My question is about Matthew 10:23. It seems contradictory when it says that they will not be finished going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes, and yet elsewhere it says that Jesus will not come back until all nations have had a chance to hear of him. This is confusing to me for a couple of reasons, one being the seeming contradiction. The other is when I hear Christians say that Jesus could come back at any time, which I do believe, but at the same time I know there are people out there who have not had a chance to hear about Jesus. Can you please tell me what you think about this? -- Ashley Meyer
Great question! I think it is natural for Christians to read about the Son of Man "coming" and to assume this has to do with Judgment Day or the end of the world, but this is not necessarily so. "Coming" in the Bible usually refers to judgment -- yes -- but rarely to the end of the world.
The Son of Man did come back in 70 AD -- to punish Israel, destroy the Temple, and put an end to the sacrificial system completely. In other words, the apostles and those they influenced were still assiduously prosecuting the Jewish mission when the "end" came -- the end of Israel.
