 Our history has recorded several congregations of religionists who have predicted that the end of the world would come at a specific time. Page Smith, in his book The Nation Comes of Age, recorded the religious group called Adventists, who, under the millennial theme, followed the preachings of William Miller and his prophecy that Christ's Second Coming would occur during the years 1843-1844. Thousands across the American Continent were convinced of this Apocalypse, and followed the teachings of William Miller. It was first prophesied that the end would come in 1843. When the time prophesied came and went, the time was set ahead further, and into the year 1844. It was recorded that: "Excitement mounted as several dates set for the advent came and went. Finally, Miller, under great pressure from the faithful, declared October 22, 1844, the fearful and joyous day. When it, too, passed many Millerites fell away...". Several Adventist churches formed from this group, predicting on their own when the end would be near.
It is recorded in the Bible, in Matthew 24, when Jesus and his disciples were leaving the Temple in Jerusalem, after Jesus had castigated the lawyers and Pharisees as hypocrites, that his disciples pointed to the temple buildings. Jesus said: "Yes, look at it all. I tell you this: not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down." They went to the Mount of Olives to rest, and his disciples asked him "...when will this happen? And what will be the signal for your coming and the end of the age?" He gave them several signs to look out for; he noted that only the Father in Heaven knew of the "day and hour". He also said: "I tell you this: the present generation will live to see it all."
Many generations have passed away since that time; and, many generations believe that the Bible is speaking to them directly, as though this was the "present generation" that is mentioned. Jesus was speaking directly to his disciples; and the generation noted was the generation of that time.
It is recorded, in the book of the Revelation of John: "This is the Revelation given by God to Jesus Christ. It was given to him so that he might show his servants what must shortly happen. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who, in telling all that he saw, has borne witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ. Happy is the man who reads, and happy those who listen to the words of this prophecy and heed what is written in it. For the hour of fulfilment is near."
The key words here, concerning this discussion, are: "what must shortly happen", and: "the hour of fulfilment is near". John was a part of the generation of those referred to by Jesus when he spoke the words: "I tell you this: the present generation will live to see it all." My Dictionary reveals the word "shortly", in this context, means: soon or in a short time. The word "near" means: at or to a time not far away.
In a letter to the Romans, the Apostle, Paul, wrote that the story of their faith was being told all over the world; Romans 1:8. This was confirmed, also, in a letter that he wrote to the Colossians; 1:6, and 1:23. In a letter to the Hebrews, it was noted that they were in the "final age"; Hebrews 1:2. James wrote a letter to "the Twelve Tribes dispersed throughout the world", in which he noted that "the coming of the Lord is near"; James 5:8. The Apostle Peter, writing to the congregations in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, wrote that "The end of all things is upon us", 1 Peter 4:7. John wrote that "this is the last hour"; 1 John 2:18. All of this follows the "revelation" of Jesus to his disciples that "the end" would come during the "present generation", being the lifetime of those living while he spoke.
Isaac Azimov wrote, in his book Azimov's Guide to the Bible, of these words of Jesus in Matthew 24:34, that the view of the Christians of the time was that the second coming was expected at any time while they lived; although this view is not now prevailing.
Jesus had noted that that generation would live "to see it all"; let me emphasize the "all"; not just one manifestation, but the whole "shooting match"; and, actually, this is not my theory, but only an iteration of the research of others before me, and it is not just a belief.
He's not coming… |