The following passage from Paul’s letter to the Philippians makes it absolutely clear that he understood the resurrection of the dead was imminent. It was not thousands of years in the future!
I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! Philippians:3:9-11.
He saw that knowing Christ and suffering with Him meant His resurrection was possible before He passed from the scene. This was the ‘blessed hope’ of 1st century believers.
He had already said this to them, chapter 1:10: For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.
Obviously Paul anticipated Christ’s imminent return within the lifetime of his readers!
And also, in this letter, 1:21-23: For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. 22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. 23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.
Here Paul reveals his certainty of being in close fellowship with Jesus after his death! This would be far better for him! Again, he believed that resurrection was also imminent!
Compare this with Jesus’ statements in Matthew 10:23, 16:27-28 and 24:34, that many in this (his) generation would be alive at his coming and therefore experience their resurrection of believers.
Also it makes sense of Paul’s writings to the Corinthians about the resurrection.
But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. 54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your stingl” 56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:51-57.
So, not everyone will die before the return of Jesus. Paul wrote there would be people living in their flesh bodies when Jesus comes. However when Jesus returns all that are here in the flesh shall each be changed into an incorruptible body, a spiritual body.
Revelation 10:6-7. He (the angel) . . . . . . said, here will be no more delay. When the seventh angel blows his trumpet, God’s mysterious plan will be fulfilled. It will happen just as he announced it to his servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7, Habakkuk 2:3)
Hebrews 10:37: For, “In just a little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay.
So why are so many people looking for a future return of Jesus, after 2000 years?
Please explain.
Ian Thomson 