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 Implications of the Second Coming as Accomplished Fact
(Book Installment 6)
The Scope of the Second Coming
Chapter 1 – References to the Second Coming
Old Testament References to the Second Coming
Having given you a taste of how the Bible speaks of the coming of the Lord, I’m now going to take you on a chronological survey of many such references. The purpose will be to show how varied they are – which will help us measure the scope of the Second Coming, as well as some of its specific elements.
We’ll begin with the Old Testament and then spend most of our time in the New Testament. This is because the New Testament prophecies of the Second Coming – though they may be fewer in quantity – give more specific details than what’s in the Old Testament. This is to be expected since the New Testament was written in the very generation that the Second Coming would occur.
As for the Old Testament, we’re going to take a look at references made by the prophets, beginning with Isaiah. Then we’ll cover Daniel. These men give some of the most important references – ones that the New Testament authors lean on. Then we’ll finish out the Old Testament with a sampling from a half-dozen of the other prophets. We’ll only be dealing with a fraction of the references, though it will be a representative sample.
References to the Second Coming in Isaiah
Isaiah lived 700 years before Christ was born. Here’s an example of his alluding to the Second Coming by mentioning “the last days.” This term is used about a dozen times altogether by the prophets (who authored the Old Testament) and the apostles (who authored the New Testament). Of course, this phrase does not speak explicitly about the Second Coming. Rather, it implies the Second Coming by referring to “the last days” which led up to it. Those were days for repentance, so that one could be properly prepared for the day of the Lord.
Isaiah 2:1 The word which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
Isaiah 2:2 Now it will come about that
In the last days
The mountain of the house of the LORD
Will be established as the chief of the mountains,
And will be raised above the hills;
And all the nations will stream to it.
“The last days” are followed by “the day” – the day of the Lord’s coming. To say “that day” is to cryptically speak of the Second Coming. As you can see, it’s a day of reckoning. This, of course, implies punishments and rewards.
Isaiah 2:11 The proud look of man will be abased
And the loftiness of man will be humbled,
And the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.
Isaiah 2:12 For the LORD of hosts will have a day of reckoning
Against everyone who is proud and lofty
And against everyone who is lifted up,
That he may be abased.
Isaiah 2:17 The pride of man will be humbled
And the loftiness of men will be abased;
And the LORD alone will be exalted in that day,
Isaiah 2:18 But the idols will completely vanish.
The coming of the Lord is about exalting Him!
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