# Jesus Christ and The Second Coming...Are we waiting for Him to be physically reborn or **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 30, 2012, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576 "2012-12-30T16:49:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pchaos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/258eb7/32.png) [@pchaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pchaos)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2012, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576/1 "2012-12-30T16:49:45Z")
is it just a metaphor. Hmmm…tough question, but it looks like a metaphor to me. The Second Coming is a metaphor for when we meet our Maker. It is a time when we need to answer tough questions from our Father in Heaven. First, He’ll pat us on the back for making it into the pearly gates, then he’s going to remind us that it’s too late to correct our sins. However, all of our sins have been forgiven and we can lay down on the soft and comfy clouds and rest. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576/2 "2012-12-30T16:54:08Z")
> [@](#): > > **Jesus Christ and The Second Coming…Are we waiting for Him to be physically reborn or…** I’m not waiting for him at all; not everyone is a Christian. As for Christians that would vary from person to person, but most I’ve run across seem to think he’ll show up in person.. ---
**Author:** ![pchaos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/258eb7/32.png) [@pchaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pchaos)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2012, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576/3 "2012-12-30T17:02:03Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > I’m not waiting for him at all; not everyone is a Christian. As for Christians that would vary from person to person, but most I’ve run across seem to think he’ll show up in person.. That would be interesting? Another virgin birth perhaps…all the scientists and geeks would say…a virgin birth, you gotta be kidding…no way. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2012, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576/4 "2012-12-30T17:15:50Z")
> [@pchaos](#): > > is it just a metaphor. Hmmm…tough question, but it looks like a metaphor to me. The Second Coming is a metaphor for when we meet our Maker. It is a time when we need to answer tough questions from our Father in Heaven. First, He’ll pat us on the back for making it into the pearly gates, then he’s going to remind us that it’s too late to correct our sins. However, all of our sins have been forgiven and we can lay down on the soft and comfy clouds and rest. Maybe you could interpret the concept that way, but I don’t think you can interpret the text of the Bible that way. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576/5 "2012-12-30T17:20:06Z")
> [@pchaos](#): > > That would be interesting? Another virgin birth perhaps…all the scientists and geeks would say…a virgin birth, you gotta be kidding…no way. They wouldn’t be impressed at all; there’s nothing miraculous about a virgin birth. All that’s necessary is for some sperm to get inside the woman; sex is the most entertaining way to do that, but not the only way. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2012, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576/6 "2012-12-30T17:22:59Z")
My take on it: Jesus said to those around Him that some of you will not taste death till you see my kingdom coming with power. This happened back then, we can see this in the stoning of Stephan in Acts in Stephan’s final moments. The Lord does come and rescue him from death, though the world ‘shuts there eyes & ears’ to it and just sees the death. This has been ongoing at least as far back as when the Lord took Enoch home in Genesis, and continues to this day. So it is the Lord coming in His glorified body to bring home His children and save them from death, the world, the non-believers, will not see. Peace ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576/7 "2012-12-30T17:40:42Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > So it is the Lord coming in His glorified body to bring home His children and save them from death, the world, the non-believers, will not see. Ah, how convenient; Stealth Jesus. ---
**Author:** ![pchaos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/258eb7/32.png) [@pchaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pchaos)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2012, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576/8 "2012-12-30T17:43:12Z")
It sounds good to me, at least I would be spared the pain of actually dying. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2012, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576/9 "2012-12-30T17:46:13Z")
> [@pchaos](#): > > That would be interesting? Another virgin birth perhaps…all the scientists and geeks would say…a virgin birth, you gotta be kidding…no way. Go read Revelation. Jesus isn’t born a baby the second time around. The gates of heaven are flung open and He charges out on a white horse with a sword clenched in His teeth. Then He kicks everyone’s ass, and all the dead come back to life, and He builds a golden city, and everyone lives happily ever after. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2012, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576/10 "2012-12-30T17:51:23Z")
> [@The\_Hamster\_King](#): > > Go read Revelation. Jesus isn’t born a baby the second time around. The gates of heaven are flung open and He charges out on a white horse with a sword clenched in His teeth. Then He kicks everyone’s ass, **and all the dead come back to life** , and He builds a golden city, and everyone lives happily ever after. So the Second Coming triggers the Zombie Apocalypse? Cool. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576/11 "2012-12-30T17:55:47Z")
> [@pchaos](#): > > It sounds good to me, at least I would be spared the pain of actually dying. Only if it happened during your lifetime. Jesus’ disciples thought it would happen in _their_ lifetimes and they died 1900-odd years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2012, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576/12 "2012-12-30T17:57:37Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > So the Second Coming triggers the Zombie Apocalypse? Cool. And therefore Jesus will carry not a sword, but a chainsaw. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2012, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576/13 "2012-12-30T18:22:46Z")
> [@The\_Hamster\_King](#): > > Go read Revelation. Jesus isn’t born a baby the second time around. The gates of heaven are flung open and He charges out on a white horse with a sword clenched in His teeth. Then He kicks everyone’s ass, and all the dead come back to life, and He builds a golden city, and everyone lives happily ever after. While I agree in a way, I’d suggest reading Rev 12 and reconcile that birth as not a 2nd birth of Lord Jesus. This is my take on it. That is the Lord’s birth in the heavens, the woman is the angel who’s womb is the earth, and the child is not just Lord Jesus as we had the man, but that man was the seed from the father who after fertilization and implantation is to be born of the mother with us as the Lord’s body. This would coincide with the glorious second coming and a wonderful eternal life. YMMV ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2012, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576/14 "2012-12-30T18:57:29Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > And therefore Jesus will carry not a sword, but a chainsaw. I had more in mind of a light saber or a 1920’s Death Ray. Way cooler. ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2012, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576/15 "2012-12-30T19:06:05Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > So the Second Coming triggers the Zombie Apocalypse? Cool. So the answer to “What would Jesus do?” is: double tap? ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2012, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576/16 "2012-12-30T19:23:29Z")
So great to see this thread followed by should a 10 day waiting period be instituted for abortion. Peace ---
**Author:** ![pchaos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/258eb7/32.png) [@pchaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pchaos)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2012, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576/17 "2012-12-30T19:29:51Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Only if it happened during your lifetime. Jesus’ disciples thought it would happen in _their_ lifetimes and they died 1900-odd years ago. Since modern science and medicine is extending our lives, it’s getting more likely I will see the Second Coming within my lifetime…that’s way cool. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2012, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576/18 "2012-12-30T20:22:49Z")
> [@pchaos](#): > > Since modern science and medicine is extending our lives, it’s getting more likely I will see the Second Coming within my lifetime… I would say the odds are zero regardless of how long you live. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2012, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576/19 "2012-12-30T21:02:51Z")
> [@pchaos](#): > > is it just a metaphor. Hmmm…tough question, but it looks like a metaphor to me. “Are you then the Son of God?” “Is that just a metaphor? Hmmm, tough question. But, well, metaphorically, yeah.” ---
**Author:** ![pchaos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/258eb7/32.png) [@pchaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pchaos)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2012, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576/20 "2012-12-30T21:23:54Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > “Are you then the Son of God?” > “Is that just a metaphor? Hmmm, tough question. But, well, metaphorically, yeah.” Well…that of course, is when we get onto the “slippery slope.” If some passages of the Bible are a parable or a metaphor, then how about other passages. Personally, I don’t have a problem with the slippery slope because I don’t take it literally. I look at the Bible as a spiritual guide and not necessarily the gospel truth. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-christ-and-the-second-coming-are-we-waiting-for-him-to-be-physically-reborn-or/645576.md?page=2)