I’m blessed to have a very good friend Jeanelle who teaches a Thursday morning Bible study here in the desert. This morning she was picking up on what another teacher had been discussing, the three appearances of Christ. Jeanelle cited many verses that included some form of the words appear, see as well as word studies.
The first appearance was when Jesus stepped out of eternity as a helpless baby and grew to be the perfect man. The second appearance was after the resurrection.
For three and a half years Jesus traveled on foot and was seen and heard by thousands of people. His many miracles were witnessed as was His politically incorrect opinion of the religious leaders of the day.
The resurrection would be the second appearance of Jesus and he was seen by hundreds of people before his ascension. There was some question as to what the third appearance of Jesus was. I suggested that possibly it was when Jesus appeared to John on the Isle of Patmos. Here Jesus was in his glorified body just as He was at the Transfiguration.
Perhaps it is through the above third appearance of Jesus that we get insight into what are glorified bodies will be. 1 John 3:2, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear (G5319) what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see (G3700) him as he is.” What a wonderful promise for believers.
G5319 - to render apparent (literally or figuratively): - appear, manifestly declare, (make) manifest (forth), shew (self).
G3700 – with wide open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from G991, which denotes simply voluntary observation
John 16:19, “Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see (G2334) me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see (G3700) me?”
G2334 - to be a spectator of, that is, discern, (literally, figuratively [experience] or intensively [acknowledge]): - behold, consider, look on, perceive, see
So when Jesus walked with the disciples they saw him with their human eyes and after the resurrection it was more of a supernatural seeing.
We read of the famous seven mile Bible lesson Jesus gave to two of His followers on the road to Emmaus.
Luke 24:16, “But their eyes were holden (G2902) that they should not know him.”
G2902 - to use strength, that is, seize or retain (literally or figuratively): - hold (by, fast), keep, lay hand (hold) on, obtain, retain, take (by).
Luke 24:31, “And their eyes were opened (G1272), and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.”
G1272 - to open thoroughly
Jesus could reveal or not reveal his true identity as suited his purposes. As an aside, for nearly 2000 years Jews have been blinded as they did not know the day of their visitation. Matthewv23:39, “For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
There were far more verses discussed in this morning’s Bible study dealing with the appearances of Christ, however, space is limited. As for me, I eagerly await His appearance in the clouds as He comes for his Church.
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