Did the Apostles Believe Christ Was Coming in Their Day?
The writers of the New Testament, Paul, Peter, James, John, Jude, and the writer of Hebrews, probably Apollos, speak more or less frequently of the second coming of Christ. It is held out as our only hope, the day of reward, the revelation of God’s glory in us, the blessed hope, and as being at hand, at the door, etc. They wrote of the solemnity of that event and of the necessity of being prepared. Did they believe it was impending in their day? There were some who did. But the apostles and chosen men of God did not. Let Paul speak for them. Here is what he says to those who had imbibed a wrong idea:— “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed,” etc. 2 Thess. 2: 1-3. The same truth is taught by our Lord in Matthew 24. The simple fact is that the apostles not only wrote for their time but for ours, the end of the age. When the time comes that Christ’s coming is near, God will see that his servants give meat in due season, according to the prophetic word. See 2 Peter 1: 19.