Finding Jesus in the Bible…So We Can Follow Him in Life
Bible Reading Plans
- Plan One: New Testament Only
- Plan Two: New Testament + Psalms
- Plan Three: New Testament + History
- Plan Four: The Entire Bible – Year 1 of 3, Year 2 of 3, Year 3 of 3
Don’t know which plan? Go to A Christ-Centered Bible Reading Plan: Quick Start.
Extras
Verse of the Day, Audio Capsule, and Video Minute
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(Today’s Reading)
The Biblical Case for the Second Coming as Accomplished Fact
(Book Installment 27)
Part Two – The Timing of the Second Coming
Chapter 4 – What the Epistles Say
What Paul Says About Timing (continued)
Paul’s letter to the Hebrews begins, “God…in these last days has spoken to us in His Son.” In Hebrews 9:26, “these last days” are referred to as “the consummation of the ages.” Throughout the letter, reference is made to the approaching “end,” “the day” that is coming.
Consider this passage from chapter 10 which not only alludes the apostasy that was part of the Jesus-apostolic timetable, but also emphasizes that these very believers, if they don’t succumb to the apostasy, will experience that day personally.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25 [emphasis added]
The immediacy of the hope is spelled out further in chapter 10 where Habakkuk’s prophecy is invoked as being fulfilled:
For yet in a very little while,
He who is coming will come,
and will not delay. Hebrews 10:37 [emphasis added]
Whatever other impressions the original recipients of this letter may have received, they knew that Paul was persuaded that the Lord was on the verge of coming, and that this awareness intensified his sense of urgency.
How can we expect people to take seriously this letter’s claim of the superiority of Jesus if we do not take seriously its claim that it was written in the “last days” and that Jesus would come in “a very little while”?
What James Says About the Timing
Let’s just quote James directly as he closes his letter:
Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! James 5:3
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. James 5:7
You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. James 5:8
Just like Paul, James is committing himself unequivocally to the position that the Lord’s coming is soon – not centuries away. Today, most people who say the Lord is coming soon at least hedge their bets. They leave themselves an out in case, “the Lord chooses to tarry” as they say. But you are seeing that the apostles left themselves not one inch to maneuver. The coming of the Lord was at hand and that was that. Wouldn’t the apostles know more about the Lord’s coming than any of us?
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