Used with Permission some text emphasized -Joel Smith- 18 Para

The five SCENARIOS shown below illustrate some very literal views of Christ's Return. The underlying scriptures are all spiritually true of course, but require spiritual discernment to perceive them as being in agreement: "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned. " (mat 13:13-15, 1co 2:13-14) [-ed] (54:3) 59 17 see

SCENARIO 1. The stars were to fall from heaven.. then.. they were to see the Son of Man "coming in the clouds" (mat 24:29-30).

note: Clouds are things that can interfere with a clear vision [-ed] (kiq 71:1) (54:4) see

We were also promised that every eye would see Him coming (rev 1:7) - but unfortunately, intervening clouds of doubt prevented those whose eyes were either blind or closed in sleep from seeing His arrival [-ed] (54:5) 12 see

These verses also seem to portray a very 'brief' event, but such an assumption is often incorrect in prophecy [-ed]. Here is another verse in a similar vein: "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be" (Matt 24:27). It is interesting to see the verse from Matthew together with the equivalent verse in Luke: (54:6) see

"For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one [part] under heaven, shineth unto the other [part] under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day." (Luke 17:24) (54:7) see

Then see the Very Next Verse in Luke:

"But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation." (Luke 17:25) [clearly not a brief event] (54:8) see

note: Christ returned like "lightning" to those who were watching, but as a "Thief in the night" to those who were "dead" or "asleep". Consequently, the sleeping world will only gradually become aware. (54:9)

SCENARIO 2. Christ was to come and be gone before people realized that He had come (as a Thief in the night)."Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." (rev 16:15) "Therefore you must also be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." (mat 24:44). note: the hour one would least expect would probably be in the past - it having already happened. (54:10) see

Here are more predictions of His coming "like a Thief". (2pe 3:10;mat 24:42-44; rev 3:3) (54:11) see

SCENARIO 3. Believers would be "Caught Up" ("raptured") into the sky."For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven.. and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive.. shall be caught up together with them in the clouds.." (1th 4:16-17). (54:12)

Rapture ".. is not widely accepted as being a 'physical' event by Christians world-wide, but is very popular with Christian Fundamentalists and Evangelicals, particularly in the United States after the publishing of the "Left Behind" book series.. There are many views among Christians regarding the timing of Christ's return.. and various views regarding the destination of the aerial gathering described in Thes 1:4. Denominations such as Roman Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Lutheran Christians, and Reformed Christians believe in a rapture only in the sense of a general final resurrection, when Christ returns a single time.." (Wikipedia.org)
note: Clouds are things that can interfere with a clear vision (see kiq 71). [-ed] (54:13) see

Bahá'í Understanding: Christians at the time of the Return of Christ would have to be "Caught up" from their spiritual deadness, and "Rise up" from that deadness to recognize Christ when he comes. Please read note '75' to see other incidents in the Bible of persons being Caught up (same Greek word) (54:14) 75

note: We are in the midst of the 'rapture' now. Paul had said that the dead in Christ would rise first and then the alive would rise (1th 4:16-17). Although it is very surprising to most Christians, the first to be 'caught up' (resurrected from unbelief) were Muslims - generally considered by Christians to be 'dead' in Christ. Afterwards those considered to be 'alive' in Christ (Christians) were also being 'caught up' (as are now people from all of the major World Religions). See more in section entitled "Rapture? Baha'i Understanding". [-ed] (54:15) see

SCENARIO 4. Christians would be left on earth after Christ returned."I will send Him to you." (joh 16:7) "He will give you another Comforter.." (joh 14:16) "And I will write upon him My new name.." (rev 3:12) "Howbeit when He the Spirit of Truth is come, he will guide you unto all truth." (joh 16:12-13) (54:16) 69 see

SCENARIO 5. Two resurrections were predicted - a resurrection of Christian martyrs and then a 2nd resurrection - with those resurrected predicted to "live and reign with Christ a thousand years... but the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.." (rev 20:4-5) (54:17) see

The "souls" beheaded for "Jesus" refer to His first coming, and those beheaded for the "word of God" to His second coming - to this time in history and the coming of Bahá'u'lláh. His followers will now "live" (have spiritual 'life') and "reign" (serve as His helpers) for a "thousand years", the length of the Baha'i Dispensation (which began in 1844). [-ed] (54:18)

SUMMARY: (54:19)

Christ returned like lightning to those who were watching, who were then caught up to belief in Bahá'u'lláh - but He returned like a Thief, hidden by intervening clouds of misunderstanding and doubt to those who were spiritually dead or sleeping and relying upon beliefs inherited from the fallen stars (leaders) of Christianity who, although lacking the necessary spiritual discernment to do so, had created myths and fables to encompass the many prevalent but conflicting literal interpretations. [-ed] (54:20) see

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