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Has Jesus returned at His second coming yet? Not unless faithful Christians have been taken to heaven in the rapture. Frankly, we won’t know when Jesus comes again, until He comes. That’s what the Bible teaches.
Many people read Matthew 16:28 and believe that Jesus came in the first century. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Let me explain.
By simply looking at Matthew 16:28, by itself, I can understand why you would think Jesus came in the first century, BUT you need to research more thoroughly and unlock the other 2/3rds of the puzzle.
Don’t just bump across one verse of Scripture and think you understand the whole topic without researching that topic thoroughly in the Bible in the Old and New Testaments (if the topic is in both). Without proper Bible research, that can lead you to huge misconceptions. Jesus taught in parables, which are very complex to understand at times. Matthew 16:28 is one of them. The text below will explain thoroughly why Jesus has not come yet.
Jesus didn't come in the first Century. Here is why:
Look at Matthew 16:28.
Matthew 16:28 NKJ
28. "Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.''
I will explain this verse in a moment. A second time Jesus speaks on this subject is in John 21:21-23. This one of two keys that unlock the mystery on this subject. Peter was asking Jesus about John, who later wrote the Book of Revelation.
John 21:21-23 NKJ
21. Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, "But Lord, what about this man?''
22. Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.''
23. Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?''
Peter was concerned that John had special treatment and would not die until Jesus returned again. But, Jesus says in John 21 that “IF I will” which simply means that “If it is my will” that John does not die before I come, what is that to you? Jesus was saying that it isn’t Peter’s business what Jesus was doing in John’s life. The disciples at that time misunderstood Jesus’ statement about when He was coming again, as stated in verse 23, that tells us that the saying was rumored that John wouldn’t die until Jesus came again.
But John, in that same verse clarifies that Jesus said, IF. Jesus here didn’t say John would not die before I come again. Jesus said if he remains or lives until I come.
Now back to the verse in Matthew 16:28 because Jesus does say, “there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” So, what does that mean?
To answer this, look at the second key that unlocks the mystery. Revelation 19:11-14. This is when Jesus comes in His kingdom in the future. Before John died, he saw this futuristic event of Jesus coming in His kingdom, in a vision, but not in reality. Jesus has not returned again yet, but John saw Jesus coming in His kingdom, in a vision, in the first century. Thus, John fulfilled the prophecy that Jesus said, “there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Jesus was speaking of John who would have a vision of Jesus coming in His kingdom. It would be in the future when Jesus would actually come in His kingdom. That hasn’t happened yet, as of 4/20/2009.
Look at the Scripture with me. Revelation 19 is when John wrote that Jesus would come back to earth in His kingdom.
Revelation 19:11-14 NKJ
11. Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.
12. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.
13. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
14. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
The events that takes place after verse 14 is that Jesus slays the Antichrist, the false prophet and their armies who fight against Jesus Christ. Jesus is bringing in His kingdom to earth in Revelation 19:11-14.
So, when Jesus said, “there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom,” He was speaking to John who did see Jesus in a vision coming in His kingdom before John died.
To understand that it was a vision John saw, look at Revelation 1:10.
Revelation 1:10 NKJ
10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,
When John said he was in the Spirit, he meant he was seeing a vision. The things he saw in his vision are the rest of the events of the Book of Revelation that would take place in the future. These events, in Revelation chapters 4 through 22 have not taken place yet, although Jesus can come in our life time.
The rapture of faithful Christians takes place in Revelation chapter 4, verse 1, as John is representing the saints going to heaven at that time. The rapture, in reality, has not happened yet.
Some pose that Matthew 24:34 has taken place. Matthew 24:34 says: "Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things are fulfilled."
Jesus was speaking to a FUTURE GENERATION that WHEN the End Times events begin to take place, that generation would not pass away until all of the events of Matthew 24 and Revelation chapters 4-19 would take place. The reason is that those events will only take 7 years to be fulfilled in their entirety.
Here are a few questions for those who feel Jesus came in the First Century:
If Jesus has come already, in the first century, then all of Revelation from chapter 4 (the rapture) and chapter 19 (Jesus’ coming with His saints and angels to earth to establish His earthly kingdom) would have already taken place. I assure you, the 7 year Tribulation Period (Revelation 5 through Revelation 19) has NOT taken place yet.
If Jesus came in the first century, then why are End Times events still happening? Jesus said, that when He comes again, He will destroy all four kingdoms except His (Daniel 2:44). The Roman Empire was not destroyed, nor is it yet.
If Jesus has come already, Jesus comes back to earth in Revelation 19:11 with His saints and angels. So, where is Moses and Elijah of the Old Testament? They are saints who will reign with Christ in His kingdom on earth for eternity. I want to meet them. They didn't come back with Jesus in His kingdom already and especially not in the first century.
If Jesus came already, and we will live forever in His kingdom, then why are Christians still dying? Revelation 21:4 tells me that in Jesus’ kingdom there will be no more crying or dying. Why is there crying and dying still, if Jesus came in His kingdom already? Saints will live eternally with God in His kingdom. I assure you that, if Jesus did come in His kingdom in the first century, then all of His saints, from the first century until now, would not die. I’m sorry, but there have been countless millions of martyrs who have died for Jesus Christ since the first century until now. In Christ’s kingdom when it comes, dying and crying will be done away with.
If the End Times occurred in the first century, then why is the earth still intact, when clearly Isaiah chapter 24, that corresponds exactly to Revelation 6:13 and Revelation 8:8, when asteroids strike the earth that nearly destroy it, hasn't taken place yet? My book Earth’s Darkest Hour – Man’s Darkest Hour explains this in much more detail.
If Jesus came in the first century, then where is the New Heaven and Earth that is described in Revelation 21:1? The old heaven and earth will be totally destroyed and will be made new 1000 years after Jesus comes again. When did that happen? Oh, by the way, the Pleiades constellation is still in the heavens that is described in the Old Testament. That constellation would be gone, if Jesus created the New Heaven and Earth already.
If Jesus came already, then where is the New Jerusalem where all saints will live in that is described in Revelation 21:2 that came down from heaven? That city is 1500 miles tall, deep and wide. I haven't seen that city descend from heaven yet where all saints will live in forever with God.
God bless you and please do more research before scaring people into believing Jesus has come already.
How will we know when Jesus comes? The next lesson, How Will We Know When Jesus Comes Again will explain this.
