THE
SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
In all our study of God’s Word we shall find no subject
which can be of greater interest to the Church, nor one
of which it is more important that our understanding be
correct, than the subject of Our Lord’s Return, the
“Second Coming,” of which He assured His disciples
in 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. (John 14:3)
Which promise was repeated by the Angels.
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing
up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from
you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have
seen him go into heaven. (Acts 1:11)
Three Greek words are used in reference to our Lord’s
return:
1. Parousia, which signifies presence.
2. Epiphania, which signifies bright shining or manifestation.
3. Apokalupsis, which signifies revealment, uncovering,
unveiling (as of a thing previously present, but hidden).
If we keep in mind the different shades of meaning these
words express, and give to each its proper significance
in the texts where it is used, we shall get a much clearer
view of the entire subject.
With this thought we give the following groups of texts.
In each of the following texts, the word “coming”
is translated from the Greek “Parousia.”
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came
unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things
be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the
end of the world? (Matt. 24:3)
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth
even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son
of man be. (Matt. 24:27)
But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of
the Son of man be. (Matt. 24:37)
And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away;
so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Matt. 24:39)
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits;
afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. (1
Cor. 15:23)
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are
not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at
his coming? (1 Thess. 2:19)
To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness
before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ with all his saints. (1 Thess. 3:13)
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray
God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless
unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thess. 5:23)
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, (2
Thess. 2:1)
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.
… Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the
coming of the
Lord draweth nigh. (James 5:7,8)
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. (1 Thess. 4:15)
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days
scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 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. 3:3,4)
In the two following texts the word “Parousia”
is translated “presence,” which is its correct
rendering, and should have been used in all the preceding
texts.
For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but
his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
(2 Cor. 10:10)
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as
in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work
out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Phil. 2:12)
The following texts have the word “appearing”
used in reference to our Lord’s return, and translated
from the Greek “Epiphania.”
That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable,
until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: (1 Tim. 6:14)
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ,
who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing
and his kingdom; (2 Tim. 4:1)
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. (2 Tim. 4:8)
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing
of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (Titus 2:13)
In this text we have both words, “Parousia,”
translated “coming,” and “Epiphania,”
translated “brightness.”
And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall
consume with the spirit
of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his
coming: (2 Thess. 2:8)
If “Parousia” were given its correct rendering
(presence) the text would read, “shall destroy by
the brightness of his presence.”
Apokalupsis is rendered revealed, revelation, appearing,
coming and manifestation, in the following texts which relate
to the Lord’s second presence and power and glory,
as these shall be made known, — uncovered or revealed
to the world. Many of these texts also show that when he
shall thus be revealed, his Church will be with the Lord
and be revealed or manifested at the same time and in the
same manner.
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are
not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be
revealed in us. (Rom. 8:18)
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s
sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may
be glad also with exceeding joy. (1 Pet. 4:13)
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation
ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Pet. 1:5)
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an
elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also
a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: (1 Pet.
5:1)
Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day
shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire;
… (1 Cor. 3:13)
Here the reference evidently is to the testings of the Lord’s
people during the period of his presence in the end of the
age. The Apostle’s words thus agree with our Lord’s
prophecy of the same testings, saying that “…there
is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed” —
uncovered. (Matt. 10:26)
For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed;
neither hid, that shall not be known. (Luke 12:2)
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and
hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto
you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (1 Pet. 1:13)
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord
Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
(2 Thess. 1:7)
So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ: (1 Cor. 1:7)
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than
of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might
be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing
of Jesus Christ: (1 Pet. 1:7)
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for
the manifestation of the sons of God. (Rom. 8:19)
But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire
and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even
thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
(Luke 17:29,30)
Our Lord’s words in Matt. 24:36-39, But of that day
and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but
my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also
the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that
were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying
and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into
the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them
all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
And Paul’s words in 1 Thess. 5:1-3, But of the times
and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write
unto you.
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so
cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say,
Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them,
as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
show that the world will not be expecting His coming, and
that when it has already taken place they will not know
of it. While 1 Thess. 5:4,5
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should
overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light,
and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor
of darkness.
declares that it shall not overtake the Church as a thief,
and Dan. 12:8-10
And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord,
what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy
way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till
the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white,
and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of
the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
promises that when the time of the end comes the wise shall
understand.
In Matt. 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the
disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when
shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy
coming, and of the end of the world? the disciples ask,
“What shall be the sign of thy ‘Parousia’?”
(presence) And in Matt. 24:4-14 And Jesus answered and said
unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and
shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours
of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things
must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall
rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there
shall be famines, and pestilences, and earth- quakes, in
divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then
shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill
you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s
sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray
one another, and shall hate one another. And many false
prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because
iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be
saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached
in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then
shall the end come.
and Luke 21:25,26,29-32
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and
in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with
perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts
failing them for fear, and for looking after those things
which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven
shall be shaken. …
And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and
all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know
of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise
ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that
the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away,
till all be fulfilled.
Jesus answers the question, telling by what signs the Church
may know that the day and hour have come and He is present.
In 2 Pet. 3:3,4, Knowing this first, that there shall come
in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
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 Tim. 3:1-5 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, highminded, lovers of pleasures
more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but
denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
and Mark 13:19,20 For in those days shall be affliction,
such as was not from the beginning of the creation which
God created unto this time, neither shall be. And except
that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should
be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen,
he hath shortened the days. we have a description of the
condition in which the World and the Nominal Church will
be at the time of his presence (parousia).
Our Lord, in Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always,
that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things
that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of
man.
and Matt. 24:42, Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour
your Lord doth come.
Paul, in 1 Thess. 5:6, Therefore let us not sleep, as do
others; but let us watch and be sober.
and Peter, in 1 Pet. 4:7, But the end of all things is at
hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
all tell us that the attitude of the Church should be always
an attitude of watching for his coming, and of prayer that
he find us watching.
While
in Rev. 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that
watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked,
and they see his shame. John declares that a blessing awaits
those who heed the injunction to “watch.”
And it is those who watch and who therefore see the signs
fulfilled and the conditions prevailing as foretold, and
by that know of his presence (parousia), of whom Daniel
spoke when he said, “The wise shall understand.”
(Dan. 12:10)
As we study this subject, or try to explain it to others,
we must not omit the texts upon which those who look for
the visible coming of our Lord chiefly rely, viz: Which
also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into
heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into
heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him
go into heaven. (Acts 1:11)
which they take to mean “Shall so come in like form
as ye have seen him go.” Whereas the manner of his
going was quietly, unnoticed and unknown, except by a few
of his disciples.
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: (1 Thess. 4:16)
Nearly all will admit that the “Trump of God”
here spoken of is the same as the seventh trumpet of And
the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in
heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the
kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign
for ever and ever. (Rev. 11:15)
It is said of all the angels to whom the seven trumpets
of Revelation were given, “The first, the second,
etc., angel sounded.” Now, since neither the first,
second, third, fourth, fifth nor sixth trumpets have been
a literal trumpet and heard by the natural ear, why do they
expect the seventh will be?
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. (1 Thess. 4:17)
This verse can be readily understood if compared with
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but
we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of
an eye, at the last trump: … (1 Cor. 15:51,52)
Which shows that after the Lord’s parousia (presence)
the saints shall no longer fall asleep as during the age,
but be instantly changed, at their death, to spirit beings
and caught up to meet the Lord.
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds
with great power and glory. (Mark 13:26)
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him,
and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the
earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Rev. 1:7)
Probably in our small space no further comment will be needed
on the two verses above, than to say that in both the word
see is used in the sense of perceive.
