It is claimed that one out of every thirty verses in the Bible
mentions this doctrine; to every one mention of the first coming
the second coming is mentioned eight times; 318 references to it
are made in 216 chapters; whole books (1 and 2 Thess., e.g.) and
chapters (Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 31, e.g.) are devoted to it.
It is the theme of the Old Testament prophets. Of course, they
sometimes merge the two comings so that it is not at first sight
apparent, yet the doctrine is there. (1 Pet. 1:11).
Jesus Christ bore constant testimony to His coming again (John
14:3; Matt. 24 and 25; Mark 13; Luke 21; John 21:22).
The angels, who bore such faithful testimony to Christ's first
advent, bear testimony to His second coming (Acts 1:11; cf. Heb.
2:2, for the faithfulness of their testimony).
The apostles faithfully proclaimed this truth (Acts 3:19, 20; 1
Thess. 4:16, 17; Heb. 9:28; 1 John 2:28; Jude 14, 15).
2. THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS BIDDEN TO LOOK FORWARD TO CHRIST'S
SECOND COMING AS ITS GREAT HOPE.
Titus 2:13--"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing
of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Pet. 3:12. The
one great event, that which supersedes all others, towards which
the Church is to look, and for which she is to ardently long, is
the second coming of Christ.
G3. IT IS SET FORTH AS THE DOCTRINE WHICH WILL PROVE TO BE THE
GREATEST INCENTIVE TO CONSISTENT LIVING.
Matt. 24:44-46; Luke 21:34-36--"And take heed to yourselves,
lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and
drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you
unawares. . . . Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may
be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to
pass, and to stand before the Son of man." 1 John 2:28; 3:3. The
test which the church should apply to all questions of practice:
Would I like to have Christ find me doing this when He comes?