unraveling the end a biblical synthesis of competing views ≈ the many comings of jesus —past,...

Unraveling the EndUnraveling the EndA Biblical Synthesis of Competing ViewsA Biblical Synthesis of Competing Views

≈≈

The The manymany comingscomings of Jesus of Jesus

——past, present, and future—past, present, and future—


““. . . it was needful for me to . . . it was needful for me to write unto you, and write unto you, and exhortexhort you you

that ye should that ye should earnestlyearnestly contendcontend for the faith which was for the faith which was once [for once [for all] deliveredall] delivered to the saints.” to the saints.”

(Jude 3)(Jude 3)• Heb. 9:12, 26; 10:10; 1 Pet. 3:18Heb. 9:12, 26; 10:10; 1 Pet. 3:18

7 Reasons Why Your E/T View 7 Reasons Why Your E/T View (or Non View) Is So Vital(or Non View) Is So Vital

1)1) How much of the Bible is involved? How much of the Bible is involved?

““It has been argued that no less than It has been argued that no less than two two

thirdsthirds of the content of the New Testament of the content of the New Testament

is concerned directly or indirectly with is concerned directly or indirectly with eschatology.” eschatology.”

R.C. Sproul, “A Journey Back in Time,” R.C. Sproul, “A Journey Back in Time,” TabletalkTabletalk, January 1999, 5., January 1999, 5.

The Coming of JesusThe Coming of Jesus

• MuchMuch moremore relevant, vital, and greater relevant, vital, and greater realityreality and and hopehope than most of us have than most of us have been been ledled to to believebelieve..

• Why? Why?

• Because we’ve been Because we’ve been hamstrunghamstrung by by “second coming” “second coming” terminologyterminology and a and a mindsetmindset. .

The Second Coming / Return The Second Coming / Return of Jesus Christ?of Jesus Christ?

““The words ‘The words ‘returnreturn’ and ‘’ and ‘secondsecond comingcoming’ ’ are are notnot properly speaking properly speaking BiblicalBiblical words in words in that the two words do that the two words do notnot represent any represent any equivalentequivalent Greek words.” Greek words.”

George Eldon Ladd, George Eldon Ladd,

The Blessed HopeThe Blessed Hope, 69., 69.

The Second Coming / Return The Second Coming / Return of Jesus Christ?of Jesus Christ?

• Authentic Christianity does Authentic Christianity does notnot stand for a stand for a departeddeparted or or absentabsent Christ—absent the Christ—absent the entire length of the Christian age! entire length of the Christian age!

• A A presentpresent and and activeactive Christ who Christ who never leftnever left..

• He He saidsaid so! so!

• “And surely I will be with you always, to [until] the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20b)

ComparativeComparative

NIV (incorrect)NIV (incorrect)Matt.24:46Matt.24:46 returns returns

John 14:3John 14:3 come come backback

John 14:28 coming backJohn 14:28 coming back

John 16:28 going backJohn 16:28 going back

John 21:22-23 I returnJohn 21:22-23 I return

Acts 1:11Acts 1:11 come come backback

Lit. GreekLit. Greek KJV KJV (correct)(correct)

coming coming cometh cometh

again I come come againagain I come come again

I comeI come come come againagain

go togo to go to go to

until I comeuntil I come till I come till I come

will comewill come shall so come shall so come

This Unraveling Mean?This Unraveling Mean?

3) If truth does 3) If truth does not not reside in a “second reside in a “second coming” or “return” of Jesus but in the coming” or “return” of Jesus but in the manymany comingscomings of Christ—past, present, of Christ—past, present, and future—as He and future—as He remainsremains withwith us? us?


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A Working Definition of A Working Definition of a Coming of Jesusa Coming of Jesus

““A personal and bodily A personal and bodily interventionintervention and/or and/or manifestationmanifestation of Jesus into the life of an of Jesus into the life of an individualindividual, a , a groupgroup, or a , or a nationnation on this earth. on this earth. There are many different There are many different typestypes of comings for of comings for different different purposespurposes, and they occur at different , and they occur at different timestimes and and placesplaces. Some are . Some are visible visible appearances; some are appearances; some are invisibleinvisible interventions. interventions. Some are Some are physicalphysical (seen, heard, felt); some are (seen, heard, felt); some are spiritualspiritual (an internal illumination or revelation); (an internal illumination or revelation); and some are cand some are combinationsombinations.”.”

OT Comings of JesusOT Comings of Jesus

• TheophaniesTheophanies ΞΞ “An appearance, divine “An appearance, divine visitation, or vision of God.” visitation, or vision of God.”

• ““no oneno one has ever has ever seenseen God [the Father], God [the Father], but God the only Son, who is at the but God the only Son, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known” (John Father’s side, has made him known” (John 1:18)1:18)

Also seeAlso see: 1 John 4:12; Matt. 6:6 and with : 1 John 4:12; Matt. 6:6 and with the the possible exception of Exod. 24:10-11; possible exception of Exod. 24:10-11; 33:20; 33:20; Deut. 34:10; Isa. 1:1; 6:1; Heb. Deut. 34:10; Isa. 1:1; 6:1; Heb. 11:27.11:27.


• “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live” (Exod. 33:20).

• Nor was the Holy Spirit ever seen (John 14:17).

• Comings of the Comings of the preincarnatepreincarnate Son, Jesus. Son, Jesus.

• Non-prophesied comings.


1) The “angel of the Lord” receives 1) The “angel of the Lord” receives worshipworship..• Regular angels will Regular angels will notnot..• Rev. 22:8-9 where John falls “down to Rev. 22:8-9 where John falls “down to

worship at the feet of the angel.” worship at the feet of the angel.” • ““Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with

you and with your brothers the prophets you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!” Worship God!”

2) Is 2) Is calledcalled “Lord.” “Lord.”


• Exodus 3:1-15Exodus 3:1-15: Jesus came and appeared : Jesus came and appeared to Moses in the burning bush. to Moses in the burning bush.

—“—“whom the Lord knew face to face” whom the Lord knew face to face” (Deut. 34:10)(Deut. 34:10)

—“—“he [Moses] saw him who is he [Moses] saw him who is

invisible.” (Heb. 11:27).invisible.” (Heb. 11:27).


• Exodus 17:1-7: Jesus was the rock which Moses struck, and from which the life-giving water flowed.

“. . . that rock was Christ” (1 Cor. 10:4)

“these things occurred as examples” (1 Cor. 10:6).

• Exodus. 24:9-11Exodus. 24:9-11: The “God of Israel” : The “God of Israel” appears to Moses and Aaron, Nadab and appears to Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and the seventy elders of Israel.Abihu and the seventy elders of Israel.


• Judges 6:11-26Judges 6:11-26: Jesus appears to Gideon : Jesus appears to Gideon twice—under an oak and later that night.twice—under an oak and later that night.

• 2 Chronicles 7:11-222 Chronicles 7:11-22: Jesus came and : Jesus came and appeared to Solomon at night. appeared to Solomon at night.


• Daniel 3:24-27Daniel 3:24-27: Jesus came and appeared : Jesus came and appeared in the fiery furnace with the three young in the fiery furnace with the three young Hebrew friends of Daniel. Hebrew friends of Daniel.

• Daniel 10:1-21; 11:1-2fDaniel 10:1-21; 11:1-2f: Jesus appeared to : Jesus appeared to Daniel and gave him the prophetic vision Daniel and gave him the prophetic vision and message of his chapters 10-12.and message of his chapters 10-12.


Eusebius – 4Eusebius – 4thth Century Century• ““The father of Church history,” The father of Church history,” • ““Second Lord after the Father.” Second Lord after the Father.” • Gen.19:24; Psa. 110:1-4.Gen.19:24; Psa. 110:1-4. ““The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right The Lord says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right

hand until I make your enemies a footstool.’”hand until I make your enemies a footstool.’”

• SeeSee: Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:13; : Rom. 8:34; Eph. 1:20; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:13; 8:1; 12:21; Acts 2:33-36.8:1; 12:21; Acts 2:33-36.

• ““Enemies [placed] under his feet” (Enemies [placed] under his feet” (SeeSee: 1 Cor. : 1 Cor. 15:25; Heb. 10:13).15:25; Heb. 10:13).


Eusebius – 4Eusebius – 4thth Century Century1)1) Genesis 18:1-33: Genesis 18:1-33:

““Thus the Lord God is said to have Thus the Lord God is said to have appearedappeared as an as an ordinaryordinary manman to Abraham as he sat by the oak of to Abraham as he sat by the oak of Mamre, yet he Mamre, yet he worshipedworshiped him as God, saying, ‘O Lord, him as God, saying, ‘O Lord, judge of all the world, will you not do justice?’ [Gen. judge of all the world, will you not do justice?’ [Gen. 18:25]. Since reason would 18:25]. Since reason would nevernever permit that the permit that the immutable essence of the Almighty be changed into immutable essence of the Almighty be changed into human form . . . human form . . . who elsewho else could be so described as could be so described as appearing in human form but the appearing in human form but the preexistent Wordpreexistent Word [Jesus], since naming the [Jesus], since naming the First CauseFirst Cause of the universe of the universe [God the Father] would be inappropriate?” [God the Father] would be inappropriate?”


Eusebius – 4th Century

2) Genesis 32:28-29:2) Genesis 32:28-29:

““Then too: ‘Jacob called the name of that Then too: ‘Jacob called the name of that place ‘the Vision of God,’ saying, ‘For I place ‘the Vision of God,’ saying, ‘For I saw God face-to-face, and my life was saw God face-to-face, and my life was spared.”spared.”


Eusebius – 4th Century 3) Joshua 5:13-153) Joshua 5:13-15: :

““Joshua too Joshua too sawsaw him only in him only in human formhuman form. For it is . For it is written: When Joshua was at Jericho, he looked up and written: When Joshua was at Jericho, he looked up and saw a saw a manman standing before him with a drawn sword in standing before him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua approached him and said, ‘Are you for his hand. Joshua approached him and said, ‘Are you for us or for our enemies?’ He replied, ‘It is as us or for our enemies?’ He replied, ‘It is as commander commander of the Lord’s armyof the Lord’s army that I have that I have comecome.’ Then Joshua .’ Then Joshua fellfell to to the ground, face downward, and asked, ‘the ground, face downward, and asked, ‘MasterMaster, what do , what do you command your servant?’ The commander of the you command your servant?’ The commander of the Lord’s army replied, ‘Lord’s army replied, ‘Take off your shoesTake off your shoes, for the place , for the place you stand is you stand is holyholy.’”.’”



““The words themselves will show you here The words themselves will show you here too that this was none other than the one too that this was none other than the one who spoke to Moses.” who spoke to Moses.”


Eusebius – 4th Century ““to suppose that these recorded theophanies to suppose that these recorded theophanies were appearances of subordinate angles and were appearances of subordinate angles and ministers of God cannot be correct, for whenever ministers of God cannot be correct, for whenever these appear to people, Scripture distinctly these appear to people, Scripture distinctly declares in countless passages that they are declares in countless passages that they are called angels, not God or Lord.” called angels, not God or Lord.”

Eusebius, Eusebius, Eusebius: The Church HistoryEusebius: The Church History, Book 1.2, , Book 1.2,

Paul L. Maier, trans. and comm., 24.Paul L. Maier, trans. and comm., 24.



““But clearly they knew the Christ of God, But clearly they knew the Christ of God, since he appeared to Abraham . . . spoke since he appeared to Abraham . . . spoke to Israel [Jacob], and conversed with to Israel [Jacob], and conversed with Moses and the later prophets as I have Moses and the later prophets as I have shown.” shown.”

Ibid., 31. Ibid., 31.


• ““whose whose goings forthgoings forth have been from of old, have been from of old, from everlasting” (Mic. 5:2 KJV). from everlasting” (Mic. 5:2 KJV).

• LiteralLiteral Hebrew is “goings out.” Hebrew is “goings out.”

• NoneNone were were foretoldforetold in advance. in advance.


• Jesus’ Jesus’ birthbirth in Bethlehem of Judea. in Bethlehem of Judea. • The exact The exact locationlocation (Micah 5:2). (Micah 5:2).• And exact And exact timetime (Dan. 9:24-27) (Dan. 9:24-27) • ““when the when the timetime had had fully comefully come” (Gal. 4:4). ” (Gal. 4:4). • He died “at just the He died “at just the right timeright time” (Rom. 5:6).” (Rom. 5:6).• ““the testimony given in its the testimony given in its proper timeproper time” ”

(1 Tim. 2:6).(1 Tim. 2:6).• NotNot his his firstfirst coming, nor his coming, nor his lastlast. .

NT Comings of JesusNT Comings of Jesus

1 Corinthians 15:5-81 Corinthians 15:5-8: :

““and that He [Christ] appeared to Peter, and and that He [Christ] appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.” born.”


Acts 1:3:Acts 1:3:

““After his suffering, he showed himself to After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.”about the kingdom of God.”


• To the To the twotwo on the on the roadroad to Emmaus, “Then their to Emmaus, “Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight” (Luke and he disappeared from their sight” (Luke 24:13-32).24:13-32).

• To his To his disciplesdisciples on the on the shoreshore as they saw, as they saw, talked, and ate with Him (Luke 24:36-49; also talked, and ate with Him (Luke 24:36-49; also John 21:4-14).John 21:4-14).

• To his To his disciplesdisciples, and , and ThomasThomas, in the , in the upper upper roomroom when “Jesus came and stood among when “Jesus came and stood among them” and talked to them (John 20:26-29).them” and talked to them (John 20:26-29).


Acts 7:55Acts 7:55: :

““But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” God.”


Acts 9:4-5Acts 9:4-5: :

““He [Saul] fell to the ground and heard a He [Saul] fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.’” (also see Acts 26:12-16)persecuting.’” (also see Acts 26:12-16)


Acts 10:13-15Acts 10:13-15: :

““Then a voice told him, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill Then a voice told him, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’ ‘Surely not, Lord!’ Peter replied. and eat.’ ‘Surely not, Lord!’ Peter replied. ‘I have never eaten anything impure or ‘I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.’ The voice spoke to him a unclean.’ The voice spoke to him a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’”that God has made clean.’”


Acts 22:17-18Acts 22:17-18: :

““When I [Paul] returned to Jerusalem and was When I [Paul] returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance and praying at the temple, I fell into a trance and saw the Lord speaking. ‘Quick!’ He said to me. saw the Lord speaking. ‘Quick!’ He said to me. ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because they ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’” will not accept your testimony about me.’”


Acts 9:9-16:

Lord appeared to Ananias in a vision and gave him instructions to go to Saul.

Acts 18:9-11:

The Lord also spoke to Paul in a vision.


Acts 23:11Acts 23:11: :

““The following night the Lord stood near The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, ‘Take courage! As you Paul and said, ‘Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome!’”you must also testify in Rome!’”


Matthew 17:1-3Matthew 17:1-3: :

““After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.” Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.”


Revelation 1:17Revelation 1:17: :

““When I saw him, I fell at his feet as When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: ‘Do not be afraid. I hand on me and said: ‘Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.’” am the First and the Last.’”


• To Philip (Acts 8:26).

• To Cornelius (Acts 10:1-6).

• Again to Peter (Acts 12:7).


• NoneNone of these of these NTNT comings were comings were specifically prophesied in terms of specifically prophesied in terms of timetime, , placeplace, or , or recipientrecipient. .

• Only Only generallygenerally prophesied . . . prophesied . . .

• ““In a little while you will see me no more, In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see and then after a little while you will see me” (John 16:16).me” (John 16:16).

The Many Comings of JesusThe Many Comings of Jesus

How many so farHow many so far

——OT and NT?OT and NT?

Many Promised ComingsMany Promised Comings

John 14:1-3John 14:1-3: :

““Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms, if it were not so, I would have are many rooms, if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come [you, I will come [erchomaierchomai] again [not ‘back’] ] again [not ‘back’] and take you to be with me that you also may and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”be where I am.”


John 14:18-19John 14:18-19: :

““I will not leave you as orphans; I will come I will not leave you as orphans; I will come [[erchomaierchomai] to you.” Before long, the world ] to you.” Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.”me. Because I live, you also will live.”


John 14:20-21John 14:20-21: : ““On that day [On that day [the day I come to youthe day I come to you] you ] you will realize that I am in my Father, and you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you [are in me, and I am in you [in the spiritin the spirit]. ]. Whoever has my commands and obeys Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show [and I too will love him and show [or or manifest, manifest, emphanizoemphanizo] myself to him.” ] myself to him.”


John 14:23John 14:23: :

““. . . If anyone loves me, he will obey my . . . If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come [will come [erchomai]erchomai] to him and make our to him and make our home with him.”home with him.”

Also see John 20:19-31.Also see John 20:19-31.


Acts 1:9,11Acts 1:9,11: : ““After he had said this, he was taken up After he had said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight . . . . ‘Men of Galilee,’ they from their sight . . . . ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come taken from you into heaven, will come [[erchomaierchomai] in the same way you have seen ] in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’”him go into heaven.’”


• Operative phraseOperative phrase is “in the is “in the same waysame way” or ” or “in like “in like mannermanner.” .”

• How How farfar do we press this do we press this similaritysimilarity? ?

• The emphasis is on the manner of his coming.

• On On howhow He comes.He comes.

• ErchomaiErchomai—means “comes or (and) goes”—means “comes or (and) goes”

• It is the general, overall It is the general, overall manner.manner.


““You also must be ready, because the Son You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Luke 13:40). not expect him” (Luke 13:40).


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Jesus’ Most Dramatic ProphecyJesus’ Most Dramatic Prophecy

• LongestLongest and most and most problematicproblematic teaching. teaching.

• ““Biggest, baddest, and best” Biggest, baddest, and best” comingcoming of all. of all.

• NotNot callcall it “Second Coming” or “Return.” it “Second Coming” or “Return.”

• Scripture Scripture doesn’tdoesn’t. .

• ““On the clouds” in judgment On the clouds” in judgment withinwithin the the lifetime of his lifetime of his contemporariescontemporaries——supposedly. supposedly.


Four Versions:Four Versions:

1.1. Matthew 24-25Matthew 24-25

2.2. Luke 21Luke 21

3.3. Mark 13Mark 13

4.4. ??? ???

Book of Revelation Book of Revelation


A A blatantblatant example of example of biasbias interpreting. interpreting.


Next WeekNext Week: :

Unpack more, much more, Unpack more, much more,

of this “troublesome” prophecy.of this “troublesome” prophecy.

In Two WeeksIn Two Weeks::

The Book of RevelationThe Book of Revelation

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