by Ernest Aime Lockngenu

– There are many questions evolving around the Second Coming of Christ. Some people hold to the fact that it is a myth and, others contend, based on biblical facts, that it is an event which is going to take place sooner or later. The Early Church has been greatly concerned with the doctrine of the possibility of His Return in their time and, the future generations kept this blessed hope alive, just as if His Return was imminent. Until the 3rd century, this truth was kept. But, from the time of Constantine, it was put aside. It is during these last centuries that this truth was brought back into the Church. Despite the fact that many people are still indifferent regarding this doctrine, many Christians – specifically dispensationalists- hold to it very strongly and very dearly. While these fervent Christians say “Amen come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22.20)[1], unbelievers and mocking keep on 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 Peter 3.4). This does not change anything to the importance and the credibility of this biblical doctrine. What are the evidences for this doctrine? If Jesus Christ should come again, when is He going to come and why?

Evidences of the Lord’s Second Advent

1. Jesus declared He will personally return

The Bible, which is our main source of information and knowledge, is full of teachings concerning Christ’s Return. Jesus Himself declared that He will personally return (Jn 14.3; 21.22s), while nobody expects (Mat.24.32-52; 25.1-13; Mc.13.33-37), suddenly (Mat. 24.26-28) in the glory of His Father with the angels (Mat. 16.27; 19.28; 25.31) and triumphantly (Lc 19. 11-27).   After Christ ascension, men dressed in white appeared to the Apostles and declared that He will return personally, physically, visibly and suddenly (Acts 1.10s). And, this is exactly what the Apostles taught in their writings (Acts 3.19-21; 2 Pe.3.3s; Phil. 3.20s; 1 Thes.4.16s; 1 Cor.15.51s; 1 Jn2.28, 3.2s; James 5.7s; Rev.22.12; Jude 14s).  The biblical evidences are clear and sufficient. As we keep studying the Scriptures, we discover that there are many more evidences as to His Second Coming.

2. A Bible prophecy

The Second Coming of Christ is a Bible prophecy. The eternal plan of God was entirely established before the creation, with all the details worked out, by the omniscience of God.  There was nothing hidden from God or one that happened in an unexpected way. Rev. Dr. Andrew J. Losier says;

“There is much in accepting this truth of the Eternal God visiting this planet earth, in person. The incarnate Son of God had come the first time, presenting Himself as the King, and was rejected and refused. Phase one of Christ’s coming, prophesied in Gen. 3.15, was fulfilled as He was heralded as ‘the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world’.”[2]

Now, if the First Coming of Christ has been fulfilled, then His Second Coming will certainly happen. If the Second Coming of Christ is a myth, then we have to admit that His First Coming announced in the Bible, fulfilled in time history and supported by numerous biblical and archeological evidences is also a myth. However, only one who is ill intentioned can classify a historical event as a myth.

Much is said in the Bible concerning Christ Second Coming and God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.  Through Abraham’s faithfulness, the Jewish nation was promised a city. God told him that even though his seed will be scattered to ends of the earth, He would cause them to return and dwell safely on the Promised Land. When the religious leaders of the Jews rejected Christ as their Messiah, Israel was scattered to the ends of the earth but, according to Deuteronomy 30.3-6, God is going to bring them back to their land. This is in preparation of the establishment of the Kingdom of God, when the Lord returns with the saints to rule in righteousness. Chafer wrote,

“The regathering of Israel, the final possession of the land, and the obedience and blessing they are yet to experience are here sais to be accomplished divinely when Christ returns”[3].  The gathering of Israel back in a small portion of her land –where she is going to be chastised for having rejected the Messiah- is one of the very important signs of the end of this age. The regathering began in 1948 with the creation of the nation of Israel. Thus, God is not yet done with Israel (Rom. 9 & 11).

The following verses are very important with regard to the Second Coming of the Lord “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not nigh: There shall come forth a star out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel… And out of Jacob shall one have dominion” (Num 24:17, 19). One of the most outstanding prophecy as to the establishment of the Davidic Kingship forever is the following, “And thy house and thy kingdom shall be made sure for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established forever” (2 Sam. 7.16; cf. 2 Sam. 7.24; 1 Chro.17:11-13; 1 Kings 8.23; 9.5.) Rev. Dr. Losier writes,

“This throne was established forever when Christ through His hypostatic union took upon himself a sonship through the Davidic lineage.”[4]

Just as the first coming of Christ was announced by God and it came to pass, also His Second Coming will happened when the time set by God is fulfilled. Christ, as a descendant of David, is going to come again in order to establish His Kingdom here on earth (Revelation 20). God promised an everlasting throne; an everlasting throne needs an everlasting king and Christ fulfills all the requirements to sit on that throne.

3. The state or condition of the world

Another evidence which shows that the Second Coming of Christ is not a myth is the condition of the world.  During His 40 days with His disciples after His resurrection, Christ spoke of His Coming Kingdom.  In their desire to know if His kingdom will be restored now that He rose from the grave, they asked Him the following questions:

1. When shall these things be?
2. What shall be the sign of thy coming?
3. When shall the end of this age occur?

Even though the Lord told them “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power” (Acts 1.17), He gave them teachings that could help them understand the time.

The first question had to do with the destruction of the Temple (Luke 21.20-24). Christ foretold the destruction of Jerusalem that occurred when Titus burned the city in 70 AD. This destruction and conflict over Jerusalem will occur again just before the Lord returns from heaven (Mat. 24.27-31; Mk. 13. 24-27; Rev. 19.11-27). What is happening right now in the Middle East is just a gathering of the momentum for the real battle.

The second and third questions are answered in Mat. 21.14-33; Luke 21.25-26; 21.34-38; Mat. 24.37-51.The sum total of what the Lord revealed does not give the picture of a converted world before He comes, but rather a world of turmoil, strife, wars, famines, falling away, sin, pestilence and earthquakes. Catastrophes of every sort! Does all this sound familiar? All the vents that are taking place around us are a clear sign that Lord’s time is near. His Second Coming is no myth. The circumstances described above are very close to the ones described in the Bible during the days of Noah, with hatred, sin running wild. World Courts of Law are corrupt, and the truth from the Word of God is ignored. Sin is legalized, unborn child murdering has become legal, and homosexuality is defended with a lot of eloquence and energy.  The TV is loaded with ungodliness. The One world Government is being put in place, paving the way for the Antichrist. All these signs were given by our Lord in relation to His Second Coming.