It seems to me that the Bible indicates many times that Jesus was going to return in the first century, during the generation of his disciples. It is my opinion, that if Jesus hasn't come back yet, he isn't going to. A lot of people think that Jesus returned in 70 AD, and that Revalation foretold the destruction of Jerusalem as an avenging of the apostles and prophets who were martyred and persecuted. This isn't just a gut feeling or something. It is backed by scripture, which I will provide. Now, I realize some strongly disagree with this, which is why I am posting it on a forum, but please, let me know why (biblically) you think I'm wrong, without throwing around insults. I realize it is a passionate subjuct, but try to keep the enthusiasm positive
The scriptural evidence...
Matthew 10:23
“23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”
-Jesus tells his disciples to preach the word in Israel, and to just move on to the next town if they were persecuted, because Jesus would come before they had been to every town in Israel
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Matthew 16:27-28
“27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
-Jesus says to his disciples that some of the would not die before Jesus “comes in his Kingdom”
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Matt. 24:29-34
29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 32 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.”
-Unless Jesus was lying, he had to come back, and all of those things had to happen before the generation he was speaking to died out, so assuming the disciples were the same age as Jesus give or take 10 years, in 50 years or less, assuming they live to the generous age of 80.
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Acts 3:19-21 & Matt 5:17-18
19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.”….”17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”
-This is a more obscure piece of evidence, but could indicate that if all of the prophecies were not yet fulfilled then we would still be under the Old covenant law, which we are not (some would disagree with this I know, if that is the case, just ignore this as evidence). Peter says in Acts 3:18 that Jesus would return when the prophecies were fulfilled.
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1 Cor. 7:28-31
“29 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; 30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.”
-Paul tells people to start worrying about nothing but God, because the world isn’t going to last much longer. this was said 1900 years ago
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Hebrews 9:28, 10:37
“28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”...”37 For,“Yet a little while,
and the coming one will come and will not delay”
-1900 years ago it was said that Christ would come a second time, and the coming one would not delay. He would come in a little while.
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James 5:7-9
“7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
-James also says 1900 years ago that the coming of Jesus is at hand, and the Judge is at the door
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1 John 2:15-18
“15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 18 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.”
The author claims in his letter, to the people he is writing to, that it is the last hour. This was addressed to those living 1900 years ago. He also said there have been many antichrists, so those waiting for one today have missed it apparently.
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Revelation: many times
1:1”The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,”
1:3“ Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.”
10:6”and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay,”
22:10“And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.
22:7“And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
22:12“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.”
22:20”He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”
