Why do some people still wait for Christ to return?

Question

A fundamental belief of Christianity is that Christ will return to the earth to conquer evil and rule over the faithful - a simplified definition of the Second Coming. Since the first century until modern times, some Christian leaders and their followers have prophesied that this would happen, usually during the lifetime of the person making the prophecy, and frequently within the next 20 years after the prophecy. This practice seems to contradict a fundamental Christian principle that says that no one knows when Christ will come (Mark 13:32). The failure of even one of these many prophesies to come true often has the effect of trivializing Christian teachings and making the church seem unreliable.

Several verses in the New Testament appear to contain Jesus' predictions that the Second Coming would take place within a century following his death. Most notably, Matthew 10:22-23, 16:27-28, 23:36, 24:29-34, 26:62-64; Mark 9:1, Mark 14:24-30, 14:60-62; and Luke 9:27.

Answer 1

because it's funner than waiting for the Chinese food to get here

Answer 2

Because He will return. At the Sixth Seal, heaven and earth will witness the appearance of the Lord with power and majesty (Re.6:12-17).

Additional Scriptures pertaining to the Sixth SEAL are - Re.1:7, 1 Thess.5:2, Acts.2:20-21, Lk.21:25-27, Matt.24:29-31, Mk.13:24-27, Re.1:7, Isa.13:6-11, Joel 2:31-32, Jer.30:7, Isa.2:19, Lk.23:30, Lk.21:36.

The Sixth SEAL should not be confused with the Seventh TRUMPET (1 Thess.4:16-17, 1 Cor.15:52, Re.10:7). These are two separate events. There is a seven-year time frame between the Sixth SEAL and the Seventh TRUMPET.



Pat (ndbpsa ©)

Answer 3

Well Christ promised us he would return and therefore I do believe he will in due time. Though when he returns he is not setting up a kingdom on Earth. His kingdom is spiritual.

These passages you listed are very interesting. And sometimes difficult to understand. Perhaps since Jesus even said he did not know when he was to return he was actually mistaken about the immediacy of his return.

Others will say these are just interpolations into the words of Jesus by scribes or the authors to teach the immediacy of Christ's return.

Some say that these particular passages do not refer to Jesus' Second Coming instead they interpet them as Jesus referring to either his ressurection or perhaps maybe other events. The Coming of the Kingdom is an obscure phrase to interpret. Most will force an interpretation of this phrase based on their views of the end times. Perhaps this "kingdom" has already come. Perhpas the kingdom is in fact the Church the body of Christ. Jesus could be supporting the teaching of realized eschatology.

Jesus could be speaking of events have not yet been fulfilled. Like "when you go through all the cities of Israel" perhaps this is more general reference to Jews/Hebrews all hearing the message of Christ from disciples.

You do have a decent point. Many Christians may read this passages feel slightly confused and then just ignore them for the rest of their lives. Each of these passages can be understood on a verse by verse basis. Sometimes it may be problems in the translations or in traditional interpretations. Some of these passages perplex me to this day. I have heard a lot of explanations but many just are satisfying.

But I believe. I believe Jesus is returning. This may seem feekle or weak minded to you. There is a thing called FAITH. I walk by FAITH and not by sight. And do the best I can along the way with the resources I have avalble. God Bless.

Answer 4

Judgment came to the Jews at the hands of the Romans 40 years (exactly on biblical generation) after Christ, and exactly as he predicted it.

Judgment came to the Romans when the empire fell, some 400 years later.

Both of these events match up quite well with the words of Jesus that you cite.

The Catholic Church teaches that the end of the age will see even greater cataclysms, but refuses to predict a date for it, simply because Jesus said that no one except his Father in heaven knows the day or the hour.

Fools ignore God's word at their own peril.

Answer 5

The reason Christians wait for the return of Christ is because there is a time coming when He will return, although no one knows the day except God.

Simple.

Answer 6

Christ was supposed to return within the same generation...that was about 2000 years ago. I think, if Christianity is around 2000 years from now, that they will still be waiting. But let's hope it dies out long before then.

Answer 7

In case you didn't notice, the apostles didn't quite understand everything Jesus said. Yes, they had the impression he would return within their lifetime, but never made that distinct assertion, and nothing of the sort came out of Jesus' mouth.

Never the less, he is coming back, and no man knoweth the hour.

Answer 8

Muslims, who don't believe that Jesus is God, also believe that Jesus (peace be upon him) will be returning for the same purpose -- to fight against evil.
You answered your question, I think, so what do you want us to say?.... Except, it's NOT true and believable that he'll be returning within a century after his "death" (he never died). We DO NOT know when it'll be happening, but his coming will be one of the signs of the end of the world.

Answer 9

I'm still waiting for Him to return because He hasn't returned yet. Once He returns I'll stop waiting.

Answer 10

It is part of the Christian faith