Topical Bible: The Second Coming of Christ: Called The: Last Time

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The Second Coming of Christ, often referred to as "The Last Time," is a pivotal event in Christian eschatology, signifying the return of Jesus Christ to earth. This event is anticipated as the culmination of history and the fulfillment of biblical prophecy, marking the final establishment of God's kingdom.

Biblical References

The concept of "The Last Time" is rooted in various scriptural passages that describe the return of Christ and the end of the current age. In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter speaks of the "last times" in 1 Peter 1:20, where he writes, "He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in the last times for your sake." This passage highlights the divine plan and the revelation of Christ as central to the eschatological timeline.

The Apostle John also addresses the notion of the last time in his epistles. In 1 John 2:18, he warns, "Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour." Here, John emphasizes the urgency and immediacy of the times, pointing to the presence of false teachers as a sign of the approaching end.

Theological Significance

The Second Coming is a cornerstone of Christian hope and expectation. It is believed to be a time when Christ will return in glory to judge the living and the dead, as professed in the Nicene Creed. This event is anticipated to bring about the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, and the renewal of creation.

In Matthew 24:30-31, Jesus Himself describes His return: "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other." This passage underscores the visible and triumphant nature of Christ's return, as well as the gathering of believers.

Eschatological Context

The Second Coming is often associated with other eschatological events, such as the Great Tribulation, the rise of the Antichrist, and the Millennial Kingdom. These events are interpreted in various ways within Christian theology, but they collectively point to a period of intense spiritual conflict and ultimate divine victory.

In 2 Timothy 3:1, the Apostle Paul cautions, "But understand this: In the last days, terrible times will come." This warning serves as a reminder of the moral and spiritual challenges that will precede the return of Christ, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith.

Practical Implications

For Christians, the anticipation of the Second Coming serves as a call to vigilance, holiness, and evangelism. Believers are encouraged to live in a state of readiness, as Jesus exhorts in Matthew 24:42, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come." This watchfulness is not merely passive waiting but involves active engagement in the mission of the Church and the pursuit of righteousness.

The hope of Christ's return also provides comfort and assurance amidst the trials of life. As Paul writes in Titus 2:13, believers are to live "while we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." This hope sustains the faithful, reminding them of the ultimate victory and restoration that awaits at the end of the age.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 1:5
Who are kept by the power of God through faith to salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Last Discourses of Christ - the Prayer of Consecration.
... and with good reason: You have I called friends, because ... Hand of God, of which His
Second Coming to Judgment ... the final issue, this Advocate of Christ will in ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi the last discourses.htm

The Catholic Apostolic Church (Called Irvingites. )
... was the judgments impending on the apostate Church, the speedy coming of Christ,
and the ... excitement appeared among the Montanists in the second century, the ...
/.../ 113 the catholic apostolic.htm

The Temple Cleansed Again
... Like the second son, who, when called, said, "I go, sir ... in the synagogues, applying
it to the coming Messiah. ... was shown that this stone was a symbol of Christ. ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 65 the temple cleansed.htm

The Ascension
... have gone on to say that this second book of ... we shall be most efficient as witnesses
for Christ, and to ... wait' for the promised Holy Spirit, the coming of whom ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the ascension.htm

The Three Last Parables of the Per??an Series: the Unrighteous ...
... of them' (verse 7), to which the second clause of verse ... as put by Him Who is the
Christ: After all ... because it expects and looks for His Coming, all undisturbed ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xix the three last.htm

"Be Ye Therefore Sober, and Watch unto Prayer. "
... time, then he conceives he is called to prayer ... Lord would have believers in the last
age of ... duty of those who look for Christ's second coming; Christ hath left ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxii be ye therefore.htm

Tarry Till I Come.
... years before on the banks of the same sea, Jesus had called Peter and ... man as of
John.4. That they refer to the promised second coming of Christ, and that ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/tarry till i come.htm

Psalm VII.
... For if "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for ... even to the lower ministries,
who are called angels of ... will brandish it, when at the second coming to judge ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm vii.htm

The Seventh vision "In Heaven"
... horse; and he that sat thereon was called Faithful and ... That was the false Christ;
this is the true Christ. ... which he will execute at His second Coming; for, the ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the seventh vision in heaven.htm

Sermon at the Second Annual Meeting of the Missionary Council in ...
... He called his officers and crew together for public worship, and they ... facts forerunning
tokens of his preparation for the second coming of Jesus Christ. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whipple/five sermons/iii sermon at the second.htm