The Message of the Second Coming

Steve Motyer

Description

In The Message of the Second Coming, a new volume in the Bible Speaks Today series of commentaries, Steve Motyer explores how the second coming of Christ is the cornerstone of authentic Biblical faith.
"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." John 14:3 (ESV)

Jesus Christ was very clear: one day He will return, and we must know the signs of the times, remain watchful, and be ready for when He comes again.

In this insightful study, Steve Motyer explores a number of key biblical texts to unpack The Message of the Second Coming. Examining passages from both the Old and New Testaments, he demonstrates that Jesus Christ is the core of the biblical worldview, the climax of the biblical message, the cornerstone of biblical theology and the centrepiece of authentic biblical faith for the twenty-first century.

A new volume in the trusted the Bible Speaks Today series of commentaries, The Message of the Second Coming offers a clear, cogent and thought-provoking exposition of what the Bible tells us about the second coming of Jesus Christ and how the lessons drawn from that can be applied to modern Christian living.

Used by Bible students and teachers around the world, the Bible Speaks Today commentaries are ideal for students who want to deepen their understanding of Scripture and its continued relevance today. This volume is also perfect for those preaching on the second coming of Christ and looking for accessible exposition they can draw on for their sermons.

This new edition uses the NIV Bible text and its beautiful cover matches the redesigned editions of existing Bible Speaks Today Commentary.

The Message of the Second Coming is perfect for anyone looking for compelling commentaries will help them better understand the meaning of the second coming of Christ and how it applies to their everyday life.

Contents

General preface ix

Author’s preface xi

Chief abbreviations xiii

Select bibliography xiv

Introduction 1

Part 1: The second coming in the Old Testament

1. History and time (Psalms 89 – 90) 7

2. Presence in power (Psalm 18) 19

3. The beasts and the Son of Man (Daniel 7:1–28) 32

4. ‘A day is coming for the Lord’! (Zechariah 14:1–21) 44

Part 2: The second coming in the Gospels and Acts

5. Refreshments to follow (Acts 1:6–11; 3:17–21) 59

6. Will he find faith on the earth? (Luke 17:20 – 18:8) 71

7. The coming of the Son of Man (Matthew 24:1–44) 83

8. Parables of preparation (Matthew 24:45 – 25:46) 96

9. At home with the Lord (John 14:1–31) 108

Part 3: The second coming in the letters of Paul

10. The coming of the Lord: Part 1 (1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 5:11) 121

11. The coming of the Lord: Part 2 (2 Thessalonians 2:1–12) 133

12. ‘He must reign until . . . ’ (1 Corinthians 15:20–28) 147

13. Mercy on all (Romans 11:25–36) 159

14. The Saviour from heaven (Philippians 3:1–21) 172

Part 4: The second coming in the later New Testament

15. The high priest reappears (Hebrews 9:23–28) 187

16. The day of the Lord (2 Peter 3:1–18) 199

17. ‘See, I am coming soon!’ (Revelation 22:6–21) 212

18. The rider, the reign and the throne (Revelation 19:1 – 22:5) 225

Part 5: The second coming and the Christian life

19. Eating with Jesus (Revelation 3:14–22; 1 Corinthians 11:17–34) 241

20. Be ready! (1 John 3:2–3; James 5:7–11; Titus 2:11–15;

Colossians 3:1–4) 253

21. The final charge (2 Timothy 4:1–8) 266

Epilogue 273

Study guide 275

Sujets

• Biblical Studies
• Philosophie et théologie
• General officer
• Theology
• New Testament
• Religion
• General

Informations

• Publié par: IVP
• Date de parution: 17 novembre 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781789744071
• Langue: English

Extrait

INTER-VARSITY PRESS
36 Causton Street, London SW1P 4ST, England
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.ivpbooks.com
© Stephen Motyer 2022
Stephen Motyer has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as Author of this work.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher or the Copyright Licensing Agency.
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Anglicized edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and used by permission. All rights reserved.
First published 2022
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN: 978–1–78974–406–4
eBook ISBN: 978–1–78974–407–1
Set in 9.5/13pt Karmina
Typeset in Great Britain by CRB Associates, Potterhanworth, Lincolnshire
Printed and bound in Great Britain by Ashford Colour Press Ltd, Gosport, Hampshire
eBook by CRB Associates, Potterhanworth, Lincolnshire
Produced on paper from sustainable sources.
Inter-Varsity Press publishes Christian books that are true to the Bible and that communicate the gospel, develop discipleship and strengthen the church for its mission in the world.
IVP originated within the Inter-Varsity Fellowship, now the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship, a student movement connecting Christian Unions in universities and colleges throughout Great Britain, and a member movement of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. Website: www.uccf.org.uk . That historic association is maintained, and all senior IVP staff and committee members subscribe to the UCCF Basis of Faith.
To Clare (daughter) and Lily (granddaughter): you put up so patiently with me being shut away to write. Now you can have me back! At least until Jesus comes again. Then we’ll be present to one another in ways we can barely begin to imagine.
Contents
General preface
Author’s preface
Chief abbreviations
Select bibliography
Introduction
Part 1: The second coming in the Old Testament
1. History and time (Psalms 89 – 90)
2. Presence in power (Psalm 18)
3. The beasts and the Son of Man (Daniel 7:1–28)
4. ‘A day is coming for the L ord ’! (Zechariah 14:1–21)
Part 2: The second coming in the Gospels and Acts
5. Refreshments to follow (Acts 1:6–11; 3:17–21)
6. Will he find faith on the earth? (Luke 17:20 – 18:8)
7. The coming of the Son of Man (Matthew 24:1–44)
8. Parables of preparation (Matthew 24:45 – 25:46)
9. At home with the Lord (John 14:1–31)
Part 3: The second coming in the letters of Paul
10. The coming of the Lord: Part 1 (1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 5:11)
11. The coming of the Lord: Part 2 (2 Thessalonians 2:1–12)
12. ‘He must reign until . . .’ (1 Corinthians 15:20–28)
13. Mercy on all (Romans 11:25–36)
14. The Saviour from heaven (Philippians 3:1–21)
Part 4: The second coming in the later New Testament
15. The high priest reappears (Hebrews 9:23–28)
16. The day of the Lord (2 Peter 3:1–18)
17. ‘See, I am coming soon!’ (Revelation 22:6–21)
18. The rider, the reign and the throne (Revelation 19:1 – 22:5)
Part 5: The second coming and the Christian life
19. Eating with Jesus (Revelation 3:14–22; 1 Corinthians 11:17–34)
20. Be ready! (1 John 3:2–3; James 5:7–11; Titus 2:11–15; Colossians 3:1–4)
21. The final charge (2 Timothy 4:1–8)
Epilogue
Study guide
Notes
NIV Bible Speaks Today
The Bible Speaks Today: Old Testament series
The Bible Speaks Today: New Testament series
The Bible Speaks Today: Bible Themes series
GENERAL PREFACE
The Bible Speaks Today describes three series of expositions, based on the books of the Old and New Testaments, and on Bible themes that run through the whole of Scripture. Each series is characterized by a threefold ideal: to expound the biblical text with accuracy to relate it to contemporary life, and to be readable.
These books are, therefore, not ‘commentaries’, for the commentary seeks rather to elucidate the text than to apply it, and tends to be a work rather of reference than of literature. Nor, on the other hand, do they contain the kinds of ‘sermons’ that attempt to be contemporary and readable without taking Scripture seriously enough. The contributors to The Bible Speaks Today series are all united in their convictions that God still speaks through what he has spoken, and that nothing is more necessary for the life, health and growth of Christians than that they should hear what the Spirit is saying to them through his ancient – yet ever modern – Word.
alec motyer
john stott
derek tidball
Series editors
Author’s preface
I am so glad to be contributing a volume to The Bible Speaks Today series, which has formed part of the backdrop to my life ever since my father became one of the founding editors of the series (with John Stott) in the 1970s. I learned from my father a deep love for the Bible, and in particular a love for its details, its particulars, asking the question ‘why?’ of every feature of the text, even the tiniest. I’ve had plenty of opportunity to indulge that love here.
Beyond just enjoying these texts, John Stott’s principle of ‘double listening’ underlies the raison d’être of The Bible Speaks Today series, and this too has been written deeply into my life. We listen on the one hand to Scripture, and on the other to the world around us, and then we allow each to address the other. I discovered an opportunity to explore this ‘double listening’ in looking at 2 Peter 3 (chapter 16 of this book), because it turns out that Peter is doing the same! I find this very encouraging: amazingly, we hear God’s voice through Scripture not in some kind of ‘spiritual’ way abstracted from real life, but as we carefully listen to the Bible using our own selves (our world, our worries and our woes) as lenses to give focus to the eternal Word for today .
This is how it works both on an individual level (as I read Scripture for myself) and on a wider level as we ask, ‘What is God saying to the church today?’ On both levels God actually uses the questions and agonies we bring, to help us understand both Scripture and himself more clearly. How wonderful. For the greatest scriptural example of this amazing hermeneutical principle, consider the book of Job!
The second coming of Jesus has been greatly neglected in the church generally, except in those churches where premillennialism holds sway and a literal Rapture of the church is taught and expected. I find many reasons, in the passages we look at in this book, not to believe in a literal Rapture (and therefore in a ‘double’ return of Christ). But I also find very many reasons to believe that the second coming is an absolutely crucial biblical doctrine, so that we cannot claim to be authentic, biblical believers unless the expectation of his coming is at the heart of our day-by-day faith.
And what’s more, we will find many reasons to believe that the second coming is a deeply political doctrine, and this aspect of it thrills me deeply. Read on to find out what I mean!
I’m so grateful for the help of others on the way: not just for my father’s influence (see above), but in particular for the fellowship of colleagues at London School of Theology, where I worked for many years. Robert Willoughby, Conrad Gempf and I once wrote a course on the theology of Paul for the now defunct Open Theological College, and the decision we took together to begin the course with Paul’s eschatology, rather than finishing with it, expressed our shared conviction (which I think began with Conrad) that you can’t properly understand Paul except from the End. Everything flows around and from his sense of where it’s all heading, in God’s purpose for the world in Christ. I think the same applies to the whole of biblical theology! Working with people like Robert and Conrad – and many others with them – has been an enormous blessing.
Derek Tidball was both our Principal at London School of Theology and my editor for this volume, and I am deeply grateful to him in both roles. He and the editors at IVP – Tom Creedy and before him Philip Duce – have added so much to this book and have shown enormous patience over its so-long-delayed production.
The dedication expresses my commitment and gratitude to the two ladies in my life, my daughter Clare and granddaughter Lily, and my prayer that with them I may be able truly to be ready for the coming of the Lord.
steve motyer
Chief abbreviations
asv – American Standard Version
cev – Contemporary English Version
esv – English Standard Version
gnt – Good News Translation
J. B. Phillips – J. B. Phillips, The New Testament in Modern English (London: Geoffrey Bles, 1960)
JSNTSup – Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement Series
kjv – King James Version (Authorized Version)
The Message – Eugene H. Peterson, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2002)
niv – New International Version
nkjv – New King James Version
nrsv – New Revised Standard Version
N. T. Wright – Tom Wright (tr.), The New Testament for Everyone (London: SPCK, 2011)
Select bibliography
The following is a selection of books not just on the second coming but also more broadly on the Christian hope and the last things, representing a variety of viewpoints.
Alexander, T. Desmond, The City of God and the Goal of Creation , Short Studies in Biblical Theology (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018).
__, The Message of the Kingdom of God , The Bible Speaks Today (London: Inter-Varsity Press, forthcoming, 2023).
Alison, James, Living in the End Times: The Last Things Re-imagined (London: SPC