Understanding the Second Coming: Prophecy and Fulfillment
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, which does not explicitly mention such a gap. Instead, the prophecy can be seen as a continuous sequence, with the 70th week following directly after the 69th, aligning with historical events and the New Testament's portrayal of Christ's work.
Furthermore, we address the teaching of a preliminary rapture of the saints, a concept that emerged in 1830 and suggests a secret coming of Christ for His church before the final manifestation of the Antichrist. This teaching, originating from a supposed revelation in Edward Irving's church, has been widely debated and was not universally accepted even among early proponents. It is crucial to approach such teachings with discernment, grounding our understanding in Scripture rather than extra-biblical revelations.
As we continue to study these profound truths, let us do so with open hearts and minds, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Our ultimate hope lies in the glorious return of our Lord, a hope that purifies and transforms our lives as we await His appearing.
Key Takeaways:
- The prophecy in Daniel 9:24-27 is seen as a Messianic prophecy fulfilled in Christ's first coming, addressing the end of transgression and the establishment of everlasting righteousness through His atoning work. This interpretation emphasizes the continuity and fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. [19:14]
- The gap theory, suggesting a break between the 69th and 70th weeks, lacks explicit biblical support. Instead, the prophecy can be understood as a continuous sequence, aligning with historical events and the New Testament's portrayal of Christ's work. [13:14]
- The teaching of a preliminary rapture, emerging in 1830, proposes a secret coming of Christ for His church. This concept, originating from a supposed revelation, highlights the need for discernment and reliance on Scripture rather than extra-biblical sources. [34:08]
- The distinction between Christ's coming for the saints and His coming with the saints is a key aspect of the rapture teaching. This view suggests two separate stages of Christ's return, emphasizing the importance of understanding the biblical basis for such claims. [31:11]
- As we study these doctrines, it is vital to approach them with prayerful consideration, seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance. Our focus should remain on the hope of Christ's return, which purifies and transforms our lives as we live as children of the light. [44:24]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to the Second Coming
- [00:45] - Signs Before His Coming
- [01:16] - Prophecy of Daniel 9
- [02:09] - Different Views on Prophecy
- [03:11] - The Spirit of Fear and Prejudice
- [04:02] - Three Explanations of Daniel 9
- [05:14] - The Gap Theory
- [06:33] - The 70th Week
- [07:34] - The Prince and the Covenant
- [10:22] - An Alternative View
- [13:14] - The Continuity of the 70 Weeks
- [19:14] - Messianic Fulfillment
- [27:04] - Preliminary Rapture Teaching
- [34:08] - Origin of the Rapture Teaching
- [44:24] - Conclusion and Encouragement
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ
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 are they interpreted in the sermon as being fulfilled through 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 unsupported by the text? [10:37]
3. How does the sermon describe the origin and teaching of the preliminary rapture, and what historical context is provided? [34:08]
4. What distinction does the sermon make between Christ's coming for the saints and His coming with the saints? [31:11]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the interpretation of Daniel 9:24-27 as a Messianic prophecy fulfilled in Christ's first coming impact the understanding of God's redemptive plan? [19:14]
2. What are the implications of rejecting the gap theory for the continuity of biblical prophecy and historical events? [13:14]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that teachings like the preliminary rapture should be approached with discernment? [39:27]
4. How does the sermon encourage believers to live in anticipation of Christ's return, and what role does the Holy Spirit play in this? [44:24]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the prophecy in Daniel 9:24-27. How does understanding it as fulfilled in Christ's first coming change your perspective on the second coming? [19:14]
2. The sermon challenges the gap theory. How do you approach interpretations of scripture that differ from what you have traditionally believed? [13:14]
3. Considering the historical context of the preliminary rapture teaching, how do you discern between scriptural truths and teachings that may have extra-biblical origins? [39:27]
4. The sermon emphasizes living as children of the light. What specific actions can you take this week to reflect this identity in your daily life? [44:24]
5. How can you cultivate a mindset of anticipation for Christ's return that purifies and transforms your life? What practical steps can you take to focus on this hope? [44:24]
6. In what ways can you seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in understanding complex biblical doctrines? How can this practice become a regular part of your study routine? [44:24]
7. The sermon mentions the importance of having an open mind and avoiding prejudice. How can you ensure that your study of scripture remains open to new insights while staying grounded in biblical truth? [03:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Fulfillment of Messianic Prophecy
The prophecy in Daniel 9:24-27 is a profound declaration of God's redemptive plan, fulfilled through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This prophecy speaks of the end of transgression, the making of an end of sins, and the establishment of everlasting righteousness. These events are seen as having been accomplished through Christ's atoning work, culminating in the historical event of Jerusalem's destruction in AD 70. This interpretation emphasizes the continuity and fulfillment of God's promises, showing that the prophecy is not just a future expectation but a present reality in Christ. [19:14]
Daniel 9:24 (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."
Reflection: How does understanding the fulfillment of prophecy in Christ's first coming impact your view of God's faithfulness in your life today?
Day 2: Continuity of the 70 Weeks
The prophecy in Daniel 9 is often interpreted with a gap theory, suggesting a break between the 69th and 70th weeks. However, this interpretation lacks explicit biblical support. Instead, the prophecy can be understood as a continuous sequence, aligning with historical events and the New Testament's portrayal of Christ's work. This perspective encourages believers to see God's plan as unfolding seamlessly through history, without interruption, and invites them to trust in the divine orchestration of events. [13:14]
Daniel 9:25-26 (ESV): "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. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing."
Reflection: In what ways can you trust God's continuous plan in your life, even when you don't see the full picture?
Day 3: Discernment in Rapture Teachings
The teaching of a preliminary rapture, which emerged in 1830, suggests a secret coming of Christ for His church. This concept, originating from a supposed revelation, highlights the need for discernment and reliance on Scripture rather than extra-biblical sources. It is crucial for believers to ground their understanding of eschatology in the Bible, approaching such teachings with prayerful consideration and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit. [34:08]
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (ESV): "But test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil."
Reflection: How can you ensure that your beliefs about the end times are rooted in Scripture rather than influenced by external teachings?
Day 4: Understanding Christ's Return
The distinction between Christ's coming for the saints and His coming with the saints is a key aspect of the rapture teaching. This view suggests two separate stages of Christ's return, emphasizing the importance of understanding the biblical basis for such claims. Believers are encouraged to study Scripture diligently, seeking clarity and truth about the nature of Christ's return and its implications for their lives. [31:11]
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (ESV): "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord."
Reflection: What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of Christ's return and its significance for your faith journey?
Day 5: Living in Hope of Christ's Return
As believers study these doctrines, it is vital to approach them with prayerful consideration, seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance. The focus should remain on the hope of Christ's return, which purifies and transforms lives as believers live as children of the light. This hope is not just a future expectation but a present reality that shapes how Christians live, encouraging them to walk in righteousness and faithfulness. [44:24]
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: How does the hope of Christ's return influence your daily decisions and interactions with others?
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 teaching 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 [00:02:13]
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 [00:03:11]
and the first is the one that has been extremely popular especially during this present century and uh which was taught with a new impetus from about 1830 onwards I I still go on mentioning that date because it is the most important date a new interest in Prophecy arose in this country about 1830 various conferences prophetic conferences were held and it's since then that this unusual attention has been given to these prophetic matters [00:05:00]
and 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 [00:06:01]
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 2 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 [00:10:30]
and because of that vision and prophecy are sealed up Christ is the Fulfillment of all these prophecies think not that 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 pting and to anoint the most holy [00:18:00]
now this is a matter that concerns not only the time of his 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 not known before 1830 [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 [00:28:51]
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 [00:31:01]
now you see the importance of this teaching this is the coming of the LA 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 [00:32:38]
now let me explain I mentioned to you the other evening the Reverend Edward Irving and he's the most important man in this connection he was a very brilliant Scottish preacher his whole life history is worth reading it's most interesting a great orator and a brilliant intellect he was at once time the assistant to the great Dr Thomas Chamas but he came down here to London and had a most phenomenal Ministry [00:34:47]
as I understand the New Testament we should always be suspicious of a teaching that is based upon some supposed Revelation if you read the origin of the sth day Adventist you'll find that that again claims to have been a revelation to a certain Mrs White that the whole teaching about the sth day came as a revelation to her and various other matters not out of the scripture not out of the study of the scripture but a revelation [00:39:36]
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