Why not admit that Jesus got this one wrong?

Question

"There be some standing here, that shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom"
Any normal interpretation would read this as predicting that the Second Coming would occur in the lifetime of some of his audience. It didn't happen.
I accept that it's a sword that cuts both ways. If it diminishes our belief in Christ's omniscience, it increases our respect for the integrity of the Gospel text. Anyone who just wanted to present a plausible account would have removed these words.

It is plain from 2 Peter that the early Christians accepted these words as literally true and not some code for Ascension, Pentecost, etc, because at that date they were already raising questions: 'Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were...'

The fact that those who disagree can't agree among themselves whether this 'coming again' was the transfiguration, resurrection, pentecost or ascension, shows that these are ad hoc arguments. In any case, the words suggest that Jesus was envisaging this 'coming' as happening after several years and not very soon like the transfiguration and all the rest.

Answer 1

good Question.
I agree any normal person would draw the conclusion you mention.
There are lots of things that Jesus said that at the very least seem to imply that he was not fully informed.
Of course you always get the same type of answer when you put it to the religions. It generally boils down to that he was speaking in some sort of code.
His words were not meant for general consumption but for scholars years later to digest and extract the "true" meaning.

I just cant understand why more people dont question this type of thing.

It seems absolutely clear that Jesus was kept largely in the dark regarding future events which doesnt really sit well with him being the same as God.

There is a passage where it is clear that he is unaware that the Earth is a globe, and despite the fact that no one else knew this at the time you would have thought God himself might have known..even if he did he was not passing it on to his son.

Answer 2

It is certainly enigmatic.

In John's gospel when some Jews won't accept his messiahship, because he doesn't fulfil their martial expectations (I think that was the issue casuing them to stumble), he asks them what they are going to think if instead of staying, he returns to the father (i.e. the ascension). So it would appear that he knew the Kingdom wouldn't come immediately.

In Acts, when the ascension occurs, the disciples clamour asking him when he was going to restore the kingdom (i.e. rule as King on Earth, in Jerusalem as David's son), they were so keen for it to happen asap.

Jesus tells the disciples it isn't for them to know the times and dates of such key historical events.

When he ascends, two angels tell the disciples that He will return again (on the clouds, like Daniel 7:13 says) in the same way, but don't assure the disciples they will be around at the time.

It could be something really cryptic. He may have meant that some of them would have supernatural visions of the second coming - seeing the event in advance. That would be true of John if he was indeed the author of Revelation.

Answer 3

Jesus is God. He doesn't get anything wrong.

Those who aren't hobbled by a too literal interpretation of that portion of scripture know that Jesus was speaking of two separate events, and that both dealt with separate times of the end.

The first event, and one which certainly fulfilled ALL of the prophetic details that Jesus provided, was the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD, at the hands of the Romans.

Precisely 40 years after Jesus made his prophetic statement (the span of one biblical generation) some of those who were then with him were indeed still alive when the definitive end of the Jewish world occurred, and God's judgment was pronounced.

In fact, no Christians died as a result of that campaign, since the leaders of the Christians were indeed watching and praying, and took due note of all the signs, hastily fleeing Jerusalem, along with the whole Christian congregation, shortly before the Roman army encircled and cut it off.

According to the contemporary Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, this event was also accompanied by various signs in the heavens.

This leaves us with only the second prophetic event to consider, and that event could be either the fall of the Roman empire, OR the end of this world age, or BOTH.

Since there was no schedule specified for this last event, only time will tell.

Answer 4

Every religion has some good to it. Learn to see other religions for their good rather than their bad qualities.
Do not dismiss the beliefs of other faiths automatically. Try and learn what other religions have to say. Relate this to your own beliefs.
Don't be too pushy. People don't convert if you are too anxious; in fact that will often scare them away from you. Instead, bring up your religion casually and only suggest they join if it's obvious they are interested - and don't force them into a conversation they don't want concerning religion.

Make friends outside your church, mosque, synagogue, etc. This will help you see things from a different point of view.
Read other Holy Books other than your own. This will better help you understand other religions and hear what they have to say.
It is also possible to be an atheistic zealot. If you are an atheist, respect other people's faiths. Do not look down your nose on believers and "feel sorry for the deluded fools."

Answer 5

You are very correct.
The text is clearly refering to those present at the time it was said. The words there be some standing here can not be said to be refering to anyone but those alive during the time this was said.

The only other way it can be looked at is the world as they knew it did end in 69 AD. It wasn't an end of the entire world but only the one as they knew it. However Jesus didn't return to do anything so that part does fall on its face.

Answer 6

Jesus' Kingdom is where He is King: this is exactly what a true church is - a group of people who have Jesus as king. The Apostles did what Jesus had been doing: proof that He was among them. They did the kind of things He had done with the power that He had shown. The people Jesus spoke to did see both His Kingdom and Him before they died.
True, this is only the start of His Kingdom. When He returns, we shall see His Kingdom, and Him, in Their fullness.

Answer 7

The kingdom of God was ushered in on the day of Pentecost. You have to remember in the Lord's teaching He said the the Kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation. He said no man can say it is here or it is there, but the kingdom of God is within you. Jesus was ultimately referring to the inner dwelling of the Holy Spirit which would come and dwell inside men. He said in the book of John that living waters came come up out of his belly and of this He was referring to the Holy Spirit. And His prophecy was fulfilled. He said there would be some who would not taste death until He entered His kingdom. And Judas was the only one who tasted death out of His twelve disciples before His kingdom came.

Answer 8

6:28 Shall not taste death, till they see the Son of man. The reference is not to his final coming to judge the world, but to his spiritual coming to establish his kingdom. This was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost.

The WES Bible defines what is implied in scripture: 16:28 And as an emblem of this, there are some here who shall live to see tho Messiah coming to set up his mediatorial kingdom, with great power and glory, by the increase of his Church, and the destruction of the temple, city, and polity of the Jews.

My friend, let me remind you that there is not a single mistake in the bible. You reap what you sow, and in this case, dont sow any unfaithfulness, for that is what you will reap; despite what is truly there. Instead, I encourage you to find every possibility how it can be right, instead of wrong, and stick to it.

May God reveal himself to you, Amen.

Answer 9

The coming of the Kingdom was Christ's resurrection. The kingdom is here and we have been given the choice of being a part of it but it won't last, Christ WILL return as he said he would and then the end will come.

Answer 10

That was true however it was later that He Jesus took several disciples up a mountain and is transfigured in Luke 9, so they DID see Him glorified, find out more about what you need to know about your salvation free bible lessons www.amazingfacts.org OR www.itiswritten.com talk to me also [e-mail] God bless