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 51)
The Scope of the Second Coming
Chapter 3 – Themes of the Second Coming
The End
We’ve come to the end of my list of Second Coming themes. I call it “my” list purposely because I make no claim that it is definitive. Others may have longer or shorter lists, but I think you will find that most lists – mine included – resemble each other. The point here is that most people agree on most of the themes of the Second Coming even though there is, of course, a great discrepancy in views about when, how, and even whether it has occurred.
Right now, I am in the minority of people who believe that the Second Coming occurred in the 1st century – but one day this will be the majority view. I can’t tell you when, but I know that a lie cannot stand forever. Sooner or later, a majority of people will come to realize that Jesus was crystal clear about how soon His Second Coming would occur…and He cannot lie. In the meantime, rest assured that this list of Second Coming themes I have given you is widely recognized even by the majority of folks who see it as still future.
Here is that list summarized:
- The Last Days
- Fulfillment of All Biblical Prophecy
- Coming (Presence or Parousia)
- Revelation
- Glory, Exaltation, and Enthronement
- Inheritance
- The Kingdom of God
- The New Creation
- The Resurrection
- Adoption
- Judgment
- Eternal Life
- Victory over Evil
- The End
Remember: that last theme on the list is not like what we see at the end of a movie…because the kingdom of God goes on forever! So, it’s a theme, too. And I consider it fitting to put it at…the end. I was actually beginning to touch on it when I covered “Fulfillment of All Biblical Prophecy.” But the end of the Second Coming was the end of a lot more than just biblical prophecy. It was the end of the beginning of eternity.
Here’s the closing line to Matthew’s Gospel.
Matthew 28:20 “…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Jesus uses phrasing like this throughout Matthew’s Gospel, and Daniel is its most obvious source. Here’s the closing line to Daniel’s book.
Daniel 12:13 “But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”
Paul uses this language, too.
1 Corinthians 10:11 Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
In his letter to the Hebrews, Paul substitutes “consummation” for “end.”
Hebrews 9:26 …now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
And Peter is even more emphatic with his wording.
1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.
The main point of showing you these passages is to emphasize the point that the Second Coming was about way more than Jesus coming a second time. And, further to that point, “the end” was about ending way more than what Jesus started in His earthly life. There was a much bigger plan in play. And it’s to that plan we are turning next.
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