According to christian scriptures, the end of times was "imminent" at the time the bible was written, most likely in the lifetimes of the "apostles". There are a number of references which support this view:
8 …the coming of the Lord is near.
(James 5:8)
9 …the Judge is standing right at the door.
(James 5:9)
Children, it is the last hour;
and just as you heard thatantichrist is coming,
even now many antichrists have appeared;
from this we know that it is the last hour.
(1 John 2:18)
Moreover, Jesus was reported to have told his disciples, "Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened."
(Matt. 24:34; Mark 13:30; Luke 21:32)
But after Christ did not return in the 1st century after his death, xtians have expected Christ's return at various times - some of the more prominent ones are:
1st Century CE: As per the "imminent" predictions in the bible
2nd Century CE: Prophets and Prophetesses of the Montanist movement predicted that Jesus would return sometime during their lifetime and establish the New Jerusalem in the city of Pepuza in Asia Minor.
1000-JAN-1 CE: Many Christians in Europe had predicted the end of the world on this date. As the date approached, Christian armies waged war against some of the Pagan countries in Northern Europe. The motivation was to convert them all to Christianity, by force if necessary, before Christ returned in the year 1000.
Around 2000 CE: Various predictions of Christ's return by Harold Caming, Jerry Falwell and others.
Even after all these failed predictions of Christ's return, xtians still hold on to the belief that he will miraculously appear to claim his "flock" of "chosen ones".
So I would like to run a little throught experiment here. Christ has not returned in year 100, 1000 or 2000 but xtians still believe. What if the year is 10,000 CE - would you still be an avid xtian expecting Christ's return? What if you lived in the year 20,000? 100,000? 200,000?
What would it take for you to finally admit that Christ is not returning and xtianity is false?
8 …the coming of the Lord is near.
(James 5:8)
9 …the Judge is standing right at the door.
(James 5:9)
Children, it is the last hour;
and just as you heard thatantichrist is coming,
even now many antichrists have appeared;
from this we know that it is the last hour.
(1 John 2:18)
Moreover, Jesus was reported to have told his disciples, "Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened."
(Matt. 24:34; Mark 13:30; Luke 21:32)
But after Christ did not return in the 1st century after his death, xtians have expected Christ's return at various times - some of the more prominent ones are:
1st Century CE: As per the "imminent" predictions in the bible
2nd Century CE: Prophets and Prophetesses of the Montanist movement predicted that Jesus would return sometime during their lifetime and establish the New Jerusalem in the city of Pepuza in Asia Minor.
1000-JAN-1 CE: Many Christians in Europe had predicted the end of the world on this date. As the date approached, Christian armies waged war against some of the Pagan countries in Northern Europe. The motivation was to convert them all to Christianity, by force if necessary, before Christ returned in the year 1000.
Around 2000 CE: Various predictions of Christ's return by Harold Caming, Jerry Falwell and others.
Even after all these failed predictions of Christ's return, xtians still hold on to the belief that he will miraculously appear to claim his "flock" of "chosen ones".
So I would like to run a little throught experiment here. Christ has not returned in year 100, 1000 or 2000 but xtians still believe. What if the year is 10,000 CE - would you still be an avid xtian expecting Christ's return? What if you lived in the year 20,000? 100,000? 200,000?
What would it take for you to finally admit that Christ is not returning and xtianity is false?
