The Manner of Christ’s Return
By J. W. Rich
Many Impostors Will Seek to Deceive — The Word Is Explicit in Telling Us What to Expect That Jesus will come again, there can be no question. That He will come personally, we need but refer to the testimony of the Scriptures. Other items relative to this coming need to be considered to distinguish it from all other comings. Among these, we wish to give some consideration to the manner of His coming. A good portion of the Bible was written especially for the enlightenment of the people who live in the days of the return of the Son of man, hence we may with confidence expect to find answers to all our questions regarding this important event. There is one experience recorded in the book of Acts that gives a great deal of information regarding the manner of Christ’s return. Jesus was having His parting meeting with His disciples on the Mount of Olives, when, as all eyes were fastened upon Him, He slowly ascended from among them. Intently they gazed toward heaven to get a last glimpse of their ascending Lord, when, lo, clouds received Him out of their sight. As the disciples are looking steadfastly toward heaven, two angels appear upon the scene, and tell them that “this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11. THEY WERE LOOKING “STEADFASTLY”
These men were privileged to see the ascension. They knew just what took place, for they were looking steadfastly upon the scene. And then, too, they were to tell others what they had seen, and what they had heard the angels say. Jesus evidently had arranged it this way on purpose, for He knew that these same men would be called to describe their Lord’s departure, and also to tell something of the way in which He is to return. Deception might be practiced upon the people in regard to His coming, and they should know for themselves. The disciples looked steadfastly, and the Lord blessed them in beholding. “Shall so come,” “in like manner,” and “a cloud received Him out of their sight” — plain and positive statements! Jesus Himself ascended, Jesus Himself to return! Let us look up the records that some of these men have left us, and see what they have to say. Matthew was present at that parting meeting, so we shall refer to him as to what was meant by so coming and in like manner. We may have confidence in his report, and the Lord has helped him in telling it so that we could understand it. Speaking of the tribulation that was to darken the pages of history, and of the signs to be seen in sun, moon, and stars, he gives a record of what was to follow: “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Matt. 24:30. Clouds received Him out of sight as He disappeared, and here clouds introduce Him on His return to this earth. The glory and majesty of heaven are presented in the scene the inspired writer is now describing. Angels of heaven are with the Master; and to all heaven and earth, His second coming is the crowning work of the plan of salvation, and is attended with all the glory of heaven. Matthew has borne faithful testimony to what he had seen and heard. From the apostle John we have a similar message. Note the striking likeness to the ascension: “Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him.” Rev. 1:7. WILL TRY TO IMITATE HIS COMING
The instruction given in the Bible was not placed therein simply to occupy so much space, but was written for our instruction. Counterfeits were in the land in the days of the Master, and they were to continue till the very close of time. Among other counterfeits, Satan would try to imitate the coming of the Saviour, and thus deceive the inhabitants of earth as to how He would make His appearance to earth, just as He did when the Saviour was born in Bethlehem. They were led to look for Him to come in some other way; and when He did not come in the way they expected, they would not believe that He had come. With this event, however, every one will know how and when He makes His glorious visitation, for it will be of world-wide importance. When Jesus was here among men, in telling them of future conditions, He told them, among other things, that there would arise false christs; and if false christs, of course their comings would be false comings. So He has given explicit directions, that we may know when the real Christ is at hand. He even intimated the nature of some of these comings. He says: “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 show great signs and wonders; insomuch 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, He is in the desert; go not forth; behold, He is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matt. 24:23–27. Were the claims of all those who have posed as the Master recited, a long list would be produced. Their comings are numerous, and occur in about as many ways as there are men who make these claims. It is well for us to remember that there is only one true Christ, and only one correct way for Him to come. All others are false. Their claims cannot be based upon the Scriptures; hence even though they may work miracles, and show great signs and wonders, they are impostors. That is just where the Master classes them. With this plain instruction, it is passing strange that so many people believed that Christ had come in a certain Western state a few years ago. A man professing to be Christ, made his appearance. Thousands flocked to see and hear the wonderful man — the Christ. Diseases were said to be healed. After being blessed, handkerchiefs distributed to those who were suffering are said to have healed the recipients, whatever ailments they may have had. His looks were similar to those we are wont to associate with the pictures of Jesus. But whence did he come? No one responds.135How many saw his coming in the clouds of heaven? — Not a single individual. Where is the glory that should accompany his arrival? His coming does not tally with the Bible record. Can we believe, then, that he was the Christ? Do we have any reason for standing in awe of him? Are we under obligation to pay him homage? Should we fear his mandates? Jesus told us how He would come, and to that record we must go for safe guidance. We might enumerate other items. But why? To know the genuine, is worth infinitely more than to study into all the counterfeits abroad. Jesus will come in the clouds of heaven, and every eye shall see Him, not in one city, state, or nation, but wherever there are eyes to see. According to the Bible record, not very many people will be expecting the Master when He does come. Dear reader, are you prepared to distinguish the genuine coming of the Son of man, and are you getting ready for that event? He has told us what we might look for as signs of that event; and along with that, He has told us to watch, lest that day should come to us while we were unprepared. The heavens will soon disclose the glory of the coming of the Son of man. “And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” Mark 13:37.