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Living with Expectation of Christ's Second Coming

Living with the expectation of Christ's second coming involves a posture of readiness, hope, and patient endurance, deeply rooted in biblical teaching and Christian tradition. This expectation is not merely an abstract theological concept but a call to a particular way of life for believers [1, 14].

The "coming of Christ" (Greek: parousia) refers primarily to his second advent at the end of time, distinct from his first coming "in the fulness of the time" [2]. Other Greek terms used to describe this event include apokalupsis (revelation) and epiphaneia (appearing) [8]. The New Testament frequently speaks of this future event, referring to it as "the times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord," "the times of restitution of all things," "the last time," "the appearing of Jesus Christ," "the revelation of Jesus Christ," and "the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour" [3, 4]. Prophets, Jesus himself, the apostles, and angels all foretold this return [3].

A central aspect of living with this expectation is hope. Hope, in Christian theology, is one of the three main elements of Christian character, alongside faith and love [9]. It is an essential and fundamental element of Christian life, so much so that it can designate the essence of Christianity itself [9]. This hope is not a mere wish but a confident anticipation of Christ's return and the future blessings believers will share [13]. Unbelievers are described as being "without this hope" [9]. The object of this hope is Christ himself [9].

This hope is intrinsically linked to patience and endurance. The apostle Paul, in Romans 8:25, states, "But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it" [10]. This waiting implies a belief in the certainty and value of what is hoped for [10]. The "patience of Christ" refers to the endurance Christ himself showed, and believers are called to emulate this [14]. This patient endurance is connected with the hope of Christ's coming [14]. Trials and tribulations can serve to prove the reality of one's faith, leading to a deeper hope in the glory of God [16].

The expectation of Christ's return also shapes the believer's present conduct. John exhorts believers to "remain in Christ, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming" [1]. This implies a continuous walk of faith and obedience. The apostle Paul similarly encourages believers to be "ready to do without the comforts of life, as one of the army of Christ Jesus" [6]. This readiness suggests a detachment from worldly comforts and a focus on spiritual priorities.

The concept of being "united with Christ Jesus" is crucial here. Because of this union, believers share God's glory and blessings, experiencing resurrection both now and in the future [11]. This union means that believers are joint heirs with Christ of all God's promised blessings [13]. Knowing Christ involves knowing and being accepted by God, and believers experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead, both in the present and in eternity [15]. This union also means sharing in Christ's sufferings and death, which is a privilege for believers [15].

The early church held a widespread expectation of Christ's speedy return, founded on passages like Matthew 24:29-30, 34 [8]. This expectation influenced their understanding of their mission and their daily lives. While the exact timing of Christ's return is unknown—"of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only" (Matthew 24:36)—this lack of knowledge does not negate the expectation but rather underscores the need for constant readiness [3].

The "revelation of Christ" or "appearing of Christ" is not only about his physical return but also encompasses the visible establishment of his kingdom in the world, the conferring of peculiar tokens of his love on his people, and his executing judgment on the wicked [2]. Therefore, living with expectation involves recognizing Christ's ongoing work in the world and anticipating its ultimate consummation.

The Christian life is characterized by holding forth "the word of life," so that believers may rejoice "in the day of Christ," knowing their labor has not been in vain [7]. This perspective provides motivation for evangelism and faithful service. Even in the face of death, believers can find comfort in the expectation of being "with the Lord" [12]. While some might prefer to be alive at the Lord's coming, the prospect of dissolution by death is seen as a migration to be "with the Lord" in an intermediate disembodied state [12].

The Second Epistle of Peter emphasizes the danger of being misled by false prophets and earnestly exhorts believers to Christian duties, grounding assurance in the apostle's personal testimony of the transfiguration and the "sure word of prophecy" [5]. This highlights the importance of sound doctrine and vigilance in the face of deception, all within the framework of anticipating Christ's return. The "glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour" (Titus 2:13) serves as a powerful motivation for godly living and steadfast faith [4].

Sources

  1. I John “I John 2:28 (BSB) — And now, little children, remain in Christ, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Coming of Christ — (1) with reference to his first advent "in the fulness of the time" (1 John 5:20; 2 John 1:7), or (2) with reference to his coming again the second time at the last day (Acts 1:11; 3:20, 21; 1 Thess. 4:15; 2 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 9:28). The expression is used metaphorically of the introduction of the gospel into any place (John 15:22; Eph. 2:17), the visible establishment of his kingdom in the world (Matt. 16:28), the conferring on his people of the peculiar tokens of his love (John 14:18, 23, 28), and his executing judgment on the wicked (2 Thess. 2:8).”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Second Coming of Christ, The — Time of, unknown -- Mt 24:36; Mr 13:32. Called the Times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. -- Ac 3:19. Times of restitution of all things. -- Ac 3:21; Ro 8:21. Last time. -- 1Pe 1:5. Appearing of Jesus Christ. -- 1Pe 1:7. Revelation of Jesus Christ. -- 1Pe 1:13. Glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour. -- Tit 2:13. Coming of the day of God. -- 2Pe 3:12. Day of our Lord Jesus Christ. -- 1Co 1:8. Foretold by Prophets. -- Da 7:13; Jude 1:14. Himself. -- Mt 25:31; Joh 14:3. Apostles. -- Ac 3:20; 1Ti 6:14. Angels. -- A”
  4. Titus “Titus 2:13 (Darby) — awaiting the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our greatGod and Saviour Jesus Christ;”
  5. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Peter, Second Epistle Of — The following is a brief outline of the contents of this epistle: The customary opening salutation is followed by an enumeration of Christian blessings and exhortation to Christian duties. (2 Peter 1:1-13) Referring then to his approaching death, the apostle assigns as grounds of assurance for believers his own personal testimony as eye-witness of the transfiguration and the sure word of prophecy--that is the testimony of the Holy Ghost. vs. (2 Peter 1:14-21) The danger of being misled by false prophets is dwelt upon with great earnestness t”
  6. II Timothy “II Timothy 2:3 (BBE) — Be ready to do without the comforts of life, as one of the army of Christ Jesus.”
  7. King James Version “[KJV] Philippians 2:16 — Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”
  8. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation of Christ — The second advent of Christ. Three different Greek words are used by the apostles to express this, (1) apokalupsis (1 Cor. 1;7; 2 Thess. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:7, 13); (2) parousia (Matt. 24:3, 27; 1 Thess. 2:19; James 5:7, 8); (3) epiphaneia (1 Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 1:10; 4:1-8; Titus 2:13). There existed among Christians a wide expectation, founded on Matt. 24:29, 30, 34, of the speedy return of Christ. (See [533]MILLENNIUM.)”
  9. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Hope — One of the three main elements of Christian character (1 Cor. 13:13). It is joined to faith and love, and is opposed to seeing or possessing (Rom. 8:24; 1 John 3:2). "Hope is an essential and fundamental element of Christian life, so essential indeed, that, like faith and love, it can itself designate the essence of Christianity (1 Pet. 3:15; Heb. 10:23). In it the whole glory of the Christian vocation is centred (Eph. 1:18; 4:4)." Unbelievers are without this hope (Eph. 2:12; 1 Thess. 4:13). Christ is the actual object of the believer's hope, because it is in”
  10. Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 8:25: But if we hope for that we see not,.... Whether it be the hour of death, or the second coming of Christ, or the resurrection of the dead, and eternal glory; all which are unseen by us, and to be hoped for: then do we with patience wait for it; as that which is certain and real, as something valuable, which will be satisfying, and be received with the utmost joy. This supposes, that the persons who wait for it believe it, and their interest in it, at least hope they have one; that they have a valuable esteem and affection for it; that they are not in a state of perfe”
  11. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:6: 2:6 united with Christ Jesus: Because of this union, believers share God’s glory and blessings, and experience resurrection both now and in the future (see Rom 6:4-14; Col 2:12-13; 3:1-4).”
  12. 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 5:8: willing--literally, "well content." Translate also, "To go (literally, migrate) from our home in the body, and to come to our home with the Lord." We should prefer to be found alive at the Lord's coming, and to be clothed upon with our heavenly body (Co2 5:2-4). But feeling, as we do, the sojourn in the body to be a separation from our true home "with the Lord," we prefer even dissolution by death, so that in the intermediate disembodied state we may go to be "with the Lord" (Phi 1:23). "To be with Christ" (the disembodied state) is distinguished”
  13. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 1:18: 1:18 Confident hope for believers is the anticipation of Christ’s return and his future blessings that they will share. Joined with Christ, believers become joint heirs with him of all God’s promised blessings.”
  14. 2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 3:5: If "the Lord" be here the Holy Ghost (Co2 3:17), the three Persons of the Trinity will occur in this verse. love of God--love to God. patient waiting for Christ--rather as Greek, "the patience (endurance) of Christ," namely, which Christ showed [ALFORD] (Th2 2:4; Th1 1:3). ESTIUS, however, supports English Version (compare Rev 1:9; Rev 3:10). At all events, this grace, "patience," or persevering endurance, is connected with the "hope" (Th1 1:3, Th1 1:10) of Christ's coming. In ALFORD'S translation we may compare Heb 12:1-2, "Run with patien”
  15. Philippians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Philippians 3:10: 3:10 to know Christ: In knowing him, a person knows and is accepted by God (cp. 3:7-8; John 1:12-13; 17:3). • Believers experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead, both now and in eternity (see Rom 6:4-14; 8:10-11; Col 3:1-4). • to suffer with him, sharing in his death: Joined to Christ, a believer has the privilege of experiencing his life and death (see Phil 1:29; 2 Cor 4:10-12; Col 1:24; 1 Pet 4:13-16).”
  16. Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 5:4: patience worketh experience--rather, "proof," as the same word is rendered in Co2 2:9; Co2 13:3; Phi 2:22; that is, experimental evidence that we have "believed through grace." and experience--"proof." hope--"of the glory of God," as prepared for us. Thus have we hope in two distinct ways, and at two successive stages of the Christian life: first, immediately on believing, along with the sense of peace and abiding access to God (Rom 5:1); next, after the reality of this faith has been "proved," particularly by the patient endurance of trials sent to”
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