Originally Posted by Pilgrim
Hitch,

1) Here are a few more passages which I think give more than ample evidence that Christ will return bodily. Matt 24:30, 25:31; Mk 13:26; Lk 21:27; 1Thess 1:10, 4:16; 2Thess 1:7-10; Rev 1:7

2) I'm curious to know the reason for the question to begin with?? scratchchin

Your examples from the Gospels are weak wrt the Second Advent as ,unless Im mistaken Jesus quotes from the same passage here;
Quote
57And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

58But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

59Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

60But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

61And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

62And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

63But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

64Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

65Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
Luke 21:27

King James Version (KJV)

Lk 21 27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

None of these people saw the Second Advent, some of them saw the judgment against Jerusalem. The 'coming' here is Christ coming in judgment in the first century and not the Second Advent.


Acts 1;11 though lacks any indication that the men witnessing the event will live to see the promised return, in contrast to the quote from Matt. I cant see any time factor at all, or even any specific setting, in the Acts quote and that strengthens the case that a distant event these men will have no direct connection with is in view, the bodily return of Christ.

Quote
And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven
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Last edited by Hitch; Thu Jan 12, 2012 10:30 PM.