From the Catholic view, we believe what Jesus said: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32). We also believe that when He comes the second and final time, that there will be no doubt as to who He is. “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen. (Rev 1:7) There are a lot of people who love to play with dates and numbers in an effort to accomplish that which Jesus said could never be accomplished; predicting the second coming of Jesus.
So we have no idea when he will come but we do know that we will not have to wonder if it is really Him when He does come. We will not have to worry that we have not recognized him.
I still see nothing in anything you have stated that even implies that Jesus was foretelling another “manifestation”. Can you please point me to this verse?
Thanks.
Yes, Steve, but there is a common interpretation of this verse which allows men to understand it differently.
“I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bare it now. Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of Truth is come, He will guide you unto all truth.”
Now the common interpretation I hear from various Christians is that He is referring to Pentecost. But were they really guided into “all” truth? Even they, the apostles, differed amongst themselves, especially Peter and Paul, from what I understand.
The Baha’i belief is that the above verse, and many others regarding the second coming, in both the Old and New Testaments, point to our day.
I do agree with you that people can do this or that with times prophecies, or any of them, to suit their own preconceptions and designs. I don’t think any single set of “proofs” holds water all by itself. We used to use these big old oak barrels on the farm, and if they dried out for too long, they would leak. It was only when every piece of oak swelled up that together, you could hope to have a barrel full of water.
There are very specific interpretations of “coming in the clouds” in the Kitab-i-Iqan, or Book of Certitude, which deals with verses, the meaning of which were “sealed” to Daniel, John the Revelator, also the Quran, and others. Such terms are not limited to the physical world, but are symbolic, holding other meanings, which veil men’s eyes:
. "… By the term “clouds” is meant those things that are contrary to the ways and desires of men. Even as He hath revealed in the verse already quoted: “As oft as an Apostle cometh unto you with that which your souls desire not, ye swell with pride, accusing some of being impostors and slaying others.” [Qur’án 2:87.] These “clouds” signify, in one sense, the annulment of laws, the abrogation of former Dispensations, the repeal of rituals and customs current amongst men, the exalting of the illiterate faithful above the learned opposers of the Faith. In another sense, they mean the appearance of that immortal Beauty in the image of mortal man, with such human limitations as eating and drinking, poverty and riches, glory and abasement, sleeping and waking, and such other things as cast doubt in the minds of men, and cause them to turn away. All such veils are symbolically referred to as “clouds.”
These are the “clouds” that cause the heavens of the knowledge and understanding of all that dwell on earth to be cloven asunder. Even as He hath revealed: “On that day shall the heaven be cloven by the clouds.” [Qur’án 25:25]. Even as the clouds prevent the eyes of men from beholding the sun, so do these things hinder the souls of men from recognizing the light of the divine Luminary. To this beareth witness that which hath proceeded out of the mouth of the unbelievers as revealed in the sacred Book: “And they have said: ‘What manner of apostle is this? He eateth food, and walketh the streets. Unless an angel be sent down and take part in His warnings, we will not believe.’” [Qur’án 25:7.]
. Other Prophets, similarly, have been subject to poverty and afflictions, to hunger, and to the ills and chances of this world. As these holy Persons were subject to such needs and wants, the people were, consequently, lost in the wilds of misgivings and doubts, and were afflicted with bewilderment and perplexity. How, they wondered, could such a person be sent down from God, assert His ascendancy over all the peoples and kindreds of the earth, and claim Himself to be the goal of all creation,—even as He hath said: “But for Thee, I would have not created all that are in heaven and on earth,”—and yet be subject to such trivial things?
. You must undoubtedly have been informed of the tribulations, the poverty, the ills, and the degradation that have befallen every Prophet of God and His companions. You must have heard how the heads of their followers were sent as presents unto different cities, how grievously they were hindered from that whereunto they were commanded. Each and every one of them fell a prey to the hands of the enemies of His Cause, and had to suffer whatsoever they decreed. …"
If I can ask you to read this page (1 or 2) from which it comes, it may give a clearer and more complete picture.
reference.bahai.org/en/t/o/BNE/bne-180.html
