I didn't want to have to divide this up into parts, but I think that it is best. Otherwise it would be too long.
The SAB indicates that, according to the Bible, the end would come within the lifetime of Jesus listeners. I will demonstrate why this is not the case by explaining the verses they use to conclude this. They mistake the transfiguration, the destruction of Jerusalem Jesus being at the right hand of power, and John's Revelation at Patmos.
Matthew 16:28 (KJV) - Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. (Also see Mark 9:1; 13:30 / Luke 9:27)
The Interpreter's Bible says: "The prediction was not fulfilled, and later Christians found it necessary to explain that it was metaphorical."
What believers and skeptics alike seem to have glossed over is the fact that in the very next verse Matthew reveals that just 6 days later this prophecy was fulfilled. Peter, James and John witnessed the transfiguration. (Matthew 17:1-2 / Mark 9:1-8 / Luke 9:27-36 / 2 Peter 1:16-18)
Mathew 23:36 (KJV) - Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. (Also see Matthew 24:34 / Mark 13:30 / Luke 21:32)
All of the above verses differ from the verses in Matthew 16:28. British scholar G. R. Beasley-Murray: "The phrase 'this generation' should cause no difficulty for interpreters. While admittedly genea in earlier Greek meant birth, progeny, and so race, . . . in the [Greek Septuagint] it most frequently translated the Hebrew term dôr, meaning age, age of humankind, or generation in the sense of contemporaries. . . . In sayings attributed to Jesus the term appears to have a twofold connotation: on the one hand it always signifies his contemporaries, and on the other hand it always carries an implicit criticism."
So Jesus could have been directing that statement to the Jewish opposition there around him at that time, who, within a generation would see the destruction of Jerusalem in 66 - 70 C.E. by Titus, the son of Emperor Vespasian where 1,100,000 Jews died and 100,000 were taken captive, most of whom died horrible deaths and the Christians who knew it would come were saved. Matthew 24:16, 22. And Jesus may have been applying the same to those in opposition in the future as well.
Matthew 26:64 and Mark 14:62 are parallel accounts and you won't have to wait or look far to see them fulfilled. Acts 7:55-56: "But he, being full of holy spirit gazed into heaven and caught sight of God's glory and of Jesus standing at God's right hand, and he said: "Look! I behold the heavens opened up and the Son of man standing at God's right hand.""
Also see Psalm 110:1 / Luke 22:69 / Ephesians 1:20 / Colossians 3:1
John 21:22 is a somewhat interesting passage. Jesus may have been telling Peter that John would live longer than him, and in fact John would live another 70 years, but also he might have been referring to the prophetic vision that John was given at the end of his life while in exile on the island of Patmos. As recorded in the book of Revelation John was transported to "the Lords day." (Revelation 1:1, 10; 22:20)
The SAB indicates that, according to the Bible, the end would come within the lifetime of Jesus listeners. I will demonstrate why this is not the case by explaining the verses they use to conclude this. They mistake the transfiguration, the destruction of Jerusalem Jesus being at the right hand of power, and John's Revelation at Patmos.
Matthew 16:28 (KJV) - Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. (Also see Mark 9:1; 13:30 / Luke 9:27)
The Interpreter's Bible says: "The prediction was not fulfilled, and later Christians found it necessary to explain that it was metaphorical."
What believers and skeptics alike seem to have glossed over is the fact that in the very next verse Matthew reveals that just 6 days later this prophecy was fulfilled. Peter, James and John witnessed the transfiguration. (Matthew 17:1-2 / Mark 9:1-8 / Luke 9:27-36 / 2 Peter 1:16-18)
Mathew 23:36 (KJV) - Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. (Also see Matthew 24:34 / Mark 13:30 / Luke 21:32)
All of the above verses differ from the verses in Matthew 16:28. British scholar G. R. Beasley-Murray: "The phrase 'this generation' should cause no difficulty for interpreters. While admittedly genea in earlier Greek meant birth, progeny, and so race, . . . in the [Greek Septuagint] it most frequently translated the Hebrew term dôr, meaning age, age of humankind, or generation in the sense of contemporaries. . . . In sayings attributed to Jesus the term appears to have a twofold connotation: on the one hand it always signifies his contemporaries, and on the other hand it always carries an implicit criticism."
So Jesus could have been directing that statement to the Jewish opposition there around him at that time, who, within a generation would see the destruction of Jerusalem in 66 - 70 C.E. by Titus, the son of Emperor Vespasian where 1,100,000 Jews died and 100,000 were taken captive, most of whom died horrible deaths and the Christians who knew it would come were saved. Matthew 24:16, 22. And Jesus may have been applying the same to those in opposition in the future as well.
Matthew 26:64 and Mark 14:62 are parallel accounts and you won't have to wait or look far to see them fulfilled. Acts 7:55-56: "But he, being full of holy spirit gazed into heaven and caught sight of God's glory and of Jesus standing at God's right hand, and he said: "Look! I behold the heavens opened up and the Son of man standing at God's right hand.""
Also see Psalm 110:1 / Luke 22:69 / Ephesians 1:20 / Colossians 3:1
John 21:22 is a somewhat interesting passage. Jesus may have been telling Peter that John would live longer than him, and in fact John would live another 70 years, but also he might have been referring to the prophetic vision that John was given at the end of his life while in exile on the island of Patmos. As recorded in the book of Revelation John was transported to "the Lords day." (Revelation 1:1, 10; 22:20)
... in the general case I agree utopian that we should all be able to discuss our opinions openly and rationally. The truth is
humans often can't do that for a number of reasons: pride; ego; genuine belief that their view is correct; love of a good argument; concern for others that
their opinions are leading them into danger. That IMHO is the problem with religious discussions.
