APOSTLE JOHN IS STILL LIVING ON EARTH ? | IS HE STILL ALIVE DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST | #jesus #2023

SERMON TV

27 Jul 202309:52

Summary

TLDRThe script delves into the enigmatic statement from John 21:22, where Jesus speaks about John's life in a way that has led to speculation about whether John the Apostle might still be alive today. The video explores various interpretations, including the hyperbolic view that Jesus used language for emphasis rather than a literal prediction, the preterist perspective that the statement referred to the destruction of Jerusalem, and the literal view, notably held by the Mormon Church, which suggests John has been living for two millennia. The script also touches on the historical context and the influence of John's teachings, while acknowledging the enduring curiosity and debates this biblical passage has sparked.

Takeaways

😮 The script discusses a mysterious statement made by Jesus in John 21 about the life of John the Apostle, which has intrigued believers for centuries.
🤔 It raises the question of whether John is still alive today, a possibility that some religious organizations have considered as part of their teachings.
📚 John the Apostle, born around 6 CE, was a close disciple of Jesus and an influential early church leader who wrote the Gospel of John.
📖 According to church tradition, John died from old age between 98 and 100 CE, contradicting the idea that he might still be alive.
📝 The conversation in John 21:19-23 between Jesus and Peter is the basis for speculations about John's life span.
🔍 There are three main interpretations of Jesus's words in John 21:22: hyperbolic, preterist, and literal perspectives.
🔗 The hyperbolic view suggests Jesus used exaggerated language to make a point about Peter's attitude and is widely accepted among Christians.
🕍 The preterist perspective links Jesus's statement to the destruction of Jerusalem, a less popular interpretation based on an obscure belief.
🌟 The literal perspective, notably held by the Mormon Church, interprets Jesus's words as a factual claim that John has been alive for two thousand years.
📜 The Doctrine and Covenants, a collection of revelations in Mormonism, includes a section that supports the belief in John's continued existence.
🧐 Despite the historical and theological debate, no major Christian denomination today claims that the Apostle John is still living.

Q & A

What is the mysterious statement made by Jesus in John 21 that has intrigued people for centuries?
-The mysterious statement is found in John 21:22-23, where Jesus tells Peter, 'If I want him to stay until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.' This statement has led to speculation about whether John the Apostle is still alive today.
What did your middle school teacher suggest when asked about John's possible current existence?
-Your middle school teacher, known to be a prankster, suggested that it was possible for John to still be alive today, sparking a week-long debate among the students.
What is the historical context of John the Apostle's life and death?
-John the Apostle was born around 6 CE, became one of Jesus's closest disciples, and an influential early church leader. He wrote the Gospel of John and mentored Polycarp. According to church tradition, John died from old age between 98 and 100 CE.
What are the different interpretations of John 21:22 and why are they significant?
-There are three main interpretations: the hyperbolic perspective, suggesting Jesus used illustrative language; the preterism perspective, which links the statement to the destruction of Jerusalem; and the literal perspective, which takes Jesus's words at face value and suggests John is still alive. These interpretations reflect different theological beliefs and understandings of scripture.
How does the hyperbolic perspective interpret Jesus's words in John 21:22?
-The hyperbolic perspective argues that Jesus used exaggerated language to make a point about Peter's attitude rather than predicting John's literal future. This view is commonly held by Christians who believe John died around 98 CE.
What is the preterism perspective and how does it relate to John 21:22?
-The preterism perspective suggests that Jesus's words were a prediction of future events, specifically the destruction of Jerusalem, rather than his Second Coming. This view is less popular and is associated with an eschatological view that all New Testament prophecies were fulfilled before the end of the first century.
Which religious group is most prominent in promoting the literal interpretation of John 21:22?
-The Mormon Church, or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the most prominent group that promotes the literal interpretation of John 21:22, believing that John has been walking the Earth for the last two thousand years.
What is the source of the Mormon Church's belief that John the Apostle is still alive?
-The belief comes from the Doctrine and Covenants, a collection of revelations received by Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon Church. Section 7 of the Doctrine and Covenants details a revelation where Jesus allegedly granted John the power to live until Jesus's return.
How does the belief that John never died fit within the broader context of Christianity?
-While the belief that John never died has been a topic of speculation since the founding of Christianity, it has not evolved beyond friendly speculation in mainstream denominations. Today, no major Christian denominations claim that the Apostle John still lives.
What is the comparison made between John 21:22 and Revelation 10:11 in the script?
-The script does not provide specific details about the comparison between John 21:22 and Revelation 10:11. However, it suggests that examining these passages closely could offer further insights into the intriguing nature of Jesus's statement about John's potential lifespan.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 The Enigma of John's Lifespan in John 21

This paragraph delves into the intriguing statement made by Jesus in John 21:22, which has captivated the imagination of believers for centuries. It discusses the possibility of John the Apostle still being alive, a notion that has been entertained by some religious groups and sparked debates among scholars. The paragraph outlines the historical context of John's life, his contributions as a disciple and leader in the early church, and the traditional belief that he died of old age around 98-100 CE. It also explains the conversation between Jesus and Peter that led to the speculation about John's lifespan, presenting three main interpretations of Jesus's words: the hyperbolic perspective, which suggests Jesus used exaggerated language to make a point about Peter's attitude; the preterism perspective, which links Jesus's words to the destruction of Jerusalem rather than his second coming; and the literal perspective, which takes Jesus's words at face value and suggests John has been living on Earth for the past two millennia. The paragraph also mentions the Mormon Church's belief in John's continued existence as part of their doctrine.

05:01

📚 Comparative Analysis of John 21:22 and Revelation 10:11

The second paragraph continues the exploration of John's potential immortality by comparing John 21:22 with Revelation 10:11. It emphasizes the enigmatic nature of Jesus's statement in John 21:22, which some interpret as a reference to John's extended lifespan, possibly until the return of Jesus. The paragraph also touches upon the broader implications of this interpretation within Christianity, noting that while the idea of John's continued existence has persisted since the early days of the faith, no major denominations currently claim that the Apostle John is still alive. It highlights the enduring fascination with the possibility, suggesting that individuals may still speculate about John's existence, much like the middle school Bible teacher mentioned, who neither confirms nor denies John's current presence on Earth.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡John 21

John 21 is a chapter in the New Testament of the Christian Bible, specifically in the Gospel of John. It is known for its account of Jesus appearing to his disciples after his resurrection and is central to the video's theme. The video discusses a mysterious statement made by Jesus in John 21:22, which has sparked debate and speculation about the Apostle John's lifespan.

💡Apostle John

Apostle John refers to one of Jesus's twelve disciples, traditionally believed to be the author of the Gospel of John, the Epistles of John, and possibly the Book of Revelation. In the video, John's life and the interpretation of his potential longevity are key to understanding the various perspectives on John 21:22.

💡Martyr's death

A martyr's death refers to the death of a person who is killed because of their religious beliefs or as a witness to their faith. In the script, it is mentioned that Jesus informs Peter that he will die a martyr's death, which contrasts with the ambiguity surrounding John's fate.

💡Canonical teaching

Canonical teaching refers to the official teachings of a religious institution, often based on its sacred texts. The video mentions that some religious organizations have incorporated the interpretation of John's potential immortality into their canonical teachings.

💡Hyperbolic perspective

The hyperbolic perspective is an interpretation of a statement that suggests it is more illustrative or exaggerated than literal. The video describes this view as one where Jesus's words in John 21:22 are seen as a way to make a point about Peter's attitude rather than a literal prediction of John's lifespan.

💡Preterism

Preterism is an eschatological view that interprets prophecies, particularly in the New Testament, as having been fulfilled in the past, often before the end of the first century. The video explains how some preterists believe Jesus's statement in John 21:22 was a prediction of future events, specifically the destruction of Jerusalem, rather than his second coming.

💡Literal perspective

The literal perspective involves taking a statement or text at face value, without metaphorical or symbolic interpretation. The video discusses how some, particularly the Mormon Church, interpret Jesus's words in John 21:22 literally, suggesting that John could still be alive today.

💡Doctrine and Covenants

The Doctrine and Covenants is a part of the standard works of the Latter Day Saint movement, including the Mormon Church, which contains revelations and commandments given to Joseph Smith. The video cites this text as a source for the belief in John's continued existence, as it includes a revelation about John's desire to live until Jesus's return.

💡Eschatology

Eschatology is the part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind. The video touches on eschatological views, particularly preterism, in the context of interpreting Jesus's words about John's potential lifespan.

💡Urim and Thummim

The urim and thummim are ancient Jewish artifacts believed to have been used for divination and guidance. In the context of the video, they are mentioned as the means through which Joseph Smith received revelations, including the one about John's lifespan.

Highlights

John 21:22 has been a source of intrigue and debate for centuries regarding the lifespan of John the Apostle.

The statement 'If I want him to remain alive until I return' has been interpreted in various ways by different religious groups.

Some believe John could still be alive today, a notion that has been part of canonical teachings in some religious organizations.

John the Apostle was a close disciple of Jesus and an influential early church leader, authoring the Gospel of John.

Church tradition suggests John died of old age between 98 and 100 CE.

The conversation in John 21:19-23 involves Jesus, Peter, and John, discussing the nature of Peter's death and John's future.

Three main interpretations of John 21:22 are presented: hyperbolic, preterism, and literal perspectives.

The hyperbolic perspective suggests Jesus used exaggerated language to emphasize Peter's attitude rather than predicting John's lifespan.

Preterism interprets Jesus's words as a prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem, not the end of time.

The literal perspective, held by some like the Mormon Church, believes John has been alive for two thousand years awaiting Jesus's return.

Doctrine and Covenants, a Mormon scripture, includes a revelation about John's desire to overcome death and live until Jesus's return.

Despite rumors and debates, no major Christian denominations currently claim that John the Apostle is still alive.

The belief in John's continued existence has persisted as a topic of fascination and speculation among some believers.

A comparative analysis of John 21:22 and Revelation 10:11 is suggested to further explore the enigmatic statement about John's lifespan.

The interpretation of Jesus's words in John 21:22 remains a subject of theological debate and personal belief.