Matthew 24:4-5 "And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many."
Matthew 24:23-25 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand."
This is a pretty darn bold statement to make considering Jesus was hardly known by many at the time he made these claims. The New Testament church wasn't even established yet. How did Jesus know imposters would come? Also in todays world there are many "Christians" that claim they can manifest "signs and wonders". Were these lucky guesses?
I'd like to hear your thoughts.
2007-02-24 16:53:36 · 21 answers · asked by Archangel 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No. I don't think they were lucky guesses. I don't think Jesus would say such a thing if He didn't know for sure.
Hmm. I have to think about this. Most of me wants to say that there have always been false prophets -- people who claim to know a spiritual way and lead people astray-- but this doesn't seem enough.
Thanks for the question--let me think on it some more.
2007-02-24 17:15:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If people are strong followers of anyone there will be imposters (even though I've never heard of a Jesus imposter.. So the dude may just be plain wrong). It wasn't a guess, but a very educated prediction, if it were a prediction made at all. Some Christians claim they can manifest signs and wonders because they're morons.
I wonder how many people could have predicted all of the Elvis imposters following his death.. Many? Yes. Many.
2007-02-25 00:59:26 · answer #2 · answered by juhsayngul 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Considering that the gospel according to Matthew (as well as the other 3 gospels) were written well after the supposed crucifixion of Christ, this statement is much less bold. Mark's is the earliest, reliably dated as having been written around 70 CE, and John's dated at 90 CE. The church was just forming during this time period.
Statements such as this serve as a sort of "fail-safe" mechanism for the church. Given our knowledge in regards to when the gospels were written, it stands to reason that this verse (along with others) was a tool of the church fathers, as a means to stay in power, and bolster the validity of their faith. With study, other statements similar to this can be found.
Ironically enough, every other messianic figure has made claims that others would come after him, claiming to be the true messiah. It's a never ending cycle, and it just stands as an attempt to remain "the one true messiah".
2007-02-25 01:14:48 · answer #3 · answered by Bill K Atheist Goodfella 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In Jerusulem in the day of Jesus there was much political unrest and religious unrest-prolically the Romans were asking more and more from them and wanting more and more power and relgiously the city was full of those who claimed to be the Christ to be the one spoken of in the scriptures, even claims of virgin births were common and unbelieved of course, So in his own time Jesus saw the human condition and knew it would not improve. He knew that many would claim to be his friend as many claimed discipleship now and that some would do good work and others would not. That those following needed guidance to figure out who was who.
2007-02-25 01:01:41 · answer #4 · answered by elaeblue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't want to hear my thoughts. You don't believe the Holy Bible, which is the thought of God.
Research the Book.
Research the findings on the archaelogy.
Research church and world history.
Three kings during His birth searched for Him because they knew He is the Son of God.
Narrow-minded religious people during His time here on earth don't want to believe Him because he came from a small town and only a son of the carpenter.
The Holy Bible translated in almost every languages around the world, tells us about Jesus Christ.
2007-02-25 01:09:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
the messiah myth had been around in the jewish folklore for years upon years, and many had claimed to be him long before jesus, and many have claimed it since. it is very easy to say in this instance that others will come around and make this same statement
2007-02-25 01:07:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Funny enough, every religious 'savior' warns that imitators and false prophets will come. Your Jesus is not in the slightest unique about this, nor that imitators and false prophets came.
2007-02-25 01:05:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Dude, I don't believe in your book, so it doesn't matter to me what it says. Whatever those christians with their signs and wonders say, also doesn't matter. What part of "I believe the Bible to be fiction" do you people not get? It a good thing we didn't make the "quote the Bible to non-Christians" drinking game, everyone would have to have their stomachs pumped.
2007-02-25 01:01:00 · answer #8 · answered by Huggles-the-wise 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You'll find a more coherent story in David Lynch movie.
You ARE aware that we don't all consider Matthew in the Inerrant word of God, right? Have you been talking to the Church Lady?
2007-02-25 00:56:51 · answer #9 · answered by Contemplative Monkey 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think of it like this: The native americans in North america had no idea what that was about. Jesus said it......someone before Jesus said it. Jesus was a martyr as in he died for what he believed in. There are lots of martyrs......but there are also lots of lemmings.
2007-02-25 01:00:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋