He's Back

[Scrawly]

When Jesus returns to earth, what exactly will that look like? According to Scripture he will descend from heaven, and I'm just trying to visualize this.

I don't want to get into any eschatological discussions here as that topic is beyond the scope of this thread. I am simply interested in what the bodily return of Christ will look like from the standpoint of those dwelling on earth. Will everyone see him return at the same time (Matt. 24:27)? How will that be possible? Will people be watching this on television as it unfolds? These are the sort of questions I would like to see explored.

[Jesse]

I never really thought about it. I guess I would imagine it like the movie Independence Day. But without Will Smith.

[37818]

As I understand Matthew 24:27, it will be very sudden like the flash of lighting. So the reading "soon" (Rev 22:20) and "shortly" (Rev 1:1) should really read "suddenly." So only in that way could everyone in heaven, earth and hades see Him in very very short order at His return (Rev 1:7).

[Scrawly]

OK, but none of this really answers my question. Jesus will appear suddenly, that's fine. Now how will this physically look to people in say Japan and Argentina, when Jesus descends from heaven on a patch of land, bodily. How will this affect the people who are say driving on a freeway on the other side of the world?

[KingsGambit]

OK, but none of this really answers my question. Jesus will appear suddenly, that's fine. Now how will this physically look to people in say Japan and Argentina, when Jesus descends from heaven on a patch of land, bodily. How will this affect the people who are say driving on a freeway on the other side of the world?

The Bible says nothing about it.

[Scrawly]

The Bible says nothing about it.

Right, but curiosity has me wondering how this will play out. I know no one can be 100% sure because as you said, the Bible doesn't say, yet that shouldn't stop us from coming up with a viable description of how one of the most important events ever will possibly and probably look like.

[Jesse]

Right, but curiosity has me wondering how this will play out. I know no one can be 100% sure because as you said, the Bible doesn't say, yet that shouldn't stop us from coming up with a viable description of how one of the most important events ever will possibly and probably look like.

I guess the question would be, what would need to happen for everyone to notice the event no matter where they are? I think "light" is the answer. A bright enough light can be seen almost anywhere.

[Scrawly]

I guess the question would be, what would need to happen for everyone to notice the event no matter where they are? I think "light" is the answer. A bright enough light can be seen almost anywhere.

Interesting, so an extremely bright light will envelop all humanity including those driving at high speeds, those underground, those perhaps on Mars (the upcoming expedition), etc. Then what will happen after that?

[Jesse]

Interesting, so an extremely bright light will envelop all humanity including those driving at high speeds, those underground, those perhaps on Mars (the upcoming expedition), etc. Then what will happen after that?

I think so. Since this will be a truly cosmic event, a large cosmic bright light would be hard to miss. Even on other planets. What would happen then I am not sure. Revelation also speaks a lot about light and thundering upon his return. It also speaks of him being accompanied by the angels.

[Scrawly]

I think so. Since this will be a truly cosmic event, a large cosmic bright light would be hard to miss. Even on other planets.

Wouldn't this light cause a lot of traffic accidents? Or would the vehicles miraculously be stalled? Would this apply to airplanes as well?

What would happen then I am not sure. Revelation also speaks a lot about light and thundering upon his return. It also speaks of him being accompanied by the angels.

Right, so let's say thunder, lightning, and angels accompany his arrival and he bodily lands in Jerusalem. Will the people in Japan and other countries (and potentially on other planets) around the world slowly start making their way over to Jerusalem? Will Jesus be merely standing and essentially waiting for all humanity to gather around him?

[Jesse]

Wouldn't this light cause a lot of traffic accidents? Or would the vehicles miraculously be stalled? Would this apply to airplanes as well?

I am sure there will be traffic accidents. I think human reactions will stay the same. Someone looking up while driving won't be a good idea lol. I don't think the light has to be blinding so airplanes would be safe.

Right, so let's say thunder, lightning, and angels accompany his arrival and he bodily lands in Jerusalem. Will the people in Japan and other countries (and potentially on other planets) around the world slowly start making their way over to Jerusalem? Will Jesus be merely standing and essentially waiting for all humanity to gather around him?

That is the reason why I was semi-joking about Independence Day. Since I believe human reactions will stay the same, we will respond as if it were an other worldly invasion. Since it would be. Sending people to see what is going on would be my guess. How the Lord gathers his people toward him I am not sure.

[Sparko]

Wouldn't this light cause a lot of traffic accidents? Or would the vehicles miraculously be stalled? Would this apply to airplanes as well?



Right, so let's say thunder, lightning, and angels accompany his arrival and he bodily lands in Jerusalem. Will the people in Japan and other countries (and potentially on other planets) around the world slowly start making their way over to Jerusalem? Will Jesus be merely standing and essentially waiting for all humanity to gather around him?

Isn't he supposed to return after the tribulation or the vials and bowls? Reading Revelation it seems that the world will have a lot of problems around then, and the armies are supposed to be gathered at Jerusalem. Jesus appears and defeats them all. Maybe there won't be anyone alive elsewhere on earth? Or maybe they will see it on TV? Or maybe it will be some holographic display in the sky? Who knows?

[Jesse]

Isn't he supposed to return after the tribulation or the vials and bowls? Reading Revelation it seems that the world will have a lot of problems around then, and the armies are supposed to be gathered at Jerusalem. Jesus appears and defeats them all. Maybe there won't be anyone alive elsewhere on earth? Or maybe they will see it on TV? Or maybe it will be some holographic display in the sky? Who knows?

Rev 19:16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

king of kings and lord of lords.

17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and the mighty, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, great and small.”

19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed the signs on its behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. 21 The rest were killed with the sword coming out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

I guess you also have to take into account whether you have a preterist view or not for these verses.

[Scrawly]

OK so far we have the view that Jesus will be more-or-less standing in glory waiting (presumably for a very long time) as the entire earth's population and perhaps dwellers on Mars make their way toward him; and/or having this event televised and people sitting around watching Jesus on TV (I think saying feverish prayers would be a better option, perhaps). It was also said that perhaps there will be a holographic display in the sky. Interesting..

PS: It looks like I will need to highlight again that the purpose of this thread is not to discuss eschatology or debate end-time verses, but rather what the appearing of Jesus will visually look like from the perspective of the inhabitants on earth and the unfolding of events immediately after Jesus' touches Terra Firma.

[Jesse]

OK so far we have the view that Jesus will be more-or-less standing in glory waiting (presumably for a very long time) as the entire earth's population and perhaps dwellers on Mars make their way toward him; and/or having this event televised and people sitting around watching Jesus on TV (I think saying feverish prayers would be a better option, perhaps). It was also said that perhaps there will be a holographic display in the sky. Interesting..

PS: It looks like I will need to highlight again that the purpose of this thread is not to discuss eschatology or debate end-time verses, but rather what the appearing of Jesus will visually look like from the perspective of the inhabitants on earth and the unfolding of events immediately after Jesus' touches Terra Firma.

I don't think Christ needs to stand around. I doubt he will be twiddling his thumbs while he waits for people to notice him. I guess my view can be summed up this way; Christ returns, everyone sees it, people try to make contact like people want to do, etc. I have no real firm opinion on it since I don't think too much about it.