If Jesus retuned, would you recognize him?

[poolerboy0077]

This thread is not on general apologetics. Please keep your posts centered on the topic.

If Jesus returned likely as he looked (i.e., as a brown, Middle Eastern man) performing much of his miraculous deeds, being honest with yourself, would you immediately embrace him or would you be highly skeptical? What would it take for you to be convinced of the truthfulness of such supernatural claims?

 

[kristina411]

This thread is not on general apologetics. Please keep your posts centered on the topic.

If Jesus returned likely as he looked (i.e., as a brown, Middle Eastern man) performing much of his miraculous deeds, being honest with yourself, would you immediately embrace him or would you be highly skeptical? What would it take for you to be convinced of the truthfulness of such supernatural claims?

"You will know them by their fruit."
You would have to see who this person I, hear what they say and see how they act. If everything was Christ like and nothing went against the teachings of the Bible, and it was the correct time in which to see him... Yes I probably would. But all of those things would have to work together, too many serial killing, cult starting people out there that pretend to be Jesus, but if you looked for the things the Bible tells you to look out for, you will not be fooled.

 

[Brennos]

This thread is not on general apologetics. Please keep your posts centered on the topic.

If Jesus returned likely as he looked (i.e., as a brown, Middle Eastern man) performing much of his miraculous deeds, being honest with yourself, would you immediately embrace him or would you be highly skeptical? What would it take for you to be convinced of the truthfulness of such supernatural claims?

Indeed, if a god or semi-god was to put foot on earth and demonstrate his powers, I would recognize him as what he is. (Jesus by his depiction in the bible is a semi-god. (Yawhe & Palestinian woman))

 

[BrokenWarrior]

--"Would you recognize Him?

For anyone remotely familiar with the book of Revelations, let alone dozens of other prophecies in both the Old and New Testaments,

No.... don't think it would be difficult at all

-The Lowest Servant

 

[Tree of Life]

I wonder what's at the heart of the question.

If someone appeared claiming to be Jesus I would patently reject such a claim. The scriptures teach that when Jesus returns in glory who He is will be obvious to everyone. He won't need to claim who he is.

But if I was awaiting the Messiah at the time of Christ would I have recognized Jesus for who he was? I'd say probably not. He surprised every Messianic expectation. We only really understood him after he accomplished his work.

 

[poolerboy0077]

If someone appeared claiming to be Jesus I would patently reject such a claim. The scriptures teach that when Jesus returns in glory who He is will be obvious to everyone. He won't need to claim who he is.

Could you elaborate on how it would be obvious? In what way?

 

[Tree of Life]

Could you elaborate on how it would be obvious? In what way?

The scriptures speak about it only cryptically. But Jesus says that just as when lightning strikes and lights up the sky so will be the coming of the Son of Man. In other words, obvious.

At the end of the age when Jesus returns it will be obvious to everyone what is happening.

 

[Colter]

This thread is not on general apologetics. Please keep your posts centered on the topic.

If Jesus returned likely as he looked (i.e., as a brown, Middle Eastern man) performing much of his miraculous deeds, being honest with yourself, would you immediately embrace him or would you be highly skeptical? What would it take for you to be convinced of the truthfulness of such supernatural claims?

Its an interesting question, the answer is that, for one who has faith in Christ it would be "the voice of the shepherd" that I would recognize. That is to say the voice of spiritual truth, love and service to others, not a physical appearance or claims.

* But Jesus wont return in his former mortal body, that died and returned to the elements.

* It is unlikely that the Son of God will return until most of the world has been settled in light and life, until the original gospel of the kingdom has subdued mankind.

 

[keith99]

For anyone remotely familiar with the book of Revelations, let alone dozens of other prophecies in both the Old and New Testaments,

No.... don't think it would be difficult at all

-The Lowest Servant

Says someone who cannot even get the title correct.

 

[keith99]

This thread is not on general apologetics. Please keep your posts centered on the topic.

If Jesus returned likely as he looked (i.e., as a brown, Middle Eastern man) performing much of his miraculous deeds, being honest with yourself, would you immediately embrace him or would you be highly skeptical? What would it take for you to be convinced of the truthfulness of such supernatural claims?

There have been far too many claiming to work miracles only to pass the collection plate. Some smarter ones have learned to delay that for a while.

If instead of asking for money he fed those listening and continued to do so that would be a good first step.

Also those preaching against mistreatment always seem to worry first and often only for those of the same social group. At most reaching out to others seen as oppressed by some third group. If instead he spoke against oppression or ill treatment of any individual by any other individual or group that would serve to set him apart from the typical social justice activist.


AND if he praised an individual cop or soldier I'd believe he at least is trying to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, has read the Bible and can think.

 

[jayem]

For one thing, he would be Jewish. The Messiah is an OT Hebrew concept. Jesus was born a Jew, and always considered himself Jewish. His original ministry was to the Jews exclusively, and it was only late in his career that he charged the disciples with witnessing to gentiles. As I recall, one OT prophecy says he will he the heir to King David's throne. So there will have to be a strong Jewish element if Jesus were to return. (And this assumes the Bible is more than ancient folklore and embellished oral history.)

 

[oi_antz]

This thread is not on general apologetics. Please keep your posts centered on the topic.

If Jesus returned likely as he looked (i.e., as a brown, Middle Eastern man) performing much of his miraculous deeds, being honest with yourself, would you immediately embrace him or would you be highly skeptical? What would it take for you to be convinced of the truthfulness of such supernatural claims?

Why are you presenting this hypothetical scenario? The record about Jesus states that He lives and that He appears to us at will.

Eg:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+24:16&version=NIV

Furthermore, Jesus is described as and believed to be, the Word of God. Those of faith in God have recognised Him all through the ages:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+119:9&version=NIV

.. So, if anyone believes they have not recognised Jesus already, then either two things can explain it: He has hidden His identity, or they have not recognised Him.

My question again is "why are you presenting this hypothetical scenario?" (followed by examples to show that it is not realistic).

 

[2PhiloVoid]

This thread is not on general apologetics. Please keep your posts centered on the topic.

If Jesus returned likely as he looked (i.e., as a brown, Middle Eastern man) performing much of his miraculous deeds, being honest with yourself, would you immediately embrace him or would you be highly skeptical? What would it take for you to be convinced of the truthfulness of such supernatural claims?

Sure, because Jesus would 'execute' His return in such a way that it would be keeping with the overall context--and continue with--His existing Gospel program that He has been upholding all along. The Anti-christ(s) won't do this; rather, his 'work' will be an obnoxious parody of Jesus' plan and power.

 

[RedPonyDriver]

"You will know them by their fruit."
You would have to see who this person I, hear what they say and see how they act. If everything was Christ like and nothing went against the teachings of the Bible, and it was the correct time in which to see him... Yes I probably would. But all of those things would have to work together, too many serial killing, cult starting people out there that pretend to be Jesus, but if you looked for the things the Bible tells you to look out for, you will not be fooled.

"the teachings of the bible"...according to whom? What if he went and told the "conservatives" they were going to hell because of their selfishness? What if he told the rich they were going to die in their sins no matter how much they claimed to be Christians? What if he went on TV and said that the refusal of a certain sector of the US public to support the government programs to help the poor was NOT what he had in mind? What if he walked into your church and started acting like when he cleared the temple and told you that a 3 song worship set, a 45 minute sermon and a collection was NOT what he had in mind? Would you believe that he was who he said he was?

 

[Loudmouth]

If Jesus returned likely as he looked (i.e., as a brown, Middle Eastern man) performing much of his miraculous deeds, being honest with yourself, would you immediately embrace him or would you be highly skeptical? What would it take for you to be convinced of the truthfulness of such supernatural claims?

Are you talking about Benny Hinn? Do you think Benny Hinn really heals people with supernatural powers?

 

[BrokenWarrior]

Says someone who cannot even get the title correct.

He asked if Jesus would return, would we recognize Him.

I responded with the fact that, reading Revelations plus dozens of other prophecies in both Testaments, I know exactly who to look for, and would embrace Him immediately without doubt.

Am I missing something here??

-The Lowest Servant

 

[Colter]

For one thing, he would be Jewish. The Messiah is an OT Hebrew concept. Jesus was born a Jew, and always considered himself Jewish. His original ministry was to the Jews exclusively, and it was only late in his career that he charged the disciples with witnessing to gentiles. As I recall, one OT prophecy says he will he the heir to King David's throne. So there will have to be a strong Jewish element if Jesus were to return. (And this assumes the Bible is more than ancient folklore and embellished oral history.)

Jesus came for ALL mankind, rather it was just a tad bit of biased "chosen people" recollection on the part of his Jewish disciples/authors of the story that had Jesus exclusively coming for the Jews as well as trying to force him into the Messiah concept.

 

[AvilaSurfer]

For anyone remotely familiar with the book of Revelations, let alone dozens of other prophecies in both the Old and New Testaments,

No.... don't think it would be difficult at all

-The Lowest Servant

This bothers me. It's not a typo, it's ignorance. The name of the book is "Revelation", there's no "s."

As to the OP, sure I'd recognize Him, if He wanted me to.

 

[Eyes wide Open]

"the teachings of the bible"...according to whom? What if he went and told the "conservatives" they were going to hell because of their selfishness? What if he told the rich they were going to die in their sins no matter how much they claimed to be Christians? What if he went on TV and said that the refusal of a certain sector of the US public to support the government programs to help the poor was NOT what he had in mind? What if he walked into your church and started acting like when he cleared the temple and told you that a 3 song worship set, a 45 minute sermon and a collection was NOT what he had in mind? Would you believe that he was who he said he was?

You make a valid point. Any literal person I suspect would be anything but palatable for the vast majority of adherents, thus rejection the natural response.

 

[BrokenWarrior]

This bothers me. It's not a typo, it's ignorance. The name of the book is "Revelation", there's no "s."

As to the OP, sure I'd recognize Him, if He wanted me to.

Oh,

So that's what you all are nit - picking at...

So I misspell Revelation with an "s", and suddenly it discredits my entire post?

Do you know how many people can't even pronounce the Book "Habakkuk"?

-The Lowest Servant