Two thousand years ago Jesus promised us He would return. He said:
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3)
“I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (John 16:12-13)
Some say that when His disciples heard these things, they believed Christ would return in their lifetimes. Others say that these prophecies were fulfilled at the time of Pentecost, when the apostles became filled with the Holy Spirit. Many people believe that Christ returns continually, filling our hearts whenever we turn to Him. The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit, the spirit of Christ, was present among the apostles, guiding them and their followers in the early Church. Through the power of that Spirit generations of people have turned to Christ, and His Gospel has been preached to all nations.
And yet it seems that the promise that we will be guided into all truth was not completely fulfilled. There was still more knowledge to come. The Apostle Paul said in his letter to the Corinthians, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12) From the beginning of the early Church deep questions were raised: Who is Jesus? What is the meaning of His message? How does humanity find salvation?
As the apostles and scholars searched their hearts and followed the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the answers they arrived at were often different. The early Church began to divide as each leader developed his or her own understanding of the Bible. Today there are thousands of sects and denominations, each claiming to have the “real” truth. Can we ever hope to become truly united in our understandings and beliefs without the unifying authority of Christ, when He returns?
The fourth principle of this Bible study is that when Christ returns, He brings a new Revelation for deeper understanding.