How do mainstream Christians handle the Epistle of St. Barnabas' prophecy that Jesus will return in the next 50 years?
score:14
The Epistle of Barnabas is not considered canon. Sticking purely to canon, the bible is very explicit that we do not know. The world could end tomorrow. Or this afternoon. Or 10,000 years from now:
Matt 25:13
Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man comes.
Mark 13:32
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.
1 Thessalonians 5:2
for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
Upvote:0
Jesus never said he does not know the day of his return, he said he did not know the day Heaven and Earth will pass away... read things in context please... Barnabas adds up with the rest of scripture.
Mar 13:31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. Mar 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
Upvote:1
Yet the Bible suggests support for the statement of Barnabas in this regard. Compare Psalm 90:4 -
For a thousand years in Thy sight are like yesterday when it passes by, or as a watch in the night.
and 2 Peter 3:8 -
…with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
with the concept in Mark 2:27-28 that -
Consequently, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.
and the description of a 1000 year kingdom in Revelation chapter 20 (selections from verses 2 and 4) -
…and bound him [Satan] for a thousand years …and [the church] reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Not explicitly stated, but enough to make the suggestion of the Epistle of Barnabas a good possibility, and suggestive that it may have been a common opinion in the early church shortly after the time of the apostles.
With regards to whether it is possible to know these things in advance, I would just suggest a couple thoughts to consider.
First, a careful reading of the passage from Mark 13:32 cited by a previous poster says that the time was not then known to anyone -
not even the angels, nor the Son.
This does not mean that no one will ever know. Certainly Jesus knows the time of His return before it happens.
Second, the events to which Barnabas refers are events that occur after Jesus returns.
Final thought: I can't help it that Bible chronology and time prophecy have gotten a bad rap because of past abuses or because people have been "told" by God or given visions of the year and day when Jesus returns. This should not be held against the concept of Biblical time prophecy, but rather against self-important Christians who think that God speaks only to or through them.
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