Didn’t Jesus say that he would return soon? In this case, Jesus said something would happen shortly, but it hasn’t happened for over 2,000 years. What would be the difference between these two statements?<\/p>\n\t
In a discussion related to the destruction of Jerusalem, Jesus did promise that he would bring that destruction within the generation of his audience.\u00a0“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near — at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place<\/em>” (Matthew 24:32-34). However, he follows this with a discussion of his second coming, which he states will not have advanced signs. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be<\/em>” (Matthew 24:36-39).<\/p>\n Jesus also said that a time of testing was coming quickly for those in Philidelphia, “Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown<\/em>” (Revelation 3:10-11). Jesus also warned that he would bring about the prophecies in Revelation quickly (Revelation 22:7,12,20), but it is a mistake to see Revelation as talking solely about Jesus’ second coming.<\/p>\n What many people overlook is that Jesus gave many hints that he would be gone for a long time.<\/p>\n “But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time<\/strong>,’<\/em>” (Matthew 24:48).<\/p>\n “But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept<\/em>” (Matthew 25:5).<\/p>\n “After a long time<\/strong>\u00a0the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them<\/em>” (Matthew 25:19).<\/p>\n “And He began to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard and rented it out to vine-growers, and went on a journey\u00a0for a long time<\/strong>“<\/em>” (Luke 20:9).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Time doesn’t have the same meaning for the eternal God as it does for mortal man. “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” … But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up<\/em>” (II Peter 3:3-4,8-10). The Lord’s return might be long, but when it does occur, it will be sooner than mankind expects.<\/p>\n The reason there are numerous verses warning Christians to be watchful and alert is that we can easily fool ourselves into believing we have plenty of time to change our lives. “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober<\/em>” (I Thessalonians 5:4-6).<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Question: Didn’t Jesus say that he would return soon? In this case, Jesus said something would happen shortly, but it hasn’t happened for over 2,000 years. What would be the difference between these two statements? Answer: In a discussion related to the destruction of Jerusalem, Jesus did promise that he would bring that destruction within…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[339,76],"class_list":["post-50832","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-answer","tag-second-coming","tag-terminology"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":20199,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/how-can-jesus-be-coming-quickly-when-it-has-been-2000-years\/","url_meta":{"origin":50832,"position":0},"title":"How can Jesus be coming quickly when it has been 2,000 years?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 21, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Can you explain to me what this verse means?\u00a0 \"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done\" (Revelation 22:12).\u00a0 I was asked how this would be quick if the promise was made nearly 2,000 years\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":26909,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/when-was-the-son-of-man-coming-in-his-kingdom\/","url_meta":{"origin":50832,"position":1},"title":"When was the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 25, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: When the Lord referred to \"the Son of Man coming in His kingdom\" (NKJV) is he referring to coming in Judgment or His return? Answer: To fully understand what Jesus said, we need to examine all three records of this particular teaching: \"For the Son of Man will come\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":6999,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/understanding-matthew-24\/","url_meta":{"origin":50832,"position":2},"title":"Understanding Matthew 24","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"January 1, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"by Jeffrey W. Hamilton The teachings of Jesus recorded in Matthew 24 are commonly misapplied by people in the denominational world. People want to know what will happen in the future. They don't enjoy having secrets kept from them. This is true whether we are talking about our jobs lasting\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":54883,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-did-jesus-mean-by-the-kingdom-being-near-in-luke-2131\/","url_meta":{"origin":50832,"position":3},"title":"What did Jesus mean by the kingdom being near in Luke 21:31?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"December 20, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Hello, I had a question regarding the kingdom of God. From my understanding, the kingdom of God is another term for the church. However, after reading the gospel accounts, I found a problem with Luke 21:31. \"So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":29299,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/if-there-are-no-warnings-for-the-second-coming-of-christ-then-what-about-the-signs-in-revelation\/","url_meta":{"origin":50832,"position":4},"title":"If there are no warnings for the second coming of Christ, then what about the signs in Revelation?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"September 25, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: If there are no warning signs for the last days or second coming of Christ, what do the Bowls, Seals, and Trumpets represent in Revelation? Answer: Revelation deals with things that were to take place shortly. One of the greatest errors people make in regards to understanding Revelation is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":16806,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/what-did-jesus-mean-by-green-wood-and-dry-wood\/","url_meta":{"origin":50832,"position":5},"title":"What did Jesus mean by “green wood” and “dry wood?”","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"November 10, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I don't believe I understand Luke 23:27-31 at all. It seems this conversation took place while Jesus was actually on His way to the cross. Would you please explain this further? What is the meaning of the 'green wood' and 'dry wood'? Answer: \"A great multitude of the people\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50832","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50832"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50832\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50832"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50832"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50832"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}