Monday: The Purpose of Jesus’ Second Coming
The great plan of Redemption will find its culmination in the Second Coming. Without Christ’s return to this earth, His incarnation, death, and resurrection would have no effect for our Salvation.
Image © Consuelo Udave from GoodSalt.com
What is one of the basic reasons for the second coming of Jesus? See Matt. 16:27.
Life is not always fair; in fact, often it is not fair. We do not always see justice in our society. Innocent people suffer while evil ones seem to prosper. Many people do not receive what they deserve. But evil and sin will not reign forever. Jesus will come to give to every one according to his work
(Rev. 22:12, NKJV).
This assertion implies that a judgment must take place prior to Christ’s return. When Jesus comes, the destiny of each human being will already have been decided. Jesus clearly hinted at this investigative judgment in the parable of the wedding feast (Matt. 22:11-13). The fact that we are judged by works does not mean that we are saved by our works or by our own merits. Salvation is by God’s grace and received by faith in Jesus (Mark 16:16, John 1:12), which we demonstrate by our actions.
What’s important about the promise in Matthew 16:27 is that justice will be done. We just have to wait for it.
Also, at the Second Coming, those who sleep in Christ will be raised to eternal life. As we saw earlier-because we know that the dead are asleep in the grave-the promise of the Second Coming and the resurrection to eternal life that follows is especially important to us.
Amid the reeling of the earth, the flash of lightning, and the roar of thunder, the voice of the Son of God calls forth the sleeping saints. He looks upon the graves of the righteous, then, raising His hands to heaven, He cries:
1 Corinthians 15:55Awake, awake, awake, ye that sleep in the dust, and arise!
Throughout the length and breadth of the earth, the dead shall hear that voice, and they that hear shall live. And the whole earth shall ring with the tread of the exceeding great army of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. From the prison house of death they come, clothed with immortal glory, crying: O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
. And the living righteous and the risen saints unite their voices in a long, glad shout of victory.
— Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 644.
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What really is the purpose of Christ’s return? Does the Second Advent mean anything apart from the question; is it well with my soul? Do we understand Christ’s return is always soon for us, if only by way of death?
After deliberately alluding to the Flood Peter gave counsel to those who are looking for the Appearing of our Lord (2 Peter 3:8-15). The patient God wants His people to put off that which tend to corrupt the soul and instead develop a perfect attitude of submission to Him; although we may occasionally slip in execution of works.
There is a necessary preparation for the very last events, which is needful now. It means among other things, not just requesting protection as we indulge, but consulting with the Lord before spending His money (the nine-tenths which remain in our control) to gratify ourselves at amusement parks and sports centers. As well we get the Spirit’s input about the purchase of toys (sporty vehicles, unnecessary fancy gadgets, etc.). The practice of self-abnegation is required ahead of the time when the faithful are forced to live with less. Sadly those who cannot do without will not endure.
If we do anything in which God cannot be very involved it becomes us to ask, why do we do it? What kind of activities might we expect in Heaven? As we cultivate the habit of doing our Father’s business (Luke 2:49) Jesus' Second Coming takes on greater purpose. Then we may eagerly say, “It won’t be long. Soon we’ll be leaving here.” “In a little while we are going home.”
It seems a bit self-centered to think of Christ's coming only in terms of reward.
The whole universe has been affected by the rebellion against God's government on this planet. As sinless beings see how children, women and the poor are being routinely abused by those more powerful than they, how their hearts must ache in sympathy. How the heart of Jesus must suffer continually as His precious children are being abused. And not only that - the suffering that results from malnutrition and disease in this world is must surely hurt the heart of the great Healer. The slavery of human beings - whether open or disguised - is an insult to the great Creator who created human beings to be free, in control of their own destinies through their own choices.
This planet of sin is like a cancer in God's creation. It is the discordant note in the orchestra of the universe.
Jesus longs to set all things right. That's what the Hebrews were looking forward to when they looked forward to "judgment" - the setting of things right. The freeing of slaves, the restoration of material equity. And Jesus is coming to to just that. He is coming to put an end to suffering. He is coming to put an end to sin that causes so much suffering. He is coming to restore harmony to God's universe.
When the judgment is finished, no one will question the wisdom, love or justice of God.
We have the supreme privilege of sharing the truth about God in this world that has been infected with Satan's lies about the character of God. We have the privilege of telling the truth about our wonderful God of Love. We have the privilege of brining healing to those in our circle of influence. And we have the privilege of being the agents through whom the captives of sin are set free. If we keep busy with His work here and now, then we will look up to see Him coming to exclaim, "This is our God! We have waited for Him and He will save us!"
Let us pray that we will not look up alone, but that we can bring with us those we have brought into His KIngdom!
Inge, I think you are right on especially in the second half of your comment. I am inclined to think that Christ’s second coming is to get His people out of unnecessary danger because all the questions that can be answered on earth concerning the controversy will have been answered so I don’t think of it in terms of reward but rather of necessity. To me it wouldn’t be to anyone’s benefit to have humans alive on earth after the last plague. Therefore, I think it is significant that at the second coming Jesus doesn’t even touch the earth but rather draws His people up to Heaven ending their involvement in the controversy and essentially abandons the destroyed earth along with Satan and his angels. For a thousand years they will have time to consider what their rebellion against God’s government ended up producing.
Because of our situation we tend to look at this whole thing from a very narrow perspective that usually ends up in consideration of what it has to do with me instead of viewing it from the larger view of the great controversy. What has been happening on earth was actually necessary for without the events on earth the entire universe would not have known where Satan’s proposal to set aside the requirements of God’s government would lead. God knew before He created anything that the issue of why God’s authority and His government is important would have to be resolved for a stable universe to exist. The entire universe had to learn what happens when the principles of His government are replaced with something else. We have therefore truly become “the theater of the universe” and after it is finally over there will be no question why God requires what He does. Furthermore, everyone will have a much greater appreciation for what God is and what He has done for the benefit of His creation and because of it love for Him will grow throughout eternity.
I must take issue with the first statement in this lesson. Adam and Eve looked forward to the first coming of Christ. This was their only hope of salvation and it is our only hope of salvation. Without the first coming the second and third comings are of no avail. The second and third comings are only the completion of the great controversy. These comings do nothing to effect our salvation from our own sin.
I would hate to think of having to live in selfishness because I couldn't take advantage of salvation now. This is a great reward to me and to many others before Jesus even comes back.
If there were no such thing as Heaven and the New Earth and immortal bodies for us would it be worth it to us to live with Love as our motivation rather than selfishness? Of course it is better to live without sin now than not to have that option! Eternal life begins now. We have a great effect of salvation because of the first coming now.
I fear that I want the wicked in this world to receive their just reward, but please don't give me what I deserve. I don't see myself as living outside the life of selfishness as I should, but I have a Savior who has given me the desire to do right and a repentant heart when I fail.
It is painful to see the suffering in this world that is caused by Satanic agencies; the starvation and killing of the innocent, and it is also painful to see Christian families destroyed by selfishness and pride.
Please come soon Lord Jesus.
Christ says, "It is finished," takes off his priestly robe, puts on His Kingly crown. With sickle in hand He comes to reap His harvest. "I am coming that they may have life." John 10:10. You bet ya, Christ is coming the second time to give us eternal life. "And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life." 1John 2:25. The purpose of His second coming is simple, He comes to fulfill His promise.
John,
You are definitely on point, so here is a little support.
Jesus does not need to return if there is no one to pick up, alive or from the grave. Yet for those who are not ready this is bad news, a terror even (2 Thessalonians 2:8). The point of salvation is the restoration of God's image in mankind, for us to be one with the Father, Son and Holy Ghost again. In the absence of this little else matters. It required a first Advent and it requires a second. Jesus comes to put a celebratory cap on His work for us, and in us, and through us.
This is why many of His parables directly deals with preparedness for the end. And most of the parables have something to do with readiness for the kingdom of Heaven. We do well not to make light of this (Matthew 24:44-51). For what would it profit if we accomplish much in God's name, but Jesus cannot reunite with us (Matthew 7:21-23)? Would that be consolation enough for the Redeemer? Live for Jesus - thats what matters!
Jesus, please stop coming and come!
He's waiting for us to do our part:)
There are two observations I've made in my personal study of the Scriptures:
(1) God only makes a promise when, from a human perspective, it appears that the promise would never be fulfilled.
(2) God sends a prophetic message during times when, from a human perspective, it appears that His promises would fail.
So God promised Abraham that he will be a father of many nations because He knew that he will have a baby at an impossible age.
God sent His prophets to Israel at times of national disaster when it appeared that the nation would not last.
There are so many promises of Christ's Second Coming because He knows that from all human perspective it would appear that He would never return.
Has God promised you something? Be prepared to go through periods of doubt that His promise would be fulfilled to you. He only seems to make a promise because He knows you WILL NEED that promise to sustain your faith.
I am heartened by that fact that when Jesus comes the second time, justice will be served. So help us top Lord to live and embrace these precious promises.
its like a runner who's running 100m and he is remaining with only 10m to finish the race and take away ahold. Jesus' is remaining with 5m to see Him with our eyes.
The question is my brother do you see it? how prepared are you? The fact is, not that He is coming soon. No, He is coming.
I am tired of this world. Am waiting for Christ to set things straight. May I be found written in His book of life.
for the past 8 years l have lived a painful life, prayed all the time for the one person whom l thought was causing my pain, but nothing seemed to change. it got worse. but one day l prayed that God open my eyes and see a better me in you. from that moment upto today l dont blame people for my pain , l blame sin and my choices. i want to take this opportunity to urge everybody to stop trying to impress people or to live for people. LIVE for Jesus my dear friends. God has been with me since l was little. we went through the burning furnaces together to an extend of being forced to leave the adventist church but we He stood still with me. some of my familly hate the idea of me being an adventist but l wil never stop praying for them. please stop blamming people for what yu are going through jast take it to the Lord in prayer. i am who and where l am today because of Jesus . otherwise l could have been dead. please pray also for me that l may stand still with God. and that my familly to repend and see the goodness in Jesus. this week's lessons are great. jesus has got to come to give his people a rest. we are tired . thank you God for your truest LOVE
Im praying with you Linda!
Thank you so much for praying for and with me. I really do appreciate.
While we are waiting, we live and daily we have trials.
James 1:2-3
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
This tells me to count it all joy while I wait for Jesus. I am always squirming under trials trying to get out from under them. James teaches me that I need to exercise my faith muscles. It is important to practice on these little problems so that during end times we continue to choose Jesus. Jesus promises to be with me.
Joshua 1:9
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Roma Kurtz, you are right, ok. Going into trials is not a punishment or curse but truly, it is a trial of our faith. So that when we go through trials - never give up but be sure that our Lord is very near to us.
We can hasten Christ coming. In Matt 24:14 He promised that until every human has heard about Him only then will He return. His return is to restore Eden to us, the serenity, love, peace, and humility which this world lacks(Oh what a day that will be). His promise is true and sure, He loves us and He wants us to have the pleasure of life without the confrontation and temptation of satan.
All we have to do is, let everyone we meet hear of the love and mercies we have personally experienced from knowing Jesus. Our job is not to convince others about Jesus but to TELL or INTRODUCE Him to them, it's the job of the Holy Spirit to convert not ours. Therefore, tell others about Jesus and move on to the next. This will hasten His coming and shorten the torment of this wicked world that now exists.
Lord, help us to impart your words unconditionally to everyone we meet, remembering that you love everyone as much as you love us.
My heart goes out to those who believe that God is Love. There are writings that would indicate that a soft picture of the Lord is not a true one. I believe a little prudence would have us all take another look at our theology and consider well if maybe, just possibly we have misinterpreted some of our claims. For instance, my God does not force, anything. If He wanted to He could simply think everything into or out of existence but He doesn't do that. Instead He continues to let us live until such a time that either we or others will turn to Him wholeheartedly and want His fellowship. Moses would rather have been cut off himself than to lose His people, how many of us know that kind of motivation?