A few more thoughts on the Second Coming that I had (I'm fascinated with this topic, and at school right now with a little spare time). Christ clearly says he delays his coming, and I believe the reason is obvious: he's giving everyone a chance to be saved (see the 2 Pet. 3 verses, Jas. 5, etc.). Obviously, one of the major signs we need is a world government (we need this before the antichrist according to Daniel 7). Of course, we also need the antichrist.
I've already talked about all of these signs in previous posts. However, I think there is one warning Jesus Christ gives which goes mostly unnoticed:
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8And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ;
and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them." Lu. 21:8
It is really important how we read this verse. In my estimation, there are two ways to read it:
1) Jesus Christ is saying that those who deceive many by claiming that he (Jesus Christ) is the Christ will herald the beginning of the end
2) Christ is warning against those who claim the end is nigh
I think that option 2 is the best interpretation of this verse. Jesus Christ is saying that many will claim that the time of his coming is drawing near, the implication being that the time of his coming is not near. We have been seeing this for quite some time. This is important because of two statements that Christ makes:
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44Therefore be ye also ready: for
in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." Mt. 24:44
Christ tells his disciples (who represent all real Christians) that he will come in an hour when they "think not." Now, I find that to be an incredibly interesting statement. Think is #1380, dokeo, and means (Thayer's Lexicon)
1) to be of opinion, think, suppose
2) to seem, to be accounted, reputed
3) it seems to me
a) I think, judge: thus in question
b) it seems good to, pleased me, I determined
So, according to Jesus Christ, he will come in an hour when we do not think he will come. Most interesting.
There's also another statement made by Christ that I think has some bearing on his return:
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22And he said unto the disciples, The days will come,
when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.
23And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them.
24For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day." Lu. 17:22-24
This verse is very interesting as well, because Christ seems to be telling his disciples (real Christians) that they will desire his coming but they will not see it. See:
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26And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also
in the days of the Son of man." Lu. 17:26
Therefore, the term "days" of the Son of Man used in Luke 17:22-24 means the return of Jesus Christ. I think that Christ was referring to the events of 2 Tim. 3, and that we would desire his return but it would not happen (because he tarries/delays due to waiting for that last soul to be saved).
Anyways, those are just some thoughts that really sum up my reasons for believing that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ happens in the 2030s. I truly wish that it would happen earlier, but I just cannot see it happening without the world government forming (see Rev. 13).
Anyways, I think we should keep this thread going until Christ really does return