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Was Jesus an apocalyptic prophet?
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Jesus' life is a testament to the fact that he was an apocalyptic prophet

It is wrong to just look at what Jesus was saying as evidence of his views. Many of Jesus' actions and action that were done to him were clear signs of his apocalypticism
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Context

The implications of being an apocalyptic prophet must be taken into account to understand whether or not Jesus was one. Apocalypticism supports the view that Jews were being persecuted, at least at the time of Jesus, because the forces of evil had overpowered God - implying that the Romans were on the side of the powers of evil. In a similar sense to any modern day belief similar to this, it would have been likened to political trouble making. The way that Jesus was treated in some circumstances shows that he was being as a political troublemaker and therefore we must presume that this stems from his apocalyptic views. Since the way in which Jesus is portrayed often does not align with the Gospel writers' sitz im leben, one must also presume that some of the scenes where Jesus appears to be apocalyptic prophecy must be true in some measure

The Argument

In the Cleansing of the Temple, there is an obvious dualistic portrayal between the temple sellers and Jesus. Dualism is one of the four key characteristics of apocalypticism, hence why it would have been so obviously emphasised by the Gospel writers. Secondly, the fact that Jesus is taking an active role in the judgement of the temple sellers is a reflection of his apocalyptic views - emphasising the fact the those who believe in God will live in the Kingdom of God and those who don't will not live in the Kingdom. This is not only Jesus judging the people but he is reaffirming the judgemental prophecy In Jeremiah 7:11: "Has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your sight? You know, I too am watching, says the Lord." which is repeated by Jesus in the temple "He was teaching and saying 'Is it not written, "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations"? But you have made it a den of robbers.' "

Counter arguments

Premises

P1 Jesus was crucified P2 Crucifixion was a punishment reserved for political troublemakers P3 Apocalypticism would have been as political troublemaking by the Romans C Jesus was an apocalyptic prophet P1 Jesus quotes dualistic prophecies when cleansing the temple P2 He wouldn't have knowingly quoted an apocalyptic prophecy without agreeing with its sentiment C Jesus was an apocalyptic prophet

Rejecting the premises

References

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