SEMESTER 6
195 – The Doctrine of Christ’s Imminent Return
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: THEOLOGY VI LESSON # 95
ESCHATOLOGY – THE KINGDOM OF GOD – THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST’S IMMINENT RETURN
Read: Psalms Mat 24:36-46
INTRODUCTION:
1. Unquestionably, Matthew 24 is among the richest with information of Christ’s return.
2. Interpretations of it have been most varied.
3. I feel the “rightly dividing” of it must be as follows:
i. The question of verse 3, i.e., when shall the judgments of verses 1 and 2 be, and which of them shall be the ultimate sign of Christ’s return and of the end?
ii. Verses 4-14: A general view of inter-advent conditions without a time span revelation.
iii. Verses 15-28: Guidelines and instructions of the tribulation period.
iv. Verses 29-35: The final phase of His return, immediately after the tribulation.
v. Verses 36-51: Instructions to believers as to how we should view this entire advent. Is it imminent, or in a definite time frame?
I. THE QUESTION OF HOW CHRIST’S RETURN SHOULD BE VIEWED
1. Should the Lord’s return be viewed as at hand or imminent?
i. According to some Scripture, apparently, NO! (II Thes. 2:1-3)
ii. According to some Scripture, apparently, YES! (James 5:8-9, II Pet. 4:7, Rev. 1:3)
2. Is this a hopeless contradiction? No, it is a careful distinction.
3. I will show you how that great eschatological and practical issues rest on this doctrine.
4. How, if at all, is Christ’s return imminent, and what are the ramifications of the doctrine?
II. SCRIPTURE IS DESIGNED TO PERSUADE US OF IMMINENCE
1. The “Day of the Lord,” i.e., in the sense of His ultimate revelation, as in Revelation 19:11-15 is not the same as II Thessalonians 2:1-3.
2. His appearing, as it relates to the saints, is not as if it would “trouble” them, (I Thes. 2:1-3) but as if it would admonish and motivate them.
i. I Cor. 1:7: In this context Paul was commending expectation, not warning against it.
ii. Phil. 3:20-21: Paul obviously spoke of expectation during this life.
iii. James 5:8-9: Unquestionably, James appealed to imminence.
iv. I Thes. 1:9-10: Paul’s gospel turned men to this expectation.
v. I Thes. 4:15: This was a present comfort for present concern.
vi. I Thes. 5:6: This is unquestionably a present tense admonition.
vii. Titus 2:12-13 indicates this is to be part of daily Christian walk.
3. As we view the Second Advent as a future unit of divine activity, it must be viewed as imminent return.
4. But the “Day of the Lord” portion of it is not to be so viewed.
III. THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS DOCTRINE
1. It precludes a post-mil eschatology, for their requirements are not fulfilled.
2. It precludes an a-mil doctrine, for that claims Christ has no future, personal ministry on this earth.
3. It precludes a post-trib rapture, because by their theory the tribulation would have to come before His imminent return.
4. It teaches us to quit this foolishness of looking for signs.
5. It teaches us to be occupied with evangelism, not eschatology.
6. It constantly admonishes holiness as the only true counterpart to true expectation.
III: I know of no sin we might pursue because we believed in His imminent return.
7. Let us not look for signs, or eschatological issues to discuss, let us rightly look for Him.
8. We do not do that by gazing into the heavens, but by going.