The Second Coming of Christ

[Castaway57]

This topic will deal with the official Adventist statements on and Fundamental belief regarding the second coming of Christ.

Most threads here that have anything to do with this topic are pretty negative and ominous sounding - yet the Bible portrays a much more positive outlook on the second coming of Christ.

I will start with statements from the 28 Fundamental Beliefs Book:

25. The Second Coming of Christ

The second coming of Christ is the blessed hope of the church, 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 die. The almost complete fulfillment of most lines of prophecy, together with the present condition of the world, indicates that Christ's coming is imminent. The time of that event has not been revealed, and we are therefore exhorted to be ready at all times.

(Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; Matt. 24:14; Rev. 1:7; Matt. 24:43, 44; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8; Rev. 14:14-20; 19:11-21; Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 Thess. 5:1-6.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1RHpkF8eLI

 

[Leuko Petra]

This topic will deal with the official Adventist statements on and Fundamental belief regarding the second coming of Christ. ...

I will start with statements from the 28 Fundamental Beliefs Book...

"25. Second Coming of Christ:
The second coming of Christ is the blessed hope of the church, 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 die. The almost complete fulfillment of most lines of prophecy, together with the present condition of the world, indicates that Christ's coming is imminent. The time of that event has not been revealed, and we are therefore exhorted to be ready at all times. (Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; Matt. 24:14; Rev. 1:7; Matt. 24:43, 44; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8; Rev. 14:14-20; 19:11-21; Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; 1 Thess. 5:1-6.)"

I would recommend reading 1 and 2 Peter, as it is filled with the Second Coming of Jesus and of the great events to come:

[1] That we are “begotten … again unto a lively [living] hope...”, and what is this “lively hope”, not that we actually have the inheritance realized, but that we are actively and still hoping for it to be realized, and this “lively hope”, will be realized in the “resurrection … from the dead” and not before, even as Paul says, “Henceforth [from this point forward in time] there is [currently] laid up [reserved, even as Peter says] for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day [the Day of the Lord]: and not to me only, but unto all them [which currently sleep in Jesus in the dust of the earth, or are then alive and changed instantly, from mortality to conditional immortality] also that love his appearing [2nd Advent, when the Lord blows the trumpet and calls the dead to life and immortal bloom [1 Thessalonians 4:13-18]].” [2 Timothy 4:8]

[2] Peter says that this “lively hope” that we have comes through, or is by “...the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” and therefore we do not inherently have an immortal anything, but it is only “...brought life and immortality to light...” [2 Timothy 1:10] through Christ's resurrection “...from the dead.” which is even preached in the “gospel”.

[3] Notice that it is an “...inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away...”, but do we now possess it 'in hand'?, or rather as Peter says that it is a “lively hope” [for if we are still hoping, it is not yet present, but future], even “...reserved in heaven for you”. What does it mean to be “reserved”? It means to be held in another's possession until such time as it is to be given unto us in actuality, but for the moment it is promised of God, and it is He [Jesus] which holds it.

[4] Peter clearly states that for the moment we are “...kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation...”, and therefore notice that it is “through faith unto salvation”, and not merely salvation without condition [“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13; see also Mark 13:13]. We all have the choice to continue or not continue to walk with Christ Jesus [John 6:66], and that choice is never to be taken away, not even in all eternity [more on this later if necessary].

[5] Peter says that this “salvation” is “...ready to be revealed in the last time.” and is therefore not yet here, but future still, for we, even as he, await Christ Jesus coming in the clouds of glory with all His holy angels, “revealed in the last time” [“revealed”; see also Matthew 10:26; Luke12:2, “...in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” Luke 17:30; “...the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire ...” 1 Corinthians 3:13, even in that day when the man of sin is revealed [2 Thessalonians 2:3-8]; “...a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed.” 1 Peter 5:1], which is the Day of the Lord, the 2nd Advent.

That word “revealed” - “apokalyptō” “ἀποκαλύπτω” has many other complimentary partners in the Scripture which all speak of the same events:

But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. (1 Corinthians 15:23).

The English word “coming” in the Greek is “parousia” “παρουσία” and means “presence, the advent, the coming, the arrival, the future visible return of JESUS from Heaven to raise the dead, hold the last judgment, and set up formally and gloriously the Kingdom of GOD” [Strong's Concordance] [See Matthew 24:37 and compare to Luke 17:26,30].

The same word can be viewed in many other passages: [Matthew 24:3,27,37,39; 1 Corinthians 16:17; 2 Corinthians 7:6-7, 10:10; Philippians 1:26, 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 3:13, 4:15, 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:1,8,9; James 5:7-8; 2 Peter 1:16, 3:4,12; 1 John 2:28].

There are also many other words that also describe Jesus' visible, physical, audible, tumultuous, glorious, triumphant and literal return at His appointed time:

“to come and/or arrive” “erchomai” “ἔρχομαι” [Matthew 24:30, 26:64; John 14:3; 1 Corinthians 11:26; Revelation. 1:7],

“to appear visibly” “optanomai” “ὀπτάνομαι” [Hebrews 9:28],

“to return” “analyō” “ἀναλύω” [Luke 12:36],

“to reveal” “apokalypsis” “ἀποκάλυψις” [2 Thessalonians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:7; Luke 17:29-30],

“to manifest” “epiphaneia” “ἐπιφάνεια” [1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:8; Titus 2:13],

“make manifest” “phaneroō” “φανερόω” [1 Peter 5:4],

“come” “hēkō” “ἥκω” [Revelation 2:25],

“to return” “hypostrephō” “ὑποστρέφω” [Luke 19:12].

All Heaven will be poured out in the Triumphant Great Advent of the Lord, Saviour and God, Christ Jesus, and the Gates will be lifted up again:

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. [Revelation 22:12]

[6] Peter uses another related word “revealed” -“apokalypsis” “ἀποκάλυψις” here, “...might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ...” and we may look at both [vs 5 and vs 7] and see that they are speaking of the same events, the 2nd Advent which it is then that the “glory” [vs 7] is known, then we shall be changed and “...shine as the brightness of the firmament … as the stars for ever and ever.” [Daniel 12:3]

[7] Peter continues in this same thought over and over again, “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” 1 Peter 1:13, and so therefore notice that there is a “hope” we must have for something yet future, to be continued with us, “..to the end...” for that “grace”, which will be [future tense, not yet here], “...brought unto you at...”, when shall it be brought? “...at the revelation [same word in vs 5, “revealed”] of Jesus Christ.”, not before.

[8] When does Peter speak of the “glory” that was given to the Son? It was after the resurrection, “Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.” [1 Peter 1:21], and therefore it will not be until our [the faithful's] respective resurrection that we too shall receive of this “glory”, then no longer having a “lively hope” for it, but in reality then possessing it, having finally reached “the end” by that continued and persevering “faith”.

[9] Peter is continually speaking of the time frame of this 2nd Advent, “...glorify God in the day of visitation.” [1 Peter 2:12] and “...an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed” [1 Peter 5:1] and “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” [1 Peter 5:4].

 

[Leuko Petra]

I would recommend reading 1 and 2 Peter, as it is filled with the Second Coming of Jesus and of the great events to come: ...

[1] When shall we receive this “entrance” [2 Peter 1:11]into the “everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”? Even as Peter said earlier, it is when He shall be “revealed” [1 Peter 1:5,7,13]from Heaven. As of this moment that is what we have this “lively hope” [1 Peter 1:3]of. For though our names are written in Heaven [Luke 10:20; which may, a this time, still be removed and blotted out], we desire to enter there. Peter says that it shall be “...ministered unto [us]...” [2 Peter 1:11], and how so?, by Jesus Christ Himself coming with every single ministering angel [Psalms 68:17, 104:3; Isaiah 66:15; Matthew 13:39,49, 16:27, 24:30, 25:31,51, 26:64; Mark 8:38, 13:27; Luke 9:26, 21:27; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 3:13, 4:16-17; Hebrews 1:7; Revelation 1:7, 12:7, etc]in Heaven to come and claim His own [John 14:2-3; Matthew 24:30, 25:31; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26, 21:27; 1 Thessalonians 3:13, 4:16; etc], known as the Great Harvest of Wheat [Revelation 14:15]which shall be reaped.

[2] Peter declares that these shall be some of his very last words to them, as Jesus had revealed to him earlier [vs 14], that Peter was to die, “Knowing that shortly I must put off [this] my tabernacle...” [2 Peter 1:14], and thus speaks of his own “decease” [2 Peter 1:15], greek “exodos” “ἔξοδος”, which means departing, and in context, “departing” from life to go “in[to] the grave” [Job 14:13; Psalms 6:5, 31:17, 49:14, 88:5,11; Ecclesiastes 9:10; John 11:17; further see Genesis 42:38; 2 Samuel 3:32, 19:37; 1 Kings 2:6, 14:13; 2 Kings 22:20; Job 17:13, 21:13,32; Isaiah 38:10, 53:9; etc] and the “return[ing] unto dust” [Genesis 2:7, 3:19, 18:27; Job 4:19, 7:21, 10:9, 17:16, 20:11, 21:26, 34:15, 40:13; Psalms 22:15,29, 30:9, 103:14, 104:29; Ecclesiastes 3:20, 12:7; Isaiah 2:10, 26:19; Daniel 12:2, etc]. Peter understands that his earthly tabernacle, this mortal of his shall be “swallowed up of life” [2 Corinthians 5:4] in the resurrection to come, wherein he shall have been given as a “reward” [Revelation 22:12], for having been a “faithful and wise servant” [Matthew 24:45], a new glorified tabernacle [2 Corinthians 5:2], but that while he is returned unto dust, he is temporarily until such time, “sleepeth/asleep” [John 11:11; 2 Peter 3:4] in the first death without a tabernacle of earth or of heaven, “naked” [2 Corinthians 5:3] in death [not the 2nd death].

[3] We see that Peter strove with great love in his heart for them, with tender compassionate care and Godly fear, saying that he would “...not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things” [2 Peter 1:12]by several instances of “...putting [them] in remembrance...” [2 Peter 1:13], and again telling them to “...have these things always in remembrance.” [2 Peter 1:15], even though they already “know [them]” [2 Peter 1:12], but so that they would be “...established in the present truth” [2 Peter 1:12]and not “...carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” [Ephesians 4:14], knowing that “...it is the last time...” [1 John 2:18]; and that “...evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” [2 Timothy 3:13], because there were already as foretold by Jesus [Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22], “...false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” [2 Peter 2:1], even these reprobate, “Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.” [2 Timothy 2:8]. Immortal soul/spirit theology destroys the hope of the resurrection, and of what Christ Jesus did upon the Cross, for those which teach it, say that people enter into Heaven [or hell/purgatory for others] as soon as they die, without any need of a resurrection... for even when will the wicked be cast in to the fire, as soon as they die? No. Scripture says, “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”, which takes place after the Great White Throne Judgment and second Great resurrection [resurrection of damnation; “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished ...” Revelation 20:5(a)], and so “...there was found no place for them.” [Revelation 20:11; Daniel 2:35], not in Heaven, nor on earth [for there will be no more death or grave, for the earth shall be made New].

[4] For Peter even writes that even the wicked angels [living beings, like unto us but different, “for all flesh in not the same flesh”, one kind and another [more on this later if necessary]] are yet “reserved”unto their rewards/judgments, “...to be reserved unto judgment ...” [2 Peter 2:4]and even the devils know this that their time of punishment is coming, yet future, “...art thou come hither to torment us before the time.” [Matthew 8:29] therefore as Paul says, “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 Corinthians 4:5], and while the rebellious angels yet live and are active, the wicked humanity which have died, slumber in the ground, for God knows how “...to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.” [2 Peter 2:9], for that day approaches and is soon is coming according to prophecy, in which they both [wicked angel and wicked mankind] will perish together, depraved Head and Root and diseased body and branches of that corrupt tree, “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that comethshall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.” [Malachi 4:1], and in that day, “...to be taken and destroyed … and shall utterly perish in their own corruption.” [2 Peter 2:12]and “And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness...” [2 Peter 2:13], “...to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.” [2 Peter 2:17], to “perish” [John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9]and without life evermore and they will be made “...a terror, and thou [shalt be] no [more]: though thou be sought for, yet shalt thou never be found again, saith the Lord GOD.” [Ezekiel 26:21]and “...thou shalt be a terror, and never [shalt be] any more.” [Ezekiel 27:36]and “...shalt be a terror, and never [shalt] thou [be] any more.” [Ezekiel 28:19].

[5] Peter knows that even in the last days there will be “scoffers” [2 Peter 3:3], “...Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep...” [2 Peter 3:4]and yet knowing that “...the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” [2 Peter 3:7], for in that day, the Day of the Lord [the 1,000 years, the millennium; the 7thDay with the Lord God, 2 Peter 3:8], “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” [2 Peter 3:10]and “[Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness,” [2 Peter 3:11]and “Looking forand hasting untothe coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?” [2 Peter 3:12]

[6] Peter was looking forward to the New Heaven and the New Earth: “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” [2 Peter 3:13], even so “...seeing that ye look for such things...” [2 Peter 3:14],not looking to be 'unclothed'[death, found 'naked'], but rather “clothed upon” [2 Corinthians 5:2,4].

 

[Castaway57]

Thankyou Leuko-Petra for pointing us to the scriptures in 1st and 2nd Peter regarding the second coming of Christ.

Here is the next installment from our 28 Fundamental Beliefs Book:

The Second Coming of Christ

"MOMMY," A LTTLE ONE CONFIDED at bedtime, "I'm so lonely for my friend Jesus. When is He going to come?"

That child could hardly know that her little heart's desire has been the longing of the ages. The final words of the Bible give promise of a soon return: "'Surely I am coming quickly.'" And John the revelator, the loyal companion of Jesus, adds, "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" (Rev_22:20).

To see Jesus! To unite forever with Him who loves us more than we can imagine! To have an end of all earthly suffering! To enjoy eternity with resurrected loved ones now at rest! No wonder that since Christ's ascension His friends have looked forward to that day.

One day He will come, though even to the saints His coming will be an overwhelming surprise-for all slumber and sleep in their long wait (Mat_25:5). At "midnight," in earth's darkest hour, God will manifest His power to deliver His people. Scripture describes the events: "A loud voice" comes out of the "temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, 'It is done!'"

This voice shakes the earth, causing such "a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth" (Rev_16:17-18). The mountains shake, rocks are scattered everywhere, and the whole earth heaves like the waves of the ocean. Its surface breaks up "and the cities of the nations fell. . . .Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found" (Rev_16:19-20). "The sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place" (Rev_6:14).

Despite the chaos descending upon the physical world, God's people take courage as they see "'the sign of the Son of Man'" (Mat_24:30). As He descends on the clouds of heaven, every eye sees the Prince of life. He comes, this time, not as a man of sorrows, but as victor and conqueror to claim His own. In place of the 334 crown of thorns, He wears a crown of glory, and "on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS" (Rev_19:12, Rev_19:16).

At His coming great despair grips those who have refused to acknowledge Jesus as Saviour and Lord, and have rejected the claim of His law on their lives. Nothing makes the rejecters of His grace so aware of their guilt as that voice that had pleaded so patiently, "'"Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die?"'" (Eze_33:11). "And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?'" (Rev_6:15-17).

But the joy of those who have long looked for Him overshadows the despair of the wicked. The coming of the Redeemer brings to its glorious climax the history of God's people; it is the moment of their deliverance. With thrilling adoration they cry out: "'Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation'" (Isa_25:9).

As Jesus draws near, He calls His sleeping saints from the graves and commissions His angels to "'gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other'" (Mat_24:31). Around the world the righteous dead hear His voice and rise from their graves-glad moment!

Then the living righteous are changed "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" (1Co_15:52). Glorified and given immortality, together with the resurrected saints they are caught up to meet their Lord in the air to remain with Him forever (1Th_4:16-17).