Basics of Faith Session 04: The Bodily Return of Jesus Christ

Part 4 of 5: The Fundamentals of our faith. The Physical and Bodily return of Jesus Christ is another basic tenet of the Christian faith. For it is our blessed hope that the Lord gave Himself to the Church. You will be both blessed and encouraged as you learn this important truth. New Age and other religious systems, like Gnosticism, deny the physical, bodily Christ. They will twist the Scriptures to the unlearned and steal away the word sown on their hearts.

Come n See: Contents Table

Key Scriptures on the Bodily Return of Jesus Christ

[Acts 1:11] “Which 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.”

This verse emphasizes that Jesus will return in the same manner as He ascended: physically and visibly. The angels affirm that “this same Jesus” will come back, indicating a literal return.

[Philippians 3:20-21] “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

This passage promises that believers will have their bodies transformed to be like Jesus’ glorious body. It highlights the physical aspect of the resurrection, affirming that Christians will experience a bodily transformation at His return.

[1 Corinthians 15:51-52] “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

This scripture discusses the resurrection of the dead, stating that the dead in Christ will rise first. It emphasizes the physical nature of this resurrection, which will occur at the last trumpet.

[Job 19:25-27] “For I know [that] my redeemer liveth, and [that] he shall stand at the latter [day] upon the earth: And [though] after my skin [worms] destroy this [body], yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; [though] my reins be consumed within me.”

Job expresses his belief in a physical resurrection, stating that he will see God in his flesh. This verse underscores the hope of a future bodily resurrection.

Summary Table of Key Verses

Scripture	Key Message
Acts 1:11	Jesus will return physically and visibly.
Philippians 3:20-21	Believers’ bodies will be transformed to be like Christ’s.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52	The dead in Christ will rise physically at the last trumpet.
Job 19:25-27	A belief in seeing God in a resurrected body.

These scriptures collectively affirm belief in the physical, bodily return of Jesus Christ, as well as the resurrection of believers. This is a fundamental core belief of Christianity. Any Church or Minister is a heretic that denies this basic fo the faith.