How will this present age end and what is the meaning of
the “Second Coming of Christ”?
Many modern religious groups have doctrines forecasting
the ‘coming of Christ.’ The interpretation of this phrase, though, is
quite varied:
Bahá’ís believe that the Bab (the founder of
Babism and forerunner of the Bahá’í faith) was "the spiritual
return of John the Baptist" and Bahá’u’lláh (the founder of Bahá’í)
was "Christ returned in the glory of the Father."1
Helen Schucman, in her book, "A Course in
Miracles" writes, "Christ’s Second coming, which is sure as
God, is merely the correction of mistakes, and the return of sanity…It is
the invitation to God’s Word to take illusion’s place; the willingness
to let forgiveness rest upon all things without exception and without
reverse…Forgiveness lights the Second Coming’s way, because it shines on
everything as one…It needs your eyes and ears and hands and feet. It needs
your voice. And most of all it needs your willingness."2
Ernest Holmes of the United Church of Religious
Science defined the Second Coming of Christ as "the dawning in the
individual consciousness of the meaning of the teachings of Jesus."3
Yogananda of Self-Realization Fellowship
taught that the real explanation of Jesus descending out of the clouds is
"metaphysical." On an individual basis, the Second Coming of
Christ happens when a person overcomes the darkness of this world by
recognizing the "inner light." In a universal sense, "through
his oneness with the divine Christ Consciousness [Jesus] is incarnate in all
that lives. If you have eyes to behold, you can see him enthroned throughout
creation."4 This constitutes Jesus’ ‘return.’
David Spangler, a popular New Age writer, also
spiritualizes this event. He insists that, "The Second Coming of Christ
in our age will be fundamentally, most importantly, a mass coming. It will
be the manifestation of a consciousness within the multitudes."5
Of course, this concept is based on the premise that all men have a spark of
divine nature, a dormant ‘Christ consciousness’ that needs to be
awakened. This planetary awakening is expected to usher in what has been
termed the ‘Aquarian Age,’ a time of enlightenment and peace on this
planet.
Dr. Rudolph Steiner, another New Age voice, echoes a
similar opinion. This founder of the German offshoot of Theosophy (The
Anthroposophical Society) explains that Christ is now seeking to
"mass incarnate." In the 1920’s he foretold that the
"Christ impulse will penetrate humanity…He belongs to the whole earth
and can enter all human souls, regardless of nation and religion."6
It should be noted, though, that there are major disagreements in the ‘New
Age’ arena concerning the exact nature of this pivotal planetary event.
Benjamin Creme, head of the Tara Center in Los
Angeles, claimed divine revelation on a cosmic ‘change of plans.’ Some
twenty years after Steiner’s death, Creme supposedly received
communications from a higher sphere that the Christ had reversed his
previous decision and decided, not to incarnate en masse in humanity,
but to visit this world in his own "body of manifestation."7
Creme now insists that the ‘Second Coming of Christ’ has been realized
in an individual known as Maitreya. He contends that Maitreya is the
presiding head of the "Planetary Hierarchy"—a group of Ascended
Masters who oversee the spiritual progress of the human race.
Supposedly, Maitreya has been secretly living among human
beings since 1977 when his consciousness entered a supernaturally
materialized human-type body called the "Mayavirupa." He descended
from the Himalayas to a major city in India by airplane (Creme believes this
fulfilled the prophecy concerning Christ "coming in the clouds"—Matthew
24:30). Maitreya then flew to a more modern part of the world. Though
Maitreya was predicted to reveal himself to the world telepathically in
1982, via television and radio, it never happened. Human and media apathy
were cited as the main hindrance. Creme suggests Maitreya will yet manifest
himself and that he will remain in the world for the rest of the Aquarian
Age (approximately 2,350 years) to lead mankind.
Other Religions Have Predictions for the Future
that seem Similar—Yet they Contain
Details that are Evidently Different
Buddhism—Some Buddhists anticipate the arrival of
the next Buddha (presently a bodhisattva also named Maitreya) who
will descend to earth from his present residence in the Tushita
heaven. This fifth Buddha (some say twenty-fifth) will restore the teachings
(dharma) of Gautama Buddha and convert this earth into a Buddhist
paradise at the climax of this present mappo age (a time of
increasing degeneracy). One reference states that Maitreya is slated to make
his appearance "4,000 years after the disappearance of Buddha
Gautama"8 (about 1,400 to 1,500 years from now). Other
references speak of Maitreya coming 30,000 years in the future. Some believe
he will preach for 60,000 years, then enter Nirvana. His spiritual influence
will linger on the planet for another 10,000 years.9
Not all Buddhists are necessarily awaiting an actual
person to fill this role. In "The Heart of the Buddha’s
Teaching," Thich Nhat Hanh suggests that "the Buddha of the
twenty-first century—Maitreya, the Buddha of Love—may well be a
community rather than an individual."10 The assumed meaning
of this statement is that the coming of Maitreya may be a time when
such compassion abounds in numerous communities of devoted Buddhist
disciples that a supreme place of refuge (a sangha) is provided for
all humanity.
Hinduism—Many Hindus believe Kalki (also spelled
Kalkin) will be the last Avatar of Vishnu and that he will appear in about
425,000 years. One writer explains, "Kalkin will be born a Brahmin and
will glorify Vishnu. Destroying all things, he will bring in a new age. As
king of kings he will…restore order and peace to the world. At a great
horse-sacrifice he will give away the earth to the Brahmins and retire to
the forest…he will also roam the earth and destroy thieves and
robbers." Kalki, similar to the apocalyptic presentation of Christ in
the book of Revelation, is depicted "riding a white horse and holding a
flaming sword."11
Islam—Certain Muslim groups believe in the
emergence of an enlightened leader called the Imam Mahdhi ("the Guided
One"), who will usher in a golden era of Muslim expansion that will
only last seven to nine years before the end of the world and the final
judgment of God. However, they actually believe that the Imam Mahdhi will
come before the return of Jesus Christ. Some feel the Imam Mahdhi has been
alive in the world for centuries.
Judaism—Jews are looking for the coming of the
Messiah, who will usher in the resurrection and restore supremacy to Israel.
Zoroastrianism—Members of this religion believe
that a third and last savior will be born into the world named Saoshyant. He
will usher in the final judgment, grant the drink of immortality to men and
bring about a New World.
The Kalachakra Tantra, an ancient Tantric text,
predicts a time when evil forces will engulf this world. Shambhala, a
mythical kingdom in the Himalayan Mountains, will then manifest visibly and
its righteous King will go forth with his armies to conquer evil and
reestablish the moral order (the dharma).
And there are other sects and groups that have global
aspirations, ultimately to be realized under an ‘inspired leader.’ Are
all of these just slightly different descriptions of the same event and
different names for the same individual? The answer is, "No," and
for the following six reasons:
(1) The coming of Christ will be a visible,
bodily descent from heaven; it will not be an invisible mass
incarnation in the whole human race. As the resurrected Christ ascended
into heaven two men in white apparel (probably two angels) who were standing
by prophesied, "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven,
will so come in like manner as you saw him go into heaven." (Acts
1:11) Notice he will return "in like manner." It will not be
just a ‘Christ principle’ surfacing in humanity, but the very person of
Jesus in bodily form. He will return in the very same glorious, resurrected
body he had when he departed. His descent will once again be supernatural,
after the pattern of his ascension. Rolling clouds of the glory of God will
accompany him. He will not return in an airplane, as suggested in Benjamin
Creme’s story concerning Maitreya.
(2) The coming of Christ will be universally
witnessed, but will not be universally received. The Bible
declares that Jesus will gloriously descend from heaven "with his
mighty angels, in flaming fire" and that "every eye will see
him."(2 Thessalonians 1:7–8, Revelation 1:7) However, the
whole human race will not undergo some spiritual renewal that lifts everyone
into God-consciousness. The positive effects of the coming of Christ are
reserved primarily "to those who eagerly wait for him." (Hebrews
9:28) The Antichrist will be "destroyed by the brightness of his
coming." (2 Thessalonians 2:8, See Revelation 19:19–21) Then
"the angels will come forth" and "separate the wicked from
among the just." (Matthew 13:49) Clearly, only those who are
saved and ‘born again’ will receive the full benefits of the Second
Coming.
(3) Jesus foretold that one of the main signs of the
‘last days’ would be the appearance of many false Christs in the world.
If the Second Coming of Christ is, as some propose, an awakening of Christ
Consciousness in the masses, as we near the end of the age, many ‘Christs’
should emerge in various parts of the world. This is only logical.
Individuals walking in Christ Consciousness should be encountered
everywhere: a pleasant and wonderful indication of the predicted ‘blossoming
of planetary awareness.’ However, Jesus warned against this scenario in no
uncertain terms.
When asked what signs would precede his return, the
Savior of the world cautioned, "Take heed that no one deceives
you," and also, "If anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the
Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false
prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible,
even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. Therefore if they say to
you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in
the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the
east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man
be." (Matthew 24:4, 23–27)
(4) Great opposition to the kingdom of God will
precede the coming of Christ. Benjamin Creme cited world and media
apathy as the main reason that Maitreya (the Christ) did not make his
appearance in 1982. Yet the Bible plainly forecasts, not just apathy, but
antipathy preceding the coming of Christ. The Antichrist will seize world
dominion and attempt to stamp out any evidence of Christian faith in the
world (as well as other faiths that do not acknowledge the Antichrist’s
supremacy and divinity).
The Antichrist will "make war against the
saints." (Revelation 13:7) He will oppose and exalt himself
"above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as
God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." (2
Thessalonians 2:4) In a final bid for world sovereignty, he will gather
his armies together to the place in Israel known as Armageddon. However,
none of this will hinder the coming of the true Christ. Amid circumstances
far worse than media apathy, the Lord Jesus will descend with all his holy
angels. He will quickly and successfully wrench this world free from the
grip of this counterfeit Christ that the Bible dubs "the man of
sin" and "the son of perdition." (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
(5) The heavenly source, the exact earthly
destination of the returning Christ, and the length of the resulting kingdom
of God are all important factors. According to the Bible, the Messiah
will descend, not from a kingdom in the Himalayan Mountains, but from
heaven. He will not be "born a Brahmin." In fact, he will not be
born at all, in a physical sense. He will manifest himself in spectacular,
celestial splendor. Also, his feet will "stand on the Mount of
Olives…and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two" as a result of
the intensity of his coming. (Zechariah 14:4) Jesus will then set up
the seat of his kingdom on earth in the holy city, Jerusalem; not in
Shambhala, or a forest in India, or any other location.
Some Muslims, who believe in the Imam Mahdi, teach that
this messianic leader will usher in a golden era of justice, goodness and
true religion in the earth, but it will only last seven to nine years before
the end of the world. The Bible, however, teaches that when Jesus returns,
this present evil age will come to an end. Many Bible theologians agree that
Jesus will then set up the kingdom of God on earth for a thousand years.
Immediately after this millennial period of ‘heaven on earth,’ a fiery
universal renovation will bring about a final and climactic New Creation. (See
Revelation 19–20.) Messianic predictions from many other
religions do not include a permanent transformation of the universe, but
rather, a temporary age-change in an endless series of spiritual cycles.
(6) At the end of the age, God’s people will
experience, not a spiritual awakening, but something far more profound:
either resurrection (if they have died) or translation (if they are alive)
at the coming of the Lord. "For the Lord Himself will descend from
heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of
God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and
remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord
in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one
another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:16–18)
The Scripture also explains concerning true believers,
"We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in
the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound,
and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed…So when
this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on
immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written:
"Death is swallowed up in victory."" (1 Corinthians 15:51–54)
Final Conclusion—When all of this information is
reviewed, it is quite evident that all of these various predictions from
different religious sources cannot co-exist harmoniously. There are too many
irreconcilable contradictions. The biblical view is not only unique; it is
the correct projection of those future events that are soon to unfold. How
can a person be assured of this? Once a seeker experiences the reality of
Jesus, the dependability and infallibility of His Word become apparent.
1 Peter Smith, "Christianity," A
Concise Encyclopedia of the Bahá’í Faith, p. 105.
2 Helen Schucman and William Thetford, A
Course in Miracles, "Workbook for Students," p. 439.
3 Ernest Holmes, A Dictionary of New Thought Terms,
p. 22.
4 Paramahansa Yogananda, Man’s
Eternal Quest (Los Angeles, California: Self-Realization Fellowship,
sec. ed., 1998) p. 232, see pp. 229-236.
5 David Spangler, Towards a Planetary
Vision (Forres, Scotland: Findhorn, 1977) p. 108; quoted in Ron Rhodes, New
Age Movement (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995)
p. 72.
6 Rudolph Steiner, The Four Sacrifices
of Christ (Spring Valley, New York: Anthroposophic Press, 1944) pp.
19-20; quoted in Ron Rhodes, The Counterfeit Christ of the New Age
Movement (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1990) p. 124.
7 Benjamin Creme, The Reappearance of
Christ and the Masters of Wisdom (Los Angeles, California: The Tara
Center, 1980) pp. 54-55.
8 Richard Gard, Great Religions of
Modern Man: Buddhism (New York: George Braziller, 1962) p. 93.
9 "Maitreya," The
Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion (Boston, Massachusetts:
Shambhala Publications, 1994) p. 217. See also "Maitreya," Microsoft
Encarta Encyclopedia 99.
10 Thich Nhat Hanh, The Heart of the
Buddha’s Teaching (New York: Broadway Books, 1998) p. 167.
11 Geoffrey Parrinder, Avatar and Incarnation, The
Divine in Human Form in the World’s Religions (Oxford, England:
Oneworld Publications, 1970) p. 26.
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