The big question is, Will you have the strength to take the signs down? -Robt

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PHIL 4.14.2011 LETTER+TRACTS
Various topics
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Phil’s letter (3 pages)
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Phil also mailed three tracts:
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The End of the World is Almost Here! Holy God Will Bring Judgment Day on May 21, 2011
http://www.familyradio.com/graphical/literature/judgment/judgment.html


Another Infallible Proof that God Gives that Assures the Rapture Will Occur May 21, 2011
http://www.familyradio.com/graphical/literature/proof/proof.html
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Phil also mailed this double-sided business card:
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ROBERT 4.17.2011
A postcard acknowledging receipt
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Phil,

I got your second letter on Friday.  Thanks.
I sense that we both may not find it profitable to write back and forth forever.  So I am going to write back just once more, after I’ve read these tracts.  I can continue writing after that if you wish.  Or, if you make arguments that I feel need a response, I might respond.  So just read one more, please.  Thanks.  -Robert

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Discussion continues on
Debate Page 2

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