Bible Doctrine Regarding The Return Of Christ

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The return of Christ is an event that many people are awaiting. Theknowledge of this raises a few questions. First of all, will the return of Christ be a large event that occurs rapidly or will it be a longer event that takes years to fully come about? Investigation of the Bible provides the answer to this and other questions regarding the return of Christ.

A noteworthy point is the fact that coming and presence are similar, yet, are not exactly the same in meaning. A person’s coming is typically connected to his arrival or return, while his presence may extend indefinitely thereafter. For example, the Greek word er’kho mai, meaning: to come, is used in reference to Jesus directing his attention to a specific task, during his presence. Consequently, this needs to be considered to gain a more complete understanding of the Bible.

Matthew 24:37-39 For just as the days of Noah were, so the presence of the Son of man will be. For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark; and they took no note until the flood swept them away, so the presence of the Son of man will be.

Careful consideration of this verse reveals that the return of the Son man will be as the days of Noah. People will be doing all the things that make up their lives with out regard for the Lord. This is suggestive that the return of Christ will take place over an extended period of time. Remember, Jehovah commanded Noah to build the ark, cover it in tar inside and out, collect two of each animal and enough provisions to feed himself, his wife, three sons and their wives and all the animals. A duty of this magnitude would undoubtedly take years to accomplish. Therefore, if the presence of the Son of man is to be the same as the days of Noah, simple reasoning indicates that the return of Christ will occur over many years.

Many people awaiting the return of Christ are in expectation of seeing Jesus descend from the clouds. In spite of this, Scriptural verse declares that the world will not see Jesus again. This does not suggest Jesus will not be here, only that we will not be able to see him. Consider these verses.

John 14:19 A little longer and the world will behold me no more, but you will behold me, because I live you will live.

1 Timothy 6:15,16 This manifestation the happy and only Potentate will show in its own appointed times, he is the King of those that rule as kings, Lord of those that rule as lords, the one alone having immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom not one man has seen or can see. To him be honor and might everlasting. Amen.

John 14:19 Tells us the world will no longer see Jesus, but the apostles will. Jesus is declaring to the apostles he would come again to take them to heaven to be with him. The apostles can see him because they will be spirit beings as Jesus is. Regardless, the world will not see him again. The verse at 1 Timothy 6:16 makes reference to Jesus dwelling in the unapproachable light. This light no man has seen or can see. This verse tells us Jesus lives in light that men cannot even approach, have never seen or will ever see, further supporting the theory that the world will not see Jesus again.

John 6:51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread he will live forever; and for a fact, the bread that I shall give is my flesh in behalf of the life of the world.

The preceding verse is an authoritative statement made by Jesus that has multi-faceted meaning. Speaking in the abstract fashion that is so often the case with Jesus and Biblical verse in general, Jesus compares his body to bread and declares all those that partake of this bread will live forever. He also states that he gives his flesh for the life of the world. Jesus will not rescind his gift after having given his word that he will give it to us. Furthermore, by giving up his own life, the rest of us have lives; he will not deprive mankind the benefits of his sacrifice by reassuming his life on the earth.

Acts 1:9-11 While they [Jesus’ apostles] were looking on, he was lifted up and a cloud caught him up from their vision. And as they were gazing into the sky while he was on his way, also, look! Two men in white garments stood alongside them, and said: Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus who was received up from you into the sky will come thus in the same manner as you have beheld him going into the sky.

We are told by this verse that Jesus will come in the same manner in which he left, interstingly, it does not say it will be in the same body. In reference to the manner of his ascent, he disappeared into the clouds, only visible to his disciples. The world was unaware of this happening. This suggests that if Jesus returns in the same manner as he left, then the world is going to be, or was, unaware of it.

Revelation 1:7 Look! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and those who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief because of him.. Yes, Amen.

The clouds in this passage are indicative of the invisibility of Jesus at this time. The fact that Jehovah told Moses I am coming to you in a dark cloud supports this statement. This also happens at L
eviticus 16:2 and Numbers 11:25.

Leviticus 16:2 And Jehovah proceeded to say to Moses: "Speak to Aaron your brother,that he should not at all times come into the holy place inside the curtain, in front of the cover which is upon the Ark, that he may not die; because in a cloud I shall appear over the cover.

Numbers 11:25 Then Jehovah came down in a cloud and spoke to him and took away some of the spirit that was upon him and put it upon each of the seventy older men.  And it came about as soon as the spirit settled down upon them, then they proceeded to act as prophets; but they did not do it again.

This is suggestive that the Bible is speaking figuratively again when it states that every eye will see him. The most likely meaning of this statement is the people will infer that Jesus Christ has come back from the events occurring around them. Following the return of Christ, many people will show signs of faith, because they understand the signs of his presence. Still, others will reject the signs of the Lord until Christ goes into action. At this point, even the wicked will be able to deduce their destruction is coming from heaven and not from man.

Many people believe that ‘those who pierced him’ symbolically links the people that similarly mistreat Christ’s followers in the last days. While this may be the case, the placement of the semi colon after ‘those who pierced him’ suggests that they will also be visible to every eye. Possibly, people would see their sins as piercing Jesus as the guards did, thus feeling significant enough shame to flagellate themselves out of grief for Jesus.

All things considered, any knowledge imparted only affects an individual in the manner in which the individual allows it. This being the case, individuals should incorporate Bible study in their daily routine. In this manner, an individual will be ready for the return of Christ when it happens as opposed to being frightened and eventually destroyed.
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