Articles found on this page refer to the life and times of Jesus Christ:
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A foundation upon the Rock
A foundation, as its name implies, is the basis, or base, upon which something is founded, or established. As a man who spent His working life as a builder, Jesus Christ knew the importance of a solid foundation in a home, and as the Son of God, He warned of its symbolic importance to salvation:
"Thus you will know them by their fruits. Not every one who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. On that day many will say to Me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your Name, and cast out demons in Your Name, and do many mighty works in Your Name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you evildoers.' Every one then who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And every one who hears these words of Mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell; and great was the fall of it." (Matthew 7:20-27 RSV)
"No other foundation ... which is Jesus Christ"
Rock Of Ages Jesus Christ is the foundation of the Church of God; uncompromising obedience to the literal Word of God is what makes believers true Believers:
"For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw - each man's work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If any one destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are." (1 Corinthians 3:9-17 RSV)
"So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with The Saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22 RSV)
Fact Finder: Upon what foundations will the New Jerusalem be built? Back to Menu
Hebrews 11:10, Revelation 21:14
"I am He that liveth, and was dead"
For three days and three nights, the Son of God was absolutely dead. After Jesus Christ was crucified, "He was dead" (John 19:33 KJV) and He remained dead until He was "risen from the dead" (Matthew 28:7 KJV). While He was dead, He did nothing and He knew nothing. While He was dead, He was in His Tomb; He went nowhere, as He plainly said immediately after His resurrection from the dead: "I am not yet ascended to My Father." (John 20:17 KJV).
"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore"
The example of Jesus Christ clearly answers the question of what happens when people die. The Son of God was born as a normal physical human (Hebrews 2:14-18). After He was brutally killed, His body was placed in the tomb where He remained dead until He was resurrected to life, as He plainly said later to the apostle John: "I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore" (Revelation 1:18 KJV). His resurrection would not have been necessary if He had been alive while He was dead. Dead means dead.
What does The Bible actually say about what happens when humans die, and more importantly, what does
 The Word of God say about how and when they stop being dead?
A Peaceful Sleep, No Sense Of The Passage Of Time
* "For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing" (Ecclesiastes 9:5 KJV)
* "For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath [see Animal]; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again." (Ecclesiastes 3:19-20 KJV)
* "Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day ... For David is not ascended into the heavens" (Acts 2:29,34 KJV)
* "And no man hath ascended up to heaven , but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven" (John 3:13 KJV)
A Later Resurrection
* "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming." (1 Corinthians 15:20-23 KJV)
* "Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust" (Isaiah 26:19 KJV)
* "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, To Meet The Lord In The Air" (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 KJV)
* "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection [see Resurrections]. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years." (Revelation 20:4-6 KJV)
* "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, And shall come forth [see When Will You Be Judged?]; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (John 5:28-29 KJV)
Fact Finder: What is the last enemy of God that will be destroyed? Back to Menu
1 Corinthians 15:24-26
The Messiah
Messiah is the transliteration of the Hebrew word pronounced maw-shakh, meaning Anointed One, which when translated into the Greek is Christos. Since the time of the New Testament, Christ has in effect been used as the surname of the man known in His own time as Jesus of Nazareth - Who was indeed The Christ, The Messiah.
* "and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, Who is called Christ. Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to The Christ." (Matthew 1:16-17)
* "But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is Christ, The Lord." (Luke 2:10-11)
* "After Jesus said this, He looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You. For You granted Him authority over all people that He might give eternal life to all those You have given Him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, The Only True God, and Jesus Christ, Whom You have sent. I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave Me to do. And now, Father, glorify Me in Your Presence with The Glory I had with You before the world began." (John 17:1-5)
* "But you will receive power when The Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, Who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:8-11) (Note: The ascension of Jesus Christ, as described in these verses, occurred on The Mount Of Olives, which is shown in the photograph above. As also plainly stated in these verses, The Return Of Jesus Christ will occur there as well.)
* "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Peter, and then to The Twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also." (1 Corinthians 15:3-7)
* "They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years." (Revelation 20:4-6)
Fact Finder: Who did the actual creating of all things?
John 1:1-3 and 1:10-14, especially verses 1:3 and 1:10 Back to Menu
Sermon on the Mount
"Now when He saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them, saying:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Salt Of The Earth
"You are the Salt of The Earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
To Fulfill The Law
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law [see What Is Sin?] or the Prophets [see Prophecy]; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven [see The Ten Commandments - Your Keys To Life]. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."
Do Not Murder
"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, `Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, `Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, `You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell."
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift."
"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny."
Adultery
"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."
Divorce
"It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery."
Swearing Oaths
"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to The Lord.' [see Rock Of Ages] But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."
Eye For An Eye
"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."
Love Your Enemy
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Acts Of Charity
"Be careful not to do your `acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."
"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
How To Pray
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
"This, then, is how you should pray:
"'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name, Your Kingdom come [see The Kingdom of God], Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'"
"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
Fasting
"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
True Wealth
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!"
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
Worry
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Do Not Judge
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces."
Ask, Seek, Knock
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."
"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
The Narrow Gate
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Beware Of False Prophets
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves [see What Does Satan Look Like?]. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your Name, and in Your Name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!'"
Be A Wise Builder
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
"When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as one Who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law."
(Matthew chapters 5-7 New International Version)
Fact Finder: What miracle did Jesus Christ do for a man immediately after the Sermon on the Mount?
Matthew 8:1-3
The Word became Flesh
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it ... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father." (John 1:1-5,14 RSV)
The Many Titles Of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the focus of The Bible. The Old Testament (the Hebrew Scriptures is actually a more accurate designation, since much of the "Old" Testament is yet to happen e.g. see Daniel's Statue) led to Him, and the New Testament led from Him. As such, He is the holder of many Titles. Some examples:
"the Christ" (Matthew 16:16 RSV)
"Messiah" (John 4:25 RSV)
"Leader and Savior" (Acts 5:31 RSV)
"Redeemer" (Isaiah 49:26 RSV)
"Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6 RSV)
"the faithful witness, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth" (Revelation 1:5 RSV)
"the Word" (John 1:1 RSV)
"the Way, and the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6 RSV)
"the light of the world" (John 8:12 RSV)
"the good shepherd" (John 10:11 RSV)
"the mediator of a new covenant" (Hebrews 9:15 RSV)
"The Deliverer" (Romans 11:26 RSV)
"high priest" (Hebrews 6:20 RSV)
"the Author of life" (Acts 3:15 RSV)
"the advocate" (1 John 2:1 RSV)
"Emmanuel, which means, 'God with us'" (Matthew 1:23 RSV)
"the Son of God" (Matthew 4:3 RSV)
"the Holy One of God" (Mark 1:24 RSV)
"King of kings and Lord of lords" (Revelation 19:16 RSV)
"the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David" (Revelation 5:5 RSV)
"the Lamb of God" (John 1:36 RSV)
"the Alpha and the Omega" (Revelation 21:6 RSV)
"the first-born of all creation" (Colossians 1:15 RSV)
Fact Finder: Why was Jesus called "the Nazarene"?
see the following article entitled 'Nazarene' Back to Menu
Nazarene
"But when Herod died, behold, an angel of The Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Rise, take the child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." And he rose and took the child and His mother , and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus reigned over Judea in place of his father Herod [see The Herods], he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazarene." (Matthew 2:19-23 RSV)
The "what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled" in the above quote from Matthew is believed by some to be a refere nce to Isaiah 11:1, "There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots."
The original Hebrew word, pronounced nay-tser, translated into English as shoot, literally means a sprout, or branch, and figuratively a descendant. The name Nazareth is thought to be derived from the same original word, which would indicate that God either named the city Himself, or chose it to be the home town of the Messiah because of its name.
Jesus Christ was often referred to as a Nazarene, or Jesus of Nazareth, in both a complimentary way, by Himself and those who believed in Him, and in a derogatory manner, by those who didn't.
By believers:
"I am Jesus of Nazareth" (Acts 22:8 RSV)
"And when He entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, "Who is this?" And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee." (Matthew 21:10-11 RSV)
"Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, Who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people" (Luke 24:19 RSV)
"But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong." (Acts 3:6-7 RSV)
By unbelievers:
"Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46 RSV)
"And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the maids of the high priest [see Caiaphas] came; and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him, and said, "You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus." (Mark 14:66-67 RSV)
"For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes." (Acts 24:5 RSV)
Fact Finder: (a) Is Christianity also called "The Way"? (b) Why?
(a) Acts 19:23 (b) John 14:5-6
Will you know Him when you see Him?
The description of Jesus Christ during His physical, human lifetime:
"He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not." (Isaiah 53:2-3 KJV)
"Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren" (Hebrews 2:17 KJV)
"After that He appeared in another form"
 As stated in the above Scriptures, Jesus of Nazareth (see article Nazarene above) was an ordinary-looking man; there was nothing special or different about His appearance. Even after His resurrection, in the time before His ascension, He appeared to those who knew Him as an ordinary physical flesh and bones human who even ate a breakfast of fish with them on the beach.
Sometimes however He appeared as a different-looking ordinary human than the Jesus they knew - so different that they did not recognize Him. Some say that was due to the injuries that were inflicted upon Him. While very likely partly correct, the injuries themselves should have made it obvious, to those who knew Him and what had happened to Him, who He was. Instead the Bible states "but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus" and "after that He appeared in another form" and "their eyes were holden that they should not know Him":
"And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And He said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I myself: handle Me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." (Luke 24:35-39 KJV)
"Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary [i.e. Mary of Magdala]. She turned herself, and saith unto Him, Rabbi; which is to say, Master." (John 20:15-16 KJV)
"But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus ... Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask Him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus showed Himself to his disciples, after that He was risen from the dead." (John 21:4,12-14 KJV)
"After that He appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country" (Mark 16:12 KJV)
"And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him." (Luke 24:15-16 KJV)
But What About Now?
The appearance of Jesus Christ after His ascension is now very different:
"And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters. And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." (Revelation 1:12-18 KJV)
Fact Finder: How will Jesus Christ appear at His Return? (see article The Return Of Jesus Christ below)
Revelation 19:11-16
The Return of Jesus Christ
For the past nearly 2,000 years, there has been an ongoing debate regarding the Return of Jesus Christ. Many believe that He will literally return, exactly as The Bible says that He will, perhaps even within the lifetime of those alive today. Others have come to their own opinion, apart from what the Scriptures plainly say, and believe that the Return of Christ will not be an actual physical event, but was meant symbolically somehow. And others have decided, for themselves, that the existence of the Christian church (or in reality, hundreds of conflicting churches calling themselves Christian) serves the same purpose.
What does the Bible actually say about it? What does Prophecy actually say about it? What did Jesus Christ Himself actually say about it?
The Mount of Olives / The Mount of Olivet
Jesus Christ Is Going To Actually Return
* "So when they had come together, they asked Him, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which The Father has fixed by His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth."
And when He had said this, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, Who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven." Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem." (Acts 1:6-12 RSV)
* "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken [see Signs In The Heavens]; then will appear the sign of the Son of man 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; and He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other" (Matthew 24:29-31 RSV)
* "Then The Lord will go forth and fight against those nations as when He fights on a day of battle. On that day His feet shall stand on The Mount Of Olives which lies before Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley; so that one half of the Mount shall withdraw northward, and the other half southward [see Earthquake!]. And the valley of my mountains shall be stopped up, for the valley of the mountains shall touch the side of it; and you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then The Lord your God will come, and all the holy ones with Him." (Zechariah 14:3-5)
* "For The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 RSV)
* "And The Lord will become king over all the earth; on that day The Lord will be one and His Name one." (Zechariah 14:9 RSV)
* "It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of The Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised up above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it, and many nations shall come, and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of The Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us His ways and we may walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of The Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and shall decide for strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and none shall make them afraid; for the mouth of The Lord of hosts has spoken." (Micah 4:1-4 RSV)
* "And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. And The Lord, the God of the spirits of the Prophets, has sent His angel to show His servants what must soon take place. And behold, I am coming soon." Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." (Revelation 22:6-7 RSV)
Fact Finder: Will the time of The Return of Jesus Christ be filled with great distress and tribulation in the world? Matthew 24:21
The Seven Seals
For those interested in end-time prophecy, the Seven Seals of the Book of Revelation provide very much to consider. They are a lengthy preview, a warning to us, of the many spectacular events that are coming upon the world at some time in the future. References to the very same events can be found in numerous places in the writings of the Old Testament prophets, as well as other books of the New Testament. See By The Book.
The knowledge found in the Book of Revelation was written by The Apostle John while he was exiled on the island of Patmos. It is important to note that it is not the revelation of any man, in this case John, but the revelation of The Father as given to Jesus Christ Himself - He does the revealing. (Revelation 1:1).
What are the Seven Seals?
The Scroll with the Seven Seals originates from The Throne of God in heaven (Revelation 5:1), they are given in heaven to Jesus Christ for Him to open (Revelation 5:5-10), but they happen on earth (e.g. Revelation 5:10, 6:4). 
Although the opening of each seal in turn has a spectacular result, the seventh seal is far greater because it is divided into seven trumpets, and its seventh trumpet is further divided into seven bowls (or vials). The Return of Jesus Christ occurs during the events of the seventh trumpet (see also The Shofar).
The first four seals are commonly known as the "four horsemen of the apocalypse."
* The First Seal - Religious Deception and Persecution
"I watched as The Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest." (Revelation 6:1-2)
* The Second Seal - War
"When The Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword." (Revelation 6:3-4)
* The Third Seal - Famine
"When The Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!" (Revelation 6:5-6)
* The Fourth Seal - Pestilence
"When The Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth." (Revelation 6:7-8)
Then, terrible persecution of the Saints
* The Fifth Seal - Tribulation and Martyrdom
"When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of The Word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until You judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed." (Revelation 6:9-11)
Next, great Signs In The Heavens
* The Sixth Seal - Signs In The Heavens
"I watched as He opened the sixth seal. There was a great Earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from The Face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of The Lamb! For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who can stand?" (Revelation 6:12-17)
And then the Seventh Seal, with its seven trumpets, and seven bowls. The last three trumpets are known as the "three woes."
* The Seventh Seal
"When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets." (Revelation 8:1-2)
o The First Trumpet
"The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up." (Revelation 8:6-7)
o The Second Trumpet
"The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed." (Revelation 8:8-9) See A Huge Mountain, All Ablaze
o The Third Trumpet
"The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water - the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter." (Revelation 8:10-11)
o The Fourth Trumpet
"The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night." (Revelation 8:12)
o The Fifth Trumpet (First Woe)
"The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were not given power to kill them, but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes a man. During those days men will seek death, but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them. The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. Their hair was like women's hair, and their teeth were like lions' teeth. They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and Chariots rushing into battle. They had tails and stings like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months. They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon." (Revelation 9:1-11)
o The Sixth Trumpet (Second Woe)
"The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the horns of the golden altar that is before God. It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number. The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breast plates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths. The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury. The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood -idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts (see Witches And Sorcerers), their sexual immorality or their thefts." (Revelation 9:13-21)
o The Seventh Trumpet (Third Woe)
+ The First Bowl
"The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image." (Revelation 16:2)
+ The Second Bowl
"The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea died." (Revelation 16:3)
+ The Third Bowl
"The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: "You are just in these judgments, You who are and Who were, The Holy One, because You have so judged; for they have shed the blood of Your saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink as they deserve." And I heard the altar respond: "Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are Your judgments." (Revelation 16:4-7)
+ The Fourth Bowl
"The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch people with fire. They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed The Name of God, Who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify Him." (Revelation 16:8-9)
+ The Fifth Bowl
"The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. Men gnawed their tongues in agony and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done." (Revelation 16:10-11)
+ The Sixth Bowl
"The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet (see articles in our Prophecy section). They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty. "Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed." Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon." (Revelation 16:12-16). See Armageddon
+ The Seventh Bowl
"The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of The Temple came a loud voice from The Throne, saying, "It is done!" Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since man has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of His wrath. Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. From the sky huge hailstones of about a hundred pounds each fell upon men. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible." (Revelation 16:17-21)
Fact Finder: Did Jesus Christ also prophesy many of the same end-time events during His human lifetime? Matthew 24:1-51
Two Very Different Triumphal Entries
Throughout Bible History, donkeys were primarily domestic work animals used for pulling loads or implements, carrying burdens, or as slow, but dependable and sure-footed, transportation. Horses, on the other hand, are most-often referred to in the Bible as animals of war, whether used by cavalry, or to draw chariots. The choice of a donkey for peace, or a horse for war, was practical; horses were bigger, faster, and more powerful when it came to battle, but their size and "spirit" often made them less useful for the daily chores of life at that time.
Two Very Different Triumphal Entries
 The term "the triumphal entry" is used to refer to Christ's "Prince of Peace" arrival at Jerusalem, riding a donkey - a humble, peaceful arrival for a man who knew that He was not coming to rule, at that time, but to submit Himself to those who ruled.
"And when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to The Mount Of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If any one says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and he will send them immediately."
"This took place to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet, saying, "Tell the daughter of Zion [see Daughter of Zion and Who, What or Where Is Zion?], Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of an ass."
"The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the ass and the colt, and put their garments on them, and he sat thereon. Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" (Matthew 21:1-9 RSV)
The Messiah is going to make another Triumphal Entry some day, not just to Jerusalem, but to the whole world. When that occurs, it will not be on a donkey, but on a horse, at the head of a vast force of heavenly cavalry, as described in the verses below. He will still be the Prince of Peace, but this time He will have the power to bring about and enforce true peace on a world that has never known it; a deceived (see Who Still Rules The World Today?) and geopolitically-covetous, hence war-mongering (James 4:1- 2) world that, as the Scriptures below plainly describe, will even attempt to fight the Christ when He comes to rule all nations (see also Gone With The Wind and Scenes From The Millennium):
"Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name inscribed which no one knows but Himself. He is clad in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which He is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, followed Him on white horses. From His mouth issues a sharp sword with which to smite the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; He will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has a name inscribed, King of kings and Lord of lords."
"Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly in midheaven, "Come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great." And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against Him who sits upon the horse and against His army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had worked the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image [see Revelation 13]. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulphur. And the rest were slain by the sword of Him who sits upon the horse, the sword that issues from his mouth; and all the birds were gorged with their flesh." (Revelation 19:11-21 RSV)
Fact Finder: What are some of the major events of Prophecy that will occur prior to The Return Of Jesus Christ?
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