On Fri, 10 Oct 2008, Dehler, Bernie wrote:
> Thanks Edward. I guess you are just helping me be comfortable knowing there is no clear answer as to how Jesus could have been wrong in teaching His imminent return. I guess it is just a mystery, like the trinity. Your CS Lewis quote said it well- very applicable (in some ways).
>
If by imminent you mean during the lifetime of the disciples, I don't know
where you find Jesus saying that his return was imminent. Was it what he
said in the Olivet discourse about all these things happening before their
generation passed away? The disciples' question to which he was responding
had three parts, and it is up to the reader to sort out which question
each part of the discourse is responding to. He also says that only the
Father knows the day and hour of his return.
The Olivet discourse mentions many things that must occur before Jesus
returns and seems to be warning against assuming that his return will
happen before they take place.
In John 21 Jesus indicates that Peter will be old when he dies. John also
insists that Jesus did not say that John would live until Jesus returns.
Acts 1 indicates that prior to Pentecost the disciples had some
misconceptions. I Thessalonians 4 may indicate that Paul thought of
himself as being included in those who would remain until the Second
Coming, but by the time he wrote II Timothy 4 he was convinced otherwise.
Also see his comments on eschatology in II Thessalonians 2.
Gordon Brown (ASA member)
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Received on Sat Oct 11 23:26:59 2008
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