[Greek] τέλος (telos), [Latin] finis: result, end, goal, limit, fulfillment, toll, endpoint, tax, custom, completion, result; Lk.22:37, 1Tim.1:5, 1Pet.1:9, Mt.26:58, Jm.5:11, Heb.6:8, 1 Pet. 4:17, Rev.21:6, Mk. 13:7, Mt.24:14, Mk.13:2, 1Cor.15:24, Mk. 13:13, Mt. 10:22, Jn.13:1, 1Thess.2:16, Lk. 18:5, 2 Cor.1:13, 1 Cor. 1:8, Rev. 2:26, Heb.6:11, Heb.3:14, 2 Cor.3:13, Lk. 1:33, Mk.3:26, Mt. 17:25, Rom.13:7, Rev.1:8, Heb. 3:6, 1 Tim.2:16
Hans Lippershey (1570-1619) is credited with inventing the first telescope
Background Information:
Greek Hellenism: This term, used in a variety of ways, can mean an achievement (carrying out), power, completion (perfection), obligation, offering (to the gods), and a detachment. In Aeschylus’ Greek tragedy The Oresteia, Orestes is waiting for the carrying out of justice (intervention of the gods). Euripides’ play Medea explores how the lust of power can cause one’s demise. Philo of Alexandria mentions that man reaches perfection when he becomes inspired by God. Demosthenes claims, that on rare occasions, public service to the state should exempt one from paying a tax. The Greek tragedian Sophocles mentions that Heracles makes fruit offerings to Zeus. The Athenian statesman divided the population of Athens into groups so that people were not governed based on wealth and nobility.
Old Testament: Related to eight Hebrew terms, this term is also used in a variety of ways. This term essentially conveys the following: an execution of a task, a result, a tax, an act of divine worship. Execution of a task means bringing something to a conclusion or carrying out a plan. The result is described with various terminology: end, conclusion, close, goal, reward, limit, etc. These terms are spoken in ordinary and in eschatological (end time) senses. Oftentimes, there is a huge gulf (distance) between human wisdom and God’s wisdom. Taxes, tributes, and tolls are levied for God and for man. In more than fifty psalms are acts of divine worship. The Jewish expectation of the return of the Messiah find its expression in the Old Testament terminology: “the time which follows,” “the last time”, and “the days to come.”
That he may carry out all these plans (1Chr.29:19). Thus the heavens and the earth were finished (Gen. 2:1). And levy a tribute to the Lord of the men of war who went out to battle (Num. 31:28). Therefore they set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens (Exod.1:11). Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory (1Chr.29:11). Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter (Eccl.12:13). But in the end received only disgrace for his treachery (2Macc.5:7). Gather around, that I may tell you what is to happen to you in the days to come (Gen.49:1). Go, take your rest, you shall rise for your reward at the end of days (Dan.12:13). In the days to come, the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest mountain (Isa.2:2).
New Testament: Like the Old Testament culture, this term takes on many various meanings in an eschatological sense. This term can mean a goal (aim), result, end, completion (fulfillment), cessation, and a tax. One aspect of this term indicates something being fulfilled. Scripture is fulfilled in Jesus. The sense of goal focuses on the community, rather than the individual. The goal is often related to its fulfillment. Results often point to the future in an eschatological sense. The context may be either temporal “when….” or conditional “if…”. Cessation refers to one process ending and another process beginning. The Law is set aside by the salvation of Christ. Taxes (tributes) occur as the means to support the govt. or civil infrastructure. There is no act of initiation in the New Testament.
Scripture:
“For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me.” Lk.22:37
Jesus speaks of scriptures of Isa. 53:12 upon Jesus fulfills.
“But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be watchful! You do not know when the time will come.” Mk. 13:32
Only the Father knows when this time of watchfulness and preparation will end.
“Pay to all their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, toll to whom toll is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.” Rom. 13:7
Paul makes it clear to show respect to secular authorities.
Conclusion:
Telescope, telescopic, finish
I never realized that this term would have many varied uses and meanings. It is interesting to note that the Greek Hellenistic culture did not really have a significant focus on eschatology.
Obviously, this term was very important in the Old Testament culture, since it was related to eight Hebrew meanings. The Israelites (Jews) often viewed history in an eschatological sense. They were looking ahead for a new Messiah.
The New Testament culture also saw history in an eschatological sense. However, Jesus establishes a new paradigm in bringing a new order. Jesus comes and supersedes the Law, bringing in a new Messianic age.
The German optician Hans Lippershey, in his attempts to correct an extreme case of shortsightedness, discovers that a particular arrangement of lenses can magnify distant objects. Isaac Newton later develops the reflecting telescope. Interestingly, space telescopes actually look into the past in terms of seeing how the universe was created. The farther one looks into the distance of space, the farther one looks into the past in space. The end!