The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved

Saint John the Apostle or Saint John the Beloved is the apostle whom I look up to so much due to multiple reasons. Although, I cannot really quite put my finger around it why I love the apostle John; but, I think the main reason why is because I am also named John.

As I had a resurgence with the desire to delve into the Catholic Faith, I have had so many learnings I have gathered along this journey, especially about the huge significance of the Blessed Mother in our salvation (I've had some knowledge; but, not as deep as the ones I've recently learned). Well, of course, it is worth pointing out so that people won't misunderstood especially our protestant brothers and sisters, that Jesus is the only one who saves.

One of the interesting theories that I have learned in my faith-strengthening journey is that Saint John the Apostle is still alive. Whaaat? Well, of course, it's not something that is proven; but, it can be something interesting and intriguing to think about.

Saint John the Beloved was so close to Jesus. Well, as someone who wrote one of the Gospels, he referred to himself as "The One Whom Jesus Loved". For me, personally, there is not a hint of pride of this. By saying this, Saint John knows full well that he is truly loved by the Lord.

Onto our topic.

In the early years of Christianity during the reign of Roman emperor Domitian, commanded for John to be boiled to death in oil. Thus, John was through into a cauldron filled with boiling oil. However, John continued to preach and was unharmed.

One other time, John was forced to drink poison. This didn't have any effect on him.

The Apostle John is simply not too good at dying. The Lord isn't done with him yet, he still has to write the book of Revelation. Thus, he was sent into exile in the island of Patmos and there he wrote The Revelation.

Then, we learned that after the reign and death of Domitian, Saint John the Apostle returned to Ephesus of which he died of old age.

Or did he?

For us to better understand and have more context, let us read the Gospel of Saint John 21:20-23

"20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 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?”

What is the Lord truly allowed Saint John to live on until his second coming?

If we connect the events that would've ended Saint John's life: being thrown in a cauldron of boiling oil, forced to drink poison and this passage in the gospel and his body being nowhere to be found? No wonder this theory has intrigued many, even renowned theologians, like Saint Thomas Aquinas for example.

Many even believed that Saint John the Apostle will be one of those two who will come back in the Book of Revelation.