Chapter 4 – The Reliability of Jesus’ Prophecy

Christians have proposed various explanations to address the apparent delay of Jesus’ promised return within his generation. Some believe Jesus intended to inspire perpetual readiness, encouraging each generation to live as if he could return at any moment. Others suggest that, in his human form, Jesus didn’t know the exact timing (as suggested in Matthew 24:36) and mistakenly assumed his return would happen within his generation. Notably, C.S. Lewis supported this idea.¹ Another perspective, shared by scholars like Pete Enns, is that God postponed the plan because Israel’s rejection risked losing too many souls, citing verses like 2 Peter 3:9 and Matthew 23:39.²

However, these explanations don’t hold up when closely examined.

The Messiah Cannot Lie

Jesus, the Messiah, cannot lie. The Bible reinforces this in passages like Isaiah 53:9 and 1 Peter 2:22. Deuteronomy 18:20-22 provides a clear standard for evaluating the truthfulness of a prophet’s message. It states that if a prophecy does not come to pass within the specified timeframe, the prophecy is false, and the prophet is to be rejected:

Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (BSB) But if any prophet dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or to speak in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death.”

21 You may ask in your heart, “How can we recognize a message that the LORD has not spoken?” 22 When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and the message does not come to pass or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.

For Israel, the validity of a prophecy depended on its fulfillment within the declared timeframe. If the appointed time passed and the prophecy had not occurred, it was deemed false, often with severe consequences.

Had Jesus intended to inspire readiness in every generation, he could have simply stated that his return could happen at any time, without specifying a particular timeframe. By giving a specific time—within the generation of his listeners—he left no room for reinterpretation. The idea of Jesus lying or making a false prophecy contradicts his nature and the scriptural testimony about him.

Jesus Was Certain

If Jesus had been uncertain about the timeframe of his return, he would not have used such confident language. In Matthew 24:34-35 (WNT), Jesus spoke with unwavering certainty, saying, “I tell you in solemn truth that the present generation will certainly not pass away without all these things having first taken place. Earth and sky will pass away, but it is certain that my words will not pass away.” This confident language reveals his complete assurance in the truth of his statement.

By beginning his statement with “I tell you in solemn truth,” Jesus emphasized the absolute truthfulness and certainty of his words. The translation of “certainly” in the verse is derived from the Greek phrase “ou mé,” which adds extra emphasis.³ This phrase forcefully conveys that something is “not a fact” and “not even a possibility.”⁴ Through his words, Jesus conveyed the impossibility of the disciples’ generation passing away before the fulfillment of all his prophecies.

Furthermore, the Holy Spirit of Truth did not correct Jesus’ assumptions with the disciples (John 16:13). This alignment between Jesus’ words and the guidance of the Holy Spirit signifies their agreement and supports the certainty of Jesus’ statements.

Although Jesus did not know the exact day or hour of his return (Matthew 24:36), he did have knowledge of the generalized timeframe in which it would occur, namely, within their generation.

God Cannot Delay

God, while capable of changing His plans (Jeremiah 18:5-10), always makes His intentions known to the prophets if He decides to do so:

Amos 3:7 (BSB) Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.

If God had promised to return in Jesus’ generation but later changed His mind, He would have communicated this change through His prophets. Yet, the final letters of the New Testament reflect a consistent plan for Christ’s return. For example, Revelation, near its conclusion, affirms:

Revelation 22:20 (BSB) He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Even 2 Peter, which some scholars believe was written after Revelation, does not prophesy a delay in God’s plan. Instead, Peter affirms the reliability of the prophetic message and emphasizes that God will not tarry in keeping His promise:

2 Peter 1:19 (WEB) We have the more sure word of prophecy; and you do well that you heed it…

2 Peter 3:9 (WEB) The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness.

Peter wrote shortly before his generation passed away, giving God a few remaining years to fulfill His promise within the prophesied timespan—the generation of the apostles. God, in His mercy and patience, chose to wait until the very last moment of that timespan to save as many people as possible (2 Peter 3:1-9). However, Peter did not imply that God had changed His mind or would delay His return beyond the prophesied timeframe.

In fact, after declaring the return would happen within their generation, God swore that there would be no delay:

Revelation 10:6 (BSB) And he swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and everything in it, the earth and everything in it, and the sea and everything in it: ‘There will be no more delay!’

God is unwavering in His faithfulness to His oaths, as confirmed in Scriptures like Leviticus 5:4-5; Numbers 23:19; 30:1-2; Joshua 9:3-21; Judges 11:30-31,34-35; 2 Samuel 21:1-2; and Psalm 15:1-2,4; 24:4. When God swears an oath, it signifies the unchanging nature of His purpose (Hebrews 6:17-18). Breaking or delaying a vow is considered sinful by His own standards:

Deuteronomy 23:21-23 (BSB) If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. 22 But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty of sin. 23 Be careful to follow through on what comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed to the LORD your God with your own mouth.

God uses the concept of “delay” in the same way humans do, as demonstrated in Ezekiel 12:21-28. Since God cannot sin or contradict His own nature, it is inconsistent with His character to delay His return for thousands of years.

Summary

The arguments suggesting Jesus misspoke, intended only to inspire readiness, or that God delayed his plans, fail to reconcile with Scripture. Jesus’ words were clear, confident, and truthful, supported by the Holy Spirit and God’s unwavering nature. The explanations offered don’t satisfy, solidifying the trustworthiness of Jesus’ promise and the certainty of his statements.

Footnotes