HIS SECOND COMING
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The Bible contains much more material concerning the Second Coming. Consider this passage in Matthew that we have already mentioned, which we will now consider in more depth. Jesus is speaking to his disciples: And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. (Matthew 10: 22-23) Here Jesus made a clear statement about the timing of his Second Coming. Jesus stated to his disciples that He would come before they had completed going through all of the cities of Israel. Let’s consider how some interpreters view this passage. Some commentaries say that this statement is not about the Lord’s Second Coming at all, but about his First Coming. But obviously, this passage cannot be about his First Coming; Jesus was already there! Similarly, some say that the passage is referring to Jesus’own ministry in the cities of Galilee. But that does not fit the passage either. It is not about Jesus’ministry in the cities of Galilee; it is about the disciples who were going through the cities of Israel. The passage makes sense only if Jesus was looking ahead to the time when He was no longer on the earth and the disciples had the responsibility of carrying out their work of evangelism. Further, Jesus was giving the disciples themselves a timeline for what was going to happen in relationship to their work, not Jesus’own work. Other commentaries acknowledge that Jesus is referring to the Second Coming. For example, the popular NIV Study Bible says, “The saying seems to teach that the gospel will continue to be preached to the Jews until Christ’s Second Coming.”Such an interpretation completely ignores the fact that Jesus is telling his disciples that they themselves will not finish their mission before his Second Coming. (It’s amazing what otherwise good scholars can come up with in order to support a flawed presupposition.)
Charles Meek

Christian Hope through
FULFILLED PROPHECY
~Charles S. Meek