Finding Jesus in the Bible…So We Can Follow Him in Life
Bible Reading Plans
- Plan One: New Testament Only
- Plan Two: New Testament + Psalms
- Plan Three: New Testament + History
- Plan Four: The Entire Bible – Year 1 of 3, Year 2 of 3, Year 3 of 3
Don’t know which plan? Go to A Christ-Centered Bible Reading Plan: Quick Start.
Extras
Verse of the Day, Audio Capsule, and Video Minute
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Christ Is God
Chapter 31 – The Visibility of the Second Coming
If you have read The Biblical Case for the Second Coming as Accomplished Fact, you know that it addresses both the timing and the nature of the Second Coming.
- The nature was that it had to be a spiritual event, not a physically-observable one.
- The timing was that it had to happen before the generation of Jesus and His apostles passed away.
If you’re uncertain on either of those two points, I urge you to read the book because it lays out all the relevant Bible passages necessary to thoroughly settle both points. It takes an average adult reader only three to four hours to read. In the meantime, I’ll use this chapter and the next to summarize the two points of that book.
Recall how Jesus quoted from Psalm 110:1 and Daniel 7:13-14 at his trial to establish his identity as the Messiah. He also used those two passages to mark his resurrection to the right hand of God and his return in the kingdom of God.
Matthew 26:62 The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?”
Matthew 26:63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.”
Matthew 26:64 Jesus said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.”
Matthew 26:65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy;
Matthew 26:66 what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!”
- The Resurrection: “THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER” (Psalm 110:1)
- The Return: “COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN” (Daniel 7:13-14)
Now dwell on the fact that both were spiritual events – not physically observable ones. That is, both were to happen in the heavens, not on earth.
We can know that Jesus was raised from the dead by the testimonies of those who physically saw, heard, and even touched him. Like the apostles. But as to his ascension to the right hand of God, we have to believe the Scriptures (like Psalm 110:1) for that because none of the witnesses claims to have physically been there when it happened. Here’s what those who were there the day he ascended into heaven saw: the cloud He ascended into!
Acts 1:9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
Strangely, there are people who’ll say they believe Jesus is currently at God’s right hand without seeing it, but simultaneously claim that they can’t believe the Second Coming has already happened because they haven’t seen it! Go figure.
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