Did Jesus Confirm Paul as an Evil False Apostle in Revelation 2:2?

Introduction

The claim that Jesus confirmed Paul as an evil false apostle and liar in Revelation 2:2 is based on a misunderstanding of historical and biblical contexts. This theory has significant historical and textual issues that need to be addressed. Let us delve into the timeline and evidence to explore this issue.

Historical Timeline

First, let's establish the timeline of events involving Jesus, Paul, and the early church leaders:

Crucifixion of Jesus: Around 33 AD Persecution against Christians by Saul of Tarsus: Saul (who later became known as Paul) began persecuting Christians shortly after the Crucifixion, likely around 34-36 AD Conversion of Paul: Paul had his dramatic conversion experience on the road to Damascus, believed to be approximately 36-37 AD Endorsement by Apostles: In the late 40s AD (around 50-51 AD), Paul received the endorsement of the Apostles in Jerusalem during the Jerusalem Council Third Missionary Journey: Paul's third journey lasted from 52-58 AD End of Life: Both Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome in the early 60s AD, around 68 AD during Nero's reign

This timeline clearly shows that Jesus, who died around 33 AD, and Paul, who converted to Christianity around 36-37 AD, never met. Therefore, it is impossible for Jesus to have made any comments about Paul's character.

Biblical and Historical Context

Corruption of the Theory: The theory is also flawed from a biblical and historical standpoint for the following reasons:

Lack of Direct Evidence: There is no direct evidence in the New Testament or other historical records that suggest Jesus made comments about Paul being an evil false apostle or liar. In fact, Paul's letters and the accounts in the book of Acts do not present such a view. Authorship and Historical Bias: The book of Acts was written by Luke, a companion of Paul. Luke's account of Paul's life does not indicate a negative view of him. Similarly, 2 Timothy 4:11 and Acts 28:30-31 suggest a positive relationship between Luke and Paul. Date of Revelation: Revelation was written in the late 90s AD after the death of Paul, making it unlikely that Paul would be referenced as a false apostle in Revelation 2:2. Early Church Scholarship: Early church fathers like Polycarp, Clement, and Ignatius all praised Paul and did not refer to him as an evil false apostle. 2 Peter and Authenticity: While the authenticity of 2 Peter is sometimes questioned, the author of 2 Peter clearly endorses Paul's letters in 2 Peter 3:15-16.

Conclusion: A Positive Light on Paul

In conclusion, the theory that Jesus confirmed Paul as an evil false apostle in Revelation 2:2 is unsupported by historical and biblical evidence. The timeline and the positive portrayal of Paul in the writings and testimonies from the early church make it clear that such a statement is unlikely. Instead, the early church viewed Paul as a key figures in spreading the gospel and preserving its teachings.