WHEN considering the manner of
Christ’s return to earth at his
second advent, it is essential to
remember that he is no longer a
human being, that he sacrificed his
humanity to provide redemption from
death for Adam and his posterity,
the human race. (Heb. 2:9; II Cor.
5:16) The Scriptures speak of the
experiences of Jesus “in the days of
his flesh,” which are in the past.
(Heb. 5:7) The Scriptures also
inform us that Jesus was put to
death in the flesh but in the
resurrection was made alive in the
Spirit, or a spirit being, the
express image of his Heavenly
Father.—Heb. 1:3; II Cor. 3:17; I
Pet. 3:18
Being exalted to the Divine nature
when raised from the dead, Jesus is
now invisible to human eyes, even as
the Creator himself. (I Tim. 1:17;
6:15,16) To prove to his disciples
that he had been raised from the
dead, he miraculously appeared to
them on different occasions in a
body of flesh—once as a gardener,
once as a stranger, etc. But these
appearances are referred to in the
Scriptures as “signs” and “proofs.”
(John 20:30; Acts 1:3) The apostles
knew that in order to see Jesus as
he is, a Divine being, they would
have to be made like him, and they
entertained this hope.—I John 3:1-3
Jesus taught his disciples that the
world of mankind would not see him
after his death and resurrection.
(John 14:19) Jesus explained that
his disciples would see him, and
this is because they, in the
resurrection, are to be made like
him. Because human eyes are not able
to see the resurrected and exalted
Jesus, he is able to return
secretly, while the world goes on
with its ordinary affairs of
life.—Rev. 16:15; I Thess. 5:2; II
Pet. 3:10
Jesus explained that it would be
necessary for his followers to watch
the signs which would denote the
fact of his second presence on earth
and that for a time his presence
would be unknown to all who did not
“watch.” Jesus likened this to the
days of Noah before the Flood, when
the world went on with its ordinary
affairs of life, not knowing the
real significance of the times in
which they were living.—Matt.
24:38,39; Luke 21:36; 17:26,27
To be “watchers,” as this term is
used in the Bible, does not mean to
gaze into the sky to see Jesus
returning. The thought is, rather,
to watch world events for the
fulfillment of the prophecies
pertaining to the time of our Lord’s
return. Peter speaks of the “sure
word of prophecy.”—II Pet. 1:19
Eventually the whole world of
mankind will “see,” or discern, the
fact of our Lord’s second presence.
The Bible says that they will “see”
him in the “clouds,” meaning in the
chaotic and distressing experiences
incidental to the breakdown of
earthly rulership and the
establishment of the kingdom of
Christ. The people of the world will
never see Jesus in a literal
sense.—Rev. 1:7; II Thess. 1:7-10
The world of mankind will discern
Jesus in much the same manner as Job
saw God. After his faith was
severely tested by the afflictions
which the Lord permitted to come
upon him, Job said in prayer: “I
have heard of thee by the hearing of
the ear; but now mine eye seeth
thee.” (Job 42:5) Job did not see
God literally but had gained a
better understanding of him.
STUDENTS’ HELPS
Questions
Why do we know that Jesus will never
return to earth as a human? Cite
scriptural proof.
How was it possible for the
disciples to see Jesus after he had
been raised from the dead? Will
Jesus’ followers ever be able to see
him?
How do we know that the world of
mankind will never see Jesus again?
How and by what means do the true
followers of Jesus at this end of
the age discern the fact of his
return and second presence?
Explain what Jesus meant by his
admonition to “watch.” When and how
will the whole world eventually
“see” Jesus?
Reference Material
“The Time Is at Hand,” pages 106-108
Summary of Important Thoughts
In studying the prophecies
pertaining to the return of Christ
and his second presence on earth, it
is essential to remember that he is
now a Divine being, the “express
image” of his Heavenly Father.