Why doesn't Jesus appear now?

[thinkfreelivefree]

So after Jesus was resurrected, he appeared again as was recorded in different chapters of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, as well as

1 Corinthians 15: 3-6
[BIBLE]For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.[/BIBLE]

Why did he stop making appearances? Why did he appear to Paul and hundreds of people and then stop altogether? He actually made an appearance and it wasn't his "spirit" or people "felt" him there. Shouldn't it be just as easy now?

 

[Key]

Revelations.. we are waiting.. it will happen.. just sit tight...

God Bless

Key

 

[thinkfreelivefree]

Revelations.. we are waiting.. it will happen.. just sit tight...

God Bless

Key

Thanks Key, I'll do that.

 

[ebia]

So after Jesus was resurrected, he appeared again as was recorded in different chapters of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, as well as

1 Corinthians 15: 3-6
[bible]For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.[/bible]

Why did he stop making appearances? Why did he appear to Paul and hundreds of people and then stop altogether? He actually made an appearance and it wasn't his "spirit" or people "felt" him there. Shouldn't it be just as easy now?

All except Paul's occured before Ascension, and Paul's is qualitatively different from the gospel accounts - compare:
[bible]
Act 9:3 As he was going along, approaching7 Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed8 around him.

Act 9:4 He9 fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul,10 why are you persecuting me?"11

Act 9:5 So he said, "Who are you, Lord?" He replied, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting!

Act 9:6 But stand up12 and enter the city and you will be told13 what you must do."

Act 9:7 (Now the men14 who were traveling with him stood there speechless,15 because they heard the voice but saw no one.)16
[/bible]

with Luke's gospel accounts which go to pains to emphasis the physicality of Jesus's appearance.

A more appropriate question might be "Does Jesus still appear to people in the way he did to Saul on the road to Demascus, and if not why not?

 

[KOTTMatt]

Maybe He's waiting for someone or a group of people to find Him. It could be that He wants His message to come to the world before the Rapture, but He doesn't know when He's coming back, only God does.

 

[dvd_holc]

Listen, Jesus did on certain appointed days. He died on Passover, was planted for the beginning of Unleaven Bread, resurrected on First Fruits, ascended on the mountain of God like Moses, and sent His Spirit on Pentecost...He achieve the redemption of the world by God's appointed days.

Jesus said several times that the harvest would begin and he need harvesters. Now, the harvest, the resurrection from the dead, began on the harvest day and it concludes in the fall feastival days. In the fall, the sun shines less and less and the abundant harvest becomes mature for harvesting.

Jesus waits unto the first day of the next appointed day and for a sufficent harvest.

 

[PostTribber]

...because, He said "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

 

[tulc]

...OR Jesus does appear, you just don't see Him because He doesn't come how you expect?
tulc(sometimes we miss things)

 

[thinkfreelivefree]

Alrighty Ebia,

Does Jesus still appear to people in the way he did to Saul on the road to Demascus, and if not why not?

 

[Stinker]

The Koine Greek word for appear means to see in a mental vision. Jesus appeared in this manner to those people in 1Cor.15 and it is entirely possible that He appears to certain people today the same way.

A very interesting exchange concerning Jesus' appearing: http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/dan_barker/barker_horner.html

 

[OldChurchGuy]

So after Jesus was resurrected, he appeared again as was recorded in different chapters of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, as well as

1 Corinthians 15: 3-6
[bible]For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.[/bible]

Why did he stop making appearances? Why did he appear to Paul and hundreds of people and then stop altogether? He actually made an appearance and it wasn't his "spirit" or people "felt" him there. Shouldn't it be just as easy now?

Don't know why, to be honest. I doubt that any of us know why.

For me personally, I find solace in the passage "The kingdom of God is within you". For me, that means that (1) looking inward is OK and (2) there is a little bit of God in each of us. Can't prove it since Christianity, like any religion, is a matter of faith/belief rather than fact.

Enough preaching. This really isn't answering your excellent questions, I fear.

Sincerely,

OldChurchGuy

 

[Jerrell]

Jesus does not appear now because all who are to be saved have not yet been saved, and all things that are to happen before his return have not yet all happened.

 

[Emmy]

Dear thinkfreelivefree. When Jesus was seen by many, it was before He ascended into the clouds, on His way back to the Father. Now He is with God-Father and pleads our prayers, He is our Intercessor. He told us while on Earth, He told us that He knocks at the door of our hearts, and if we open He will come and live with us. I believe some people have seen the Lord on special occasions, as for myself, I am happy and blessed to know He is with me at all times. I say this humbly and gratefully, thinkfreelivefree, and send greetings. Emmy, sister in Christ.

 

[LovesEnduringPromise]

Jesus comes in many forms. He comes as that poor man on the street, the one without clothes, the blind, the disabled, the one without food or drink. And we sometimes pass these people up, but when we stand before God he will ask, when I was naked did you clothe me? When I was hungry did you feed me? Whatever you did to the least of your brothers you did unto me.

 

[jive4005]

Now, if you're refering (and I know you are...) to Jesus' RETURNING.... He's coming soon enough.
But some things need to happen first (prophesy).
The one thing I see still undone is "preaching the Gospel to EVERY nation, EVERY Tribe (re:family).
We are closer than ver, but not there yet!

Lots of other reasons, but that's for another post.

His,
Rev J

 

[jckstraw72]

Christ has appeared to several people throughout the 2000 yrs of Christianity.

 

[Jerrell]

I believe the actual Jesus is in heaven sitting on the RIght hand of the Father. But I also believe that the least you do unto his children you have done it unto him.

 

[LovesEnduringPromise]

Jesus does not appear now because all who are to be saved have not yet been saved, and all things that are to happen before his return have not yet all happened.

agreed

 

[Abiel]

http://www.christianforums.com/t4888297&page=2

post number 1

 

[firzenr]

He is appearing now. Maybe not physically, but Jesus is here, this very moment.
He still makes the very same miracles to this very day.
Example?
Any Christian is a miracle. Some were once criminal low lives, scumbags, and other things like that. But then, they completely change.
If the miracles are still happen, Jesus is still indeed with us, as he is omni...uh..omnipresent--yeah, that's the word!