THE TWO
PHASES OF CHRIST'S COMING
T.P.
Simmons
In the foregoing chapter we
have pointed out that Christ's coming is to consist of two phases. We also
briefly pointed out some contrasts. In this chapter we are to discuss this
matter more thoroughly.
We regard the fact of the two
phases of Christ's coming as the key that is necessary to unlock the meaning of
many passages of Scripture. Without a recognition of this fact the passages
dealing with this great event are confusing.
1. The first phase will be in
the air (1 Thess. 4:15-17); the second phase will be to the earth (Zech. 14:4).
2. The
first phase of His coming will be for His people (Matt. 25:6-10; John 14:2); the
second phase will be with His people (Jude 14; Rev. 17:14).
3. The first phase His coming
will be as a bridegroom (Matt. 25:6-10); the second phase will be His coming as
a king to judge and to reign (Psa. 96:13; Zech. 14:9; Matt.
25:31; Rev. 19:15; 20:4).
4. At the first phase the
righteous will be taken from among the wicked (Matt. 25:6-10; 1 Thess. 4:15-17);
at the second phase the wicked will be taken from among the righteous (Matt.
13:40-42).
5. At the first phase the
righteous on earth will meet the Lord in the air to go away into Heaven with Him
(1 Thess. 4:17; John 14:2); at the second phase they simply enter into the
kingdom here on the earth (Matt. 13:43; Matt. 25:34).
6. At the
first phase unbelievers are merely left on the earth (Matt. 25:10-12); at the
second phase they are destroyed and cast into everlasting fire (Matt. 25:41,
46).
7. In connection with the
first phase there will be a resurrection, the resurrection of the righteous (1
Thess. 4:15-17); in connection with the second phase there will be no specific resurrection (Matt. 25:31-46).
8. The first phase is ever
imminent (Mark 13:35, 36; Jas 5:8; Rev. 22:12); the second phase is to be
preceded by certain definite things (Matt. 24:14-29; 2 Thess. 2:1-8).
II. THE TWO
PHASES SEPARATED AS TO TIME
Even a casual consideration of
the foregoing contrasts shows that the two phases of Christ's coming cannot
occur simultaneously or in close connection. But note these specific evidences
that a period of time will intervene between them:
1. Since at the first phase
the righteous will be taken from among the wicked and at the second phase the
wicked will be taken from among the righteous (see No. 4 above), it is
impossible for the two phases occur in close connection. All the righteous will
be taken away at the first phase. Hence there must be sufficient time between the first and second phases for some to be saved.
2. Since at the first phase
Christ is to receive His disciples into the "many mansions prepared for them in
Heaven (John 14:2) and at the second phase the righteous on earth are to enter
into the kingdom on earth (see. No. 5 above), it is again impossible that both phases occur in close connection. Those who enter into
the kingdom at the second phase must be saved after the first phase.
3. Since the first phase may
occur at any time (so far as man knows) and the second phase must be preceded by
specific events (see No. 8 above), they cannot occur in close
connection. One is imminent and the other is not. Hence one must be farther away
than the other.
4. There must he sufficient
time between the two phases for the "Man of Sin" (2 Thess. 2:3) to be revealed
and to run his course. He cannot be revealed until the hinderer is taken out of the way (2 Thess. 2:6,7). The hinderer
is the Holy Spirit indwelling every saved person (1 Cor. 6:19).
That the Holy Spirit is the
hinderer is proved by the personal pronoun that is applied to him and also in
two ways by the process of elimination. The only other theory
worth considering that has been advanced is that the Roman government was the
hinderer. But the Roman government was taken out of the way some fifteen
centuries ago, and the "Man of Sin" has not yet been revealed. Moreover the
Roman government could not prevent the revelation of such a being as he is
represented as being, but would rather contribute toward his revelation. The
taking out of the way of the Holy Spirit will be accomplished
when Christ takes His people out of the earth, which will be at the first phase
of His coming. Sufficient time must elapse, therefore, between the first phase
and the second for this monster to run his course, for he is to be destroyed at
the second phase (2 Thess. 2:8).
5. Also
there must be sufficient time between the two Phases for all the events recorded
in Rev. 7:19. This section of Scripture should include chapter six also, no
doubt, but we can be sure that it must begin with chapter seven. For in chapter
seven we have the sealing of the servants of God on earth, and only Jews are
sealed. This shows that the first phase of Christ's coming has taken place
already; for, otherwise, there would certainly be some
Gentile servant's of God on the earth.
The hundred and forty-four
thousand Jews mentioned as being sealed in this chapter are evidently those that
will be saved immediately after the appearance of Christ in the air. And then,
to confirm this view, immediately following the account of
the sealing of these Jews, we have the innumerable multitude in Heaven (Rev.
7:9). These, manifestly, are those that were lifted from the earth at Christ's
appearance in the air.
Then the second phase of
Christ's coming does not appear until we reach the nineteenth chapter, and there is every evidence of a general
chronological order. Thus the events of the intervening chapters are to take
place during the interim between the two phases of Christ's coming.
Our opponents scoff at the
idea of a period of time between the two phases of Christ's
coming. They say we teach that there will be two comings instead of one. They
can call it what they will. The New Testament speaks of but one coming, but it clearly reveals that this one
coming will consist of two phases, separated by a period of time. We prefer to believe what it teaches, regardless
of their perversions.
III. THE
FIRST PHASE OF CHRIST'S COMING IS IMMINENT
We have now shown that
Christ's coming is to consist of two phases, and that these phases are to be
separated by a period of time. We undertake here to prove that the first phase
of His coming is imminent. Note that we are not attempting to prove that Christ's coming in judgment and to reign is imminent. So far as
we know, all unfulfilled prophecies referring to this age (and there are many),
without violence to them or any other Scriptures, may be fulfilled in the
interim between the two phases of Christ's coming. They must be fulfilled before
the second phase of Christ's coming, but we know of no prophecy that must be
fulfilled before Christ comes for His bride.
Webster defines the word
imminent as meaning "threatening to occur immediately; near at hand; impending."
We maintain that this is exactly the way God has taught in His Word that
believers should regard the coming of their Lord to receive them unto Himself. The Scripture teaches that this event is ever
"near at hand," and that believers, therefore, should ever be in the attitude of
watchful expectancy. Note the following passages:
1. Mark 13:25,36-"Watch ye
therefore: for ye know not when the Master of the house
cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning: lest
coming suddenly he find you sleeping." Thayer says that the meaning of watch in
this and similar passages is "to take heed, lest through remissness and
indolence some destructive calamity overtake one." Can there be any sensible
reason for watching for an event, unless, so far as we know, it may take place
now?
2. Jas. 5:8-"Be ye also
patient, stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth
nigh."
The Greek word for "draweth
nigh" is in the pluperfect tense, and means, according to
Thayer, "has come nigh, is at hand." A similar form of the same word is said by
Thayer to be used "concerning things imminent and soon to come to pass." The
verb in the above passage is translated "is at hand" nine times in the King
James Version. Matt. 26:46 furnishes a good example of its use.
3. Rev.
22:12-"Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me to give every man
according as his work shall be."
The word in the passage for
quickly does not mean suddenly, as some would have it; but it means "quickly,
speedily, without delay" (Thayer). Good samples of its use may be found in Matt. 5:25; 28:7, 8; Mark 16:8; John 11:29. In
the above passage, the coming of Christ is spoken of as God sees it; and a
thousand years is as one day with God (1 Pet. 3:8). And it is so represented
that the time of it may be uncertain to believers. So far as they know, it may
occur at any moment. Therefore, to them it is ever imminent.
Many passages show the
practical value of a belief in the imminent coming of Christ. Prominent among
them is Jas. 5:8, as given above. This passage shows that a belief in the
imminent coming of Christ is an incentive to patience and strength in the midst
of suffering and afflictions.