C.S. Lewis said that the verses about Jesus returning in the lifetime of his followers are the most embarrassing verses in the Bible.

Here is the Scripture to which he’s referring. It occurs in three of the four Gospels.

Matthew 24:34, Mark 13:30, and Luke 21:32

Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened.

Here is what Lewis said as recorded here and here.

“Say what you like,” we shall be told, “the apocalyptic beliefs of the first Christians have been proved to be false. It is clear from the New Testament that they all expected the Second Coming in their own lifetime. And, worse still, they had a reason, and one which you will find very embarrassing. Their Master had told them so. He shared, and indeed created, their delusion. He said in so many words, ‘this generation shall not pass till all these things be done.’ And he was wrong. He clearly knew no more about the end of the world than anyone else.”

So this is a problem for Christians. Many atheists and Muslims will point to these verses to show that Jesus was a false prophet.

How do you respond to this:?

Do you really think Jesus was wrong? Do you believe Jesus didn’t know what He was saying?

Or is our understanding of Scripture and history incorrect?

The only eschatological view that fully addresses this question is preterism. Preterism has its own issues as well, but it is fully able to answer this criticism. The rest of the views have no solid answer for this.