The Second Coming of Christ

Introduction

There are three Greek words used to reveal this fact: 1.) Parousia- Personal presence 2.) Apokalupsis- Revelation and 3.) Epiphaneia- appearing. These three words signify that there will come a time when Christ will return in public, personal revelation of Himself to the world.
Some teach that the Second Coming of Christ is when death "Jesus comes to receive the soul," but that would not be a public revelation but visible to all the world.
Acts 1:10, 11 describes the ascension which we studied in a previous lesson and described as being 1.) personal 2.) bodily 3.) visible and 4.) with power.
The Savior first coming was in humiliation but the Second Advent will be glorious.
Actually there are three major viewpoints respecting His Second Coming:
1. Post millennial view: It teaches that the Second Coming will follow rather than precede the millennial age.
2. The A- millennial view: Supporters do not believe in a literal period of a thousand years but believe that when Christ comes everything ends quickly.
3. The pre- millennial view: The Lord comes and then the Millennium follows.

Another complication is that the Second Coming is in two stages:
1. The rapture which is secret (1 Thessalonians 4:15- 7) when the Lord comes for His saints and we meet Him in th air.
2. The revelation which is public (Revelation 1:7), when the Lord comes with His saints to set up the Millennium, 1 Thessalonians 3:13.

An unsolved problems of pre- millennialists is whether the Church will go through the tribulation so there are the "pre- tribulation and mid- tribulation" debates.

Time of Christ Second Coming

This is a secret that only the Lord knows. Matthew 24: 36 "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no not the angels of heaven, but My Father only."

Jesus Christ as man did not know that date but Jesus Christ as God is omniscient and certainly knows the exact moment when it will occur.
I believe it is a movable date (2 Peter 3:12, R.V.) that can be advanced or retarded depending on the speed or slowness of taking the Gospel to every tribe, Matthew 24:14.

Where is Christ Coming to?
A. At the Rapture we will meet Him in the air, 1 Thessalonians 4:17
B. At the Revelation we will descend with Him to the earth. Probably He will land on the Mount of Olives, Zechariah 14:4.

Sign of Christ Second Coming

2 Timothy 3:1- 7 list 23 signs of His coming, most of which are very evident today.

1. Perilous times
2. Men loving themselves
3. Covetousness
4. Boasting
5. Proud
6. Blasphemy
7. Disobedient to parents
8. Unthankful
9. Unholy
10. Without natural affection
11. Trucebreakers (unforgiving)
12. False accusers
13. Incontinent (without self- control)
14. Fierce (brutal)
15. Despising good
16. Traitors
17. heady (harsh)
18. Highminded (conceited)
19. Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God
20. Having a form of ungodliness
21. Silly women laden with sins
22. Divers lusts (all kinds of evil desires)
23. Ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth

Matthew 24:5- 7, 12-38 list ten signs:

1. False Christs
2. Wars and war rumors
3. Famines
4. Pestilences
5. Earthquakes
6. Iniquity to abound
7. Love of many waxes cold
8. eating
9. Drinking
10. Marrying

Other signs include:

1. The destruction of Jerusalem, Luke 21:20, 24
2. The completion of the Church, Romans 11:25
3. Gospel preached everywhere, Matthew 24:14
4. the coming of the antichrist, 2 Thessalonians 2:3- 8.

Conclusion

Be not scoffer like those in 2 Peter 3:3, for His coming is sure and certain.
Is it right to sell everything and sit on a hilltop waiting for Him? Definitely not.
We ought to plan and work as if He were to return today. 1 3:12, 13.
This doctrine must affect our lives. It ought to keep us busy and watching.


Source: One hundred Bible Lessons
By: Alban Douglas