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In the Bible, the synoptic Gospels contain several examples of Jesus talking about the climactic role of the Son of Man coming (often in 'glory' or in 'his kingdom'). These include references to Jesus' own impending suffering and execution, and the similar persecution of his disciples: Matthew 10:17-42, Matt 13:40-43, Matthew 16:24-28, Mark 8:34-9:1, Luke 9:23-27, Luke 17:20-37; the apocalyptic chapters set on the Mount of Olives called the Olivet discourse (Mark 13, Matthew 24, Luke 21) and The Sheep and the Goats or "Judgement of the Nations" (Matthew 25:31-46); and again when he was on trial before the Jewish high priests (Mark 14:62); and the "Twelve thrones of judgment" (Matthew 19:28-30, Luke 22:28-30). Most scholars interpret Jesus' use of the title Son of Man as self referential - applying to himself a significant messianic image from the apocalyptic sections of the book of Daniel.[2] Daniel 7:13-14 refers to a 'human one' who will come on the clouds in 'glory' and in 'his kingdom' and be given dominion to establish the kingdom of heaven on earth. This is presented as the eschaton and an end of the world: "As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him. To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed." (NRSV) In the Gospel of John Jesus also employs the image of the Son of Man when talking about 'the last day' John 6:39-54. Here it is linked with 'being raised up' - the resurrection of the dead. A theme reinforced in 11:24 where Martha describes Jesus' coming both in terms of resurrection and as an ongoing process, and in 14:3 where Jesus says "I will come again" so his disciples may live with him in his Father's house. [edit] "This generation will not pass away" In the gospels Jesus often referred to the Reign of God being right 'at hand'[3] and 'these things' - including the Son of Man's coming in his kingdom - occurring with immediacy to his hearers. "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who shall not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom" (Matthew 16:28, Mark 9:1, Luke 9:27). Both Matthew and Luke also include the statement, "This generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place" (Matthew 24:34, Luke 21:32)[4]. Orthodox Christian theologians, universally testifying from the time of Christ, have stated that the Sons glory represents the descent of the holy spirit on the church, as the recent Orthodox Saint. Seraphim of Sarov explains: "That is just the state that we are in now. Of this state the Lord said: There are some of those standing here who shall not taste of death till they see the Kingdom of God come in power (Mk. 9:1)." Therefore, Christs prophecy concerning the "some" does not relate to the second coming, but to the descent of the holy spirit, the vehicle for mans restoration. This is made clear through Christs very testimony, for before his resurrection and ascension, he tells the church, "....never will i leave you, never will i forsake you...I will be with you unto the end of the age." This general age or "generation" is the current unrestored age, distinct from the age to come; the age of restoration. Some Christian theologians (Preterists) see this 'coming of the Son of Man in glory' primarily fulfilled in Jesus' death on the cross. During his ministry Jesus continually linked the 'Son of Man' sayings with his own forthcoming suffering, death and resurrection. These theologians claim that some or all of the prophecies laid out in the Olivet discourse are then fulfilled within the narrative of Jesus' passion, for example: 1. The need for disciples to 'keep alert and pray' and 'stay awake' is demonstrated literally on the same mountain two nights later when Jesus interrupts his disciples' sleep to explicitly say "the hour has come".[5] 2. The time frame of significant hours as spelled out in the apocalypse "you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, at cockcrow or at dawn"Mark 13:35 is mimicked in the passion narrative "when it was evening Jesus came"Mark 14:17, praying in the garden in the middle of the night, "at that moment the cock crowed for the second time"Mark 14:72 and "As soon as it was morning the chief preists ... bound Jesus and led him away."Mark 15:1 3. The apocalyptic signs are fulfilled including 'the sun will be dark' (compare Mark 13:24 to Mark 15:33), the 'powers ... will be shaken' (compare Mark 13:25 to Mark 14:63 and Mark 15:5), and 'then they will see' (compare Mark 13:26 to Mark 15:31 and Mark 15:39). They further claim that such an interpretation highlights the subversive Christian claim that the 'glory' and 'dominion' of God is best seen in the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus crucified.[6] Other theologians point to other Biblical images that better match their idea of "coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory" (Matt 24:30), such as the transfiguration witnessed by three of Jesus' disciples or John of Patmos' heavenly visions described in the book of Revelation. Some interpret the phrase 'this generation' to mean lifetime or race; or see it applying to a generation of future readers rather than the generation of people Jesus was addressing within the narrative.[citation needed] Another resolution of the statement is suggested by the belief commonly held in Mormonism that John the Apostle had the nature of his body changed and was allowed to "tarry" on the earth until the coming of Christ and thus at least one person of that generation might still be living even at this day. (See Doctrine and Covenants 8:3,6) Still others say they are unable to explain this verse in the light of what they see as a delay. C.S. Lewis called this "the most embarrassing verse in the Bible" [7]. |
