THE DAY OF JESUS’ SECOND COMING – by Pastor Michael Schuelke
The popular view of eschatology—that is, “the study of last things”—envisions a literal Millennium, an actual thousand years, between this age and the age to come; it holds to a three-fold division. Proof for a Millennial Reign of Christ on the Earth is found in Rev. 20, a portion of Scripture that is highly figurative. However, the rest of the Scripture delineates the time of our existence in a two-fold manner: this age and the age to come, the former things and the New Heaven and Earth. Of great importance is the identification of the day of Jesus’ Second Advent. It is the “last day” when those given to Christ by the Father are raised. The day of Christ’s coming, the day which comes like a thief in the night, is the day when the heavens disappear, the elements are destroyed by fire, and the earth is laid bare. This last day is the finish of the former things, the end of this age and the beginning of the age to come, the New Heavens and Earth.
The chart below puts this into a visual form.
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. [3] Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:2-3
THE DAY OF CHRIST’S SECOND ADVENT
Promise of the New Heaven and Earth: Isaiah 65:17 – “Behold, I will create new heavens and a
new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.”
Rev. 21:1, 4 – Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had
passed away, and there was no longer any sea. . . He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will
be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Jesus’ delineation of time, “This Age” and “The Age to Come”: Luke 18:29-30 –”I tell you the
truth,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the
sake of the kingdom of God [30] will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to
come, eternal life.”
“This Age” Divided into “The Past” and “These Last Days”: Hebrews 1:1-2 – In the past God
spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, [2] but in these last
days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made
the universe.
The “Last Day” of the Last Days, when Christ raises believers from the dead: John 6:37-40 – All
that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. [38] For I
have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. [39] And this is
the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the
last day. [40] For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have
eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
The 2nd Coming of Christ, to raise believers—“The Last Day”: 1 Thes. 4:15-18 – According to the
Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will
certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. [16] For the Lord himself will come down from
heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and
the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up
together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
[18] Therefore encourage each other with these words.
The “Day of the Lord that Comes Like a Thief in the Night: 1 Thes. 5:1-5 – Now, brothers, about
times and dates we do not need to write to you, [2] for you know very well that the day of the Lord will
come like a thief in the night. [3] While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come
on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. [4] But you,
brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. [5] You are all sons of
the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. (This day is the same as
the day of the coming of the Lord, the last day of This Age)
The Day of the Lord, the Last Day is also a day of Judgment and Destruction: 2 Peter 3:7-10 –
By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of
judgment and destruction of ungodly men. [8] But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the
Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. [9] The Lord is not slow in
keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to
perish, but everyone to come to repentance. [10] But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The
heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and
everything in it will be laid bare.
Recent Comments