The true student of the Bible is careful. The Bible warns us not to expect to see Jesus in Matthew 24 in verses:
3 …Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (or “end of the age”)
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many
22 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25 Behold, I have told you before.
26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not."
It is not a surprise that many say they saw Jesus. What this proves is that we near the end of the world (or more appropriately: end of the age). True followers of Christ should be looking for his return. All of the signs in Matthew 24 (including the reestablishment of the nation of Israel) teach us that there will be false appearances of Christ during this time.
Does this mean that those who said they saw Jesus are lying? Not necessarily. It is possible they saw very convincing manifestations claiming to be Jesus.
2 Corinthians 11: 13-14 reads: "For such
This is teaching that even the devil will appear as something good for the purpose of deceiving the very elect (again: Matt 24:5, 24)
Summary: Did the "many that say they saw Jesus" see something? Possibly. Was it Jesus? According to the scriptures, it wasn’t Christ.
