Was Jesus A False Prophet?

“Did Jesus prove Himself to be a false prophet when He predicted a second coming that would take place some time during the lives of His disciples?”

This interesting and provocative question has been brought up at many of my formal debates with well known atheists. It has also been brought up by skeptical college students and even Christians who (understandably) want to be sure their Bible is accurate and non-contradictory.

Fortunately, many alleged Bible problems are solved through even the smallest degree of study.

In Matthew 16:27, Jesus says, “ I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom..”

This seems to pose a rather obvious problem since the disciples of Jesus passed away two thousand years ago and we still have not seen His return. But if we would simply keep reading we will find no problem whatsoever.

Matt 17:1-5

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters-one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

Three of Jesus’ disciples did get a sneak preview of His coming and His glory. They did it shortly after Jesus made the prediction and it is probably not a coincidence that Matthew relayed this incident at this time.
A similar problem is found in Mat. 24: 34,

“I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. “
This time, an understanding of the original Greek language is useful The word used here is genea. True, genea can translate as generation but it can also translate as nation. Jesus could be referring to Israel, predicting that the Jews as a race will survive. When we consider the pogroms of the last two millennia and the holocaust which killed almost every Jew in Europe, when we consider the fact that despite these horrific incidents, the Jews not only survived but have returned to their promised land dwelling in their own sovereign nation once again and when we consider that Isaiah 11 predicts three different nations of Israel, (the 1948 establishment being the third) the idea of Jesus predicting the longevity of the Jews becomes even more likely.

Conclusion:

We do not know when Jesus will return. We know He will someday but in the meantime we can trust His words because no contradiction or false prophecy has ever been proven.

All Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE

New International Version NIV

Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.