"Anyway, last time done and I'm pretty sure Coppa found the THIS is the Greek for the other nonsense area."
Hi @wotsup
I suspect you are spreading your energy too thinly, missing posts and not giving the ones you do reply to sufficient thought. Increasingly you address only your own claims and beliefs rather than those of the poster. This may be a result of too much time with MrG !
1) Whether the Greek word is translated as "this" or "these things" makes absolutely no difference to the meaning of Mark 13.
2) Within the context, there is no conceivable reason why the "this" would refer to the fig tree when clearly it refers to the signs previously mention by Jesus in response to the disciples' questions.
The fig tree is a parable illustrating how signs herald a particular event. That is it's sole purpose ... an illustration in keeping with the purpose of that kind of parable.
3) The "this generation" verse is not a separate new verse relating to an unspecified far off 2nd coming event. It fits in perfectly and flows from the previous verses and is clearly the "wrapping up" of them.
I believe the original Greek is not separated into verses at all.
4) As far as I can see, your personalized interpretation that "this" relates to the fig tree, is because you cannot allow that Jesus' prophecies were not fulfilled as written, so must find some alternative meaning.
This goes against your own principles of simplicity, not adding anything, man's interpretation etc.
So, Satan plays no part and continues to grow fat and lazy because he does not need to do a thing.
The simple fact of human nature is that different people can arrive at different interpretations of the same words, in order to fit them in with established beliefs.
Nowhere is this more apparent than with Religions. Especially those which claim their scriptures are the words of God.
