How long does Jesus have to be dead before christians get the hint he's not coming back?

Answer 1

I recently read a bit about the Cargo Cults of the South Pacific. Those spring up (often independently) when pre-scientific islanders observe the "rituals" involved in landing airplanes, often started when temporary airbases were set up during World War II. The islanders would observe the rituals and then imitate them, expecting to attract planes filled with treasure.

In one case, a cult sprang up 40 odd years ago, and its followers expected the return of some Western guy whose name I forgot. I think it was John or something. In any case, they kept performing their airplane rituals, hoping to summon him back to the island to bring his treasure with him so he could share it.

A Western journalist asked a follower of the cult if they still believed John was coming back after 40 years. The follower replied, "You still believe Jesus is coming back after 2000 years. Why, then, is it a stretch for us to believe our savior is coming back after it's only been 40 years?"




The moral of the story is that you should never assume that Christianity is more likely to be true just because it is really old.

Answer 2

Jesus Christ ain't dead, He is a live and well in Heaven. He defeated death, and He will be coming back. Jesus Christ doesn't know when He will be coming back, nor any of the angels of Heaven know. God the Father is the only one who knows when Christ will return.

Matthew 24:36-44 (HCSB, Holman Christian Standard Bible)
No One Knows the Day or Hour

36 "Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son [a] —except the Father only. (A) 37 As the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. 38 For in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah boarded the ark. (B) 39 They didn't know [b] until the flood came and swept them all away. So this is the way the coming of the Son of Man will be: 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and one left. (C) 42 Therefore be alert, since you don't know what day [c] your Lord is coming. (D) 43 But know this: If the homeowner had known what time [d] the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into. (E) 44 This is why you also must be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (F)

Footnotes:

(a) Matthew 24:36 Other mss omit nor the Son
(b) Matthew 24:39 They didn't know the day and hour of the coming judgment
(c) Matthew 24:42 Other mss read hour; = time
(d) Matthew 24:43 Lit watch; a division of the night in ancient times

Cross references:

(A) Matthew 24:36 : Zch 14:7; Mt 25:13; Mk 13:32; Ac 1:7; 1Th 5:1-2;
(B) Matthew 24:38 : Gn 6:5; 7:6-23; Mt 22:30; Lk 17:26;
(C) Matthew 24:41 : Ex 11:5; Is 47:2; Lk 17:35;
(D) Matthew 24:42 : Mt 25:13; Lk 12:40; 21:36;
(E) Matthew 24:43 : Lk 12:39; 1Th 5:2; Rv 3:3;
(F) Matthew 24:44 : Mt 25:10; 1Th 5:6;

Answer 3

The Spirit of Christ prophesied through Peter that people would be asking questions like yours.

2 Peter 3:3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation."

5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished.

7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Don't be one of the scoffers who gets burned up. Repent and turn to Jesus before it's too late! Click on the Get Saved button @ http://www.express56.com/~bromar/ for more info.

Answer 4

If that were actually a worry, we'd still be waiting outside a boulder-covered tomb once owned by Joseph of Arimathea.

We aren't, since he only stayed there from Friday til Sunday, from April 3 to April 5, 33 AD.

The tomb is empty and Christ is risen indeed!

Answer 5

I agree with what dmd said. Compare the prophecies in the Bible about the last days before the return of Christ with what is going on in the world today and you will see that we are indeed living in the time in history that precipitates Christ's return. "Soon" to God could be hundreds or thousands of years, for time is just a speck to God, whereas it isn't to us humans. Christ will come when God decides it's time. As one answerer said, He already gave proof that He conquers death when He rose on the 3rd day. Study the Bible and get to know it and understand it. THEN you will have your answer and it will make sense to you.

Answer 6

No. 1.....Jesus is not dead

No. 2....Since he is God, he can take as long as he wants.

No. 3....I am going to be with him,,wheather I am alive when he comes or already dead. So the longer he takes the more souls will be saved...

Answer 7

Jesus is not dead, he sits at the right hand of the father.

Answer 8

Jesus is not dead....he is alive...he rose from the dead...and he is here now as spirit now....he will come in the flesh when the Father God indicates the time is right

Answer 9

He isn't dead, he defeated death. How long? However long God decides I should wait. News Flash though, look at the world, read the Bible, compare notes, it won't be long!!!! Come Lord Jesus!

Answer 10

Had you rather believe that he is coming again, and be right, or believe he isn't coming again and be wrong. He's gone to prepare a better place. I'm so glad to see so many good answers to your question. Think about them.