Introduction Having been a farmer all my life, I'm convinced that the average farmer has more sense in his little toe than theological scholars have between their ears! An Associated Press article entitled "Biblical Scholars agree Jesus never promised a Second Coming" appearing in The Buffalo News some time back confirmed my fears. Every child who attends our children's churches each week knows more about the Second Coming of Christ than those wolves in sheep's clothing who are devouring the prey. If the laity will be blind followers of these blind, they will both fall into the ditch.
1. Scoffers These "Scholars" do not destroy my faith in the Second Coming of Christ; rather, they bolster it. Their words are another sign of the times fulfilled right in front of our eyes. 2 Peter 3:3-4 says, "Knowing this first, that there shall come in the LAST DAYS scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying WHERE IS THE PROMISE OF HIS COMING?" A scoffer is one who makes fun to show one doesn't believe in something. Thanks for fulfilling Scripture, gentlemen!
2. A Second Coming? Jesus came the first time to Bethlehem as a baby. Did he ever say He'd come again? A casual Bible reader knows the answer is affirmative. In John 14:3 He said, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN, and receive you unto myself; that is where I am, there ye may be also." Jesus said, "And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give to every man according as his work shall be," Revelation 22:12. One third of the Bible is prophetic. There are 10 times more prophecies throughout Scripture saying Jesus will come the second time, as there are that said he'd come the first time (Bethlehem.) The last words of Jesus recorded in the Bible are, "Behold I come quickly," Revelation 22:20, followed by a prayer of the apostle John, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
3. Why Can't They See? These "scholars" don't see it because they don't believe that Jesus is divine, nor do they believe the Bible is the Word of God. Trying to reason with them is like casting pearls before swine. Their conscience is seared and they are educated beyond their intelligence. With no basis for their faith, except their finite human mind, they are left to believe and teach anything they would like. Their faith becomes a religious humanism of no absolutes. It can only leave one with a great margin of human opinion and error. If a person holds to the Bible as the Word of God, he has the security of knowing that God has revealed his mind and will to man. Seeing the Bible has withstood thousands of years of higher criticism and still stands undaunted, I think I'll stick with it. This supernatural book will outlast all of us. It is still changing lives today! It does not need to be defended; it has taken care of itself up till now.
4. Divine Or Imposter? Jesus is either divine, or He and His disciples were the greatest deceivers the world has ever known. He is called the "Almighty" God in Revelation 1:8. He is called the "Mighty God, the Everlasting Father" in Isaiah 9:6-7. He is called "the Great God" in Titus 2:13. He called himself God the Son, not just the Son of God, in Mark 12:35-37. He received the worship of man while he walked the earth and never refused it. When Thomas met the resurrected Lord, he said, "My Lord and my God," John 20:28. Jesus did not reject his worship, but rather said, "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou has believed: blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed." Do you believe that Jesus is your Lord and your God?
5. Another Sign He's Coming! Over 1900 years ago the Apostle Paul revealed to the young preacher Timothy what another sign of Jesus' 2nd coming would be. Please read carefully: "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that IN LATTER TIMES SOME SHALL DEPART FROM THE FAITH ... SPEAKING LIES IN HYPOCRISY," 1 Timothy 4:1-2. These days are now. Again, the words of these "scholars" strengthen my faith in God's Word, they do not shake it. They don't even know it, but they are fulfilling prophecy by their apostasy!
6. Thy Kingdom Come... Not only did Jesus speak of a future kingdom on earth, but prophets hundreds of years before His incarnation spoke of it. Daniel, 603 B.C., wrote, "And in the days of these kings shall the God of Heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever," Daniel 2:44.
Isaiah 9:6 speaks of Jesus Christ 740 years before His birth. Verse 7 speaks of His future kingdom: "Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it and to establish it with judgement and with justice from henceforth even forever." The prayers of true believers, "Thy kingdom come" will be answered some day! The signs of the times indicate it will be soon.
Conclusion How can it be that these educated "scholars" can be so far off base? Sadly, that will be the horrifying revelation to MANY at the great judgement. Jesus said, "Many will say to me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from me, ye that work iniquity," Matthew 7:22-23. The bottom line is: It's not whether you say you know Jesus, but does He know you???
What about these Christ-denying "scholars?" Think about this one last verse: "And many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many," Matthew 24:11. Don't be one of those deceived by the false prophets of today. They are a sign that His Second Coming is true! Get ready to meet Him! If you are not saved, ask Jesus Christ to be your Saviour today and to come into your heart and life to receive eternal life!
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