That our Lord has returned gloriously in fulfilment of his promise is a revelation of tremendous significance made known to the tenant of his saints in this end-time. The dispensation of this knowledge committed to the servants of God has to be proclaimed for it to grow and spread gradually as to cover the whole world like the sun rising from the east and shining even to the west. And because he comes again in spirit those waiting to see him appear in the sky or in a bodily form are ignorant of his presence.
Jesus Christ did assure his apostles that he would come again but his words were not positive as one who would take a tangible bodily form. Rather he spoke firmly that he would “come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he shall reward every man according well known to his works”.(Matt. 16:27) The angels are very well known to be spirits and Jesus himself since raised from the dead a spirit, honoured with the glory of the Father and enthroned could not be expected to be made lower again in his second presence.
The indication was that he would not be seen by human eyes at his second coming, that was why his disciples asked for the signs of his return. As it is written: “And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” (Matt. 24:3-6) But in regard to the signs of the end of the world and of his return he stated: “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” -verses 7,8.
The coming in the context is a verbal noun meaning return, presence or arrival. Thus the Moffatt Translation renders the text, to wit: “…Tell us, when will this happen? What will be the sign of your arrival and of the end of the world?” – Matt. 24:3..
The outbreak of World War 1 (1914-1918) saw the fulfilment of this prophecy of Jesus Christ, which was followed by a widespread epidemic- the Spanish Influenza -terrible famines and earthquakes. There is no doubt, therefore, that these were signs of the end of the world and the second coming of Jesus Christ. Christ must be taken as a matter of faith for his words; “All these are the beginning of sorrows” How is it today?
Again, Jesus Christ indicated that as it was in the days of Noah when materialism ate deep into the fabric of human society so it would be “in the days of his second coming or return or as it was in the days of Lot in Sodom when carnal lust overwhelmed the people so it would be when he would be “revealed”. As it is written: “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it he also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.”-Luke 17:26-30. see also Matt. 24:27-39
That this prophecy of Jesus is already fulfilling does not call for any question or doubt. The conditions that prevailed in the days of Noah in terms of men’s love for pleasures and materialism, and for similar things in the days of Lot in Sodom are even worse in our time all of which goes to show that the days of the Son of man, in his second presence are here or in other words, we are now in the day when he is revealed according to the Scriptures.
For the reason that Christ’s return is spiritual in nature it gives room for scoffers to make jest of it which provides another evidence of the signs of the times. In this regard St. Peter’s prediction makes good, to wit: “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, where is the promise of his (Christ’s) coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation”. (2 Pet. 3:3.4) These are carnal people who do not want to acknowledge the workings of God or the signs of the times in fulfilment of prophecies.
Never should anyone rely on deceitful interpretations of some texts with symbolic bearings which are given literal meanings to make you believe that you will see Christ with your naked eyes some day or that he will just appear in the sky. “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” -2 Cor. 5:7.
Jesus Christ did not tell his disciples at any time that he would return in flesh. He took flesh during his first advent because he was to shed blood for the purpose of remission of sins which he did once and for all. (Matt. 26:28; Heb. 2:9,14) The two angels who appeared to the apostles when Jesus Christ ascended to heaven told them that he would return in like manner of his ascension, which manner was quiet and without fan fare, witnessed by the 11 apostles only and unnoticed by the world. (Acts 19-11) and Jesus said, “If therefore thou shall not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” (Rev. 3:3; 16:15) To expect his coming to be a thing of public show is not based on the truth of the Scriptures
St. Paul was positive in making it known that Jesus Christ would no longer come again in the flesh. Said he, “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him (so) no more.”-24 Cor. 5:16.
It was on the basis of this understanding Jesus Christ now warned; “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insonmuch that if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold is in the desert; go not forth: behold he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.”- Matt. 24.23 26.
The place where Jesus Christ is seated on his throne and to which he is receiving his saints as he promised (John 14:1-3) is not anymore here on earth but Mount Zion in heaven. By because he is vested with all powers he is able to be present anywhere anytime. Thus we talk of his second presence or parousia. He said himself, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt. 18:20) But for Christ to be there the gathering must be in truth. (psa. 145:18) This qualification becomes necessary as very many do gather in his name without measuring to the standard of the truth he laid down. It is a wonderful grace and blessing to know and believe that Jesus Christ has come again in this time of the end of the world and is working among men. Indeed, he said: “…Blessed are they that have not seen (me), and yet they believed.” May your eyes of understanding be enlightened in Jesus’ name. Amen.