Psychomike wrote:Hey Ely,
(John 12:31) Now is the judgment of this world: Now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
Is there anywhere in scripture that the word now actually means later?
No doubt Ely can answer for himself. Nevertheless, I'd like to express my thoughts.
Actually, there are other places in which "now" does not refer to the immediate. However, it is unnecessary to mention them at this time, since this text in context clearly shows that "now" does not refer to the time in which Jesus spoke these words.
Now there were some Greeks, from the ones going up to worship at the feast. Then these approached Philip, the one from Bethsaida of Galilee,--and asked him, "Sir! We wish to see, Jesus."
Philip comes, and tells Andrew; Andrew and Philip come, and tell Jesus. Now, Jesus, responds to them, "The hour has come, that the Son of Man should be glorified! Truly, truly, I tell you, Unless the grain of wheat, falling into the ground should die, it remains alone, but if it should die, it bears much fruit. The one who loves his life, loses it; and the one who discounts his life in this world, will keep it for aeonion life. If anyone serves me, let him follow me, and where I am, there also my servant will be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honour him.
"Now my soul is troubled, and what should I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But because of this, I came into this hour. Father glorify your name!"
Then there came a voice out of heaven, "I both glorified, and will glorify."
Then the crowd standing and hearing said, "Thunder came." Others said, "An angel has spoken to him."
Jesus responded and said, "This voice came, not for my sake, but for yours." Now is judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world, shall be expelled outside. And, I, if I am lifted up out of the earth, will draw all to myself. Now he said this signifying by what kind of death he was about to die. John 12:20-33
Did the judgment of this world occur at the moment Jesus uttered these words? Clearly not. Jesus spoke here chiefly of the time when "the grain of wheat would fall into the ground an die, and bear much fruit." That is, Jesus would die and bring forth many disciples. There's also a double-whammy with regards to the grains of wheat dying and bearing much fruit. He disciples, too, are to die to the self-life and bear fruit also.
When Jesus died, and was raised, He began bearing fruit by first sending his spirit into his disciples to empower them so that they would bring others into discipleship. This was the beginning of the judgment of this world, but not the completing of it. As for expelling or throwing out the ruler of this world, we notice that this is in the
future tense. But even that had its beginning on that special day of Pentecost. Satan began to be overcome by the disciples through the power of the spirit of Jesus. But he has not been completely expelled yet. He is still active, attacking Christ's disciples whenever possible. Lastly, all people were not drawn to Christ when He died, nor were all people drawn to Him at his resurrection.They began to be drawn, especially after that special baptism of the holy spirit on that particular day of Pentecost. But even yet, not all people have been drawn to Christ. That day will not come until some future time when every knee shall willingly bow, and all will be reconciled to God.
To sum up. The "now" to which the apostle referred was the "now" of the death and resurrection of Christ, and the "now" of the coming of the spirit of God. But the judgment of the world, and the throwing out of Satan, and the drawing of all people to Christ was not completed at the time of that "now" but was only begun. The completion of those things are yet to come.
