Colossians 3:4
“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”
King James Version
When Christ appears in glory, His people appear with Him. To appear with Him they must already be with Him: the saints come back with the Lord at His return.
Fulfillment References
1 Thessalonians 4:17 Jude 14 Zechariah 14:5 Revelation 19:14 1 John 3:2
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal'Then shall ye also appear with him in glory.' To appear with Him, His people must already be with Him. They were caught up to meet Him in the air first (1 Thess. 4:17); here they come back with Him when He appears to the world. 'The Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints' (Jude 14); 'the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee' (Zech. 14:5); the armies of heaven followed Him (Rev. 19:14). Christ 'is our life', and where He goes, His people go.
JewishNo traditional Jewish reading.
CatholicThe glorification of believers with Christ at His return.
ProtestantThe believer's hidden life in Christ will be revealed in glory at His appearing.
OrthodoxThe revealing of the saints in glory with Christ.
DispensationalBelievers caught up at the rapture and later appearing with Christ at His return.
AcademicPaul contrasts the life now 'hid with Christ in God' (3:3) with its future manifestation.
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Why it was written“But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). Peter told the first crowd how to begin: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).
The new birth → · How to receive the Holy Ghost →
The new birth → · How to receive the Holy Ghost →
Bible Prophecy Explorer · based on J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy catalogue · an openly Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal study resource — all traditions presented fairly. Pastor: C. Myles Young, D.Min. · Bishop: Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D.