Please feel free to answer honestly because this is not meant to be a gotcha question:
Jesus said during his lifetime that he would be back soon, that he would return before the people to whom he was speaking had died. Christians have been certain since that time that they were witnessing the end times and that Jesus would be returning soon, definitely within their lifetime.
So my question is: Do you ever feel insecure or nervous our doubtful or fearful that Jesus should have returned by now if the prophecy were true? Does it seem to you based on your understanding of the Bible that Jesus should have returned already?
Are there ways that you justify the delay to yourself? Do you just throw up your hands and say " God works in mysterious ways" ?
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He technically did return during John's life. He went to Patmos to give the Revelation. He even said, concerning John, "what is it to you if he should remain until I return?" John lived longer than any disciple and Jesus came to him on the island. It wasn't the final return but a return.
There is a theory, I don't know how I feel about it, that John is still alive. That he remained on the Earth to be one of the two Witnesses of Revelation. Jesus said the entire Temple would be destroyed before that generation passes away but the Western Wall still stands. Honestly, though that was really just a plot in a book but kind of interesting.
At the end of the day, I trust that all will happen as it should and will be accurate to Jesus' words, even if not at all as we expect. That's not a cop out; sometimes we genuinely can't fully know or understand certain things until after the fact
Which is just another way of saying he did not witness Jesus returning. Jesus said he would return and the day of judgement would occur and he said explicitly that this would happen before the people to whom he was speaking were dead.
I trust that all will happen as it should and will be accurate to Jesus' words
How can you trust that when it failed to happen around 2000 years ago, according to the scripture?
@Pikachu Because I know His power and trustworthiness. God has never failed or not kept a promise once. If it appears He has, evidence points to us misunderstanding somehow.
Another thought, the word generation could be a metaphor. The Book of Daniel refers to seven year time periods as weeks when speaking prophetically. Jesus did often speak in parables to partially obscure His meaning.
I'm not grasping at straws, I'm just brainstorming. I know Jesus and trust Him...not as much as I should...but I see no reason to think any perceived faults are with Him or the Bible.
Another thought, the word generation could be a metaphor
What is the metaphor when Jesus says that some of you standing here will not taste death before they witness the son returning in his kingdom.
He's describing judgement day and he says it will happen before the people to whom he's speaking are dead. He said that 2000 years ago. How long before it's a failed prophecy rather than a metaphor?
I understand that you are convinced that what you believe is true. But there is no verification. There is no objective confirmation. Correct?
@Pikachu The Generation could be the Church He is currently establishing.
Anyway, I'm really tired of this. It's become apparent that you're not really seeking information as really trying to force us to see a "flaw" in the Bible. I have given many possible answers but nothing works for you.
Maybe I'm being unfair but I'm tired of beating my head against a brick wall.
Actually there are mountains of evidence for the reality of God and the reliability of the Bible. Much of it proves the Resurrection which is what our faith is hinged on. And none of this accounts for personal interactions with God (answers to prayer, peace beyond understanding, feeling Him speak to your heart and so on). However, based on this and previous debates with someone I'm pretty sure is you, sharing said evidence would tragically be a waste of time. Honestly that breaks my heart but all I can really do is pray for you until your heart is ready for the truth.
I asked an honest question in this thread. I asked if Christians ever feel nervous or insecure about the fact that these "latter days" have been going on for 2000 years. You decided instead that you wanted to talk about different ways in which you think the prophecy was maybe, possibly, metaphorically fulfilled. I did not find the apologetics compelling and made that clear.
Sorry if you feel that makes me an antagonist.
Do feel free to answer the original question. If not, take care and good evening.
@Pikachu I legitimately did answer the original question, or I thought I did. By brainstorming, I was trying to say "no I'm not bothered. I know God well enough to know that His words are always reliable, even when I don't understand them, or it seems like there is a flaw." I'm sorry if that wasn't clear.
And I'm sorry if I was rude. That's a real problem with me and I hate it. It sneaks up on me and I tend to feel really bad later.
It really does break my heart that you apparently don't believe in Jesus. I really hope I'm wrong in coming to that conclusion
