By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
The founder of Solid Rock Kingdom Church, Apostle Dr. John Okoriko, has challenged conventional theological teachings on the second coming of Christ, asserting that Jesus Christ has made multiple appearances on Earth across different generations, even before being born of a woman.
Speaking during the second day of a four-day church convention in Uyo, themed *”An Open Door, No Man Can Shut,”* Apostle Okoriko argued that the ascension of Jesus after His resurrection was not the first instance of His coming to Earth. He accused theologians of propagating unverified teachings about Christ’s return.
Citing various biblical references, Okoriko claimed that Jesus appeared in different forms throughout history, including as Melchizedek, the high priest described in the Bible as having no traceable genealogy.
“Melchizedek was Christ. He came to this world as a High Priest without family and no origin. Abraham recognized this and paid tithe to Him by giving one-tenth of his possessions. You can only pay tithe to God. Melchizedek was Christ in human form,” Okoriko said.
He further explained that Melchizedek’s mysterious disappearance and the absence of any evidence of his death supported his argument.
Okoriko also referenced the Apostle Paul’s recounting in the Bible of a rock that followed the children of Israel during their 40-year journey through the wilderness, asserting that the rock symbolized Christ.
“He always visited Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. After His ascension, Jesus appeared to Saul on his way to Damascus,” he added.
The cleric dismissed the common theological notion that Christ’s return after His ascension would mark His second coming, emphasizing that Jesus has made numerous appearances.
“Jesus has been coming to the world on many occasions and later came as one born of a woman. When He came to the small village of Nazareth, Jesus preached that the way of the Lord was narrow. But in my time, He said His way is an open door,” Okoriko noted.
He shared a personal experience, recalling how an encounter with Jesus transformed his life. “When Jesus appeared to me in my marijuana farm many years ago, I saw Him, and He changed my life,” he recounted.
Apostle Okoriko urged Bible scholars to stop misleading Christians by teaching that Christ’s return after His ascension would be His second coming.
“He has been coming to this world severally, even before His historic death on the cross and subsequent resurrection. To this day, Jesus still visits those who believe in Him,” he concluded.
