Jesus Teaches Taht He Will Come Again
What do we Know about the Second Coming of Christ
"The 2d Coming" refers to the return of Jesus Christ as described in Revelation, Hebrews, the Gospels, and many other places.
The showtime time Jesus came to earth, He was but a baby. After His ministry on world, crucifixion, and resurrection He returned to Heaven "to prepare a place" for His followers (John fourteen:3). He also promises His return (1 Corinthians fifteen:23), in which the showtime resurrection occurs, He brings His followers to sky with Him, and sin and Satan will be destroyed forever.
The Second Coming is something to hope for. Information technology is a literal consequence, a personal encounter, a visible experience, and a worldwide occasion. It's the culmination of the plan of conservancy!
So let's larn more virtually this decidedly wonderful issue:
- What the Second Coming will be like
- When volition the 2nd Coming happen?
- Biblical prophecies virtually the Second Coming
- How the Second Coming is the ultimate hope of Adventists
- How the truth virtually the 2nd Coming helped shape the Adventist denomination
- How to gear up for the Second Coming
Belief 25: The Second Coming of Christ
The second coming of Christ is the blest hope of the church building, the grand climax of the gospel. The Saviour's coming will be literal, personal, visible, and worldwide. When He returns, the righteous dead will be resurrected, and together with the righteous living will be glorified and taken to heaven, but the unrighteous will dice. The about complete fulfillment of most lines of prophecy, together with the present condition of the globe, indicates that Christ'south coming is about. The time of that result has not been revealed, and we are therefore exhorted to be ready at all times. (Matt. 24; Mark xiii; Luke 21; John 14:i-three; Acts 1:9-11; ane Cor. 15:51-54; ane Thess. 4:13-xviii; five:1-6; 2 Thess. ane:seven-10; 2:8; 2 Tim. three:one-5; Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28; Rev. ane:vii; xiv:14-20; 19:11-21.)
What Will the 2nd Coming Be Like?
Literal
The Second Coming is non a secret for only the most educated, or a prize for the rich. It's not metaphorical or symbolic, or only happening on a spiritual plane, as once believed by many Christian communities. Information technology is and will be a literal event described in Scripture.
- Jesus volition descend on a cloud.
- The righteous expressionless volition rise from their graves and up to the deject with Jesus.
- The righteous living will rising upward to the clouds with Jesus and "ever be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians iv:13-17 ESV).
Adventists believe this in its straightforward terms. Jesus volition return on a deject, staying in the sky. He volition not fix foot on the ground. The dead in Christ will rise up with Him, and those living will soon follow, as we're all "caught up together" in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
"When Christ who is your life appears, so you also will appear with him in glory" (Colossians 3:4, ESV).
Acts one:xi, when an angel was addressing Jesus' disciples after they witnessed His rising, besides confirms the visible manner of His return. He will "come in the same way as you saw Him get into sky" (ESV).
Personal
Jesus' return is about reuniting Himself with us. In John xiv He informed His disciples He was ascending dorsum to heaven, only He would exist preparing a place for united states of america. "And if I get and prepare a place for you lot, I will come up again and will have you to myself, that where I am you may be also" (John 14:3 ESV).
Non simply volition we be called upwards to the clouds with Jesus, but nosotros'll be with Him forever. Philippians 3:20 tells us that "our citizenship is in heaven, and from information technology nosotros await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (ESV).
Even if someone hasn't nonetheless made the decision to follow Jesus, He is always gear up for the states to come up to Him and so He can bring as many of His children with Him to sky as possible..
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my vocalization and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20).
Visible
Revelation 1:seven says "every center shall see Him" (ESV). Nosotros will non accept to approximate or wonder if this is actually Jesus or not. No matter where we are, we'll be able to "see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of sky with power and great glory" (Matthew 24:30, ESV).
Before His crucifixion, Jesus told the high priest, "from now on you volition see the Son of Human seated at the right paw of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven" (Matthew 26:64 ESV).
Jesus volition exist visible to all—those who hurt Him, those who choose to believe in Him, and those who don't. The Second Coming volition not exist something anyone can miss!
Worldwide
Through the Bible nosotros tin can see the Second Coming is non only a literal event, but a global result. Just as referenced in the section higher up, "every eye will see Him"—no matter the time zone, continent, etc.
It's difficult to imagine something like this, simply with God nix is incommunicable. We're told, "For equally the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from i side to the other, so volition the Son of Human being be in His 24-hour interval…" (Luke 17:22, ESV).
We will likewise exist able to hear the trumpet calls and victory shouts of the Angels who volition accompany Jesus when He returns.
No one knows "the Twenty-four hour period or the Hour" of the 2nd Coming
Though Jesus was clear that He would return, He also explained that the details for when it would happen are non ours to know.
But concerning that solar day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only (Matthew 24:36 ESV).
Not even the angels know the mean solar day Jesus volition return.
This is similar to how Noah knew the rain would come, but non the exact moment it would begin. God warned Noah that He would send a flood to destroy the corruption on earth (Genesis 6). Noah knew the rain would come, just did not know when it would begin. Similar the flood in Genesis, no creature in being will know when Christ will return, but we know He will.
Throughout His ministry building, Jesus tried to prepare His disciples for His departure (crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension) likewise equally His second coming. To prepare them, Jesus used parables for lessons and examples.
And so the kingdom of heaven will exist similar ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom (Matthew 25:i ESV).
In the story Jesus tells, at that place are v virgins who are wise and v who are foolish. All 10 gather to wait for the bridegroom to go far then they tin enter the hymeneals banquet. The wise bring actress oil for their lamps, and the foolish bring none.
Before the bridegroom arrived, those who brought no oil for their lamps had to go buy more than. While they were gone, the bridegroom came. The wise virgins got to go into the nuptials feast. When the five foolish virgins returned they could not get in (five. 1-12 ESV).
Jesus finishes His alarm by telling them "sentry therefore, for you know neither the twenty-four hours nor the 60 minutes" (v. thirteen ESV).
It is not for united states of america to know, considering our chore is not to focus on "when" it'due south happening. Our chore is to keep our eyes on Jesus, have the Slap-up Commission to heart, and alive as a walking testimony—knowing that Jesus will indeed come to relieve us, and put an end to sin and evil forever.
And Jesus answered them, "Run into that no one leads you off-target. For many volition come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and they will atomic number 82 many off-target (Matthew 24:four, v ESV).
No one knows when the events of the second coming will occur–no one only God the Father. This means anyone who claims to know is either mistaken or seeking to manipulate.
Bible Prophecies Proclaim Christ's Second Coming
The book of Revelation in the Bible proclaims Jesus' 2d coming in the outset chapter.
The author of Revelation, John, writes of his vision of Christ's return. He says "Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will run into him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth volition wail on account of him" (v. 7 ESV).
In Revelation xiv, he recounts other images from his vision
John included in this vision the Lamb standing on Mount Zion with 144,000, a number to represent those believers who stand with Jesus at the stop of time on globe (v. 1).
This vision continues until John sees Jesus on a white cloud. On a cloud, He descends to globe with a sickle in His hand and He "swung his sickle across the globe, and the earth was reaped" (5. sixteen ESV).
In vivid give-and-take pictures and poetry, the Bible tells of the triumphant coming of Christ in Revelation chapter 19.
John says,
"Then I saw sky opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on information technology is called Faithful and Truthful, and in righteousness he judges and makes war" (v.11)
The heavens will open up similar a oversupply parting for royalty and Christ will appear on a white horse, as a acquisition male monarch. He brings heavenly armies with Him and will keep His promise to redeem and to gauge.
"His eyes are like a flame of burn down, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows merely himself" (v. 12).
Jesus' optics pierce through to our hearts where we can hide cipher from Him. He doesn't wearable 1 crown, only many, equally He is the King of Kings.
"He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name past which he is called is The Discussion of God" (v. thirteen).
Jesus' victory is displayed on His garment. While some believe the blood on His robe is the blood of His enemies, information technology is more than likely the blood represents His victory at calvary.
"And the armies of sky, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses" (v. 14).
When Jesus comes, He will atomic number 82 an army of heavenly beings, too riding white horses and wearing make clean, pure white robes.
From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty" (v.15).
Jesus' victory over the nations comes from His mouth, from the power of His words. With His voice and with a rod of iron, as prophesied in Psalm 2. He will wield the rod as a shepherd uses a staff, only it will be made of iron and so that even the most rebellious will submit.
On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, Male monarch of kings and Lord of lords" (five. sixteen).
The name, King of kings and Lord of Lords is written on Jesus' robe as well as His thigh, then it volition be easily seen from His place on the white horse.
Symbolism in Revelation
In that location's a lot going on in Revelation, much of it described in symbolism because we have no frame of reference yet for the things that will happen. Nosotros know the symbolism and prophecies are modes of telling the well-nigh of import truth and hope for humanity.
The gospel, that is Jesus' expiry on the cross and His promised Second Coming, is a beacon of light in a darkened world. Revelation is viewed by many as mysterious and scary, only it'south actually a story of promise and love.
In the get-go verse of the first chapter of Revelation we're told: "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to evidence to his servants the things that must shortly take identify."
Revelation is not near the end of the world, but rather it is the climax of the entire story of beingness. Information technology is the transformation from death to life, from tribulation to peace. And Jesus and His love for humanity make upwardly the theme for all of it .
The 2nd Coming is the Hope of Adventists
The 2nd coming is so of import to Seventh-twenty-four hours Adventists that it'south part of the name—The give-and-take Advent means "arrival."
Jesus beginning came to earth as a baby in a manger over 2000 years agone. This is the first Advent, and information technology's why Christmas calendars are often called "Advent Calendars." The second advent, the second coming, is not but the hope of Adventists, but of all Christians. We have this promise considering Jesus promises His return.
Nearly the cease of Jesus' earthly ministry building, during the last night with His disciples, He told them
"Let not your hearts exist troubled. Believe in God; believe besides in me. In my Begetter'southward firm are many rooms. If it were not and then, would I accept told you that I go to set a place for you? And if I get and gear up a place for you lot, I will come once more and volition take you to myself, that where I am you may exist also" (John xiv:ii ESV).
Christ's 2nd coming is a promise from the Bible. Information technology will exist the triumphant return of a male monarch. It is the blest promise of Adventists that Christ'southward time to come return will be the climax to our story on earth. It is not the end, just the outset of how life was meant to be all along. With Christ'southward coming, our existence will be perfect and complete.
Christ's Return as a Key Topic in Adventist History
Before the Advent movement became a global church building, nearly churches believed the second coming would be a spiritual or figurative issue. It likely wasn't even discussed very frequently.
Withal, soon afterwards the Second Smashing Awakening in the United States, a Baptist named William Miller decided to study scripture more securely after returning dwelling from war. Through his written report of Daniel and Revelation, Miller discovered that Christ'south second coming must exist a literal consequence.
This was a big deal. It changed the way Christians could await at the nowadays and the hereafter. So Miller kept studying and sharing what he found.
Even so, in that location was one issue with Miller's message. He also predicted the exact date of Christ'southward return—somehow missing the counsel of Matthew 24:36 that "no one knows the twenty-four hour period or the 60 minutes" of this issue, "not even the angels in sky," but just the Begetter.
Even though it became clear Miller's prediction was incorrect, many people decided to exercise further study to discover out where he went wrong. Equally more than and more people realized new truths from Scripture about the 2nd Coming, this began the "Advent Movement" that eventually paved the way toward the organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
In a way, Miller'southward error led to a revival of personal and minor group devotion among believers. Many of the 7th-twenty-four hour period Adventist beliefs were discovered after in-depth studies following this time. And every bit Christians learned more about scripture and God'south truth, they were more motivated to follow the Word and keep studying it.
How to Set for the 2nd Coming
Like the ten virgins in Jesus' parable, nosotros must be prepared for the benedict'south coming. Nosotros are all sinners and need Him. It's through Jesus Christ alone that we may enter the "wedding feast" (heaven).
Information technology's through Jesus that nosotros prepare for His coming, and as long as nosotros have a human relationship with Him, we will be prepare. We won't lose our spot in sky if we make a little error. We won't demand to fear the end of time. Nosotros tin can residue assured knowing our habitation is in heaven, despite our sinful nature.
Scripture tells united states of america "all take sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). That means every one of u.s.a. has sinned and doesn't deserve heaven.
Considering of the fall of mankind in Eden, we are left with a legacy of sin. Through Jesus Christ we are saved from the consequences of sin. That's why Romans iii continues, telling us we are "justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (vs. 24, CSB).
Additionally, Romans 6:23 says,
" For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (ESV).
Jesus took that decease upon Himself, dying in our place and being raised once again to return to heaven to government minister on our behalf.
We accept the souvenir of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. To ready for that life is to set for His coming. To prepare we must believe in Him (John three:16). We must know Him.
To know Jesus and abound our faith in Him, nosotros must cultivate a relationship with Him. Some things to help united states do that could be:
- Pray daily–throughout the day. Pray for others. Pray every bit a family unit. Pray in the name of Jesus who intervenes for you in heaven.
- Study your Bible. Read the Bible daily so that you tin meditate on God's Holy Word. Use scriptures and Bible promises in your personal prayer life. Memorize scripture and draw connections with your mod life and experiences.
- Mind to sermons and teachers. Use gratuitous online platforms to listen to uplifting messages and Bible lectures. Find trusted mentors to teach you deep Bible truths.
- Attend church. Find a local congregation that is filled with Bible-believers. Develop relationships with like-minded Christians who will help y'all in your walk with God.
- Limit exposure to worldly things. No i knows meliorate than you how secular activities and experiences affect you. Maintain caution and limit exposure to things that tempt you or hinder your relationship with God.
To abound our faith in Jesus and our relationship with Him, prayer and personal Bible study are extremely of import. Bible study and prayer through the Holy Spirit is our direct connection to the Savior nosotros're waiting for. It is the best way to ready for His shortly coming. Walking this journey with other believers is a crucial part of the experience.
Yes, this world is in chaos. Political and social unrest is imminent. Sin runs rampant. Physical and mental wellness is suffering around the world. But with all this working against us, we however have hope.
This world is not what God intended, but Jesus' return will be the end of this world as nosotros know information technology. His return will be the first step in restoring this world into the perfect world it was e'er meant to exist.
The Advent movement began considering of hope in Christ'southward return. At present the Seventh-day Adventist Church rests its hope in Christ alone, in His promises, and in His render.
wisewouldarresplet.blogspot.com
Source: https://www.adventist.org/second-coming/