Proof that Jesus did Return in AD 70
Part 2
We have already discussed some of the definite time statements that Jesus Himself made about His return.
Although Jesus pinpointed the exact time frame of His return, many Christians today are not willing to take Jesus at His word. The traditions of men can make the Word of God of none effect. Mark 7:13, Matthew 15:6 The modern Church has been preaching delay for over 19 centuries and counting.
There can be little doubt that the writers of the epistles expected Jesus to return very soon. If words like “near”, “soon”, and “at hand” are to have any meaning at all, they cannot be understood to mean the event is hundreds or thousands of years away.
Another proof was the equally inspired and emphatic imminency statements and expectations of every New Testament writer. They all expected the Lord to return in their lifetime. If they were wrong, how can we trust anything they say.
Ten years before Jerusalem was destroyed, the Apostle James declared that he was living in the last days. James 5:3,7-9;
John the Baptist proclaimed, “The Kingdom of God is at hand”. Matthew 3:2
Jesus used this exact same phrase in Matthew 26:46 when He said, “Behold, he is at hand that doth betray me,” The betrayer was right there walking toward Him.
There are many other verses that use this “at hand” expression which are never questioned as far as the meaning.
For example: John 2:13, 7:2, 11:55 are just a few more examples.
The “at hand” expression was never interpreted as 2,000 years and counting in the future. God used ordinary words like “at hand”, “near”, “at the door”, “soon”, and “shortly” to communicate His time truths.
In the Bible, “near” never means “far” nor does “far” ever mean “near”. To indicate that it means something else is to distort truth and cause confusion.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:15,17, Paul used the pronouns “we” and “you” because he was addressing the people of his day not “those” 2,000 years later.
Paul said that some of “them” would be alive when Jesus returned.
Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:14 to keep the commandment until the appearing of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul described the Corinthian believers as eagerly awaiting Christ’s coming at the end and declared that the time is short. 1 Corinthians 1:7-8, 7:29
The plain grammatical meaning of Paul’s often used pronoun “we” and the saturation of his epistles with nearness expectations and exhortations allow no other conclusion.
Notice the following Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, Romans 13:11-12, Philippians 4:5.
In 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8, we read how Paul was encouraging his first- century audience to find rest and that THEY would be vindicated from their persecutions when the Lord Jesus came in vengeance upon His enemies.
The Apostle Peter states that salvation was ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:5-6 Peter employs the personal pronoun “ye” meaning “you” in reference to living in the last days. Peter goes as far as to declare that the “end of all things is at hand” had come upon “them”, not upon “us”. 1 Peter 1:7
What had once been seen as far off by the ancient prophets was now ready to be revealed to the “you” group in the “last time”.
The “ye” meaning “you” group is the saints in the churches to whom Peter and Paul were writing. Acts 3:24-25
The “like a thief” metaphor is used to describe the coming of Jesus. This metaphor was used because no one knew the exact time of His return. The disciples were admonished not to be caught off guard as they saw the Day approaching. 1 Thessalonians 5:2, Hebrews 10:25
Paul and Peter both admonished the first century believers to NOT let the day overtake them as a thief. 1 Thessalonians 5:4, 2 Peter 3:10 Jesus also used this same metaphor. Revelation 3:3, 16:15
Back in the first century, they did not have “religious professionals” like we have today telling them that those things apply to a future generation 2,000 years in the future.
They KNEW it applied to THEM! All of the New Testament writers were in accord with Jesus regarding His return in the first century.
The language of nearness forbids “any protracted” period of time of 2,000 years and counting.
The word “clouds” is another common metaphorical expression used throughout Scripture. God coming in “clouds of judgment” is a Biblical precedent established in the Old Testament.
The expression “clouds” denotes God descending from heaven and coming in power and glory to execute judgment on a people or on a nation. In all the historic comings of God in judgment, He acted through human armies or through nature to bring destruction.
Here are some examples:
Isaiah 19:1-2 “The Lord rides on a swift cloud”
Describes God’s judgment against Egypt.
Jeremiah 4:13 “…. He shall come up as clouds…”
Describes God’s coming judgment against Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 30:3 speaks of the judgment of God against the heathen nations as a “cloudy day”.
Psalms 104:3 “…. who maketh the clouds his chariot…”
There are many other Old Testament Scriptures that use similar metaphorical expressions to depict the judgment of God. Ezekiel 30:18, Psalms 18:9-12, 68:4, 2 Samuel 22:10-12, Nahum 1:3, Joel 2:1-11, Zephaniah 1:14-15, Dan. 7:13, Isaiah 26:21, 29:5-6
In all these Biblical comings of God in the Old Testament, God was never physically visible. Twice Jesus said that He would come “in the clouds”. Matthew 24:30, 26:64 “Cloud coming” is the language of divine imagery and denotes divine action.
Did Jesus come in AD 70? To some, this may seem a ridiculous question, but the Bible is emphatic that Jesus was to return in the first century generation before all of His disciples died. Matthew 16:27-28
Matthew 24:29-31 speaks of Him coming with power and great glory to gather His saints.
In Matthew 24:34, Jesus said, “This generation will not pass until all these things be fulfilled”.
Mark and Luke also record this same statement by Jesus. Mark 13:30, Luke 21:32 The fact is that the Bible affirms repeatedly that the return of Jesus was to occur in the first century.
In the Book of Hebrews states “For yet a little while and He that shall come will come and will not tarry.” Hebrews 10:37
James says that “…the coming of the Lord draweth nigh…” and “…the judge standeth before the door…” James 5:8-9
In Revelation, Jesus said “Behold, I come quickly” Revelation 22:10 Many people say that Jesus did not come back yet because time continues. They overlook the fact that the Bible nowhere predicts the end of time.
The prophets predicted the passing of the heaven and earth of Old Testament Israel. The end of time is not a Biblical subject.
The Bible says that the Christian age will have no end. Ephesians 3:20-21, Luke 1:33, Isaiah 9:7, Ecclesiastes 1:4
The writer of Hebrews said “…. Now once in the end of the world (age) hath He appeared to take away sin by the sacrifice of Himself”. Hebrews 10:26
The “last days” was the period of time closing God’s covenant relationship with a people, a land, a city, and its temple with its religion. No other people had this relationship with God. This was the power of the “Holy People” spoken by the prophet Daniel. See Daniel 9
Conclusion
All of these Scriptures give undeniable proof of the return of Jesus in AD 70 of the first century. Remember, what a person believes affects the way he lives.
This is why it is so important that we seek to find and to know the truth so we may not believe the wrong things and make wrong decisions. Hosea 4:6, Matthew 22:29
Knowledge is knowing the facts which produce life eternal. The Bread of Life is the Word of Life. The hope of eternal life to the first century Christians was indeed wonderful. Today, we have the assurance of eternal life.
A hope that is never realized can lead to cynicism, despair, and disillusionment. The Book of Proverbs 13:12, states “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.”
If we believe the words of Jesus, we understand them to spiritual truths. We can be sure that God has told us in the Bible everything we need to know.
In John 16:16, Jesus clearly told the disciples that were standing with Him that day: “A little while, and YOU will not see Me; and again a little while, and YOU will see Me"
The departing words of Jesus are recorded in Revelation 22:20, “…Surely I am coming quickly.”
Do you believe the words of Jesus?
