Reasons for the 2nd Coming of Christ

[John of Japan]

There have been more threads on preterism than ever before on the BB. Unfortunately for full preterists, they won't be able to cogently post on this thread, since they believe the 2nd Coming happened spiritually in AD 70. So to them it's over and done with, nothing left (a very bleak position).

On the other hand, to us premillennialists as well as those with an amil or post mil position, the Coming of Christ is still future, the "future hope" of the church of Jesus Christ.

In a recent Bible study (just for myself originally), I started listing the reasons and blessings of the 2nd coming of Christ. Please contribute. (1) For convenience and agreement we will include both the Rapture and 2nd coming in glory in this study. (2) Please give Scripture for your statement. (3) Please note the limited focus of this thread: reasons and blessings of the 2nd coming, not whether or not it will occur.

 

[John of Japan]

For the first two reasons, note that according to 1 John 3:2-3, the 2nd coming will ensure that we are like Jesus, and provides encouragement to live a pure life. Note my translation of these two verses:

"2 Loved ones, now we are children of God, and it is not yet clear what we will be. However, we know that when He appears we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And every person who has this hope within, purifies himself, just as He is pure."

 

[agedman]

Just as His promise was to send another comforter, so too is the promise of the future millennial reign.

Personally, the greatest fulfillment is the promise of being like Him.

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. (1 John)
​

(Personal note: John my wife and I have been singing “Let the Sun Shine Again,” for the last week. Just can’t get it out of our heads!).

For those who don’t know this little song of a repentant believer by John’s grandad, here is a version.

 

[John of Japan]

Just as His promise was to send another comforter, so too is the promise of the future millennial reign.

Personally, the greatest fulfillment is the promise of being like Him.

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. (1 John)
​

(Personal note: John my wife and I have been singing “Let the Sun Shine Again,” for the last week. Just can’t get it out of our heads!).

For those who don’t know this little song of a repentant believer by John’s grandad, here is a version.

I love that little song! Thanks for sharing it. I am so glad of the 2nd Coming and the future of the believe to be like Jesus: without a sin nature and with a resurrection body! How sad it would be not to believe that result of the blessed 2nd Coming.

This point reminds me of another one: "Oh to Be Like Thee":

It even has our verse at the end of it!

 

[agedman]

Colossians 3 was at the end also.

1Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.​

 

[Iconoclast]

I believe in a literal second coming of Jesus in order to complete what he began at His first coming when He began His Kingdom reign.
He left the church with the honor and responsibility to serve in the spreading of the Kingdom worldwide. We see this in part of the words of Hebrews 2;
5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.

6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him?

7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

This great commission task is given to redeemed man as the Kingdom goes worldwide.

The gospel goes from sea to sea....
psalm72;
72 Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.

2 He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.

3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.

4 He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.

5 They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.

6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.

7 In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.

8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.

10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.

Then comes the end;
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Here is a blog that this believer offered online...it speaks to the mission of the church leading to the second coming.
Tarheel Covenant Blog: The Mission of the Church: Our Marching Orders

 

[John of Japan]

Good post from Iconoclast, and I agree. There are many more reasons.

One is that the Rapture/2nd Coming provides comfort to sorrowing believers that they will see their saved loved ones again. The Scripture is 1 Thess. 4:14-18:

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

[HankD]

John 14
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

This is a wonderful promise even during my times of physical suffering (age related) I am uplifted and joyful.

HankD

 

[John of Japan]

John 14
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

This is a wonderful promise even during my times of physical suffering (age related) I am uplifted and joyful.

HankD

Amen! I love that passage.

 

[percho]

(1) Romans 8:19 NKJV For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. (Which I believe to be at the coming of the Lord) “nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. Luke 20:36 NKJV For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 1 Thes 4:14 Even so, at the resurrection at the coming of the Lord

Who/what will benefit? Romans 8:21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

(2) Acts 15:16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: --- I will return. The second coming.

Benefit.

V 17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

The creation itself shall benefit in the new heavens and new earth.

 

[John of Japan]

The chapel speaker at our college mentioned Phi. 2 this morning, and how every knee will someday bow to Christ, and every tongue confess Him as Lord (vv. 9-11). That this refers to the 2nd Coming is evident from the context, since in v. 16, where Paul mentions "the day of Christ." It therefore is contrasting the first coming, the incarnation (vv. 5-8), with the 2nd Coming.

So then, what is the purpose of the 2nd Coming according to this passage? It is "to the glory of God the Father" in v. 11. I'm sure there are other passages where the glory of God is given as a reason for the 2nd Coming. Absolutely everything must be for the glory of God in prophecy as well as in our lives.

I do not see God glorified in a "spiritual" coming in AD 70. I see Titus, the Roman general, being glorified.

 

[John of Japan]

Excellent post from Percho. Thank you.

 

[John of Japan]

When I put this subject to my Greek students, one of them said that Jesus will come back to receive His bride, and I like that one. It is connected with HankD's Scripture in his above post, but also, considering that the church is the metaphorical bride of Christ, I think my student was being theologically accurate (c.f. Rev. 19:7-9).

 

[John of Japan]

Another purpose of Christ's 2nd Coming is to give crowns and other rewards. 2 Tim. 4:8 says, "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

So, one event that results from and is inextricably connected with the 2nd Coming/Rapture is the Judgment Seat of Christ, described in 2 Cor. 5 and elsewhere. My father's "sugar stick" message was, "It Pays to Serve Jesus." It certainly does! He rewards his faithful servants.

 

[Iconoclast]

John of Japan,

I do not see God glorified in a "spiritual" coming in AD 70. I see Titus, the Roman general, being glorified.

A full preterist would need to answer that.

Partial preterists see it as similar to this coming described in Isaiah 19;
Isaiah 19King James Version (KJV)
19 The burden of Egypt.
Behold, the Lord rideth upon a swift cloud,
and shall come into Egypt:

John does this need to be a pre -incarnate appearance? Or does this "coming" manifest in the form of judgments upon the land and the people.

and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence,

again....how would you explain His presence here??? literal, metaphorical, and yet having literal judgments in view?
and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.

2 And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.

3 And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.

I do not see God glorified in a "spiritual" coming in AD 70. I see Titus, the Roman general, being glorified.

If these judgments were the Curses of Deut28-33 being brought upon national Israel God would be glorified in keeping the promises of the Covenant....both blessing,[to the covenant keepers]
and cursing[to the Covenant breakers]
Deut29:
19 And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:

20 The Lord will not spare him, but then the anger of the Lord and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the Lord shall blot out his name from under heaven.

21 And the Lord shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law:
24 Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the Lord done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger?

25 Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt:

26 For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them:

27 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book:

28 And the Lord rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day.

29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

 

[John of Japan]

John of Japan,


A full preterist would need to answer that.

Partial preterists see it as similar to this coming described in Isaiah 19;
Isaiah 19King James Version (KJV)
19 The burden of Egypt.
Behold, the Lord rideth upon a swift cloud,
and shall come into Egypt:

John does this need to be a pre -incarnate appearance? Or does this "coming" manifest in the form of judgments upon the land and the people.

and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence,

again....how would you explain His presence here??? literal, metaphorical, and yet having literal judgments in view?
and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.

2 And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.

3 And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.



If these judgments were the Curses of Deut28-33 being brought upon national Israel God would be glorified in keeping the promises of the Covenant....both blessing,[to the covenant keepers]
and cursing[to the Covenant breakers]
Deut29:
19 And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:

20 The Lord will not spare him, but then the anger of the Lord and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the Lord shall blot out his name from under heaven.

21 And the Lord shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law:
24 Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the Lord done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger?

25 Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt:

26 For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them:

27 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book:

28 And the Lord rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day.

29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Iconoclast, it looks like you are trying to derail the thread. (I hope I'm not right.) What do these points have to do with the purpose of the 2nd Coming of Christ? I assume you believe in the 2nd Coming, since as far as I know you are not a full preterist.

Along the lines of your input here, you could argue that one reason for the 2nd Coming is judgment. Would you like to do that?

 

[David Kent]

When I put this subject to my Greek students, one of them said that Jesus will come back to receive His bride, and I like that one. It is connected with HankD's Scripture in his above post, but also, considering that the church is the metaphorical bride of Christ, I think my student was being theologically accurate (c.f. Rev. 19:7-9).

He will also come in Judgement on unbelievers.

 

[John of Japan]

He will also come in Judgement on unbelievers.

I agree. Do you have Scripture for this?

 

[David Kent]

I agree. Do you have Scripture for this?

• John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

 

[agedman]

• John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

Do you view this as only the words spoken during His earthly ministry, or do you have all the Scripture given from "In the beginning" to last word, "Amen"?