If much of
Revelation (up to chapter 19) is discussing the judgment of the Jews (and
Matthew 24 and Luke 21:5-38), then what verses pertain to the Second Advent of
Christ (the history ending physical return of Christ/The Second Coming event)?
Day 18
B. Hodge, Biblical Authority Ministries, June 8, 2020
Let’s
instantly clarify something important here. There was a judgment on the Jews of
the first century. But there is also a final judgment otherwise known as “the
end” [or more specifically “the end that will usher in the consummate new
heavens and new earth for the eternal state].
But
many Christians today blur this distinction and use verses applying to the
judgment of the Jews as “end of the world” passages and vice versa. One needs
to be discerning since there are clearly passages referring to the final
judgment.
For
example, it is wise to use verses in reference to the last day as opposed to
those obviously discussing the judgment on Jerusalem. Some of these verses are:
Matthew 7:22-23; 13:24-30; John 6:39-54, 11:24-25, 12:48; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:22-26, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; 2 Timothy 4:8; and so on.
We
have not yet reached this last day. The last two chapters of Revelation are
obviously yet to happen (e.g., thorns still exist from the curse in Genesis 3
and have not been removed per Revelation 22:3 yet; death still reigns has a
grip as a result of Genesis 3, no access to the Tree of Life, et cetera). And
what do Christians have to look forward to? We still await this final day.
Read Revelation 20:11-22:21.
