Eagerly Waiting: From Simeon’s Hope to the Second Coming

I would be honored to help you prepare this message; I will craft both a detailed sermon and a structured outline focusing on the Greek concept of prosdechomai and how Simeon’s patient, expectant heart mirrors our own longing for Christ’s second coming.

The Consolation of Israel: Waiting for the King 👑

Introduction: A Heart of Expectation

True believers rest in a sweet communion with God, which is an earnest of the peace that will be theirs in the bright hereafterLS 56.3. Throughout history, those who sincerely love Jesus have watched with the most intense longing for the coming of their SaviourLS 56.3. We approach the hour of His return with a calm solemnity, knowing that none who experience this hope and trust can ever forget these precious hours of waitingLS 56.3. The science of salvation is found in this: that Christ, the mighty, uncreated Lord, is waiting for our answer to let Him into our hearts Revelation 3:1416LtMs, Lt 185, 1901, par. 9.

🧒 Children’s Corner: The Gift that is Almost Here

Imagine you were told that a very special friend was coming to visit you on your birthday. Every day, you look out the window, wondering if today is the day. You keep your room clean and your heart happy because you want to be ready when they knock on the doorARSH December 1, 1859, page 10.10. This is how Simeon felt about the first coming of Jesus, and how we feel about His second comingBDOC 55.66. Just like you wait for a special gift or a friend, Simeon waited because he knew God always keeps His promisesHLv 30.2.

I. Simeon: The Model of Eager Waiting 🕯️

Simeon was a man in Jerusalem, just and devout, who was waiting for the consolation of Israel Luke 2:25. The Holy Spirit was upon him, and it was revealed to him that he should not see death until he had witnessed the infant Messiah Luke 2:26BDOC 55.66. Simeon came by the Spirit into the temple, showing that he allowed his every step and action to be guided by the Spirit of GodPTUK November 9, 1899, page 706.1. When he took the infant Savior in his arms, his eyes saw the salvation which God prepared before the face of all people Luke 2:30-31ST August 22, 1900, par. 2. By divine illumination, Simeon understood Christ's mission and broke out in a joyous refrain because he recognized the "Light of the world" John 8:125BC 1116.5+1.

• The Contrast of Hearts: While Simeon recognized the Lord, the priests and rulers, though they had the prophecies, were not walking in the way of the Lord and their eyes were not openHLv 31.1+1.

• The Price of Salvation: Simeon understood that this Child was set for the fall and rising of many, and that a sword would pierce the soul of Mary, revealing the thoughts of many hearts Luke 2:34-3512LtMs, Ms 45, 1897, par. 12.

II. The Spirit of Prophecy and the Great Crises 📜

If the operation of the spirit of prophecy has at times seemed to disappear as spirituality waned, it has nevertheless marked all the great crises in the experience of the churchPP 21.1. When the era of the incarnation was reached, God communicated through dreams, visions, and the Holy Spirit to prepare a peoplePP 21.1+1. Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, and Anna, a prophetess, spoke of Him to all who looked for redemption in Jerusalem Luke 1:67+1ARSH February 25, 1858, page 125.16. Just as Simeon and Anna waited for the first advent, today’s Adventists, filled with the Holy Spirit, may expect revelations of future events and know what is comingBDOC 55.66.

III. Eagerly Waiting for the Second Advent ☁️

The Bible describes the second coming of Christ as personal, glorious, and imminentTDOC 129.5. We are told to be patient until the coming of the Lord and to stablish our hearts, for His return draweth nigh James 5:7-8ARSH February 6, 1855, page 172.16. This "eagerly waiting" is not a passive delay but a diligent preparation18LtMs, Lt 165, 1903, par. 19.

• The Purpose of Prophecy: The one great subject of the book of Daniel is the coming of the Lord and the end of the worldARSH June 13, 1899, page 372.15.

• A Living Hope: The hopes of early Christians were bound up in the animating prospect of Christ’s Second Advent, looking for the Savior from heaven Philippians 3:20HST January 1, 1845, page 162.1.

• Spiritual Quickening: Those who accept the Advent doctrine are roused to the necessity of repentance, feeling that the things of eternity eclipse every temporal objectGC88 340.1.

IV. Practical Godliness: Preparing the Way 🛠️

To be ready for the day of God, we must be found in all holy conversation and godliness 2 Peter 3:11. We must fall upon the Rock and be broken; self must be dethroned so that we may be uplifted in ChristHLv 31.6.

• The Royal Law: We are to be diligent to be found of Him in peace, without spot and blameless 2 Peter 3:14.

• The Danger of Delay: We must not be like the evil servant who says in his heart, "My Lord delayeth his coming," and begins to smite his fellow servants Matthew 24:48-49HST February 14, 1844, page 10.22.

• A Pilgrim Spirit: We want more of a pilgrim’s spirit, ever looking for and hastening to our home, setting Christ’s advent continually before our eyesARSH August 12, 1862, page 86.3.

V. The Closing Scenes of Earth's History 🌍

The nations are in unrest and times of perplexity are upon us, yet those who believe in God will hear His voice amid the storm saying, "It is I; be not afraid"LDE 19.4. We are among the closing scenes represented in the parables of Scripture, and God has guided His people to look with unyielding confidence for the coming of JesusADTE March 1846, page 7.13. The Advent message is the most important message that will ever come to the world, and it is our burden to give our strength to preaching itPC 60.6.

VI. Appeal: What Are You Going to Do? 📢

The Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him Habakkuk 2:20. Today, the Savior stands at the door of your heart and knocks; will you let Him in16LtMs, Lt 185, 1901, par. 9?

• The Decision: Will you give Him your heart, soul, and service16LtMs, Lt 185, 1901, par. 9?

• The Price: Remember you are not your own; you are bought with a price, for He was wounded for our transgressions 1 Corinthians 6:19-20+1.

• The Promise: If you are faithful, you shall share in the first resurrection and enter the celestial city to pluck fruit from the tree of lifeARSH December 1, 1859, page 10.10+1.

Do not be like the formal church members who pursue pleasure and money-makingGC88 340.1. Instead, like Simeon, be just and devout, waiting for the consolation of IsraelBDOC 55.66. The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; what manner of persons ought ye to be 2 Peter 3:10-11? Turn to Christ now, forsake your sins, and join those who love His appearing 2 Timothy 4:817LtMs, Ms 235, 1902, par. 17. What is your answer to the King16LtMs, Lt 185, 1901, par. 9?

Here is the sermon outline:

The Consolation of Israel: Waiting for the King

Introduction: A Heart of Expectation

• True Peace: Believers find sweet communion with God as a foretaste of future peace.
• Intense Longing: Sincere love for Jesus results in a deep desire for His return.
• The Science of Salvation: Christ waits for our permission to enter our hearts Revelation 3:14.

Children’s Corner: The Gift that is Almost Here

• Anticipation: Like waiting for a special friend on your birthday, we must keep our hearts ready.
• God’s Promises: Simeon trusted God’s promise to see the Messiah, just as we trust the promise of His return.

I. Simeon: The Model of Eager Waiting

• Spirit-Led Devotion: Simeon was a just and devout man guided by the Holy Spirit to the temple.
• Recognition of the Light: Unlike the religious leaders of his day, Simeon’s divine illumination allowed him to recognize the infant Savior.
• The Prophetic Cost: Simeon understood that Christ’s mission involved both salvation and sacrifice (the "sword" piercing Mary’s soul).

II. The Spirit of Prophecy and Great Crises

• Preparation through Revelation: God uses dreams, visions, and the Holy Spirit to prepare His people during major historical turning points.
• Biblical Examples: Figures like Zacharias and Anna spoke through the Spirit to announce the first advent.
• Modern Application: Current believers can expect revelations to understand the times and prepare for the second advent.

III. Eagerly Waiting for the Second Advent

• Character of the Return: The Second Coming is personal, glorious, and imminent.
• Active Waiting: This is not passive delay but diligent preparation and establishing one's heart.
• Spiritual Quickening: Accepting the advent doctrine should lead to repentance and a focus on eternal rather than temporal things.

IV. Practical Godliness: Preparing the Way

• Holy Conversation: Readiness requires a life of godliness and being "without spot."
• Self-Surrender: We must "fall upon the Rock" and dethrone self-interest.
• The Pilgrim Spirit: Maintaining a mindset that we are travelers looking toward our true home in heaven.

V. The Closing Scenes of Earth's History

• Global Unrest: Despite world perplexity, believers find peace in God’s voice.
• Prophetic Fulfillment: We are living in the final scenes described in biblical parables.
• Urgent Mission: Proclaiming the Advent message is the most important task for the church today.

VI. Appeal: What Are You Going to Do?

• The Knock: Christ is currently seeking entrance into your heart.
• The Purchase: Remember that you were bought with a price through Christ’s suffering.
• The Eternal Reward: Faithfulness leads to the first resurrection and the tree of life.
• The Final Choice: Turn from worldly pleasures and formal religion to join those who love His appearing.