Bruce, having spent many hours in the Word, my belief is very strong
that the Disciples of Jesus Christ was looking forward to the return of
Christ in His Kingdom in their lifetime.
I'm sure that the disciples, at least most them, were looking for a very quick return. But just saying they expected it, isn't proof it happened. I don't know of any Christians from 70 AD to say, 1800 AD, who believed the 2nd coming occurred in the past. As far as I know Christians throughout this period looked forward to the 2nd coming sometime in the future. If you know of any Christians who referred to the 2nd coming in the past tense between 70 and 1800, please let me know the source.
Do you think that the many were
martyred by crucifixion, burning, being eaten by wild beasts and other
forms of punishment to terrible to contemplate because they knew that
the return of our Savior would not happen for at least 2000 years in the
future? These early Christians were able to stand together against the Jews and
the Romans because they knew that Christ would soon return!
I find it difficult to believe the timing was of that much importance to them.
I would recommend that you make another stab at it. To deny that the
Parousia has never happened is to say Jesus and the Apostles were in
error.
Not necessarily. This is true only if you interpret things the way you do. For 1900 plus years, the vast majority of Christians have looked forward to the 2nd coming without claiming Jesus and the Apostles were in error. This is historical fact. Your religious beliefs are your business, but I don't think it's good to misrepresent the beliefs of earlier generations. |
