Understanding the Second Coming: Fulfillment and Discernment

 

Summary

In our ongoing exploration of the doctrine of the second coming of Jesus Christ, we delve into the complexities surrounding the timing and nature of His return. This evening, we focus on the prophecy found in Daniel 9, particularly verses 24-27, and its implications for understanding the second coming. The prophecy speaks of 70 weeks determined upon the people and the holy city, with significant events such as the finishing of transgression, making an end of sins, and bringing in everlasting righteousness. These events, I propose, have already been fulfilled through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.

We also examine the popular teaching of a gap between the 69th and 70th weeks, a theory that suggests a future fulfillment of these prophecies. However, I argue that this interpretation is not supported by the text itself and that the events described have already occurred in a continuous sequence. The prophecy, therefore, serves as a remarkable testament to the accuracy and fulfillment of God's word through Christ.

Furthermore, we address the teaching of the preliminary Rapture of the Saints, a doctrine that emerged in 1830, suggesting a secret coming of Christ for His church before the final manifestation of the Antichrist. This teaching, originating from a prophetic utterance in Edward Irving's church, has been widely debated and is not universally accepted even within its originating circles. It is crucial to approach these teachings with discernment, grounded in scripture, and guided by the Holy Spirit.

As we continue to study these profound truths, let us do so with open hearts and minds, free from prejudice and fear, seeking the truth that purifies and prepares us for His glorious return.

Key Takeaways:

- The prophecy in Daniel 9:24-27 is a profound testament to the fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ. It speaks of the end of transgression, the reconciliation for iniquity, and the bringing in of everlasting righteousness, all of which were accomplished through Christ's work on the cross. This understanding challenges the notion of a future fulfillment and emphasizes the completed work of Christ. [14:09]

- The concept of a gap between the 69th and 70th weeks in Daniel's prophecy is not explicitly supported by scripture. The text suggests a continuous sequence of events, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. This interpretation highlights the importance of reading scripture in its context and recognizing the fulfillment of prophecy in history. [12:55]

- The teaching of a preliminary Rapture, which suggests a secret coming of Christ for His church, emerged in 1830 and is based on a prophetic utterance rather than scriptural evidence. This doctrine emphasizes the need for discernment and a return to the foundational truths of scripture, rather than relying on new revelations. [34:20]

- The second coming of Christ is a central hope for believers, encouraging us to live in purity and readiness. It is not merely an intellectual pursuit but a transformative truth that impacts our daily lives, urging us to live as children of the light in anticipation of His return. [44:34]

- As we study eschatology, it is vital to approach it with humility, prayer, and a reliance on the Holy Spirit for guidance. Our exploration should be driven by a desire to know Christ more deeply and to align our lives with His purposes, rather than being swayed by sensational teachings. [43:57]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to the Doctrine of the Second Coming
- [00:45] - Signs Before His Coming
- [01:16] - Prophecy of Daniel 9
- [02:09] - Different Views on the Second Coming
- [03:11] - The Danger of a Closed Mind
- [04:02] - Three Explanations of Daniel 9
- [05:14] - The Gap Theory
- [06:33] - The 70th Week
- [07:33] - The Prince in Daniel 9
- [10:22] - An Alternative Interpretation
- [13:14] - The Fulfillment of Prophecy
- [19:05] - Messianic Prophecy in Daniel
- [27:18] - The Preliminary Rapture
- [34:20] - Origin of the Rapture Teaching
- [43:57] - Conclusion and Call to Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Daniel 9:24-27
2. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
3. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the significant events mentioned in Daniel 9:24-27, and how do they relate to the life and work of Jesus Christ? [14:09]

2. According to the sermon, what is the "Gap Theory" concerning the 69th and 70th weeks in Daniel's prophecy, and why is it considered controversial? [12:55]

3. What is the origin of the teaching of the preliminary Rapture, and how does it differ from traditional interpretations of the second coming? [34:20]

4. How does the sermon describe the impact of the second coming of Christ on the daily lives of believers? [44:34]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the interpretation of Daniel 9:24-27 as a prophecy already fulfilled through Christ challenge the notion of a future fulfillment? What implications does this have for understanding biblical prophecy? [14:09]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the "Gap Theory" might misinterpret the continuous sequence of events described in Daniel's prophecy? [12:55]

3. How does the sermon encourage discernment when approaching teachings like the preliminary Rapture, and what role does scripture play in this discernment? [34:20]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of living in purity and readiness for the second coming of Christ, and how does this relate to the transformative power of this belief? [44:34]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the prophecy in Daniel 9:24-27. How does understanding it as fulfilled through Christ's work on the cross impact your view of God's promises and their fulfillment in your life? [14:09]

2. The sermon challenges the "Gap Theory" by emphasizing a continuous sequence of events. How can this perspective influence the way you read and interpret other biblical prophecies? [12:55]

3. Considering the origins of the preliminary Rapture teaching, how can you ensure that your beliefs are grounded in scripture rather than new revelations or popular teachings? [34:20]

4. The second coming of Christ is described as a central hope for believers. How can this hope motivate you to live a life of purity and readiness? What specific changes might you make in your daily routine to reflect this anticipation? [44:34]

5. The sermon emphasizes the need for humility and prayer in studying eschatology. How can you incorporate these attitudes into your personal study of scripture, especially when exploring complex doctrines? [43:57]

6. How can you engage with others in your community to discuss and explore different interpretations of the second coming, while maintaining a spirit of openness and respect? [03:11]

7. Reflect on a time when you encountered a teaching that challenged your existing beliefs. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience about approaching new ideas with discernment and openness? [03:11]

Devotional

Day 1: Fulfillment of Prophecy through Christ's Work
The prophecy in Daniel 9:24-27 is a profound testament to the fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ. It speaks of the end of transgression, the reconciliation for iniquity, and the bringing in of everlasting righteousness, all of which were accomplished through Christ's work on the cross. This understanding challenges the notion of a future fulfillment and emphasizes the completed work of Christ. The prophecy serves as a remarkable testament to the accuracy and fulfillment of God's word through Christ, highlighting the importance of recognizing the historical fulfillment of these events. By understanding this, believers can appreciate the depth of God's plan and the significance of Christ's life, death, and resurrection. [14:09]

Daniel 9:24-25 (ESV): "Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks."

Reflection: How does understanding the fulfillment of prophecy through Christ's work on the cross impact your view of God's promises in your life today?


Day 2: Continuity in Prophetic Fulfillment
The concept of a gap between the 69th and 70th weeks in Daniel's prophecy is not explicitly supported by scripture. The text suggests a continuous sequence of events, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. This interpretation highlights the importance of reading scripture in its context and recognizing the fulfillment of prophecy in history. By understanding the continuous nature of these events, believers can gain a deeper appreciation for the coherence and reliability of God's word. This perspective encourages a more nuanced approach to eschatology, focusing on the historical fulfillment of God's promises rather than speculative future events. [12:55]

Daniel 9:26 (ESV): "And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed."

Reflection: In what ways can you ensure that you are reading and interpreting scripture in its proper context, especially when it comes to prophetic passages?


Day 3: Discernment in Eschatological Teachings
The teaching of a preliminary Rapture, which suggests a secret coming of Christ for His church, emerged in 1830 and is based on a prophetic utterance rather than scriptural evidence. This doctrine emphasizes the need for discernment and a return to the foundational truths of scripture, rather than relying on new revelations. It is crucial for believers to approach eschatological teachings with a discerning mind, grounded in scripture and guided by the Holy Spirit. By doing so, they can avoid being swayed by sensational teachings and remain focused on the core truths of the Christian faith. [34:20]

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (ESV): "But test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a discerning spirit when encountering new or controversial teachings within the church?


Day 4: Living in Anticipation of Christ's Return
The second coming of Christ is a central hope for believers, encouraging us to live in purity and readiness. It is not merely an intellectual pursuit but a transformative truth that impacts our daily lives, urging us to live as children of the light in anticipation of His return. This hope should inspire believers to live with integrity, love, and a sense of purpose, knowing that their lives are part of a larger divine narrative. By focusing on the transformative power of this hope, believers can align their lives with God's purposes and be prepared for His glorious return. [44:34]

1 John 3:2-3 (ESV): "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure."

Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to live in purity and readiness for Christ's return?


Day 5: Humility and Prayer in Eschatological Study
As we study eschatology, it is vital to approach it with humility, prayer, and a reliance on the Holy Spirit for guidance. Our exploration should be driven by a desire to know Christ more deeply and to align our lives with His purposes, rather than being swayed by sensational teachings. By maintaining a humble and prayerful attitude, believers can navigate the complexities of eschatological study with wisdom and discernment. This approach fosters a deeper relationship with Christ and a greater understanding of His plans for the world. [43:57]

James 1:5-6 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind."

Reflection: How can you incorporate humility and prayer into your study of eschatology and other complex theological topics?

Quotes


because there is a well-known teaching which deals with most of these sections of scripture with which many people not to say most Christians especially Evangelical Christians are familiar and in order to try to be helpful we are giving our Exposition in the light of that other teach, in other words as I'm repeating here Friday after Friday my object is that we should become aware all of us that there are many views with regard to this subject and that if we've only been familiar with one hither to it behoves us to enlarge our Horizon a little and to realize that there are others which have been taught in the long history of the church and being propounded and propagated by Godly saintly and scholarly men so we are doing our utmost to give a comprehensive presentation of the truth believing as we do that nothing is more fatal in the Christian life than to have a shut and a closed mind and to be governed by a Prejudice to such an extent that one is even afraid to consider any other point of view that must of necessity be bad it's based upon a spirit of fear which is denounced more than once in the pages of the scripture may God Deliver Us from the spirit of fear and of bondage and of prejudice and enable us to consider the truth because we are interested in it not merely intellectually but because we know that it will have its effect Upon Our Living he that ha his hope in him purifieth himself even as he is pure or as the Apostle put it in writing the Thessalonians [00:05:00]

the statement in verse 24 that comprehensive statement which tells us about these things that are going to happen during the 70 weeks it tells us that those things have not yet taken place you you remember them don't you uh 70 years are determined upon thy people and upon thy Holy City to finish the transgression to make an end of sins and to make reconciliation for iniquity to bring in Everlasting righteousness to seal up the vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy according to this teaching that has not yet happened that is something which is going to happen in the future [00:05:43]

there is nothing here of course which tells us that there is to be such a gap the scriptures don't actually say that there is going to be a gap all they say is and after three score and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off and but not for himself and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy and he shall confirm the Covenant and so on they say well of course the scriptures don't say that there is a gap but they don't say that there isn't a gap but surely that isn't quite enough now they say but the scriptures do say that there is a division between 69 and 70 quite true but the scriptures also say that there is a division between the 7 and the 62 you notice how it's put it's put like this know therefore that the and understand that from the going forth of the Commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the prince shall be seven weeks and three score and two weeks why didn't he say shall be 69 weeks why didn't he say three score and nine weeks but he doesn't he says 7 weeks and three score and two weeks the 69 weeks are divided in exactly the same way as the 69th is divided from the 7th yes but even these friends whose theory we are considering they don't say that there's any Gap at all between the 7 and the 62 they agree that the 62 follow on directly after the seven that the seven probably refer to the rebuilding of jerus and then the 62 the period from the end of that until the coming of the Messiah the prince so you see there is a division there 7621 they agree that there is no gap between the 7 and the 62 but suddenly we are told that there is a gap between the 69th and the 70th which has already extended very nearly 2,000 long years and may go on still further [00:10:33]

take verse 24 70 weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city now at once we've got a suggestion that something tremendous climactic drastic is going to happen to this people and their city in 70 weeks what's going to happen well here are some of the things you remember to finish the transgression in other words to bring it to a final end to do something final with respect to it what else to make an end of sin to deal with sins in other words and to forgive them therefore to make a way of forgiveness in order that you may make an end of sins and what else to make reconciliation for iniquity what else to bring in Everlasting righteousness what else to seal up the vision and prophecy and what else to anoint the most holy as I've been speaking it and uttering it can't you see it all in the New Testament it's amazing to me how anybody really doesn't agree with this and see this to finish the transgression and wasn't it didn't this final kind of judgment come upon these people in ad70 our Lord had warned them and it came final 70 weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city and the people and the city suffered it then and have suffered it ever since what else to make an end of sins isn't that our blessed glorious Christian Gospel didn't something happen during that very period when an end has been made of sins the fountain for sins and uncleanness has been opened on calvary's Hill The Way has been opened the way of of of atonement the way of forgiveness has actually come and and then look at it in this other way to make reconciliation for iniquity what is the gospel committed unto us this is it says Paul to ITT that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself Daniel is just giving us a for view of it the very thing that has happened and during this very period to make reconciliation for iniquity what else to bring in Everlasting righteous you remember I told you last week that that other view says that this means that the righteousness of the nation of Israel is going to be eternally established but we are not told that we are told that Everlasting righteousness shall be brought in and hasn't Everlasting righteousness been brought in by our blessed Lord and Savior by his perfect life by his making himself an offering for sin God way of righteousness says Paul to the Romans has come in now that's my gospel says the Apostle God's righteousness from Faith to Faith this is the Everlasting righteousness and there'll never be another it is the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ and it is the only righteousness that God will ever recognize or men shall ever know this is the only righteousness it is indeed an everlasting righteousness [00:14:02]

and because of that vision and prophecy are sealed up Christ is the Fulfillment of all these prophecies think not th that I am come to destroy the law and the prophets I am come not to destroy but to be fulfilled but to fulfill so the prophecy and the vision are sealed up naturally because our Lord is the one to whom they were all pointed and to anoint the most holy and he was anointed he was anointed for his work by the Holy Spirit and he gives the same anointing by The Same Spirit to all who belong to him to anoint the most holy he is the propitiation he has become the propitiatory as it were the place of propitiation he himself the most holy has been anointed he is the place of propitiation now and he was anointed as the New Testament scriptures the gospels tell us specifically that God anointed him he is the anointed one he is the Messiah now I suggest to you that this verse 24 is purely and entirely Messianic in that way it's a prophecy of what was going to happen when Christ came to do his perfect work and its consequences and here it is [00:18:02]

I see in this section of Daniel a most astounding prophecy of what literally took place over 500 years later after Daniel wrote this what a for viiew of the Gospel what a marvelous prophecy of God's Eternal way of Salvation Daniel you remember was troubled he say what's going to happen what's the future going to be and here's the answer he's told what's going to happen to his nation and to his people but thank God it doesn't stop at that he's also told of what God is going to do in fulfillment of his ancient Covenant and promise and he tells him about the Messiah the Everlasting righteousness the atonement the reconciliation and all the glory of this Christian salvation very well it seems to me therefore that it's apart from anything else so totally unnecessary to introduce this gap between 69 and 70 70 follows on 69 these things are in a sequence and they happened in the very sequence that is here taught [00:25:45]

now this is a matter that concerns not only the time of is coming but also the mode of his coming I am referring to what is commonly called the preliminary Rapture of the Saints now this is a teaching which came in again in 1830 and I want to underline and to emphasize what I'm now going to say it was a teaching that was was not known before 1830 now with regard to the interpretation of that ninth of Daniel what has been taught as I've told you had been taught before 1830 it became popular after 1830 but with regard to this matter of the preliminary Rapture of the saints that really began for the first time to be taught in 1830 nobody had ever taught it before but it has been taught as you know very extensively since 1830 it was first taught at one of these prophetic conferences that were held and which are known as the powers Court conferences on Prophecy [00:27:18]

the teaching is this that there is a very great and vital difference between the coming of Christ and the appearing of Christ there is a great difference they say between our Lord's coming and the day of the Lord or the manifestation of the Lord or the appearing of the Lord they say that it's as important as this that our Lord's coming has reference only only to the church to Christian people that it doesn't concern the world directly the teaching is that when our Lord shall come he will come only for his Saints and that when he does come that the Old Testament Saints will be raised the Christian Saints who have already died will also be raised and the Christians who remain on Earth will be be changed and will be taken up into the air together with these other resurrected Saints to meet the Lord in the air then they say after the church has thus been removed and as the Holy Spirit has also gone with the church the Jewish Remnant will be left here upon Earth they will be back again in the Holy Land the temple will be built and the sacrifices will be offered and so on and then theend Antichrist will appear and he will make this Covenant and all that I've just been reminding you of and that that will continue until our Lord shall come back again with the Saints this time not for them but with them they'll accompany him and he will destroy the Antichrist and he will introduce the great period of the Millennium [00:29:33]

they say there is a striking difference between our Lord coming for the Saints and our Lord coming with the Saints in other words they teach quite plainly and specifically that our Lord Second Coming will be in two stages in reality there will be two separate comings he will come the first time only to receive the Saints unto himself he will come the second time accompanied with the Saints to destroy the Antichrist and to introduce the period of the Millennium but it doesn't stop at that they say that this coming of the Lord this first presence of the Lord will not only be only for the Saints but they say it will also be secret they say nobody will see him but the Saints the unbelievers won't see him at all it is only the Saints who will see him it will be a secret Rapture the Believers will be taken up and the others will be left the unbelievers will be left and they'll see nothing they won't see the Lord and they won't know that he's come all they'll be aware of is that the Believers whom they knew are no longer there now you see the importance of this teaching this is the coming of the Lord not the appearing it is secret and nobody will know anything about it and therefore you see according to this interpretation according to this school of teaching this is something which may happen at any moment there are no signs given before it's going to happen it can happen at any moment [00:31:02]

you may well be interested to know the origin of this teaching I told you that it started in 1830 but we have a very definite and author authoritative statement as to how we did begin I'm going to quote you some words written by a very great New Testament scholar of the name of Telus who belonged to the Brethren the so-called Plymouth Brethren and let me say this he was certainly one of the greatest New Testament Scholars of textual criticism particularly of the last century a great scholar and in addition a great and saintly man of God now triel tells us this he says I am not aware that there was any definite teaching by the way I ought have told you that telis was present at these conferences in 1830 and subsequently which were attended by the great JN Derby and BW Newton and other people belonging to that school this is what trii says who was present I am not aware that there was any definite teaching that there should be a secret Rapture of the church at a secret coming until this was given forth as an utterance in Mr Irving's Church from what was then received as being the voice of the spirit but whether anyone else asserted such a thing or not it was from that supposed Revelation that the modern Doctrine and the modern phraseology expecting it arose [00:34:20]

I beg of you to consider it in the light of scripture and see how these scriptures are to be expounded in order that we may discover whether we can accept that teaching or not it is worthy of our careful consideration it is worthy of our prayerful consideration but again let us end on this note let us do all this not in some excitable carnal Spirit but let us do it on our knees as it were praying for the guidance and the unction and the leading and the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit and let us make sure that we are interested because we are looking for his appearing because it is our blessed hope the thing to which we look forward with longing and because of which we are purifying ourselves now and living as children of the light and Children of the day and obviously different from the children of Night and the children of the darkness [00:43:57]

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