The Second Coming of Christ is a central tenet of Christian eschatology, anticipated as the moment when Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead. This event is described in various passages throughout the New Testament, and it holds significant implications for both the righteous and the wicked. One of the notable attitudes of the wicked concerning the Second Coming is their presumption upon its delay, leading to complacency and moral laxity.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 24:48-51 : In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus warns about the behavior of the wicked servant who presumes upon the delay of his master's return. "But suppose that servant is wicked and says in his heart, ‘My master will be away a long time.’ And he begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not anticipate. Then he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

2. 2 Peter 3:3-4 : The apostle Peter addresses the skepticism of scoffers in the last days, who question the promise of Christ's return. "Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 'Where is the promise of His coming?' they will ask. 'Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.'"

3. Luke 12:45-46 : Similar to Matthew's account, Luke records Jesus' parable of the unfaithful servant. "But suppose that servant says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and he begins to beat the menservants and maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day he does not anticipate and at an hour he does not expect. Then he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers."

Theological Implications:

The presumption upon the delay of Christ's return is a manifestation of unbelief and moral decay. The wicked, in their skepticism, fail to recognize the certainty and imminence of divine judgment. This attitude leads to a life characterized by self-indulgence, oppression, and disregard for God's commandments. The Bible consistently warns that such presumption is folly, as the timing of the Second Coming is unknown and will catch the unprepared by surprise.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

The presumption of the wicked serves as a cautionary tale for believers to remain vigilant and faithful. The expectation of Christ's return should inspire a life of holiness, service, and readiness. The delay is not an opportunity for moral laxity but a period of grace, allowing for repentance and spiritual growth. The wicked's attitude contrasts sharply with the call for believers to live in anticipation of the Lord's return, maintaining a posture of watchfulness and obedience.

Historical Context:

Throughout church history, various groups and individuals have speculated about the timing of the Second Coming, sometimes leading to disillusionment and skepticism when predictions fail. This historical backdrop underscores the importance of adhering to biblical teachings, which emphasize readiness over speculation. The wicked's presumption upon the delay serves as a reminder of the dangers of ignoring the eschatological hope that is central to the Christian faith.Matthew 24:48
But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delays his coming;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Image of the Beast.
... is Antichrist, who, by magical and wicked artifice, shall ... the end, probably, of the
second century, and ... destroyed by the brightness of Christ's coming (2:Thess ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the image of the beast.htm

What God is to Us.
... suspicions of him,"all our objections against coming to him ... its own eyes; and mercy
and goodness second them to ... because you come not to Jesus Christ, in whom ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture ix what god is.htm

Paul Before Felix.
... To preach Christ "as the power of God unto ... I remark, therefore, in the second place,
that those ... and safety, although sudden destruction is coming upon them, as ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxvii paul before felix.htm

Providential Guidance
... clouds had long been gathering, precursors of coming war; and ... On the afternoon of
the second day, when already ... cry from Macedon The very car of CHRIST rolls on ...
/.../taylor/a retrospect/chapter xiv providential guidance.htm

The Exercise of Mercy Optional with God.
... asks: Where is the promise of God's coming in judgment ... that, through the substituted
sufferings of Christ, God can ... 2. In the second place, it follows from this ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/the exercise of mercy optional.htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... Penn's Sandy Foundation,' by the second edition, in ... That Christ's doctrine, life,
actions, miracles, death, resurrection, ascension, and coming again to ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm

Meditations on the Hindrances which Keep Back a Sinner from the ...
... The Second Hindrance of Piety ... The longest space between a man's coming by the womb,
and going by ... of thy sins like a true Ninevite; and whilst Christ looketh in ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations on the hindrances which.htm

On Matrimony
... than by the Sacrament of Matrimony, because Christ raised marriage ... Before His coming
it was only a contract, and ... the love of husband and wife; second, to give ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 26 on matrimony.htm

Of the Last Resurrection.
... our Savior less obscure, "The hour is coming, in the ... death and the beginning of the
second life, for ... of God only: because, properly speaking, Christ comes not ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 25 of the last.htm

The Conversion of Paul.
... is given by Paul himself in the twenty-second chapter; for ... in a vision a man named
Ananias, coming in, and ... him to receive Ananias, as a messenger of Christ.. ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xii the conversion of.htm

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