The doctrine of the Lord’s return is a valuable means of motivation in relation to Christian living. Some people say that this doctrine is unimportant and not at all practical. Since it deals with the future, it is held by those who oppose it that no practical good comes by teaching it. Some even go so far as to say that those who do teach and preach it are mere visionaries and up in the air, theologically unsettled, and stargazers. It is contended that we should teach doctrines that have to do with the present realities and refrain from worrying about things that are still in the future. What about this line of argument? Is it sensible or is it based on mere prejudice and unbelief?
We observe also that many today would deny the possibility of the soon coming again of our Lord. Even in spite of the fulfilment of prophetic signs, there are many who, as our Lord prophesied in Matthew 24:48, are saying, ” … My Lord delayeth his coming.” Similarly, there are scoffers 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). On the contrary, the Scriptures teach the imminent (soon to occur) return of the Lord, and we observe also that the notion that the Lord delays His coming is harmful. In the parable of Luke 12:35-48, concerning the returning lord and the waiting servants, that notion led to beating of fellow servants and to evil excesses and careless living. This can be one of the terrible dangers of so called Post-millennialism. Put the coming of Christ away off and you will have a worldly and factious church.
Many professing churches of today, instead of seeking to win souls along Scriptural lines and seeking through the preaching of the Word to edify the believers, have become apathetic and are nothing more than religious clubs. Feasting, sporting, dancing, fairs, banquets, entertainment, and all types of flesh gratifying things are now the order of the day. On the contrary, the honest belief in the imminent and premillennial coming of Jesus leads to sanctification of life, separation from the evils of the age, as well as to earnest, urgent evangelism and faithful preaching of the Word of God. When we take the Bible in hand and open its pages and carefully study its teachings, we readily come to the conclusion that any contention against the imminent premillennial return of Christ is founded on prejudice and unbelief, and has no scriptural foundation at all.
The Bible most assuredly has a great deal to say about this doctrine. It is interwoven in the very fabric of Scripture and referred to directly and indirectly some three hundred times in the New Testament, and about one thousand two hundred times in the entire Bible. It is a vital part of Bible doctrine, promise, exhortation, duty, virtue, and practical Christian living. It is so thoroughly interwoven in the fabric of Scripture that if it is rejected the Scriptures themselves will be mutilated and made practically useless. If we accept the Scriptures at all, then we must, by the force of commonsense and honesty, accept the doctrine of the Second Coming of the Lord as authentic, imminent and important. This fact of the Lord’s second coming will have a very practical effect on your whole way of life and our attitudes.
Let us observe a few aspects of the practical nature of believing and teaching the Second Coming message:
1. The truth of the Lord’s soon return will cause the believer to be alert regarding behaviour, service, and consistent witnessing for Christ. We are exhorted to so abide in Him as to be rewarded rather than rebuked at Jesus’ coming. 1 John 2:28, ” … abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”
2. This truth has a powerful appeal to holiness and purity of life. Titus 2:12-13, “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should 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.”
3. The doctrine of the Lord’s return is bound up with the appeal to watchfulness and Christian behaviour. Matthew 24:42, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”
4. This message is associated with teaching about our love of God and patient waiting for Christ. (Read 2 Thessalonians 3:5 and James5:8.)
5. In view of the soon coming of Christ, we are exhorted to abound in love to one another and indeed all people. 1 Thessalonians 3:12, “And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men … “
6. The doctrine of our Lord’s return is bound up with exhortation concerning our Christian walk or manner of life. We are to press onward and upward with Heaven in focus while we look for our soon-coming Lord. Philippians 3:20, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Read Philippians 3: 12-21.)
7. Paul exhorts Timothy in 1 Timothy 6: 11-14, in view of the soon coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, to “Fight the good fight of faith … ” (verse 12).
8. Similarly, in 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Paul uses this doctrine as a challenge to fidelity in pastoral and preaching service.
9. This great truth is used in Hebrews 10 as an exhortation to steadfastness, and this includes a solemn appeal concerning corporate worship and encouragement. We might here also recall 1 Corinthians 11 :26 and Paul’s reference to keeping the Lord’s Supper to remember our Lord’s death until He comes again.
10. If we need assurance and encouragement in this sad and grief-stricken world, what an encouragement is had in remembering the future hope. For the Scriptures use this messages as a word of encouragement and comfort to the bereaved. (Read 1 Thessalonians 4: 18; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; and Luke 21 :28.)
11. There is hardly any more practical and pertinent appeal than the one that says, ” … be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:44). The truth of the Second Coming is one of the most powerful motivating truths for the preparation of our personal life, and gives a most solemn warning to those who are outside of Christ.
Much more could be stated about the practical value of the great truth of the Lord’s soon return. From what the Scriptures teach about this doctrine, we cannot deny its prominence or its importance. Take away this truth and you do despite to the Gospel and greatly imperil the lives of men and women. Let us who still believe the Scripture teach this blessed doctrine in all faithfulness and earnestness.
Nothing recovers evangelical fervour or rekindles a passion of holy zeal or gives a yearning for practical sanctification as much as a realization of the great fact that Jesus will come again to receive those who are ready unto Himself, and that He may come at any moment.