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Chapter 200

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THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST
Fact, Importance and Manner

200.010.000 Torrey: p193, T:I
Topic 10: The Fact of His Coming Again.

200.010.010 Torrey: p193, T:I, P:1
POINT 10: Jesus Christ will come again.

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Hebrews 9:28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Philippians 3:20-21 [20] But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

1 Thessalonians 4:16- 17 [16] For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Acts 3:19-20 [19] Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, [20] and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you -- even Jesus.

NOTE 1. -- This coming again of Christ is not at the death of the believer.

(a) At the death of the individual believer He does not come "with a shout," etc.

(b) At the death of the individual believer those who are alive and remain are not caught up, etc.

John 14:3 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16- 17 manifestly refer to the same event. They are exactly parallel in the three facts stated:

1. The "I will come again" of Jesus, equals "The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven" of Paul.

2. The "Receive you unto myself" of Jesus equals the "Shall be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord" of Paul.

3. The "That where I am, there you may be also" of Jesus equals the "So shall we ever be with the Lord" of Paul.

Paul's words are manifestly an inspired commentary on those of Jesus, and the reference of the words of Jesus to His coming at death is thus made impossible.

(c) John 21:22 Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."

This shows how utterly impossible it is to make Christ's coming refer to death. "If I will that he tarry," evidently means, "If I will that he remains alive." Now put Christ's coming at the believer's death and you get this nonsense: "If I will that he remain alive until he die, what is that to you?"

NOTE 2. -- The "coming again" in the verses given above is not the coming of Christ at the coming of the Holy Spirit. That is, in a very real and important sense, a coming of Christ. This appears from:

John 14:15-18, 21-23 [15] "If you love me, you will obey what I command. [16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever -- [17] the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. [18] I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. [21] Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." [22] Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?" [23] Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

But this coming of Christ is not that which is referred to in the passages under consideration.

(a) All of these promises but one (John 14:3) were made after the coming of the Holy Spirit and pointed to a coming still in the future.

(b) Jesus does not receive us to Himself to be with Him at the coming of the Holy Spirit. At the coming of the Holy Spirit He comes to be with us (John 14:15-18, 21-23). At His coming again mentioned in John 14:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:16- 17, etc., He takes us to be with Him.

(c) He does not at His coming in the Spirit "transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." Philippians 3:20- 21

(d) There is no trumpet of the archangel, no shout, no resurrection, no rapture in the clouds, at this coming of the Christ. In other words, this coming in scarcely any particular conforms to the plain and explicit statements of Christ and the Apostles concerning His second coming.

NOTE 3. -- The "coming again" mentioned in the verses above was not at the Destruction of Jerusalem. The Destruction of Jerusalem was in a sense the precursor, prophecy and type of the Judgment at the end of the Age, and therefore in Matthew 24 and Mark 13 the two events are described in connection with each other. But God's judgment on Jerusalem is manifestly not the event referred to in the texts given above.

(a) On that occasion those who sleep in Jesus were not raised, living believers were not caught up to meet the Lord in the air, the bodies of believers were not transformed.

(b) Years after the Destruction of Jerusalem we find John still looking forward to the Lord's coming:

Revelation 22:20 [20] He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

John 21:22-23 [22] Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." [23] Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"

These words were written years after the Destruction of Jerusalem. Not any one of these events, nor all of them together, nor any other event that has yet occurred fulfills the very plain, explicit and definite predictions of Christ and the Apostles regarding Christ's Second Coming. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ, so frequently mentioned in the New Testament as the great hope of the Church, is still in the future.

200.020.000 Torrey: p195, T:II
Topic 20: The Importance of the Doctrine of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

200.020.010 Torrey: p195, T:II, P:1
POINT 10: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is said to be mentioned 318 times in the 260 Chapters of the New testament and "it occupies one in every twenty-five verses" from Matthew to Revelation.

200.020.020 Torrey: p195, T:II, P:2
POINT 20: By far the greater number of the predictions concerning Christ in the Old Testament are connected with His Second Coming.

200.020.030 Torrey: p195, T:II, P:3
POINT 30: God bids us to comfort disheartened believers with the assurance that Jesus Christ will come again.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.

This is true also of the Old Testament.

Isaiah 40:1, 9-10 [1] Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. [9] You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, "Here is your God!" [10] See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.

200.020.040 Torrey: p195, T:II, P:4
POINT 40: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the events connected with it are the blessed hope and eager desire of the true believer.

Titus 2:13 while we wait for the blessed hope -- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

2 Peter 3:11, 13 [11] Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives [12] as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. [13] But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

The last prayer in the Bible is "Even so, come Lord Jesus." (Revelation 22:20)

200.020.050 Torrey: p196, T:II, P:5
POINT 50: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is a doctrine which is the particular object of the hatred and ridicule of mockers who walk after their own lusts.

2 Peter 3:3-4 [3] First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. [4] They will say, "Where is this "coming" he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."

A worldly church and worldly Christians also hate this doctrine.

200.020.060 Torrey: p196, T:II, P:6
POINT 60: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is the great Bible argument for a life of watchfulness, fidelity, wisdom, activity, simplicity, self-restraint, prayer and abiding in Christ.

Matthew 24:44-46 [44] So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. [45] Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? [46] It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.

Luke 21:34-36 [34] Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. [35] For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. [36] Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.

1 John 2:28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

Also see the entire 25th Chapter of Mark.

200.020.070 Torrey: p196, T:II, P:7
POINT 70: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is the one event for which the disciples of Christ should be looking.

Luke 12:35-37 [35] Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, [36] like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. [37] It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.

In verse 37 an especial blessing is promised upon those whom the Lord finds watching when He comes.

Compare Hebrews 9:28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

200.030.000 Torrey: p197, T:III
Topic 30: The Manner of Christ's Coming Again.

200.030.010 Torrey: p198, T:III, P:1
POINT 10: The Return of Christ has three distinct stages.

200.030.012 Torrey: p197, T:III, P:1(a)
POINT 12: First Stage -- The Rapture -- In the air, where those who are alive in Christ shall be caught up to meet Him.

200.030.014 Torrey: p197, T:III, P:1(b)
POINT 14: Second Stage -- To the Earth -- In this stage His saints come with Him.

Matthew 25:31-32 [31] When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. [32] All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

2 Thessalonians 2:7-8 [7] For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. [8] And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.

Zechariah 14:4-5 [4] On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. [5] You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

1 Thessalonians 3:13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

1 Thessalonians 4:14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

Christ comes in the air for His own; He comes to the earth with His own. For all we know, a considerable interval may take place between these two states of the Lord's coming.

Luke 21:36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."

These seem to hint that the whole period of the great tribulation intervenes between the coming of Jesus in the air for His earthly saints and His coming to the earth with His saints. There are not, however two comings, but two stages in the one coming. Bearing in mind the distinction between these two will help to solve many of the seeming discrepancies between different texts of the Bible on this subject.

200.030.016 Torrey: p197, T:III, P:1(b)
POINT 16: Third Stage: A succession of events follows His coming to the earth.

200.030.020 Torrey: p198, T:III, P:2
POINT 20: Jesus Christ is coming again bodily and visibly.

Acts 1:11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

Hebrews 9:28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Revelation 1:7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.

200.030.030 Torrey: p198, T:III, P:3
POINT 30: Jesus Christ is coming again with great publicity.

Matthew 24:26-27 [26] So if anyone tells you, "There he is, out in the desert," do not go out; or, "Here he is, in the inner rooms," do not believe it. [27] For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Revelation 1:7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.

Some claim that there will be a secret coming of Christ. These "inner chamber" Christs and "obscure corner" Christs are a humbug long since predicted and exploded. Even at His coming for His saints there seems to be a large measure of publicity about it.

The teaching of a secret rapture of believers does not seem to have much support in Scripture.

200.030.040 Torrey: p199, T:III, P:4
POINT 40: The Son of Man is coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Matthew 24:30 At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.

"In the clouds."

Compare Exodus 19:9 The LORD said to Moses, "I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you." Then Moses told the LORD what the people had said.

Exodus 34:5 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD.

Psalms 97:1-2 [1] The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. [2] Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

Matthew 17:5 [5] While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"

Psalms 104:3 and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.

Isaiah 19:1 An oracle concerning Egypt: See, the LORD rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt tremble before him, and the hearts of the Egyptians melt within them.

From these passages it appears that it was Jehovah who came in the clouds; therefore, to say that Jesus is coming in the clouds is to say that He is coming as a Divine one or in Divine glory.

200.030.050 Torrey: p200, T:III, P:5
POINT 50: Jesus Christ is coming in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.

Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.

Mark 8:38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."

2 Thessalonians 1:7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.

200.030.060 Torrey: p200, T:III, P:6
POINT 60: Jesus Christ shall come as a thief -- unannounced, without warning, unexpectedly, suddenly.

Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.

1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 [2] for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. [3] While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

The world will be taken up with its usual occupations.

Matthew 24:37-39 [37] As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. [38] For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; [39] and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

The attempt to lay out a complete and fully defined chart of events leading up to the Lord's coming, loses sight of this clearly revealed fact about His coming. Our part is to see to it that that day does not come upon us as a snare.

Luke 21:34-35 [34] "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. [35] For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth.

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THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST Fact, Importance and Manner

THE RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST
Fact, Importance and Manner