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THE SECOND ADVENT

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Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 2, 1880

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 6, No. 33.

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THE SECOND ADVENT.

By James White

A SECOND supposes a first. The second advent of Christ to this world, as an event of the future, supposes his first appearing as an event of the past. The great object of his first coming was to bear the sins of the world. The object of his second appearing is the completion of the work of salvation and eternal redemption. Paul speaks of these two comings in these words: "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Heb. 9:28.
The first advent of the Son of God was one event, and only one. It was fulfilled in the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph and Mary, who preached his own gospel, confirming his mission and ministry by miracles, and who was condemned, crucified, buried, raised from death, and taken up to the throne of God.
The numerous declarations of the Scriptures relative to the second advent, will have their fulfillment in the personal, visible appearing of the Son of God to this world to destroy his enemies, raise the righteous dead, and to change the living righteous to immortality.
"For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1 Thess. 4:16, 17. See also Matt. 24:30; Mark 13:26; 14:62; Luke 21:27; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; Titus 2:13; 1 John 3:2; Rev. 1:7; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8.
In a single series there can be but one first, and one second. Christ has appeared on the earth once, a willing offering for the sins of men. He is to appear a second time, and at his second coming he will bestow the gift of immortality upon his people, dead and living. That he has not yet done this, is proof that his second coming is future.
Those who say, "Lo, here," Christ comes the second time at the conversion of sinners, "or there," in the death of Christians, make our dear Lord come the second time at every conversion, and at the death of every saint. Absurdity! In any single series, there can be but one first, and one second.
J. W.