Is the Apostle John still alive?

Bandiron

New Member
Feb 22, 2016
2
0
24
Dallas
✟15,112.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
I think Strong-in-Him has a point. I stumbled across this thread after reading Matt 16:28 afresh recently (no holds barred). I even tested this on my 11 year old and asked what she thought it meant since she had no idea of the theological ramifications. I like reading Scripture straight up. I see no good reason to conclude that John is dead. I also see no good reason to assume this is cult-thinking; that is a scare tactic. And why did John have to age like everybody else? After all, we don't discount the historical account that he was boiled in oil with no ill effects (BTW, if somebody is boiled in oil they will absolutely die from lack of oxygen within about 24 hours unless there is a miracle). All this doesn't mean he is immortal, but it would mean he is exempt from aging and whatever else Christ would choose for him. Furthermore, John was charged with preaching the Gospel and making disciples (Matt. 28:19). He was not charged with making a name for himself. In fact, if you look at the travel patterns of Christ it would seem frenetic unless he was trying to lose tag-along followers. Why couldn't John be following that example today as an itinerant fisherman traveling the world waiting for his time? I think it is a plausible theory that he is one of the two witnesses in Revelation 11 who will be killed by the beast from the Abyss (hence, not physically immortal). After all, he was a "son of thunder" and did ask to sit at Christ's right hand (Mark 10). The end of the matter would be for us to seek Christ, not John. But it does make a for an interesting notion.

The penning of Revelation would be the last time he could have been "public" but even then, who writes a book that long at that age at that time in history without glasses? I think the youngest John could have been was about 88 years old. I spend a lot of time in senior living environments and something like demands a miracle in and of itself.

BTW, I am not Charismatic. I go to a Baptist church.
 
Upvote 0

Achilles6129

Veteran
Feb 19, 2006
4,504
367
Columbus, Ohio
✟29,682.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Politics
US-Republican
Interesting post, and I'm glad you re-awakened this thread, as I think it's definitely an interesting subject. However, you said in your opening sentence that StronginHim has a point. I think you may have misunderstood: StronginHim was arguing that John is not alive anymore and that Christ never suggested any such thing. I'm saying that Christ did suggest it and that John may well be alive.
 
Upvote 0

jimmyjimmy

Pardoned Rebel
Supporter
Jan 2, 2015
11,556
5,728
USA
✟234,973.00
Country
United States
Faith
Presbyterian
Marital Status
Married
John could then remain alive undercover for the next 2000 years without anyone ever knowing.

Surely his wardrobe would need updating. I wonder if he is a Banana Republic or an Old Navy guy. . .
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

Strong in Him

Great is thy faithfulness
Supporter
Mar 4, 2005
27,767
7,913
NW England
✟1,041,301.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
StronginHim was arguing that John is not alive anymore

Although as others have pointed out, he is spiritually alive and in heaven.

and that Christ never suggested any such thing. I'm saying that Christ did suggest it

But he didn't. Jesus said, " IF I want him to remain alive ......". That doesn't mean he was going to. In 1 Corinthians 13:2, Paul said, "IF I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains ...." that doesn't mean that he did.

and that John may well be alive.

So in your own words, where is he then?

Where is this almost 2000 year old man, and why doesn't he confound all non Christians by saying, "I was there, I met Jesus and know that he was who he said he was. I saw the empty tomb." Why doesn't he teach us the correct way to celebrate the Lord's supper and baptise, for example?
There are many today who believe false doctrines - not just Gnosticism, which John wrote against, but far worse. If one of Jesus's disciples was still physically alive and able to teach us, the church would have a revival.

Obviously he isn't, but the Good News is that we can be filled with the same Spirit that John was filled with and can love and serve our Lord Jesus, just as he did.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Achilles6129

Veteran
Feb 19, 2006
4,504
367
Columbus, Ohio
✟29,682.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Politics
US-Republican
To what purpose?

Not sure exactly. What purpose would Christ have in keeping him alive? It was Christ's suggestion.

John could be one of the two witnesses, or else it could be useful to have one of the original apostles alive at the time of the end. I'm not saying that John is necessarily alive, only that Christ suggested the possibility, so it should be taken seriously.
 
Upvote 0

Strong in Him

Great is thy faithfulness
Supporter
Mar 4, 2005
27,767
7,913
NW England
✟1,041,301.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
John could be one of the two witnesses, or else it could be useful to have one of the original apostles alive at the time of the end. I'm not saying that John is necessarily alive, only that Christ suggested the possibility, so it should be taken seriously.

But he didn't suggest the possibility, he said "IF I want him to remain alive ...... what is it to you?" As I said, Jesus had just indicated what would happen to Peter when he was older, and said, "follow me". Peter turned round, saw John and said, "what about him?" Jesus replied by saying that whatever he had in mind for John was none of Peter's business. This is a very important lesson - other people's lives are not our business; thou shalt not covet". We are called only to follow, not to worry about how long someone else will live.

John then went on to say that, even then, there was a rumour that this disciple would not die - "but Jesus did not say that he would not die".

I can't believe I'm trying to persuade someone that there is no 2000 year old man alive today.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Knee V
Upvote 0

Strong in Him

Great is thy faithfulness
Supporter
Mar 4, 2005
27,767
7,913
NW England
✟1,041,301.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
The point is that Peter didn't bring up the idea that John would live until the return of Christ. Christ himself introduced the idea; the question is why. Clearly he introduced the idea because it's an actual possibility.

The point is that you're failing to understand the point.

Peter asked Jesus what would happen to John. Jesus said, "IF I want him to remain alive til I return, what is that to you? Follow me".
In other words,; even if I wanted John to remain alive for another 2000 years , (and no one knows when Jesus will return so it could be 3 or 4000,) it's not your business Peter. Just follow me".
John says himself that, even then, there was a rumour that he would not die and pointed out that Jesus never said he would not die. Clearly the point is that Peter was concerning himself about John, when John's life, ministry and death were none of his business.

Even Methusulah did not live for 1000 years - why would Jesus want John live for more than 2000?
But if you want to believe that he is somehow alive somewhere today, then I can't stop you.
 
Upvote 0

LittleLambofJesus

Hebrews 2:14.... Pesky Devil, git!
Supporter
May 19, 2015
125,492
28,587
73
GOD's country of Texas
Visit site
✟1,237,240.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Libertarian
No it isn't.
Jesus said "IF I want him to remain ..... what is that to you?" The passage then says that a rumour started among the apostles that John would not die, but then states that Jesus did not say he would not die, he said only "IF I want him to remain ..."

Tradition says that John himself wrote this Gospel - i.e. John is saying "Jesus did not say that I wouldn't die."
Is that the same John that visioned and wrote the Book of Revelation?

Rev 1:1
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place.
And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,


Rev 1:9

I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ,
was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.


Rev 22:8

Now I, John, saw and heard these things.
And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.



http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0831.htm

After the taking up of our Lord Jesus Christ, I John was alone upon Mount Tabor, where also He showed us His undefiled Godhead;
and as I was not able to stand, I fell upon the ground, and prayed to the Lord, and said: O Lord my God, who hast deemed me worthy to be Your servant, hear my voice, and teach me about Your coming........................
................And again I heard a voice saying to me: Behold, you have heard all these things, righteous John; deliver them to faithful men, that they also may teach others, and not think lightly of them, nor cast our pearls before swine, lest perchance they should trample them with their feet. Matthew 7:6


Jdg 4:6

Then she sent and called for Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, “Has not the LORD God of Israel commanded, ‘Go and deploy troops at Mount Tabor; take with you ten thousand men of the sons of Naphtali and of the sons of Zebulun;




.







.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LLoJ
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Strong in Him

Great is thy faithfulness
Supporter
Mar 4, 2005
27,767
7,913
NW England
✟1,041,301.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Is that the same John that visioned and wrote the Book of Revelation?

Rev 1:1
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place.
And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,

I think so; not sure.
But the point is he is not physically alive today.
 
Upvote 0

Bar-Asko

New Member
Mar 8, 2016
1
1
53
London
✟15,126.00
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Married
First post.

There are two deaths. The usual one until Christ returns, and then the nail in the coffin for many when he does return. Christ's response to Peter is clearly in relation to the first death as Christ has just indicated to Peter how he will meet his end -that is the context. I firmly believe that John was Christ's best friend or his favourite apostle. I also think that John was the obvious choice as the lead apostle if there were supposed to have been one. I think it's only natural of Peter, who has just been told how he will meet his end to seek to compare his lot with that of others, but he doesn't ask about anyone other than John -perhaps Peter asked because he knew that John was the best friend, perfect friend and perfect apostle. I think he asked about John because John was the perfect apostle and Christ's best friend. Christ never lied or misled anyone in the New Testament so how could, or why would, He do so after He took back his life -and the apostles would probably have thought the same which explains why they thought John would not die. I think it would have been cruel of Christ to let Peter believe that John would not die the first death but at the same time there must have been a reason for not telling Peter in a direct way. Christ is not cruel. Christ's choice of words are not by way of parable and they are a non-certain and non-direct statement, but they also fortify and remind Peter that Christ has power over life and death having just told him in a non-certain and non-direct manner how he, Peter will die -which came to pass. Q. So is John still alive? A. Depends on how many times Christ comes back, nowhere does he limit himself to one return -He has a season-ticket. The return of Christ spoken of is for the main event and not the odd day-trip. If Christ came to John before he humanly died then it was to personally be at his friends side and to collect him, otherwise John is still physically alive.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

2 know him

Newbie
Dec 9, 2011
482
106
✟7,513.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
If I had to put together a timeline...

8 AD John is born
29 AD Jesus calls John and Peter to be disciples.
32 AD John witnesses transfiguration.
33 AD Jesus asks John to take care of Mary
45 AD John at Jerusalem council.
54 AD - Mary the Mother of Jesus dies, freeing John for ministry
66 AD John leaves for Ephesus.
70 AD Jerusalem destroyed
80 AD John writes the gospel of John
94 AD St. John was apprehended by the proconsul of Asia and sent to Rome,
95 AD John miraculously preserved from death when thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil
96 AD John banished to Patmos where he writes Revelation
97 AD - John returns to Ephesus after the death of Domitian
96-98 AD John writes epistles
99 AD John dies


And is this the tomb of St John in Ephesus?
Photos_NimRock_Tomb_of_St_John_The_Apostel.jpg
 
Upvote 0