YmirGF
Bodhisattva in Recovery
Now, I am not a Christian and never will be, but I do have some thoughts on this question. I agree that for the vast majority of Christians, belief in the “second coming” is an article of faith, but it seems that there are wild differences in just how he will return.
In a related question, I am also fascinated with how various groups believe he will appear. Some think he will be literally born anew, while others expect a full grown man to appear and essentially carry on where he left off. I am inclined to go with the passage about "He will come as a thief in the night" (or something like that). From this I gather that the idea of him appearing at noon, over Time Square, being joined by the faithful, “raptured” into the sky, is unlikely. My reason for thinking this way is that any celebrity who is hounded by the paparazzi will probably tell you how hard it is to get anything done. I think the last thing a Christ would want is to be surrounded by followers from the get go, who would just get in his way.
One thing that is amusing is that Muslims believe he will return, from the sky, and stand behind the Madhi whom he will ask to deliver prayers. It is said that Christ will then instruct all mankind to accept Islam. Curiously, Christians believe that he will come to enact his 1000 year rule on Earth, to reward the faithful, yadda, yadda, yadda. Sadly, the Jews are not likely to recognize a “returning” Christ regardless of how he appears unless he just happens to fit their preconceived notions about lineage etc… The Bahai’s are also likely to dismiss any newcomer due to their belief, like the Swedenbornes, who believe these events have already taken place.
If this speculated event actually does occur and the “Thief in the night” passage IS correct, I rather expect a vast number of people are going to be quite cross, aside from feeling quite left out.
In a related question, I am also fascinated with how various groups believe he will appear. Some think he will be literally born anew, while others expect a full grown man to appear and essentially carry on where he left off. I am inclined to go with the passage about "He will come as a thief in the night" (or something like that). From this I gather that the idea of him appearing at noon, over Time Square, being joined by the faithful, “raptured” into the sky, is unlikely. My reason for thinking this way is that any celebrity who is hounded by the paparazzi will probably tell you how hard it is to get anything done. I think the last thing a Christ would want is to be surrounded by followers from the get go, who would just get in his way.
One thing that is amusing is that Muslims believe he will return, from the sky, and stand behind the Madhi whom he will ask to deliver prayers. It is said that Christ will then instruct all mankind to accept Islam. Curiously, Christians believe that he will come to enact his 1000 year rule on Earth, to reward the faithful, yadda, yadda, yadda. Sadly, the Jews are not likely to recognize a “returning” Christ regardless of how he appears unless he just happens to fit their preconceived notions about lineage etc… The Bahai’s are also likely to dismiss any newcomer due to their belief, like the Swedenbornes, who believe these events have already taken place.
If this speculated event actually does occur and the “Thief in the night” passage IS correct, I rather expect a vast number of people are going to be quite cross, aside from feeling quite left out.
