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 32)
Part Two – The Timing of the Second Coming
Chapter 5 – What Revelation Says (continued)
Speaking on behalf of Jesus Himself, the apostle John addresses the timing of the Second Coming in the very first sentence, saying that the letter is about…
…the things which must soon take place… Revelation 1:1
John also says also that the recipients of this letter should heed the things written in it…
…for the time is near. Revelation 1:3
At the close of the letter, after the full parade of awesome, shocking, and glorious images has passed, John writes again that they refer to…
…things which must soon take place. Revelation 22:6
Then he quotes Jesus Himself as saying,
And behold, I am coming quickly. Revelation 22:7
John goes on to write,
Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.
Revelation 22:10
Then he quotes Jesus again as saying,
Behold, I am coming quickly… Revelation 22:12
The letter then closes with Jesus saying yet again,
Yes, I am coming quickly. Revelation 22:20
How can we ignore all this emphasis on the imminence of the timing? Especially after it is so consistent with all that has come before it in the New Testament? It is not only obvious that the time of the Lord’s coming was now very near, but equally obvious that Jesus expected to be doubted on precisely that matter. And so the point is hammered home – incessantly – until the
alert-but-now-weary reader of Revelation begs for relief, “Okay, okay – I get it!”
The passing of centuries, however, and our refusal to believe what Jesus and His apostles were so utterly clear about, has proven that there was not a single repetition of the idea that was not necessary. We can thus now appreciate the repeated confirmations. Like a loving parent, God is willing to repeat Himself for the umpteenth time because sometimes it’s only then that a child really begins to listen.
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