Truth About The Crucifixion — Page 228
alive. " This solemn trial took place in the presence of King Agrippa II, and the chief captains and principal men of the city. Its historical importance can hardly be doubted. The second Christian testimony reports that Jesus was alive at the end of the first century. It refers to Ignatius, the second bishop of Antioch. When escorted to Rome to be thrown to the beasts he wrote a letter to the community of Christians of Smyrna saying "that he (Jesus) is in flesh since his resurrection, I both know and believe. " Both these Christian testimonies show that Jesus still lived at those times and hence that he did not die on the cross. II Let us now deal with the question of the so-called “Parusy that did not take place” - Die ausgebliebene Parusie of the German theology. In the Christian religion parusy means the coming back, or the second advent of Christ from heaven. It is for them a warrant and hope for a just reward for their life waited for in eternity. Parusy is promised in Matthew 24:27; For as the lightning cometh out of the east and shineth even unto the west, so shall the coming of the Son of man be. This belief was so eagerly held after the departure of Jesus from Palestine, that the apostle Peter felt obliged to tone it down in his second letter (2P 3, 4. ) The Jewish apocalyptic texts show that the Jews rather expected the Messiah to install first his kingdom of bliss and abundance for one thousand years before the Last Judgment would take place. According to me, this firm belief in his return was based on his own words given in John 14:2-3: In my Father's house are many 220