Jesus and His prophecies

BMZ made some interesting claims on another thread and I thought perhaps it would be a good idea to start another topic in case other Muslims may have the same ideas.  This is the first one:

BMZ wrote: According to Paul, Christianity lives or dies on the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:14-17). Now Jesus made many promises concerning his return during the lifetime of his then followers.  (Matthew 16:28: �There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom�.  Matthew 23:36, 24:34, Mark.9:1, 13:30, Luke 9:27, 21:32 & John 21:22). Not a single prophecy in above came true. All the disciples were dead. The gospel writers were dead. Paul and his team of apostles were dead. Why did Jesus make that false promise? Because of his failure to come back in their lifetime, don't you think Christianity invalidates itself?

All the prophecies came true, BMZ.  Most of prophesies in Matthew, Chapter 24 refer to events prior to and including the destruction of the Temple in 70AD which came true during the lifetime of the present generation standing before Jesus.  You need to know the history during that period in order to match the events before the fall of Jerusalem.  I can go through some of them if you wish, one at a time.

Matthew 16:28 refers to Jesus' resurrection from the dead.  See Matthew 28:18, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."

John 21 22 Jesus said to him, �If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.�  Jesus is referring to his Second Coming.

Matthew 24, starting with verse 35 and on refers to the end of the world.

Jesus said the time of the fall of Jerusalem would be identifiable with signs�see parable of the fig tree.  Jesus said that the time of the end of the world would not come with signs�see parable of the thief.

Peace

All of the prophecies BMZ mentioned were fulfilled prior to and including the fall of Jerusalem in 70AD.

The other prophecies refer to the Second Coming which will happen someday.

We do not know when Jesus will return.  It will happen suddenly.

George,

It appears to me that you are getting confused over the issue otherwise you would not have quoted John 21:22 to me.

George, you quoted out of context: "John 21:22 Jesus said to him, �If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.�  Jesus is referring to his Second Coming."

It shows that Jesus did not will that he remained till Jesus came back. The above does not point out to his second coming.

Peter had disowned Jesus three times in Jesus' times of great distress. So, in John 22:15-18 after making sure three times that Simon loved him, Jesus said to Peter in John 22:19, " Follow me!" If Peter had been really sincere and had loved Jesus, he should have blindly followed Jesus without a second thought. Instead, what does Peter do? Simon Peter turns around to see whoelse is following!!! He saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (The name of that beloved disciple is not given here but it is said that he was on the table and had leaned back against Jesus asking him,"Lord, who is going to betray you."

21:22Jesus answered,"If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."

"If I want him to remain alive" does not prove that Jesus was talking as a God or that he was deciding on life and death of others. People wish that their dear ones live long and remain alive until people are themselves gone. There is no claim by Jesus there.

If Peter had truly loved Jesus and had followed him as instructed, that question would not arise. Here Peter is talking about somethingelse and Jesus is quoted replying about somethingelse! Peter simply asked when he saw the disciple following them,"Lord what about him?" which simply means,"Lord, is it OK if he follows us?" That was Peter's question. Why would Jesus answer something like John21:22. It just does not fit. And then Jesus tells Peter again "You must follow".

In simple words, Jesus was annoyed and unhappy with Peter and was being sarcastic when he said to Peter:"If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?" and this was really like a scolding to Peter. Personally, I believe that John wrote it that way. Please note That Jesus did not say,"If I want to keep him alive till I come back again, I will keep him alive".  

What do you really make out of John 21:24This is the dsiciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true."

Do you consider John21:24 to be the disciple John who wrote the gospel of John? I don't, for John is writing about another person. I would like to know what were the testimonies of that disciple? Who has his testimonies?

In short, neither did that disciple live nor did Jesus come back. 

Please read my post very carefully and let me have your thoughts to each and every point raised.

I think I will leave it at that. But thanks anyway, for the note on the testimony of the man.

Good Night