Hey guys!
There are several verses in the Gospels where Jesus seems to suggest that the Second Coming would occur sooner rather than later. Like these:
When Jesus is adressing His disciples in Matthew 10 He says:
"But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone through the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come” (Matt 10:23)
This implies that no sooner would the 70 be able to cover the cities surrounding Jerusalem than He would come again.
This passage (Matt 10:16-23) is parrallel to Luke 21:12-28, if you read them alongside it is clear that they refer to the same conversation with Jesus. In Luke, the reference to this 'coming' is far more detailed:
"And there shall be signs in sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the billows; men fainting for fear, and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world: for the powers of the heavens shall be shaken." Luke 21: 25,26
and
"And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:27,28
Some people attribute this 'coming' to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD which fits well with the rest of the passage, except Jesus did not come riding on a cloud in great glory (at least not physically). But I suppose that could mean the dawn of Christianity, and therefore, redemption.
Another instance is Matthew 16:27,28:
"27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. 28 Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
Again Jesus talks about Himself coming in glory and judging humanity and apparently says that His disciples would be there to see it.
Sorry for such a long post! Any ideas or explanations would be greatly appreciated!
Peace out and God Bless
Comments
Ive read that before and took it to possibly mean that not all the jews in jerusalem would have had the gospel preached to them before jesus comes again. But who is the preacher are they true christians? and are they blessed by the holy spirit? I am not saying all protestant preachers are bad but it has to be the work of the Holy Spirit that it is impressing on the hearts of the jews.
Oh it could also mean the 70 would die before jesus returns. They died before going through all the cities of israel. But they are still to attempt to go through all those cities.
This is from H.H Pope Shenouda III's book So many years with the problems of people. Biblical questions.
"THIS GENERATION PASSED AWAY"
Question:
The Lord Christ in chapter 24 of the gospel of St.
Matthew talked about the signs of the time and the end
of the age saying " Assuredly, I say to you, this generation
will by no means pass away till all these things take place
" (Matt. 24:34). This generation had passed and many
other generations after it and the world did not end ... !
How can we explain that'?
Answer:
In fact the Lord Christ in (Matt. 24) and also in (Mark 13) was
talking about two subjects: the destruction of Jerusalem and the
end of the world and not about the latter only.
His saying "this generation will by no means pass away till
all these things are fulfilled" meant the realisation of His
prophecy regarding the destruction of Jerusalem. This was
fulfilled when Jerusalem was destroyed in the year 70 AD and
the Jews were dispersed all over the earth and that generation
was still around.
Other prophecies of the Lord Christ in this chapter regarding
the destruction of Jerusalem, not the end of the world are as
follows:
40
+ "Matt. 24:15-20 "Therefore when you see the 'abomination
of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the
holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), "then let those
who are in Judea flee to the mountains. "Let him who is on the
housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. "And
let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. "But
woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing
babies in those days! "And pray that your flight may not be in
winter or on the Sabbath."
+ " Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you,
and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. "And
then many will be offended, will betray one another..." (Matt.
24:9-10).
+ "Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the
other left. "Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be
taken and the other left. " (Matt. 24:40-41)
Therefore, do not take the whole chapter as prophecies
about the end of the world.
The phrase “the coming of the Son of Man " means the second
coming at the end of the age and it also means His coming as
far as the life of every human, as He said "Blessed are those
servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching...
therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at
an hour you do not except... blessed is that servant whom his
master will find so doing when he comes" (Luke 12:37,40,43).
Also "lest, coming suddenly He find you sleeping" (Mark
13:36).