The Biblical Institute
02 THE SECOND ADVENT
TEXT: Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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. 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 14:1-3. TBI 17.1
Our Lord was tenderly introducing to his disciples the subject of his ascent to heaven. “Little children, yet a little while I am with you.” John 13:33. “Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.” Verse 36. This statement caused distress and consternation in the minds of the disciples, and led Peter to say to his Lord: “Why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.” Verse 37. Then follow the comforting words of the text, assuring the sorrowing disciples that their Lord would come again, and receive them to himself. TBI 17.2
The certainty of the second advent of Christ, the manner and object of his coming, and the nearness of the event, are points of thrilling interest to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ. TBI 17.3
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REVIEW QUESTIONS ON LESSON TWO
1. What was our Lord’s subject in John 14:1-3?
2. What was the conversation between Christ and Peter?
3. What was the effect upon the disciples?
4. What question did Peter then ask?
5. What followed?
6. What points of thrilling interest are involved in the doctrine of the second coming of christ?
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He will appear the second time. Paul speaks directly upon this point: “So Christ was once offered to hear the sins of many. And unto them that look for him, shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:28. Again he says: “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13. Another apostle testifies to this point thus: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2. TBI 17.4
The second advent of Christ will be personal and visible. This proposition is sustained by a large amount of testimony from the highest authority. TBI 18.1
1. The Son of God himself, when addressing his disciples upon the subject of his second advent, pointed forward to the generation that should witness the signs of that event in the sun, moon and stars, and said “They shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Matthew 24:30. See also Mark 13:26; 14:62; Luke 21:27; John 14:3. TBI 18.2
2. Holy angels at his ascension made a most definite and decisive declaration relative to his personal and visible second advent. As a cloud was receiving him from their sight, “behold, two men [angels] stood by them in white apparel, 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 1:10, 11. “Behold, he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him.” Revelation 1:7. TBI 18.3
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REVIEW QUESTIONS ON LESSON TWO
7. What is Paul’s testimony in Hebrews 9:28?
8. How does he speak of the subject to Titus?
9. What is John’s testimony? 10. What then will be the nature of the second advent?
10. What then will be the nature of the second advent?
11. What are the words of Christ himself upon this point? References.
12. What was the testimony of angels to the disciples at the ascension?
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3. Paul testifies to the personal and visible second advent of Christ in language not to be misunderstood: “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; 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 Thessalonians 4:16, 17. See also Titus 2:3; 1 John 3:4. TBI 19.1
At the second coming of Christ, the voice of the Archangel will be heard, the righteous dead will be raised, and the living righteous will be changed to immortality. It is then that victory over death and the grave is triumphantly shouted by all who receive the gift of eternal life at the last trump. “Behold, I show 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; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:51-55. TBI 19.2
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REVIEW QUESTIONS ON LESSON TWO
13. Who will see him at this coming?
14. What is Paul’s testimony in 1 Thessalonians 4:16?
15. Whose voice is heard at the second coming of Christ?
16. What change then passes upon the righteous, dead and living?
17. When is the shout of victory over death to be given?
18. What is set forth in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18?
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Again the apostle sets forth the hope and joy of the true church of Jesus Christ in all ages, while passing through persecutions and great tribulation, and while her members have been falling under the power of death and the grave, in the consoling words found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. TBI 19.3
When the Lord shall appear the second time, sinners then living will be destroyed by fire, and the earth will be desolated. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; 2:8. TBI 20.1
The man of sin, the papacy, is to be destroyed with the brightness of Christ’s coming. And, at the same time, those that know not God, the heathen, and those that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, will perish under the vengeance of flaming fire that attends the revelation of the Son of God from heaven. When the heathen, the papists, and all others who do not obey the gospel of Christ, shall be destroyed, there cannot be one wicked person living. TBI 20.2
Christ’s explanation of the parable of the tares of the field proves the destruction of all wicked men who shall be living at the time of his second coming. “The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity, and shall cast them into a furnace of fire.” Matthew 13:38-42. That will be a clean work. When all things that offend, and they which do iniquity, shall be gathered out of the earth, there cannot be one sinner left in it. TBI 20.3
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REVIEW QUESTIONS ON LESSON TWO
19. What becomes of the living wicked when Christ comes?
20. In what condition is the earth for a time left by that event?
21. When and how is the papacy to be destroyed?
22. What is proved by the parable of the tares? Reference.
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The prophet describes the day of the destruction of the wicked, and the desolation of the earth, in these fearful words: “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate; and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.” Isaiah 13:9. “Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.” Chap. 24:1. “The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled; for the Lord hath spoken this word.”Verse 3. TBI 20.4
The voice of the Lord proclaimed to the prophet the blindness and deafness of apostate Israel, which led him, in anxiety and anguish of spirit, to cry: ‘Lord, how long?” And the Lord answered: “Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate. Isaiah 6:11. TBI 21.1
God speaks by the weeping prophet. The terrors of the day of the coming of the Son of man are portrayed in most fearful words. In the general slaughter there will be no escape for wicked men, though their profession be as high as heaven. “Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground. Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel. And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape.” Jeremiah 25:32-35. TBI 21.2
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REVIEW QUESTIONS ON LESSON TWO
23. What are the descriptions given by Isaiah of this day? References.
24. What does Jeremiah say of it?
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Isaiah is carried forward in prophetic vision to point of time just prior to the general desolation, and describes the state of things when false professors shall be aroused to their lost condition. “Now will I rise, saith the Lord; now will I be exalted; now will I lift up myself. Ye shall conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble; your breath, as fire, shall devour you. And the people shall be as the burnings of lime; as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire. Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and ye that are near; acknowledge my might. The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?” Isaiah 33:10-14. TBI 22.1
Again the Lord hath spoken by another prophet “I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the Lord. I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumbling-blocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the Lord.” Zephaniah 1:2, 3. Read also carefully, chap. 3:8. TBI 22.2
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REVIEW QUESTIONS ON LESSON TWO
25. What will be the condition of false professors at this time? Reference.
26. What testimony is given from Zephaniah?
27. What shows the the second coming of Christ to be a subject of great importance to the church?
28. How do the inspired writers use this question?
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The second coming of Christ is a subject of a great importance to the church. This is evident from the amount of testimony relative to it, in connection with the resurrection of the just and the Judgement, found both in the Old and New Testaments. The inspired writers, in their threatenings against the ungodly, in their words of hope and encouragement for the saints, and in their exhortations to repentance and holy living, hold up the great fact of the second coming of the Son of man, as that which should alarm and arouse, and also comfort the people of God. TBI 22.3
Before Adam passed from the stage of life, Enoch, the seventh in the line of his descendants, proclaimed this doctrine in the ears of the impenitent, “Behold,” said he, “the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints, to execute judgment upon all.” Jude 14. And as we pass from book to book through the Bible, we find that the prophets, Jesus, and the apostles, have made the same use of the doctrine; and in the very last book, John describes a coming day, when all classes and ranks of men, because they have not prepared for the coming of Christ, will call for rocks and mountains to fall on them, and hide them from the overwhelming glory of his presence, as he appears in the clouds of heaven. Revelation 6:14-17. TBI 23.1
Christ’s coming is also held prominently forth in sacred writings, as the time when the righteous will be rewarded. “When the chief Shepherd shall appear,” says Peter, “ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” 1 Peter 5:4. And Paul looks forward to the day of Christ’s appearing as the time when not only he, but all who love the appearing of their Lord, shall receive the crown of righteousness which is laid up for such. 2 Timothy 4:8. TBI 23.2
Most frequently, however, is this great doctrine used as an incentive to repentance, watchfulness, prayer, and holy living. “Watch,” is the emphatic injunction of the Son of God in connection with the numerous declarations of his second coming in the gospels. TBI 23.3
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REVIEW QUESTIONS ON LESSON TWO
29. How early in the world’s history was it announced, of which we have an explicit record? Reference.
30. When will the righteous be rewarded? References.
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Paul exhorts to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to “live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:12, 13. TBI 23.4
James says: “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned. Behold, the Judge standeth before the door.” James 5:8, 9. TBI 24.1
Peter says: “But the end of all things is at hand; be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” 1 Peter 4:7. And again: “What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God.” 2 Peter 3:11, 12. TBI 24.2
Such is the use which holy men, who spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, have made of doctrine of the second coming of Christ. Have not they, therefore, lost the spirit of the gospel, who openly contend against so prominent and weighty and precious a doctrine, or who even pass it by in silence? TBI 24.3
The second personal appearing of Jesus Christ is most absurdly applied to several different things. Some teach that death is the second coming of Christ. There can be but a single second advent of Christ; while this misty sentiment has as many appearings of Jesus as there are deaths. The early disciples did not receive the idea that death was the second coming of Christ. See John 21:21-23. When they understood their Lord to intimate that John might remain until his return, they at once concluded that he would not die. Death is the life-taker, and man’s last enemy. 1 Corinthians 15:26. Christ is coming to give life to the just, and to “destroy him that hath the power of death, that is, the devil.” Hebrews 2:14. TBI 24.4
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REVIEW QUESTIONS ON LESSON TWO
31. What exhortations do the apostles base upon the doctrine?
32. Absurd applications of this subject: state and answer the first one named.
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Again, conversion is said to be the second coming of Christ. Then there are as many second comings of Christ as there are conversions. There can be but one second appearing of Christ. And again the manifestations of the Holy Spirit are said to be the second advent of Christ. Hence, men talk of the spiritual coming of Christ, and of his spiritual reign for one thousand years. But here, also, they are involved in the difficulty of a plurality of second comings of Christ; for in this case they would have Christ appear at each gracious manifestation of the Holy Spirit. There can be but a single second advent of Christ. TBI 25.1
The distinction between the manifestations of the Holy Spirit and the personal presence of Christ at his second appearing is made very plain in the Scriptures. John 14:16; 16:5, 7, 8. TBI 25.2
And again Shakers see the second appearing of Christ in the person of Ann Lee. And the Mormons see the fulfillment of the prophecies relative to the coming and kingdom of Christ in the gathering of “the Latter-day Saints.” And the Spiritualists generally agree in saying, Lo, here is the second advent of Christ in the manifestations of Spiritualism. TBI 25.3
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REVIEW QUESTIONS ON LESSON TWO
33. The second.
34. The third and fourth.
35. What is shown by Matthew 24?
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In the prophetic discourse of Matthew 24 and 25, covering the entire Christian age, our Lord, after speaking of the tribulation of the church under papal persecution, says of our time: “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch, that if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matthew 24:23, 24. The word then in this passage points to specific period of time when, “Lo, here is Christ, and Lo, he is there,” would be heard. Our Lord here describes the spiritual deceptions of the present age. False christs arose not far from the first advent, to deceive the Jews in regard to that event (Matthew 24:5); likewise false christs and false prophets have arisen at this day to deceive the people on the subject of the second advent. TBI 25.4
Dr. Henshaw, the late bishop of Rhode Island, speaking of the doctrine of the temporal millennium, in his Treaties on the Second Advent (page 115), says:- TBI 26.1
“So far as we have been able to investigate its history, it was at first advanced by the Rev. Dr. Whitby, 1 the commentator, and afterwards advocated by Hammond, Hopkins, Scott, Dwight, Bogue, and others, and has been received without careful examination by the majority of evangelical divines in the present day. But we may safely challenge its advocates to produce one distinguished writer in its favor who lived before the commencement of the eighteenth century. If antiquity is to be considered as any test of truth, the advocates of the pre-millennial advent and personal reign of Christ with his saints upon the earth, need have no fears of the results of a comparison of authorities with the supporters of the opposite theory.” TBI 26.2
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REVIEW QUESTIONS ON LESSON TWO
36. Have we reached the time of the false christs and false prophets therein described?
37. What is Dr. Henshaw’s testimony in reference to the time when the doctrine of the temporal millennium was introduced?
38. From what have sprung the mystical applications here referred to?
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And from the modern and popular error of the temporal millennium and the spiritual reign of Christ have grown those mystical applications by which the plainest declarations of Scripture relative to the second appearing of the Life-giver, are applied to death, to conversations, to the manifestations of the Holy Spirit, to Shakerism, to Mormonism, and to Spiritualism. TBI 26.3
And why not receive such mystical teachings? The reason is given in the text verse: “For as the lighting cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” TBI 27.1
The time of Christ’s coming is near. The signs of his second advent, in the sun, moon, and stars, have been fulfilled.* He is near even at the doors. “Verily, I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away till all these things be fulfilled.” Those who suppose that our Lord here speaks of the generation living, who listened to his teachings, should consider the following facts:- TBI 27.2
1. It is certainly true that what is embraced in the phrase,“all these things” was not fulfilled in that generation. The darkening of the sun and moon, and the falling of the stars, mentioned by our Lord, did not occur in that generation. TBI 27.3
2. It could not be the generation living in the days of his flesh, for he said to them (Luke 11:29). “There shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.” It is evident that our Lord refers to the generation who were to see the signs fulfilled, and who were to be instructed by the parable of the fig tree. 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Psalm 95:10. TBI 27.4
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REVIEW QUESTIONS ON LESSON TWO
39. Why not receive these mystical views?
40. What can be said touching the time of Christ’s appearing?
41. How does Christ speak of the generation?
42. To what generation does he refer?
43. Give references showing this use of language.
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The proclamation of the coming and kingdom of Christ is given to the last generation. God did not send Noah to preach to the next to the last generation before the flood, but to the last. The very generation which was destroyed by the waters of the flood, saw Noah build the ark, and heard his warning voice. So God has raised up men to give solemn warning to the world at the right time to give force to the warning. And the very generation of men that live after the three great signs are fulfilled, and who hear and reject the warning message from heaven, will drink the cup of the unmingled wrath of God. TBI 27.5
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REVIEW QUESTIONS ON LESSON TWO
44. To what generation is the proclamation of the kingdom given?
45. How is this illustrated by the case of Noah?
46. What great fact does Christ set forth by reference to the days of Noah?
47. Do our own times correspond to this picture?
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In comparing Noah’s days and ours, the Lord continues: “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.” A picture of the present condition of the mass of mankind is here drawn. How dark the features! The people of the last generation will be like those before the flood while the ark was preparing. Noah preached, and warned them of the coming flood, and they mocked. He built the ark, and they scoffed and jeered. He was a preacher of righteousness. His works were calculated to give edge to, and set home to the heart, what he preached. Every righteous sermon, and every blow struck in building the ark, condemned a careless scoffing world. As the time drew nearer, the people were more careless, more hardened, more bold and impudent, and their condemnation surer. Noah and his family were alone. And could one family know more than all the world? TBI 28.1
By most people, the evidences of the soon coming of Christ are considered insufficient to base faith upon. But the testimony and acts of one man condemned the people destroyed by the flood. The evidences then were sufficient, otherwise the world would not have been condemned. But a hundred times more convincing evidences come pouring in upon us that the day of the Lord is near and hasteth greatly. We follow down the numerous prophetic chains of Daniel, and of the Revelation, and we find ourselves in every instance standing just before the day of the wrath. We see the signs spoken of by prophets, by Christ, and in the epistles, fulfilling or fulfilled. And at the right time, and in the the right manner, to fulfill certain prophecies, a solemn message arises in different parts of the world: “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” Joel 2:1. Wherever we look, we see prophecy fulfilling. While the knowledge of God and the Spirit of holiness are departing, spiritual wickedness, like a flood, covers the land. TBI 29.1
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REVIEW QUESTIONS ON LESSON TWO
48. How will the preaching of Christ’s coming be received by the masses?
49. How will they look upon the evidences of this doctrine?
50. Is it necessary that all believe a doctrine to establish its truthfulness?
51. How do the evidences concerning the Lord’s coming compare with the evidences what were given of a coming flood?
52. What are some of these evidences?
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If the signs are of such a nature, and are fulfilled in such a manner as to compel all to believe in the coming of Christ, how can it be as it was in the days of Noah? Men were not then compelled to believe. But eight believing souls were saved, while all the world besides sank in their unbelief beneath the waters of the flood. God has never revealed his truth to man in a manner to compel him to believe. TBI 29.2
Just before the end, the world will be hardened in sin, and indifferent to the claims of God. Men will be careless about hearing warning of danger, and blinded by cares, pleasures and riches. An unbelieving and infidel generation will be eating, drinking, marrying, building, planting, and sowing. This world is their god, and all their energies of body and mind are devoted to its service. And the evil day is put far away. TBI 30.1
The faithful watchman who sounds the alarm as he sees destruction coming, is held up before the people from the pulpits of our land, and by the religious press, as a “fanatic,” a “teacher of dangerous heresies;” while in contrast is set forth a long period of peace and prosperity to the church. So the churches are quieted to sleep. TBI 30.2
Now to hear the peace-and-safety cry from the pulpit, and all the way along down the grog-shop. “Where is the promise of his coming?” is murmured from the impious lips of a thousand last-day scoffers. But the scene will speedily change. “For when they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them.” The scoffing of the haughty scoffer will be turned to wailing. “The lofty looks of man shall be humble, and the haughtiness of man shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.” Isaiah 2:11. TBI 30.3
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REVIEW QUESTIONS ON LESSON TWO
53. When has God ever revealed his truth in a manner to compel belief?
54. What will be the condition of the world just before the end?
55. Where is the sin in the acts mentioned?
56. How is the faithful watchman regarded?
57. What cry is now heard in the land?
58. What is to follow this suddenly?
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The last plagues, in which is filled up the wrath of God, now bottled up in heaven, waiting for mercy to finish her last pleadings, will be poured out Unmingled wrath of Jehovah! And not one drop of mercy? Not one! Jesus will lay off his priestly attire, leave the mercy seat, and put on the garments of vengeance, never more to offer his blood to wash the sinner from sins. The angels will wipe away the last tear shed over sinners, while the mandate resounds through all heaven, Let them alone. The groaning, weeping, praying church on earth, who in the last message employs every power to sound everywhere the last note of warning, lest the blood of souls be found in her garments, is now hushed in solemn silence. The holy Spirit has written within them these prophetic words of their soon expected Lord: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly.” Revelation 22:11, 12. TBI 30.4
The doctrine of the second appearing of Christ has been held by the church ever since her Lord ascended to the Father to prepare mansions for her reception. It is the event that consummates her hopes, terminates the period of her toils and sorrows, and introduces her eternal repose. What sublime scenes will then open before the waiting children of God! The blazing heavens will reveal the Son of God in his glory, surrounded by all the holy angels. The trumpet will sound and the just will come forth from the grave immortal. And all-Redeemer and redeemed, attended by the heavenly host-will move upward to the mansions prepared for them in the Father’s house. TBI 31.1
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REVIEW QUESTIONS ON LESSON TWO
59. Has the church always cherished the doctrine of the second coming of Christ?
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To those who really love their absent Lord, the theme of his soon return to bestow immortality upon the dead and living righteous is fraught with unspeakable blessedness. This event with all its grand results, has always been the hope of the church. Paul could look over eighteen long centuries, and speak of it as “the blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13. And Peter exhorts: “Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God.” 2 Peter 3:12. And Paul again, after speaking of the descent of the Lord from heaven, the resurrection of the dead in Christ, and their ascent with the living righteous to meet the Lord in the air, says, “Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” TBI 31.2
The present is the waiting, watching time. It is the period designated by the emphatic words, “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12. In definite time we would find relief from the suspense to which our present position subjects us. The Lord appeals to us thus: “Watch ye therefore; for ye know not when the Master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, “Watch.” Mark 13:35-37. TBI 32.1
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REVIEW QUESTIONS ON LESSON TWO
60. How must those who love their Lord regard it?
61. What is the present position of the church?
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