4. BECAUSE THIS SUBJECT POWERFULLY AFFECTS CHRISTIAN CHARACTER AND CONDUCT.
If we believe that Jesus is coming again,we shall be different in what we do and say. there is no greater incentive to holy living than to be convinced that at any moment He may return. Those who hold the doctrine of the second advent find their belief-
- an incentive to watchfulness- ( Mat. 25:13 )
- an incentive to charity- (1 Cor. 4:5 )
- an incentive to separation- ( Titus 2:11-14 )
- an incentive to patience- ( James 5:7,8 )
- an incentive to abiding- ( 1 Jn. 2:28 )
- an incentive to diligence- ( Rev. 3:11 )
- an incentive to purity- ( 1 Jn. 3:2,3 )
How carefully we would live and how faithfully we would labor if we did so in the light of His coming!
5. BECAUSE THIS SUBJECT RADICALLY INFLUENCES CHRISTIAN SERVICE.
Some have said that to believe in the second coming would take away the zeal for service and would kill evangelistic endeavor, but this is foolish. The truth of the second coming of Christ spurs us on to faithfulness and gives our service a sense of urgency;moreover .it safeguards us against a wrong objection in Christian service. If we believe Christ is coming, we shall pray and work for the evangelisation of the world and the completion of the church. ( Acts 15:14-18 )
6. BECAUSE THIS SUBJECT OBVIOUSLY REFLECTS TO WORLD-WIDE EVENTS.
The coming of Christ is the only solution to the problems and perplexities of our collapsing world. No man,politician,government or scientist can solve the present situation – but God has a solution. His Man, ” the Man Christ Jesus ” , will step down from the throne of Glory before long and will set up His reign and rule of righteousness, and all the signs of the times – religious,political,industrial,commercial, etc.- point to the fact that His coming is very near.
7. BECAUSE THIS SUBJECT PERFECTLY CURES THE TROUBLED HEART.
It is significant that our Lord’s promise to return is set within the context of His promise of Heaven and His desire that His own should have untroubled hearts ( John 14:1-3 ). We need to understand and apply this cure for troubled hearts, for many of us are anxious,fearful and oftentimes lonely and sad. Is there anything more comforting than this glorious truth of His assured and near return? ( 1 Thess. 4:17,18 ).
The blessed hope of the Christian is the imminent,personal return of Christ. To each and everyone who loves Him He says, ” Surely I come quickly ” to which our hearts respond, ” Even so,come,Lord Jesus! ” ( Rev.22:20 )