From an amillennial perspective………..
Jesus is coming again but He is not coming again, again!!
by Michael E. Dixon and Sharon Dixon
Experience has shown me many believers are not aware of the ancient and simple truth of our Lord's return. The second coming of Jesus is not a matter of salvation but for a number of reasons it is important to know 'what saith the Scriptures.' Prayerfully consider-not what I say-but what is written and determine to believe what God says over what your favorite teachers say. I remind you of Hans Christian Andersen's story “The Emperor's New Clothes.”(1837) I endeavor to present the truths of God's word as simply as possible and yet we know it is the Spirit of God who gives revelation and teaches. (Joh 14:26;1Jn 2:27)
I'm sure most of us agree our Lord will return at some unspecified time – but what happens upon His return? For the answer we look to God's word alone. First, we look at Jesus' words spoken while He walked upon the earth.
SALVATION
Jesus said that as the “Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.” (Joh 5:21) He then says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.” (Joh 5:24-25) This is an obvious reference to salvation. It is important you note Jesus' words in v21 when He speaks of believing and having eternal life and that “an hour is coming and now is” when the dead, spiritually dead in trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1-6), hear His voice and live. Nearly 2,000 years ago Jesus said “an hour is coming and now is!”
RESURRECTION
Now let's look at verses 28 and 29: “Do not marvel at this,” Jesus said, “for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice and will come forth . . . “ What is missing and what is present in our Lord's words here? He said “an hour is coming” but this time does not say “and now is!” Concerning this coming hour Jesus said, “all who are in the tombs will hear His voice and come forth.” Jesus did not talk about an hour when only the saved, the redeemed, would come forth from the tombs, but “all,” that is, saved and lost. No seven year lapse, no 1,007 year period in between resurrections.
WHEN IS JESUS COMING AGAIN? WHO WILL BE RESURRECTED?
When is the resurrection? We take Jesus' own words when He says, "This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.” (Joh 6:39) Jesus is coming for His own on the “last day” (εσχατη ημερα) – Not seven years before the last day and not 1,007 years before the last day but “on the last day.”
Anyone for a witness? Next sentence. "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day." (Joh 6:40) Jesus is coming for His own on the “last day” (εσχατη ημερα) – Not seven years before the last day and not 1,007 years before the last day but “on the last day.”
Anyone for another witness? Verse 44. "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.” (Joh 6:44) Jesus is coming for His own on the “last day” (εσχατη ημερα) – Not seven years before the last day and not 1,007 years before the last day but “on the last day.” Not the last day of some dispensation – the last day.
How about one more! “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up the last day.” (Joh 6:54) Jesus is coming for His own on the “last day” (εσχατη ημερα) – Not seven years before the last day and not 1,007 years before the last day but “on the last day.” Not the last day of some dispensation – the last day.
We must study but even a cursory reading of 2Peter shows us that “the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men” (2Pe 3:7) and “the day of the Lord [that] will come like a thief in the night in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up” (2Pe 3:10) and “the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!” (2Pe 3:12) are all at the same time, the same day. The day of judgment and destruction and the day of the Lord and the day of God are all the same “day.” Paul writes about the day of the Lord to the Thessalonians referring to the day of the Lord as the day of “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him.” (2Th 2:1-2) Jesus said “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. But of that day and hour no one knows . . .”(Mar 13:31-32; Luk 21:33; Mat 24:35-36)
As you can see, all these passages are in harmony and teach the Lord is coming again and that day is the last day, the day of judgment and destruction, the day of resurrection of the lost and the saved and that it will come like a thief in the night because no one knows the day or hour.
Another popular passage speaking about the Lord's return is 1 Th 4:13-5:6; it too is in perfect harmony with all of these other passages. Let's look at it in an A, B, C format in the interest of time and space.
A) God doesn't want us to be uninformed (ἀγνοέω) about believers who have fallen asleep, died, in Jesus
B) If we believe Jesus died and rose again it follows that the ones who have died in Him will be brought back with Him, that is, their spirits. (1Th 4:14; also, 1Th 3:13) Paul said being absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, which was preferable to him. (2Co 5:8) So at death, the body goes to the grave, the spirit goes to the Lord. When Jesus returns He brings man's spirit, then the resurrected body will be united with the spirit by Him.
C) When Jesus descends “from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God” those who died in Christ will first be resurrected, then Christians who are still living on the earth will be raptured, “caught up,” together with the Lord and those resurrected; “and so we shall always be with the Lord.” (1Th 4:16-17; see 1Co 15:51-52) This is meant to be comforting. (1Th 4:18)
D) Concerning “the day of the Lord” which is what the day is called when all of this occurs-there was no need for Paul to write because we know full well it's going to happen “just like a thief in the night.” That is, no signs, no dates and no times given. (1Th 5:1-2) It will be like “labor pains upon a woman with child.” A pregnant woman knows the labor pains will be begin but just what day or time she does not know.
E) On that resurrection day of the Lord, “destruction” will come upon those who are of the “night [and] darkness” (1Th 5:3), just as Jesus taught (see above).
F) Believers, as sons of light and day, will not be overtaken by that day, the day of the Lord, assuming of course, we are doing the word and not sleeping “as others do” but are staying “alert and sober.” (1Th 5:5-6)
KINGDOM HANDED OVER TO THE FATHER
Paul proclaimed “Christ has been raised from the dead” and called Him “the first fruits of those who are asleep.”(1Co 15:20) He then speaks of death having come by man, by a Man comes the resurrection. “In Adam all die . . . in Christ all will be made alive” he writes. (1Co 15:22) Following this he clearly states that those who belong to Him are raised at His coming, “then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father.” (1Co 15:23) Take note, Paul does not say that when Jesus comes again He will establish His kingdom, rather He will hand it over to the Father. Jesus is not coming to rule and reign, He is reigning and will do so “until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death.” (1Co 15:24-26)
Needless to say, there are more Scriptures on this blessed truth but all are in harmony with those above. Scripture does not contradict itself. I know this leaves other questions to be answered for those to whom these ancient biblical truths are new but by God's grace I will get to them soon.
As believers, we need to be holy in conduct and godliness. We need to speak and live the gospel of the Lord Jesus, prepared for His coming. We should be people of prayer and the Book. We must live ready for our Lord's imminent return.
Michael E. Dixon
Sharon Dixon
Jesus is coming again but He is not coming again, again!!
by Michael E. Dixon and Sharon Dixon
Experience has shown me many believers are not aware of the ancient and simple truth of our Lord's return. The second coming of Jesus is not a matter of salvation but for a number of reasons it is important to know 'what saith the Scriptures.' Prayerfully consider-not what I say-but what is written and determine to believe what God says over what your favorite teachers say. I remind you of Hans Christian Andersen's story “The Emperor's New Clothes.”(1837) I endeavor to present the truths of God's word as simply as possible and yet we know it is the Spirit of God who gives revelation and teaches. (Joh 14:26;1Jn 2:27)
I'm sure most of us agree our Lord will return at some unspecified time – but what happens upon His return? For the answer we look to God's word alone. First, we look at Jesus' words spoken while He walked upon the earth.
SALVATION
Jesus said that as the “Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.” (Joh 5:21) He then says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.” (Joh 5:24-25) This is an obvious reference to salvation. It is important you note Jesus' words in v21 when He speaks of believing and having eternal life and that “an hour is coming and now is” when the dead, spiritually dead in trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1-6), hear His voice and live. Nearly 2,000 years ago Jesus said “an hour is coming and now is!”
RESURRECTION
Now let's look at verses 28 and 29: “Do not marvel at this,” Jesus said, “for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice and will come forth . . . “ What is missing and what is present in our Lord's words here? He said “an hour is coming” but this time does not say “and now is!” Concerning this coming hour Jesus said, “all who are in the tombs will hear His voice and come forth.” Jesus did not talk about an hour when only the saved, the redeemed, would come forth from the tombs, but “all,” that is, saved and lost. No seven year lapse, no 1,007 year period in between resurrections.
WHEN IS JESUS COMING AGAIN? WHO WILL BE RESURRECTED?
When is the resurrection? We take Jesus' own words when He says, "This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.” (Joh 6:39) Jesus is coming for His own on the “last day” (εσχατη ημερα) – Not seven years before the last day and not 1,007 years before the last day but “on the last day.”
Anyone for a witness? Next sentence. "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day." (Joh 6:40) Jesus is coming for His own on the “last day” (εσχατη ημερα) – Not seven years before the last day and not 1,007 years before the last day but “on the last day.”
Anyone for another witness? Verse 44. "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.” (Joh 6:44) Jesus is coming for His own on the “last day” (εσχατη ημερα) – Not seven years before the last day and not 1,007 years before the last day but “on the last day.” Not the last day of some dispensation – the last day.
How about one more! “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up the last day.” (Joh 6:54) Jesus is coming for His own on the “last day” (εσχατη ημερα) – Not seven years before the last day and not 1,007 years before the last day but “on the last day.” Not the last day of some dispensation – the last day.
We must study but even a cursory reading of 2Peter shows us that “the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men” (2Pe 3:7) and “the day of the Lord [that] will come like a thief in the night in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up” (2Pe 3:10) and “the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!” (2Pe 3:12) are all at the same time, the same day. The day of judgment and destruction and the day of the Lord and the day of God are all the same “day.” Paul writes about the day of the Lord to the Thessalonians referring to the day of the Lord as the day of “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him.” (2Th 2:1-2) Jesus said “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. But of that day and hour no one knows . . .”(Mar 13:31-32; Luk 21:33; Mat 24:35-36)
As you can see, all these passages are in harmony and teach the Lord is coming again and that day is the last day, the day of judgment and destruction, the day of resurrection of the lost and the saved and that it will come like a thief in the night because no one knows the day or hour.
Another popular passage speaking about the Lord's return is 1 Th 4:13-5:6; it too is in perfect harmony with all of these other passages. Let's look at it in an A, B, C format in the interest of time and space.
A) God doesn't want us to be uninformed (ἀγνοέω) about believers who have fallen asleep, died, in Jesus
B) If we believe Jesus died and rose again it follows that the ones who have died in Him will be brought back with Him, that is, their spirits. (1Th 4:14; also, 1Th 3:13) Paul said being absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, which was preferable to him. (2Co 5:8) So at death, the body goes to the grave, the spirit goes to the Lord. When Jesus returns He brings man's spirit, then the resurrected body will be united with the spirit by Him.
C) When Jesus descends “from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God” those who died in Christ will first be resurrected, then Christians who are still living on the earth will be raptured, “caught up,” together with the Lord and those resurrected; “and so we shall always be with the Lord.” (1Th 4:16-17; see 1Co 15:51-52) This is meant to be comforting. (1Th 4:18)
D) Concerning “the day of the Lord” which is what the day is called when all of this occurs-there was no need for Paul to write because we know full well it's going to happen “just like a thief in the night.” That is, no signs, no dates and no times given. (1Th 5:1-2) It will be like “labor pains upon a woman with child.” A pregnant woman knows the labor pains will be begin but just what day or time she does not know.
E) On that resurrection day of the Lord, “destruction” will come upon those who are of the “night [and] darkness” (1Th 5:3), just as Jesus taught (see above).
F) Believers, as sons of light and day, will not be overtaken by that day, the day of the Lord, assuming of course, we are doing the word and not sleeping “as others do” but are staying “alert and sober.” (1Th 5:5-6)
KINGDOM HANDED OVER TO THE FATHER
Paul proclaimed “Christ has been raised from the dead” and called Him “the first fruits of those who are asleep.”(1Co 15:20) He then speaks of death having come by man, by a Man comes the resurrection. “In Adam all die . . . in Christ all will be made alive” he writes. (1Co 15:22) Following this he clearly states that those who belong to Him are raised at His coming, “then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father.” (1Co 15:23) Take note, Paul does not say that when Jesus comes again He will establish His kingdom, rather He will hand it over to the Father. Jesus is not coming to rule and reign, He is reigning and will do so “until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death.” (1Co 15:24-26)
Needless to say, there are more Scriptures on this blessed truth but all are in harmony with those above. Scripture does not contradict itself. I know this leaves other questions to be answered for those to whom these ancient biblical truths are new but by God's grace I will get to them soon.
As believers, we need to be holy in conduct and godliness. We need to speak and live the gospel of the Lord Jesus, prepared for His coming. We should be people of prayer and the Book. We must live ready for our Lord's imminent return.
Michael E. Dixon
Sharon Dixon