Q: If Jesus came back to earth and walked down the street of almost any one of our major cities, would anyone recognize Him? I’m curious about this, because we don’t really know what He looked like, do we?

A: No, the Bible doesn’t tell us exactly what Jesus looked like while He was on earth. He lived in the Middle East—a part of the world that touches the continents of Africa, Asia and Europe—and He probably was similar in appearance to any other man living in that part of the world. Remember: He came for all humanity.

Over the centuries artists have tried to represent in their works what Jesus might have looked like, but those are only the products of their imagination, and we should take them as such. Never forget: The Bible warns us not to worship anything that claims to represent God or Jesus. One of the Ten Commandments declares, “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above” (Exodus 20:4).

Would we recognize Jesus if He were to come to earth today? Yes, we most certainly would—because the Bible tells us that when He comes again, He will come in glory and majesty and power. The first time He came as a helpless baby—but when He comes again, He will come as ruler over all. The Bible says, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne” (Matthew 25:31).

The real question, however, is this: Are you ready for His coming? Some day you will stand before Him, either when He comes again or at your death. Don’t gamble with your soul, but put your faith and trust in Christ today.

Q: Is the Antichrist alive today? I’m not sure I know what the Antichrist is, but the world is in such a mess that I sometimes wonder if we’re already living in the last days.

A: The Bible refers to the Antichrist as an evil person of great spiritual power who will appear at the end of the present age (just before Christ returns to establish His Kingdom, as He promised). The Bible says that shortly before Christ comes again, “the man of lawlessness is revealed. … He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

As the name “Antichrist” implies, he will be completely and utterly opposed to Christ and His people. He even will try to get people to worship him by claiming to be God, and both by his words and his actions he will do everything he can to fight against everything God is doing in the world. Just as Satan tried to tempt Jesus and stop Him from following God’s will for His life, so Satan and his demonic forces will attempt to overpower Christ as the end of the present age draws near.

Is the Antichrist alive today? On one hand, the Bible urges us not to speculate about this or become overly anxious about it. On the other hand, however, it does warn us to be alert—because Satan and his servants are always active. The Bible says, “Even now many antichrists have come” (1 John 2:18).

The most important fact about the Antichrist, however, is that he will not win! Like his master, Satan, he is already a defeated foe—because by Christ’s death and resurrection He has gained the victory over all the forces of evil. Is your faith and hope in Him?