John the Disciple

FUN THOT:  (from the supernatural mysterious God that can do all things)
We know of two guys that did not see death and went to heaven
Enoch: “He was not; for God took him”.
Elijah:   “Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven”
The Bible does not give us the exact details of the disciple John's death. Could John still be alive?

INFO:

• John is the one closest to Christ… the one whom Christ loves…. John 21:19
• John was one of Son’s of Thunder…Mark 3:17
• Christ Jesus is the one who suggests the option that John may still be alive “if I want him to remain alive…” John 21:22
• Some believe that  Jesus may have been telling Peter that he had to be crucified, but he did not say that of John
• It is traditionally believed that John was the youngest of the apostles and survived them
• It is a popular Mormon belief that John is still alive

SCRIPTURE:

• Matt 16:28 (KJV) Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
• John 21:21-23 (NIV) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”  Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
• Revelation 10:11 (ESV)  And I was told, “You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.”

HISTORY & TRADITION

• The 1910 Catholic Encyclopedia says that John spent his last days in Ephesus.
• Justin Martyr wrote that John spent his remaining days in Ephesus until he died somewhere around 100 A.D.
• One ancient source stated he fell asleep at Ephesus, where his remains were sought for, but could not be found.
• Foxe's Book of Martyrs says that the apostle John, as punishment for being a believer in Christ, was thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil and that all in the audience of  the colosseum were converted to Christianity upon witnessing this miracle.
• Another source:  The Emperor Domitian sent John to the island of Patmos (which is near the coast of Asia Minor and the city of Ephesus). It was during his time on the island that John, likely around 95 A.D., wrote the book of Revelation. When Emperor Nerva came to power he released John from his island imprisonment. John seems to have been the only one of Jesus' original twelve apostles who escape a violent death.
• Easton's Bible Dictionary writes that John 'retired' to Ephesus after writing Revelation. The aged apostle likely outlived just about all his friends and his many acquaintances made over the years. 

QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“How is Elvis and have you seen him lately?”  Ghostbusters 1984

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.   Hebrews 13:2

So if a new (old) guy comes to your church….