This is written in response to the claim that Jesus and Paul were wrong about their understanding of when Jesus was coming back, and therefore they were false prophets.
It’s a quick response, not a deep response.
The idea that Jesus, Paul, and other New Testament individuals were false prophets just does not add up for me. It does not square with the dedication and devotion of the people closest to him and them.
Jesus came and taught, he picked 12 men, and they followed him to their death. They would not do that for a false prophet. They lived with him, heard him teach and preach and they all concluded that he was without sin.
Heb 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
2Co 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Pe 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
1Pe 2:22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."
1Jn 3:4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.
1Jn 3:5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin.
2Pe 1:16-21 NIV We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (17) For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
(18) We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. (19) And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (20) Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. (21) For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
We have the testimony of the men that lived with him, men that committed their lives to him, men that loved him, these men did not call him wrong or false.
Yes, the first-generation believers thought/hoped Jesus would return in their lifetime – they were not wrong to think that. Every generation since Jesus left has hoped he’d return during their lifetime. I hope he’d return before you get through reading this blog!
Then, the next generation of believers, they did not call him wrong or a false prophet because he did not come during their lifetime. They registered no complaint or disbelief because Jesus didn’t return.
They all understood what Jesus said, and they didn’t call him wrong or false.
Jesus did teach about false prophets, but he was not one:
Mat 7:15-23 NIV "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. (16) By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? (17) Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. (18) A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. (19) Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (20) Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
(21) "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' (23) Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
Mat 24:10-11 NIV At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, (11) and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
2Pe 2:1-9 NIV But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. (2) Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
(3) In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.
(4) For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment; (5) if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; (6) if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; (7) and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (8) (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)— (9) if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.
1Jn 4:1-3 NIV Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (2) This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, (3) but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
Mat 24:24 NIV For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.
Mar 13:22-23 NIV For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible. (23) So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.
And on and on …
It just does not square with the ‘boots on the ground’ to say that Jesus was wrong or that believers were wrong when they thought Jesus would come during their life – I expect that myself.
Jesus taught this parable, teaching is all to be ready for his coming at any time:
Mat 25:1-13 NIV "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
(2) Five of them were foolish and five were wise. (3) The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. (4) The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.
(5) The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. (6) "At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' (7) "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.
(8) The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' (9) "'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'
(10) "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
(11) "Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' (12) "But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' (13) "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
I’ll never call him false or wrong! I’m not smarter than those that heard him speak, listened to his teaching, dedicated their lives, and called him sinless and Lord!
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