Since Almighty God, the Savior, expressed truths for His judgment work of the last days, many people have sought and investigated the true way, and then welcomed the Savior’s return. They have seen how incredibly authoritative and powerful Almighty God’s words are, that they really are the truth, and confirmed this is the Holy Spirit’s voice, that no ordinary person could utter these words. Hearing the voice of God, they’ve accepted Almighty God, been raised up before God’s throne, and attended the wedding feast of the Lamb. God’s chosen people eat, drink, and savor God’s words every day, which brighten their hearts more and more. They not only enjoy God’s presence, but they gain the enlightenment of His words, learning so many truths and understanding so many things. They also learn so many mysteries of the Bible, which is such a great pleasure. They are overflowing with faith and their love for God is deepened. Many of God’s chosen people are fearless in the face of the Chinese Communist Party’s oppression, arrests, and persecution. They leave behind their families and worldly ties, duty-bound to share the gospel in testimony to God. They suffer the CCP’s brutal arrests and persecution, but continue to bravely, undauntingly follow God and bear witness to Him. They haven’t been defeated, and they certainly haven’t been wiped out. They’ve borne resounding witness for God. Almighty God’s kingdom gospel has now spread to every country on earth, and The Church of Almighty God has been established in many of them. More and more people have heard God’s voice and are turning toward Almighty God. The numbers of those investigating Almighty God’s work online are growing. This completely fulfills the Lord Jesus’ prophecy: “For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even to the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (Matthew 24:27). Just as Almighty God’s words say: “Throughout the universe I am doing My work, and in the East, thunderous crashes issue forth endlessly, shaking all nations and denominations. It is My voice that has led all men into the present. I cause all men to be conquered by My voice, to fall into this stream, and submit before Me, for I have long since reclaimed My glory from all the earth and issued it forth anew in the East. Who does not long to see My glory? Who does not anxiously await My return? Who does not thirst for My reappearance? Who does not pine for My loveliness? Who would not come to the light? Who would not look upon the richness of Canaan? Who does not long for the return of the Redeemer? Who does not adore Him who is great in power? My voice shall spread throughout the earth; I will face My chosen people and speak more words to them. Like the mighty thunders that shake the mountains and rivers, I speak My words to the whole universe and to mankind. Hence the words in My mouth have become man’s treasure, and all men cherish My words. The lightning flashes from the East all the way to the West. My words are such that man is loath to give them up and at the same time finds them unfathomable, but rejoices in them all the more. All men are glad and joyful, celebrating My coming, as if an infant had just been born. By means of My voice, I shall bring all men before Me. Thenceforth, I shall formally enter into the race of men so that they will come to worship Me. With the glory that I radiate and the words in My mouth, I shall make it such that all men come before Me and see that the lightning flashes from the East and that I have also descended unto the ‘Mount of Olives’ of the East. They will see that I have already long been on earth, no longer as the Son of the Jews but as the Lightning of the East. For I have long since been resurrected, and have departed from mankind’s midst, and then reappeared with glory among men. I am He who was worshiped countless ages before now, and I am also the infant forsaken by the Israelites countless ages before now. Moreover, I am the all-glorious Almighty God of the present age! Let all come before My throne and see My glorious countenance, hear My voice, and look upon My deeds. This is the entirety of My will; it is the end and the climax of My plan, as well as the purpose of My management: to have every nation worship Me, every tongue acknowledge Me, every man repose his faith in Me, and every people be subject unto Me!” (“The Seven Thunders Peal—Prophesying That the Gospel of the Kingdom Shall Spread Throughout the Universe” in The Word Appears in the Flesh).

Almighty God’s utterance, like a great light, has already spread from the East to the West. God’s chosen people from every country preach the gospel, bear witness to Him, and joyfully praise God for already defeating Satan and gaining all glory. The Savior Almighty God appeared and began working before the disasters, and He has made a group of overcomers. His kingdom gospel has spread to every nation, and the disasters followed accordingly. We can see that the work of judgment starting with God’s house was already a great success, and after that, God has been using all sorts of disasters to judge and chastise this world. These disasters help to expand the gospel of the kingdom, to save more people from sin and from Satan’s forces. Another aspect of this is that God uses disasters to chastise and put an end to this dark, evil age, to wipe out all evil forces that oppose God. This is the fruit that God’s work of judgment in the last days will bear. Almighty God, the Savior, has expressed so many truths, done great work, and He has rocked the world. But many in the religious world are still misled by the great red dragon, the CCP, and are still tethered by the antichrist forces within religion. They cling to the idea that the Lord should come down on a cloud in spirit form, that He couldn’t possibly return in the flesh as the Son of man. That’s why they’re certain that any that don’t come on a cloud are false, that any testimony that He is the Son of man is false, that it’s just faith in man. Not only do they fail to seek and investigate the Holy Spirit’s words to the churches, or seek and listen for God’s voice, but they follow the religious antichrists, persistently judging, condemning, and blaspheming Almighty God’s appearance and work. That’s why they still haven’t welcomed the Lord, but have fallen into the disasters, weeping and gnashing their teeth, and none know if they’ll live or die. Many have a question. The Lord Jesus appeared in spirit form for forty days after His resurrection, so He should come back in spirit form. Why wouldn’t Almighty God appear as a Spirit, but as the incarnate Son of man? So many people ask this question, and many will not accept Almighty God because He is in the flesh, not the spirit. Such a shame! They’re missing their only chance at salvation, which they will regret for eternity. Next I’ll share a bit of fellowship to address the question of why God appears in the flesh, not the spirit in the last days.

First, as for how the Lord appears and works in the last days, we can confirm that the Lord Jesus returns to the world in the flesh as the Son of man in the last days to perform His work. This is based on multiple prophecies from the Lord Jesus’ own mouth, not something determined by a human. Whether the Lord actually returns in the spirit or in incarnate form as the Son of man was predetermined by God long ago, and there is no human choice in this. As humans, all we can do is submit, not delimit things based on our own notions and imaginings. In fact, even if God’s predetermined manner of appearance doesn’t fit with human notions, it is the best, and the most meaningful and beneficial for our salvation. It cannot be wrong. We can’t approach it based on what we may imagine. We must be the wise virgins, not the foolish ones. That’s the only way to welcome the Lord’s appearance. People may insist on going by their own delimitations, refusing to accept anything other than the Lord coming down on a cloud, rejecting the Son of man incarnate. What are the consequences of this attitude? They will certainly fall into the disasters and be punished, inviting their own ruin. If we’re wise virgins, we should do as the Lord requires, seeking and listening for God’s voice to welcome the Lord, joyfully accepting and submitting to Him no matter what form He takes, not trying to choose for ourselves. Otherwise, we’ll become foolish virgins, falling into disaster, weeping and gnashing our teeth. So what really happens in the last days? Does God return in spirit form, or as the Son of man? First, let’s talk about whether it’s easier to interact with God’s Spirit, or with the Son of man. Is it easier for Him to speak to us through the Spirit, or through the flesh? Many people would respond that it’s easier for the Son of man, on both counts. That’s correct. That’s why God became flesh when He appeared and worked in the Age of Grace. The Lord Jesus was the Son of man. He lived among mankind, eating, drinking, and living with us. Many people followed the Lord, fellowshiping, speaking, and interacting with Him. It was totally free and easy, without any restrictions or limitations. They all witnessed the Lord Jesus’ loveliness. Watered, sustained, and supported by the Lord, people were able to learn many truths. After the Lord expressed many truths, He was nailed to the cross, becoming mankind’s sin offering. Anyone at all could have their sins forgiven by just accepting the Lord Jesus as their Savior, confessing and repenting to Him. Then they could enjoy the peace and joy of having their sins forgiven, and the grace bestowed by God. After the Lord was crucified, resurrected, and then He ascended to heaven, more and more people started sharing His gospel, bearing witness to Jesus Christ as the Savior, the appearance of God. The gospel of the Lord Jesus long ago made it to every country in the world. That proves that God becoming flesh as the Son of man to redeem and save mankind is most effective. People can’t see or touch God’s Spirit—they can’t interact with Him that way. We can’t communicate with God’s Spirit. When God’s Spirit speaks, all tremble in fear. How could we communicate that way? Additionally, there’s no way God’s Spirit could have been crucified. How could something people can’t see or touch be crucified, right? This shows us that it’s best for God to work as the Son of man. God was glorified when the Lord Jesus finished His work to redeem mankind. This is clear for all to see. We can be certain from the facts of the Lord Jesus’ work, that in God’s work to save mankind, whether it’s His redemption work or the judgment work of the last days, incarnating as the Son of man is most suitable. That yields the best results. Also, God incarnating as the Son of man in the last days entirely fulfills the Lord Jesus’ prophecies: “the coming of the Son of man,” “the Son of man comes,” and “the Son of man in His day.” Those who know the Bible well can see that the Lord’s words have been fulfilled. So why do so many people cling to notions surrounding the Son of man appearing and working? Why do so many people still insist the Lord will descend on a cloud in spirit form? This really is foolish and ignorant. God appears and works as the Son of man, humble and hidden, not only because this is most effective, but also so that we can see God’s disposition, and how lovely His humility and hiddenness is. God directly encounters mankind as the Son of man, face to face with us, eating, drinking, and living with us, expressing truths to water, shepherd, and save us. This is God’s great love! Why can’t people see this? Just as Almighty God’s words say: “God’s saving of man is not done directly using the method of the Spirit and the identity of the Spirit, for His Spirit can neither be touched nor seen by man, neither can man draw near. If He tried to save man directly using the perspective of the Spirit, man would be unable to receive His salvation. If God did not put on the outward form of a created man, there would be no way for man to receive this salvation. For man has no way of approaching Him, much as no one was able to go near the cloud of Jehovah. Only by becoming a created human being, that is, only by putting His word into the body of flesh that He is about to become, can He personally work the word into all who follow Him. Only then can man personally see and hear His word, and moreover enter into possession of His word, and by this means come to be fully saved. If God did not become flesh, no one of flesh and blood would be able to receive such great salvation, nor would a single person be saved. If the Spirit of God worked directly in the midst of mankind, all humanity would be struck down, or else, with no way of coming into touch with God, they would be completely carried away captive by Satan. … Only by becoming flesh can God live alongside man, experience the suffering of the world, and live in a normal body of flesh. Only in this way can He supply men with the practical way that they need as created beings. It is through the incarnation of God that man receives full salvation from God, and not directly from heaven in answer to his prayers. For, man being of flesh and blood, he has no way of seeing the Spirit of God, much less of approaching His Spirit. All that man can come into contact with is God’s incarnate flesh, and only by means of this is man able to grasp all the ways and all the truths and receive full salvation” (“The Mystery of the Incarnation (4)” in The Word Appears in the Flesh). “The work that is of greatest value to corrupt man is that which provides accurate words, clear goals to pursue, and which can be seen and touched. Only realistic work and timely guidance are suited to man’s tastes, and only real work can save man from his corrupt and depraved disposition. This can only be achieved by the incarnate God; only the incarnate God can save man from his formerly corrupt and depraved disposition” (“Corrupt Mankind Is More in Need of the Salvation of the Incarnate God” in The Word Appears in the Flesh).

Almighty God’s words are very clear. Only by becoming flesh for His judgment work of the last days can God fully cleanse and save mankind, and lead us into a beautiful destination. We have personally witnessed Almighty God among us, living alongside us, always available to fellowship truth and resolve practical problems. He observes mankind’s corruption, writing His words and providing us with truths. We genuinely enjoy God’s words and our spirits are freed. When God fellowships the truth with us, we can ask Him questions, and He patiently responds. Almighty God lives among mankind, speaking and fellowshiping with us. Our every word, our every gesture, and even our every thought are all clear as day to God, right before His eyes. He can express truths at any time or place, bringing to light our satanic dispositions and our notions and imaginings about Him, correcting errors in our faith and our mistaken perspectives on pursuit. This is how God in the flesh personally waters and shepherds us, teaching and supporting us, face to face. It is a wonderful, heart-warming experience for us. God is incredibly lovely and approachable. We see God’s countless lovely aspects and love Him from the bottom of our hearts. Christ expresses so many truths and is doing such great work, but He is very humble and hidden, never showing off or flaunting Himself as God. He is very casual and warm in His interactions with us, never forcing anyone to listen to Him. Christ doesn’t have a shred of arrogance or haughtiness. Christ’s words are trustworthy, free from lies, pretense, and tricks. He treats us like family members, speaking, chatting with us sincerely. It is so heartwarming for us. We can see that there’s no corruption in Christ’s humanity. He possesses normal humanity—a kind, holy humanity. Christ can express the truth anywhere, anytime, to nurture, support, and guide us. We are even more certain that Christ not only possesses normal humanity, but a divine essence. He truly is the appearance of God, the practical God in the flesh. Following Christ till now, we know that Christ is the truth, the way, and the life. Other than Christ, no famous or great people could express the truth and save mankind. In God’s incarnate form, we see so much of what God has and is. We see Christ’s divine essence, and we see that God’s disposition is holy and righteous. We also see how humble and hidden God is, and that He is utterly kind and beautiful. This brings us closer to God, submitting to Him and loving Him. God’s work in the flesh to save mankind is so meaningful. It not only closes the gap between God and man, but it allows us to gain practical knowledge and understanding of God. It is through God’s practical work that we gradually understand the truth and enter into reality, ridding ourselves of many corrupt dispositions such as arrogance and deceitfulness. We live out a true human likeness and gain the grace of God’s salvation. Through Almighty God’s work of the last days, we feel very deeply how practical, how genuine God’s work in the flesh is! If God hadn’t incarnated, we’d never be able to gain such concrete watering and sustenance from God, much less understand and gain the truth, cast off sin, and be fully saved by God. That can only be achieved by God performing His judgment work in the flesh.

So now everyone should clearly see that God becomes flesh in the last days, expressing the truth and doing His judgment work entirely for the sake of cleansing and saving mankind. If God were to appear and work in the spirit, we, corrupt people, wouldn’t have the chance to understand and gain the truth, and we’d never be able to cast off our corruption and be saved by God. There is no shadow of a doubt. However, many in the religious world see that Almighty God has expressed so many truths, and acknowledge that Almighty God’s words have authority and power, but because He is the Son of man with a regular and normal appearance, they judge and condemn Almighty God, saying He is a man, not God. They even madly resist, condemn, and blaspheme Almighty God’s appearance and work. We can’t help but think of 2,000 years ago, when the Lord Jesus came to work. Since the Lord Jesus had a normal appearance, the Pharisees treated Him like He was just an average person, judgmentally saying, “Is this not the Nazarene?” “Is this not the carpenter’s son?” No matter how much truth He expressed, what great miracles He performed, the Pharisees did no seeking and wouldn’t accept Him. Instead, they judged and condemned the Lord Jesus, saying He was driving out demons with the help of the prince of demons, and ultimately nailed Him to the cross, committing the most heinous sin. They were damned and punished by God. God has now appeared and worked in the flesh as the Son of man twice. So why don’t people recognize Him, but resist, condemn, and reject Christ? Where are they going wrong? It is because they only look at the outside, that Christ looks like a regular person. They don’t investigate, and they don’t recognize all the truths Christ expresses. They don’t see Christ’s divine essence, but just fight and condemn Christ because of their human notions. So they are punished and damned for this. The Lord Jesus said, “He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God stays on him” (John 3:36). Anyone who condemns and resists the Son of man who expresses the truth is committing the sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit, and cannot be forgiven in this world or the next. The wise virgins must learn to seek the truth and heed God’s voice. The Lord’s return in the last days is as the Son of man, speaking and working. Those who accept Him are those who love the truth. Those who reject, resist, and condemn the Son of man all despise the truth. God reveals everyone for what they are through the Son of man’s appearance and work. This is God’s wisdom, and it reveals His almightiness.

To wrap up, let’s take a look at a couple passages of God’s words.

Almighty God says, “This time around, God comes to do work not in a spiritual body, but in a very ordinary one. Moreover, not only is it the body of God’s second incarnation, it is also the body through which God returns to the flesh. It is a very ordinary flesh. You cannot see anything that makes Him stand out from others, but you can gain from Him previously unheard-of truths. This insignificant flesh is what embodies all the words of truth from God, undertakes God’s work in the last days, and expresses the whole of God’s disposition for man to understand. Do you not desire greatly to see the God in heaven? Do you not desire greatly to understand the God in heaven? Do you not desire greatly to see the destination of mankind? He will tell you all these secrets—secrets that no man has been able to tell you, and He will also tell you of the truths that you do not understand. He is your gate into the kingdom, and your guide into the new age. Such an ordinary flesh holds many unfathomable mysteries. His deeds may be inscrutable to you, but the entire goal of the work He does is sufficient enough to allow you to see that He is not, as people believe, a simple flesh. For He represents the will of God and the care shown by God toward mankind in the last days. Though you cannot hear His words seeming to shake the heavens and earth, though you cannot see His eyes as a flame of fire, and though you cannot receive the discipline of His iron rod, nevertheless you can hear from His words that God is wrathful and know that God is showing compassion for mankind; you can see the righteous disposition of God and His wisdom, and, moreover, realize God’s solicitude for all mankind. The work of God in the last days is to allow man to see the God in heaven living among men on earth, and to enable man to know, obey, revere, and love God. This is why He has returned to the flesh for a second time. Though what man sees this day is a God that is the same as man, a God with a nose and two eyes, and an unremarkable God, in the end, God will show you that if this man did not exist, heaven and earth would undergo a tremendous change; if this man did not exist, the heavens would grow dim, the earth would be plunged into chaos, and all mankind would live amid famine and plagues. He will show you that if God incarnate did not come to save you in the last days, then God would have long ago destroyed all mankind in hell; if this flesh did not exist, then you would forever be arch-sinners, and you would be corpses evermore. You should know that if this flesh did not exist, all mankind would face an ineluctable calamity and find it impossible to escape the even more severe punishment that God metes out to mankind in the last days. Had this ordinary flesh not been born, you would all be in a state where you beg for life without being able to live and pray for death without being able to die; if this flesh did not exist, then you would not be able to gain the truth and come before the throne of God today, but rather, you would be punished by God because of your grievous sins. Did you know that were it not for the return of God to the flesh, none would have a chance at salvation; and were it not for the coming of this flesh, God would have long ago put an end to the age of old? This being so, are you still able to reject the second incarnation of God? Since you can derive so many benefits from this ordinary man, why would you not gladly accept Him?” (“Did You Know? God Has Done a Great Thing Among Men” in The Word Appears in the Flesh).

“All of God’s work in the last days is done through this ordinary man. He will bestow everything upon you, and what is more, He will be able to decide everything relating to you. Can such a man be as you believe Him to be: a man so simple as to be unworthy of mention? Is His truth not enough to utterly convince you? Is witness of His deeds not enough to utterly convince you? Or is it that the path He brings is not worthy for you to walk on? When all is said and done, what is it that causes you to abhor Him and to cast Him away and give Him a wide berth? It is this man who expresses the truth, it is this man who provides the truth, and it is this man who gives you a path to follow. Could it be that you are still unable to find the traces of God’s work within these truths? Without the work of Jesus, mankind could not have come down from the cross, but without the incarnation of today, those who come down from the cross could never gain God’s approval or enter into the new age. Without the coming of this ordinary man, you would never have the opportunity to see the true countenance of God, nor would you be qualified to, for you are all objects that should have long ago been destroyed. Because of the coming of the second incarnation of God, God has forgiven you and shown you mercy. Regardless, the words I must leave you with in the end are still these: This ordinary man, who is God incarnate, is of vital importance to you. This is the great thing that God has already done among men” (“Did You Know? God Has Done a Great Thing Among Men” in The Word Appears in the Flesh).