Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
Is the second coming of Christ "imminent," or is it "near"? Is there a difference? "Imminent" is from a Latin word that means some menacing evil hanging over one as a threat. The Bible never uses that word in relation to the coming of Jesus! Rather, His coming is spoken of as "the blessed hope" of "the glorious appearing of ... our Saviour Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13).
The popular doctrine that the second coming has been "imminent" ever since the time of the apostles is not biblical, for it tends to weaken or even destroy "the blessed hope" in human hearts. That "hope" is not a selfish one, but an unselfish concern for the suffering in this world, and God's suffering. Must it go on and on, the rich getting richer and the poor ground down ever deeper in poverty and despair? Is there no "hope" for the world itself other than the wars and bloodshed and suffering of the last 2000 plus years?
The books of Daniel and Revelation teach a time-frame of prophecies fulfilled that has brought us up to a point in time beyond a vague "imminence" to "even-at-the-doors" nearness. While it is true that we cannot know "the day nor the hour," that does not deny that the fulfillment of time-frame prophecies clearly reveals a "this generation" nearness. The 1260 years of papal oppression of Daniel 7 and Revelation 12 and 13 have brought us to "the time of the end" (Dan. 11:35, 12:4), a "time" distinct from that of the apostles. The "signs" of Matthew 24:29 and Luke 21:25 have been fulfilled in pin-point accuracy historically. Only one "sign" remains to meet complete fulfillment, that of Matthew 24:14, "this gospel of the kingdom ... preached throughout the world as a witness to all nations. Then shall the end come," says Jesus.
The "delay" has confused many youth, and must be faced honestly: Christ Himself has not delayed His coming, but His church has done so. The root problem is understanding what is that "gospel of the kingdom." Directly in respect of understanding "the gospel," Jesus calls on His church in these last days to "be zealous therefore and repent" (Rev. 3:19). Especially the leadership, the "angel of the church" (vs. 14). A "rich and increased with goods" pride is the root problem. Repentance is the key factor. And there is the Good News: something can be done!
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: April 19, 1999.Copyright © 2010 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
------------------------------
Please forward these messages to your friends and encourage them to subscribe. The "Dial Daily Bread" Web site resides at: http://1888message.org/
To subscribe send an e-mail message with "subscribe" in the body of the message to: dailybread@1888message.org
------------------------------
Robert J. Wieland's inspirational "Dial Daily Bread" messages are availalbe via e-mail to anyone who wishes to receive a daily portion of uplifting Good News. "Dial Daily Bread" is FREE. Due to travel or other circumstances, there may be intervals when "Dial Daily Bread" will not be sent.
Is the second coming of Christ "imminent," or is it "near"? Is there a difference? "Imminent" is from a Latin word that means some menacing evil hanging over one as a threat. The Bible never uses that word in relation to the coming of Jesus! Rather, His coming is spoken of as "the blessed hope" of "the glorious appearing of ... our Saviour Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13).
The popular doctrine that the second coming has been "imminent" ever since the time of the apostles is not biblical, for it tends to weaken or even destroy "the blessed hope" in human hearts. That "hope" is not a selfish one, but an unselfish concern for the suffering in this world, and God's suffering. Must it go on and on, the rich getting richer and the poor ground down ever deeper in poverty and despair? Is there no "hope" for the world itself other than the wars and bloodshed and suffering of the last 2000 plus years?
The books of Daniel and Revelation teach a time-frame of prophecies fulfilled that has brought us up to a point in time beyond a vague "imminence" to "even-at-the-doors" nearness. While it is true that we cannot know "the day nor the hour," that does not deny that the fulfillment of time-frame prophecies clearly reveals a "this generation" nearness. The 1260 years of papal oppression of Daniel 7 and Revelation 12 and 13 have brought us to "the time of the end" (Dan. 11:35, 12:4), a "time" distinct from that of the apostles. The "signs" of Matthew 24:29 and Luke 21:25 have been fulfilled in pin-point accuracy historically. Only one "sign" remains to meet complete fulfillment, that of Matthew 24:14, "this gospel of the kingdom ... preached throughout the world as a witness to all nations. Then shall the end come," says Jesus.
The "delay" has confused many youth, and must be faced honestly: Christ Himself has not delayed His coming, but His church has done so. The root problem is understanding what is that "gospel of the kingdom." Directly in respect of understanding "the gospel," Jesus calls on His church in these last days to "be zealous therefore and repent" (Rev. 3:19). Especially the leadership, the "angel of the church" (vs. 14). A "rich and increased with goods" pride is the root problem. Repentance is the key factor. And there is the Good News: something can be done!
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: April 19, 1999.Copyright © 2010 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
------------------------------
Please forward these messages to your friends and encourage them to subscribe. The "Dial Daily Bread" Web site resides at: http://1888message.org/
To subscribe send an e-mail message with "subscribe" in the body of the message to: dailybread@1888message.org
------------------------------
Robert J. Wieland's inspirational "Dial Daily Bread" messages are availalbe via e-mail to anyone who wishes to receive a daily portion of uplifting Good News. "Dial Daily Bread" is FREE. Due to travel or other circumstances, there may be intervals when "Dial Daily Bread" will not be sent.
