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SECOND COMING ALREADY HAPPENED?
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I will address this to you both. Didn’t see your post Grip when I prepared this. See if this helps.
Jerry said, “Are you saying that Jesus’ second coming has already occurred?”
Yes I am. At first I know this may sound strange in light of the teaching we both grew up with, but this is exactly what Jesus said would happen, and in fact, did happen. I will try
and keep this first reply brief, but will be glad to answer any questions it may bring up.
First of all look again at Matt. 16:27,28. This is the first verse that really jumped at me when I first considered the “timing” of the second coming. I had believed for years that
Jesus did in fact return “in judgment” of the Jewish nation in AD 70. I have also always believed that Jesus did in fact establish His Kingdom on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), and that Christians from the First Century to present were in that Kingdom, (Col. 1:13). The reason that Matt. 16:27,28 were so important to my new understanding has to do with this “timing” issue. When we read the New Testament we are reading someone else’s mail. We must first see what they understood, before we can make an application to ourselves.
In Verse 27, Jesus says that when He comes,“Will then
recompense everyman according to his deeds.” It is the word “everyman” that is important here. That means that both good
and bad would be judged, not just the Jewish nation as I had believed. This this would be a “general” judgment. Now WHEN would that general judgment take place? Verse 28 says,“there are some of those who are STANDING HERE who shall not TASTE DEATH until the SEE the Son of Man COMING IN HIS KINGDOM.” (emphasis mine). This general judgment would take place within the life time of some of those to whom Jesus spoke.
I had always thought that the “general” judgment of “all men” would take place at the second coming of Christ at some point in the future. I was right that this judgment would
take place at the second coming, it was my “timing” that was wrong. Jesus said it would take place in the first century, during the life time of some of those to whom He spoke.
(See also Mark 9:1).
Then I remembered the preaching of John the Baptist. (Notice Matt. 3:1-12.) He was the first to introduce the soon coming Kingdom. The message of Jesus was a continuation of what he preached. John said, “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (v:1). Note at hand, not 2000+ plus years down the road in the 21st Century. He also spoke of a two fold baptism, on in the Holy Spirit and one in fire. (v:11). John also spoke of a general judgment, wheat put in the barns, and chaff burned up. (v:12). The our pouring of the Holy Spirit took place on the day of Pentecost, (Acts 2), the baptism of fire - burning of the chaff - at the destruction of Jerusalem. Fire was used through the scriptures to refer to judgment. Check also Malachi 4:1-6. This is the prophecy about John the Baptist's coming.
Now lets look at Matt. 25:31-46. All my life I had pictured this scene happening at some point in the future, not in the first century. Here is why I changed my understanding. Compare Matt. 16:27 with Matt. 25:31,32. Same coming in “glory” with His “angels” and His “Kingdom”. Same “general” judgment in both places. In Matt. 25:34 those blessed “inherit the kingdom”, those “cursed” eternal punishment Matt. 25:46. All of this within the life time of some of those who heard Jesus speak, Mat. 16:28.
Notice how all of this fits with what Jesus said in Matt. 23,24. Matt. 23:36 “all these things shall come upon this generation.”. Matt: 24:34 “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until ALL THESE THINGS TAKE PLACE.” (emphasis mine). This would include all the signs in verse before V:34. It would also include verses 29-31. Note
how similar they are to Matt. 16:27,28; 25:31-46.
Now let me address your second question: “What are the implications of this for the church today?”
Prior to the return of Jesus in AD 70 those who died were in the Haden world. (See the story Jesus told of the rich man and Lazarus Luke 16:19-31. Check a concordance also for the word Sheol. It is my understanding that when Jesus returned in His Kingdom, Hades/Sheol was emptied, for there was no longer a need for a “resting place of the dead”. Jesus had died, was buried, and rose again. He had paid the price with His blood of entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. Now what does that have to do with your question? Simply this, when God’s children die today they are trust immediately into the
presence of God in heaven. No more waiting.
Secondly, it means that Christians today “reign with Him”. What was only a promise from Paul to Timothy is our reality. (II. Tim. 2:12). There is so much more. I have a web site where I have a series of articles on “The Effect of a First Century Second Coming of Christ”. Let me suggest you check that out rather than my reposting all of that here. Here is the site location:
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/ad70/
Now to your third question: I believe the text you are referring to is in I Tim. 1:20; II Tim. 2:16-18. These men of whom Paul speaks were teaching that the Resurrection had
already passed prior to AD 70. In that time setting Paul was very correct, what they were teaching was false. But I do think the fact that they were so successful in leading many
astray say a lot about the “nature” of the resurrection. I had pictured the resurrection coming and all the cemeteries would be emptied. If that was the concept that was taught
about the resurrection I doubt seriously that these men would have been very effective at all. But in light of what was being taught about the resurrection, I can see how they could have been effective The resurrection was not a visible event, it was a simple transformation of the dead to their final resting place when Jesus returned in AD 70.
In Conclusion let me just say that we have to accept the “time dated” statements of Jesus and the Apostles. We have said nothing here about the Book of Revelation, but consider
the “time dated” statements that it opens and closes with: Rev. 1:1-3 “shortly take place”, “for the time is near”. Rev. 22:10-21 “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near”, “I am coming quickly”, “I am coming quickly”. If you knew nothing else about this book but these statements you would know that the ones who
received it would have expected it to be fulfilled in their life time, not 2000+ plus years in the future.
God Bless Brother, these are exciting times. Jesus is on the throne, and we reign with Him.
Lee
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