Hi S Eight! Welcome to the board!
As you know the WT teaches multiple returns of Christ (a recent thread quoted a GB member that said there were 7 returns of Christ), and that some of these returns are associated with dates such as 1914, 1918, 1919, and that these dates can somehow be calculated via encrypted prophecies in the Bible. They also teach that the other returns are future and are not associated with dates, but are “just around the corner,” “very soon now!” WT made an adjustment (“new light”) some years ago whereby the return described in 24:30 is future (previously they tied it to 1914) and that it would include some kind of visible manifestation. Finally, by claiming multiple returns of Christ, they get around a nagging issue with Jesus’ statement that “nobody knows” the “day and hour” (Matt 24:36). That is, his return in 1914 they know, somehow, but future returns that don’t know. Anyway, let me briefly comment on an invisible return of Christ.
The NWT at Matt. 28:20 says: “And, look! I am with YOU all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” How is Jesus “with” his disciples, visibly or invisibly? I guess it must be invisibly. And if he is “with” his disciples, he’d be present, no? Therefore, if he has been invisibly present with his disciples since those words were uttered, why would he give a “composite sign” to help them discern in the future that he is “invisibly present?” Furthermore, Jesus warned his disciples to not be misled by those who say “Look! He is in the inner chambers” (Matt 24:25), that is hidden; this also would rule out an “invisible” return.
Actually, if you look at all the illustrations that Jesus gave, you would be hard pressed to conclude that there are multiple returns of Christ. In their simplicity is a common thread of his going away then returning at a later time. When he returns he judges and separates, rewarding the faithful and condemning the unfaithful. That said, the simple answer is that the scriptures imply only one return of Christ with some kind of visible manifestation by those coming under adverse judgment as well as the faithful, “they will see the Son of man coming” (Mark 13:24-227, Luke 21:26-28).
Regarding a “composite sign” (WT terminology), WT is not alone in their beliefs since many charismatic Christian groups also believe that the end-time prophesies are being fulfilled at this time; they are expecting the return of Christ must be very near! However, let me present an alternate view which you may want to reflect on.
In all end-time prophesies, Jesus first words to his disciples’ questions were “Look out that nobody misleads YOU; for…” (see Matt. 24:3-4, Mark 13:4-5, Luke 21:7-8). Therefore, the long list of events and troubles that follow were given NOT to tell them the nearness of his return (or in the case of WT, the multiple returns of Christ starting in 1914), but as a warning not to be mislead into thinking that he is about to return! In other words, they comprise a NOT SIGN, and a warning not to be mislead. The events listed “must take place, but the end is not yet” (Matt. 24:6). Hence, Jesus urges his disciples to “keep on the watch,” “prove yourselves ready, because at an hour that YOU do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming” (Matt. 24:42, 44, see also 25:13). Finally, the only sign given for his return is the “sign of the Son of man” (Matt 24:30), which is evidently some kind of visible manifestation.
I’ll comment more as I have time. Do keep up your “independent thinking!”