Second Advent and Promises

“Behold, I come quickly; hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” Rev 3:11

Ready?

Do you believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ? “Act as though you really believe?” (5T266). If you do, how are you preparing for it? What preparations are you pursuing, in your mind and heart? Are you diligently watching for the subtle, hopeful signs? Do you believe, like so many believers today, that He is coming soon? In retrospect, if someone were to say 20, 10 or even 5 years ago, that Jesus was coming soon, what would have been your answer then?

For some, most probably the answer may have been, no, not yet! Today, however, many might say, “but, the signs are obviously there, symbolically fulfilling prophecy, and furthermore, the Scriptures verify this repeatedly, such as, Rev 22:12, “And behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Mat 4:17). Moreover, “people need to be warned and roused to prepare, and not make any presumptuous and careless delays.”(TM 238; Ev 217; GC 10).

DNA

Well, before proceeding further, this is not just another paper (or sermon), on the second coming of Jesus. You have heard many, and, rightly so, are still hearing them; “there’s a need for more discourses on the doctrine of the second advent of Jesus.” (Ev 22). But, I believe we can agree on what the Scriptures say of the last generations, that we are the last generation, and what a generation! Or, rather generations: “evil”(Deut. 1:35); “perverse and crooked” (Deut. 32:5, 20); “that curses” (Prov. 30:11); ÒvipersÓ (Luke 3:7); “rejecting Jesus” (Luke 17:25) (Jesus, here, was also foretelling His second coming)! Elsewhere it speaks of a “degenerative” generation, and so on.

Light Bearers

Yet, in spite of this, “the church has a special truth and work in every generation.” (COL 78); and, moreover, “the churches of this generation are exalted to the highest privileges.” (COL 317) Furthermore, the Scriptures add, “but you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light, who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” (2 Pet. 2:9)

Who’s Who?

The question arises; are we a part of those, as of the ancient Israelites that rejected Jesus in the Old Testament? Or, the Israelites of today that accept Jesus as their Saviour, and Master? Or, the Israelites of the New Testament that are “absorbed in ambitious strife for place and power among men?” (GC 313). Or, those “that are made depositaries of the sacred truth?” (DA 819) Or, of those striving for, “exclusiveness of the Christian toward Gentiles?” (SR 303-04) This requires some “heart-work” for the answers, “search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts.” (Ps. 139:23; Lam. 3:40; Rom. 8:27). Also, “examine yourself whether you are in the faith.” (2Cor. 13:5)

The Sealed

For we know also, that as we approach the end and before the second coming of Jesus, that “apostasy will increase.” (Ev 363), and “be surprised at nothing in line of apostasy.” (SM147). Apostasy, “falling away”, is the act of professed Christians who deliberately reject revealed truth. Apostasy differs from error concerning truth, which may be the result of ignorance (Acts 19:1-6), or heresy, which may be due to the snare of Satan (2 Tim. 2:25-26). Apostasy in the church, as in Israel (Isa. 1:5-6; 5:5-7) is irremediable and awaits judgment (2 Thess. 2:10-12; 2 Pet. 2:17, 21; Jude 11-15).

So, are we of the ancient Israelites or those of the 144,000? “Saying, hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the tree, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads, and I heard the number of them which were sealed; and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”(Rev. 7:3).

Signs

What is an explicitly clear sign that we are, in fact, living in the end times? We search the Scriptures for this and find the predicted apostasy, “This know, also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power of it; from such turn away.” (2 Tim. 3:1-5).

When?

The disciples believed that Jesus Christ was coming in their time. The apostle Paul believed the same. The martyrs in the Reform era, all who lifted up their voices for Jesus Christ, believed also Jesus was coming in their time. “Martin Luther expected the second advent of Jesus within 300 years.” (GC 303). The Adventist Millerites expected Jesus to return in 1843. We can clearly see He did not, however, come as expected. But we can now distinctly see that He is coming soon, however, it’s “apparently extended and delayed.” (4T306;DA 633-34) His “exact time of coming is a mystery.” (DA 633)

Stray Sheep

For many of the Millerite Adventists, and the nominal (not Sabbath keepers) group, confusion arose, disappointments came, error was introduced, the sanctuary truth was rejected, dissensions and divisions arose, fanaticism, and faith in the Advent movement was renounced. (EW 68-9;250; 256-57; GC 409, 456). They were sheep without the Shepherd. Yet, there were honest children of God, and precious jewels among them. (EW 69, 261)

New Hope

I can suggest why many lost hope then and are losing hope today. It’s due to the fact that the foundation of hope was on the “event” instead of on the person of Jesus Christ. If it is on the person of Jesus we need to know who He is first; where He is and what He is doing. It is all tied in with the sanctuary truth; a pillar of belief.

In whom and what event are they placing their faltering and lingering hope? Is the hope on Jesus Christ, the Saviour and King? If their feeble hope is the event – the second coming of Jesus Christ – and this is their foundation, then their hope is based also on the “signs” of His coming. In other words, their hope is based only on any one or more of the signs! What if the signs come and go? (and there are many) What happens then to our hope? Where is the promise of His coming?

Whispered Promises

“And saying, where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” (2 Pet. 3:4) I have heard of His coming for years, and continue to hear it even more fervently today. Jesus did not come as expected. I remember very distinctly two early pioneers in the truth; both devout, true believers brought up in Europe, by ardent, firm Adventist parents. As very small children they were taught that Jesus was soon coming and to discontinue their schooling. They both recently died well into their eighties, always maintaining that expectant hope of His coming.

Therefore, Focus on Jesus Christ! The attention is not on Jesus Christ. What else? Focus on the promises! Heartfelt, unbreakable promises, whispered to you by the Holy Spirit, and fulfilled daily in your life – no matter what the signs reveal. Receive the daily blessings; protection, confidence, peace, joy, we so often overlook. “For bodily exercise profiteth little, but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” (1 Tim 4:8) You see, godliness is a profitable investment!

Understand that it is He, Jesus Christ, who dwells in our foundation. Hope in Jesus Christ for His promises – and claim them! This is the hope of the faithful and God’s final triumph, saying, “The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God.” (Ps. 14:2).

Turning Point

So, what does it take to shift from the place, the event, to Jesus Christ? What does it take? Well, it takes the work of the Holy Spirit, saying, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and he will tell you things to come.” (John 16:13)

You see, the Holy Spirit guides and shifts the hope on Jesus Christ! But, for many the Holy Spirit is lacking.

A conversation took place between a man and Jesus Christ. It was with Nicodemus, the ruler of the Jews. “Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)

New Birth

Notice the marvelous shift here, reading into the heart of Nicodemus by Jesus Christ. The shift is now to the Son of God. “Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?” Furthermore, “Nicodemus said to Him, ÒHow can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” (John 3:4)

Notice here, again, not born of water, but by the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Baptism is often spoken of, experienced, and witnessed, but no mention of just a water baptism, as an embryo in a membranous sac. The emphasis is on a Spirit-filled life, not water only. This allows us to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. What is the Kingdom of God? “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy spirit.” (Rom. 14:17)

To be sure, focus not on the event of the second coming of Jesus Christ but on Jesus Christ!
AMEN.

John Theodorou, U.S.A.