How long will Christians wait for Jesus?

[SteveII]

One really wonders how long this can go on. Will there come a day when Christianity revises this claim, or will it simply let it go? Will they be eagerly awaiting him in the year 3000? If so, what about five thousand years from now? Ten thousand years?

Inherent in your question is that the claims of Christianity are false. If they are true (or believe them to be true), why wouldn't they apply at any time in the future? There is no doctrine which is time-sensitive, so there is no argument that weakens with age. Additionally, since there are more people alive today that believe these claims than ever before, it is clear that time passing has only been positive for Christianity.

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Hello, sir.  I recall a quote from the movie Inherit The Wind (1960):"religion is supposed to comfort people, not frighten them to death." Bertram Cates.

Now, with all do respect to you, sir, would you say that your post is reflective of your deity's love?  Or, is it a reflection of your feelings toward certain people who choose to mock your beliefs or are disrespectful toward you in other ways? Or, do you have another explanation, sir?  Thanks and live long and prosper, sir.

But threats and scare tactics have kept people in the church for centuries.

I hear this line of reasoning a lot. 

The words 'threats' and 'scare tactics' carry in their meaning intent. I don't think the doctrine of Hell in the Bible is correctly understood as a lever to get you to do something. The logical conclusion of not choosing God and living the life he has called you to live (which is the sole goal of Christianity) is eternal separation from God. Simply describing the logical outcome of this choice cannot be characterized as a 'threat' or a 'scare tactic' no matter how frightening it is. To say it another way, avoiding Hell is not the goal being preached, avoiding Hell is one of the benefits from doing the right thing (choosing God and living as proscribed). 

If a church or a person uses Hell as a threat or scare tactic, then that is on them and not the intent of NT Christianity. 

I'm interested in other opinions.