Apostate Christianity: Second Coming
The Bible never indicates that Jesus would return in physical form, but that he would return his attention back to Earth, where he would be in spirit. Jesus' return is often thought to be in the physical form of a man, but scripture never speaks of his return in such a manner.
What about John 14:19; Matthew 24:30; Mark 13:26: Luke 21:27 and Revelation 1:7?
John 14:19 - Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
Jesus was telling his disciples that the world would see him no more because he would be put to death, but they would see him again because he would be resurrected and he would resurrect them in spirit upon their deaths. The verse has nothing to do with his return to Earth at some distant future date. Paul later confirms this by saying that, in spirit form no man has seen Jesus and none will, unless they be changed into spirit form. (1 Timothy 6:14-16; 2 Corinthians 5:14; 1 Peter 3:18)
At Matthew 24:30 the Greek word horao is translated "see" but can also mean to discern. A Greek-English Lexicon, by Liddell and Scott, says of horao says: "metaphorically, of mental sight, discern, perceive." (1948 edition, pages 1244, 1245). This metaphorical perception can also be confirmed by Paul's use of horao at Romans 1:20 where things are invisible yet perceived.
Clouds, like those mentioned in the verses given by the SAB are typically used in a symbolic sense to signify the presence of God (Isaiah 63:9: 1 Kings 8:10-12)
What about John 14:19; Matthew 24:30; Mark 13:26: Luke 21:27 and Revelation 1:7?
John 14:19 - Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
Jesus was telling his disciples that the world would see him no more because he would be put to death, but they would see him again because he would be resurrected and he would resurrect them in spirit upon their deaths. The verse has nothing to do with his return to Earth at some distant future date. Paul later confirms this by saying that, in spirit form no man has seen Jesus and none will, unless they be changed into spirit form. (1 Timothy 6:14-16; 2 Corinthians 5:14; 1 Peter 3:18)
At Matthew 24:30 the Greek word horao is translated "see" but can also mean to discern. A Greek-English Lexicon, by Liddell and Scott, says of horao says: "metaphorically, of mental sight, discern, perceive." (1948 edition, pages 1244, 1245). This metaphorical perception can also be confirmed by Paul's use of horao at Romans 1:20 where things are invisible yet perceived.
Clouds, like those mentioned in the verses given by the SAB are typically used in a symbolic sense to signify the presence of God (Isaiah 63:9: 1 Kings 8:10-12)
