For many people the person of Jesus is learned through history, i.e. His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension. But according to the Bible everyone will experience Him personally in the future.
Recently the death of Jesus was commemorated and His resurrection celebrated during the time known as ‘Easter’ which correctly translated means Passover. Therefore, let’s begin at that point.
“…and being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth…and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…” Philippians 2:8-11
The above exemplifies the humanity of Jesus and His original earthly mission. However, His humanity is just one necessary aspect of His being. He is also unquestionably deity.
“He is the image of the invisible God…for by Him all things were created…” Colossians 1:15-16
“For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily…” Colossians 2:9
The most succinct expression of His deity is found in the gospel of John.
“I and My Father are one.” John 10:30
The Bible clearly states that one does not know Jesus if both aspects of His being are not embraced, i.e. His humanity and His deity. In fact people are warned to avoid association with anyone who does not teach the dual aspect of Jesus’ being.
“For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist…Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” II John 7-11
Therefore, if anyone denies Jesus as the Passover Lamb of God, i.e. His humanity and His first earthly mission of death on the cross, or if anyone denies the deity of Jesus, that person in reality does not have God at all. In fact the primary purpose of deceivers is to cause one to deny one or both aspects of Jesus the Christ. But what Jesus has done in the past as recorded in history is just the beginning. Jesus of the future will turn the world upside down upon returning to earth.
Forty days after Jesus’ resurrection He ascended to heaven which was witnessed by His disciples.
“Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them…who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’” Acts 1:9-11
So while just eleven witnessed His ascension, the entire world will witness His return at a time not revealed in the Scriptures. Jesus described His return.
“For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be…Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Matthew 24:27, 30
Much more is revealed about Jesus in the final book of the Bible, i.e. the Revelation. Specifically this final book is the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants – things which must shortly take place…” Revelation 1:1
The word ‘revelation’ in the above verse is from the Greek apokalupsis meaning not only to unveil, but also to explain that which is unveiled.
Those who know God by embracing both the humanity and deity of Jesus will greatly rejoice at His return. However, those who are living on earth at His return and have left Jesus either in the manger or in the grave and are not willing to change ‘will seek death and will not find it.’
The return of Jesus to earth is the fulfillment of prophecy penned centuries before His birth.
“…And behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven…Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom…shall not be destroyed.” Daniel 7:13-14
Without question, we are headed for some very exciting times! It causes one to wonder if our personal as well as our national priorities are in line with the known future.