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The Lord’s
Return
Expectation of Messiah
Dr. Charles Fineberg, a
noted Jewish-Christian scholar, says that in the course of
After 14 years of studying
the Bible, William Miller (1782-1849)--a U.S. revivalist who predicted the
second coming and earned a large but temporary following of
50,000-100,000--became convinced that Christ would return in 1843. When
Miller announced April 3 as the day, some disciples went to mountaintops,
hoping for a head start to heaven. Others were in graveyards, planning to
ascend in reunion with their departed loved ones. Philadelphia society ladies
clustered together outside town to avoid entering God's kingdom amid the common
herd. When April 4 dawned as usual the Millerites were disillusioned, but they
took heart. Their leader had predicted a range of dates for Christ's return. They
still had until March 21, 1844. The devout continued to make ready, but again
they were disappointed. A third date--October 22, 1844--was set, but it also
passed.
Today in the Word, MBI, December
20, 1991.
After church, where she
had been taught about the Second Coming, a little girl was quizzing her mother.
"Mommy, do you believe Jesus will come back?" "Yes."
"Today?" "Yes." "In a few
minutes?" "Yes, dear." "Mommy, would you
comb my hair?"
Don Hussong.
In Warren Wiersbe's Meet
Yourself in the Psalms, he tells about a frontier town where a horse bolted
and ran away with a wagon carrying a little boy. Seeing the child in danger, a
young man risked his life to catch the horse and stop the wagon. The child who
was saved grew up to become a lawless man, and one day he stood before a judge
to be sentenced for a serious crime. The prisoner recognized the judge as the
man who, years before had saved his life; so he pled for mercy on the basis of
that experience. But the words from the bench silenced his plea: "Young
man, then I was your savior; today I am your judge, and I must sentence you to
be hanged." One day Jesus Christ will say to rebellious sinners,
"During that long day of grace, I was the Savior, and I would have forgiven
you. But today I am your Judge. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting
fire!"
Doug Van Essen.
After 14 years of studying the Bible, William Miller became convinced that
Christ would return in 1843. When Miller
announced April 3 as the day, some disciples went to mountaintops, hoping for a
head start to heaven. Others were in graveyards, planning to ascend in reunion
with their departed loved ones. Philadelphia society ladies clustered together
outside town to avoid entering God's kingdom amid the common herd. When April 4
dawned as usual the Millerites were disillusioned, but they took heart. Their
leader had predicted a range of dates for Christ's return. They still had until
March 21, 1844. The devout continued to make ready, but again they were
disappointed. A third date--October 22, 1844--was set, but it also passed.
Today in the Word, December 20,
1991.
During his 1960
presidential campaign, John F. Kennedy often closed his speeches with the story
of Colonel Davenport, the Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives:
On May 19th, 1780 the sky of Hartford darkened ominously, and some of
the representatives, glancing out the windows, feared the end was at hand.
Quelling a clamor for immediate adjournment, Davenport rose and said, "The
Day of Judgment is either approaching or it is not. If it is not, there is no
cause for adjournment. If it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. Therefore,
I wish that candles be brought." Rather than fearing what is to come, we
are to be faithful till Christ returns. Instead of fearing the dark, we're to
be lights as we watch and wait.
Harry Heintz.
Biblical prophecy provides
some of the greatest encouragement and hope available to us today. Just as the
Old Testament is saturated with prophecies concerning Christ's first advent, so
both testaments are filled with references to the second coming of Christ. One
scholar has estimated that there are 1,845 references to Christ's second coming
in the Old Testament, where 17 books give it prominence. In the 260 chapters of
the New Testament, there are 318 references to the second advent of Christ--an
amazing 1 out of every 30 verses. Twenty-three of the 27 New Testament books
refer to this great event. For every prophecy in the Bible concerning Christ's
first advent, there are 8 which look forward to His second!
Today in the Word, April, 1989,
p. 27.
The belief that Jesus
Christ will return to earth someday is held by 62 percent of all Americans.
George Gallup,
"Religion in America," Leadership, Fall, 1987.
ALPHABET
ON THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST.
There are many
ways by which we may arrive at the importance of any given subject. The person
who is an authority as a specialist makes his utterance of value when he speaks
upon a topic; the issues that are involved, give weight and interest to a
discussion; the probable results will influence to a certain course of action;
and the frequency with which a truth is brought before us in Holy Writ, will
make itself felt to the prayerful student of the Word of God. All the above
pleas may be applied to the blessed hope of Christ’s second coming. He who says
“I come again” is the Son of God—God the Son—therefore His word is valid. The
issues at stake are of pressing importance. The overthrow of evil, the binding
of Satan, universal peace, righteousness exalted, and God glorified, are issues
that are involved as the truth of Christ’s return is pondered in its wider
aspect. The results of the apprehended fact of Christ’s, near approach will
make the believer holy in life; and the blessings attendant upon Christ’s
arrival, to the Church, and the world, are beyond our telling and ken. The
frequency with which reference is made to a truth must have the effect of
awakening our interest and riveting our attention. This is remarkably true in
relation to the topic before us, viz., the return of our Lord. As illustrating
the repeated utterance of the Holy Spirit in speaking of this subject, and the
results produced, and the commands incumbent upon us in looking for our Lord
Jesus, we shall give the following alphabetical outline;---
A. Abiding in Christ is the position
that He should find us in when He comes. “ And now, little children, abide in
Him; that when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed
before Him at His coming” (1.John 2:28).
B.
Blamelessness
of life is the normal condition in which we should seek to be when Christ
arrives. “ He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before our God
and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1.Thess.3:13). “Your
whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ” (1.Thess.5:23; 1.Cor.1:8; 11.Peter 3:14; Jude 24, R.V.).
C. Comfort in bereavement is found in
the truth of Christ’s return. “ But I would not have you to be ignorant,
brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others
which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so
them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For this we say unto
you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming
of the Lord shall not which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord
shall not Prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend
from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump
of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and
remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1.Thess.4:13-18).
D.
Deliverance
to the groaning creation from the bondage of corruption will be given at
Christ’s arrival. “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the
manifestation of the sons of God.” “ Because the creature itself also shall be
delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the
children of God” (Rom,8:19,21).
E.
Encouragement
to endure amid persecution is one of the supports that Christ’s coming gives.
“So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and
faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure ; which is a
manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy
of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: seeing it is a righteous thing
with God to recompense tribulation to them that troubteous thing with God to
recompense tribulation to them that trouble you: and to you who are troubled
rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty
angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that
obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess.1:4-8).
F.
Faithfulness
in Christian service is one of the marks of belief in Christ’s return. “
Moreover it is requited in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me
it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment:
yea, I judge not my own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby
justified: but He that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge not my own self.
For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but He that
judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord
come, Who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make
manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall every man have praise of
God: (1.Cor,4:2-5).
G. Gladness of spirit is a result now and
hereafter, as we are looking for the approach of Christ. “ Inasmuch as ye are
partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of His glory
also ye may rejoice; that at the revelation of His glory also ye may rejoice
with exceeding joy” (1.Peter 4:13).
H. Holiness of life is the outcome of
living in the expectancy of Christ. “ The God of peace Himself sanctify you
wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire at the coming
of our Lord fesus Christ” (1.Thess.5:23,R.V.).
I.
Immortality
and incorruptibility are assured blessings when our Lord comes back. “ Now this
I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God;
neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We
shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling
of an eye, at the last trump; For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall
be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put
on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible
shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall is written, death is
swallowed up in victory” (1.Cor.15:50-54).
J. Justly shall we act in all our
dealings if we are looking for Christ’s return. “ The grace of God which
bringeth salvation …teaching us, that…we should live soberly, righteously” (
same word translated “justly” in 1. Thess.2:10),
“and godly, in this present world, looking for that blessed hope,” ＆c.(Titus 2:11-13).
K. Keeping to the confession of the
Lord’s coming should characterize all who believe in Him. “Hold fast” (the same
word is rendered “keep” in Luke 8:15) “the confession of your hope that it
waver not” (Heb.10:23,R.V.).
L. Likeness to Christ is produced as
we are looking for Him. “Every man that hath this hope set on Him purifieth
himself, even as He is pure” (1. John 2: R.V.).
M.
Manifestation in
glory with Christ is brought before us as we think of His return. “ When
Christ, who is our Life, shall be manifested, then shall we be manifested with
Him in glory” (Col. 3:4,R.V.).
N. Nearness of the believer’s
completed salvation is proclaimed as we think of Christ’s coming. “ Now is our
salvation nearer than when we believed” (Rom. 13:11).
O. Occupation for Christ in trading with
the pound of the Gospel is our work till He returns. “ Occupy till I come”
(Luke 19:13).
P. Patience is a grace that is to be
exercised till our Lord arrives. “ Ye have need of patience, that after ye have
done the will of god, ye might receive the promise” (Heb.10:36,37). “Be patient…brethren, unto the coming of the
Lord” (James 5:7).
Q. Quietude of heart is ministered to
us we think of our returning Lord; for He shall adjust all things when He
arrives (1. Thess.5:1-11). “Let us, who are of
the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a
helmet, the hope of salvation” (1. Thess.5:8).
R. Redemption of the body will take
place when our Lord comes; for this we are waiting. “ Waiting for the adoption,
to wit, the redemption of our body” (Rom.8.23).
S. Stimulus to Christian service is
imparted as we keep in memory our Lord’s return. “ I charge thee in the sight
of God, and of Christ Jesus, Who shall judge the quick and the dead, and by His
appearing (R.V.)and kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season,”
＆c.(2
Tim.4:1,2).
T. Threefold work of Christ will be
complete when He appears. See the threefold appearing mentioned in Heb.9:24-28.
U. Untilness of Scripture will be
fulfilled when Christ comes back. See the seven “Untils” in Luke 19:13, Acts 3:21(R.V.), Rom. 11:25, 1.Cor.4:5. Phil.1:6, and Rev.2:25.
V. Vigilance is commanded by Christ till
He comes. “ Take ye heed, watch and pray; for ye know not when the time is. For
the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave
authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter
to watch, Watch ye therefore; for ye know not when the Master of the house
cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning; lest
coming suddenly He find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all,
Watch” (Mark 13:33-37).
W. Waiting for Christ is to be our
attitude. “Whit for His Son” (1.Thess.1:10). “ We wait for the
Saviour” (Phil.3:20). “ To them that wait
for Him” (Heb,9:28,R.V.).
X. ’Xcellent glory is that into which we
shall enter at the coming of Christ. “ We made known unto you the power and
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ…excellent glory” (2 Peter
1:16,17).
Y.
Yieldingness is
a grace that is begotten by the apprehended face of Christ’s coming.” Let your
moderation” (yieldingness) “Be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand” (Phil.4:5).
Z. Zeal is inspired as we are
expecting Christ. “Looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of
God” (2 Peter 3:12,R.V.).
──
F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》