Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion is Luke 17:22-37 which covers Jesus’ prophecy of His Second Coming.  Here is the link to read it – Click here: Luke 17 – Passage Lookup – New American Standard Bible – BibleGateway.com

 

Some of Jesus’ prophecy concerned the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.  But, there is a false teaching called “Full Preterism” which teaches that all of Jesus’ prophecy was fulfilled before or no later than at about this time of 70 A.D. and that His Second Coming was one of only judgment on the nation of Israel that already occurred at this time of 70 A.D.

 

For most of you, this false teaching of “Full Preterism” may seem so far out and unbelievable that it does not concern you.  But, this false teaching is taught in some Reformed circles such that you may encounter it and should be aware of it.  One of the dangers of “Full Preterism” is that it teaches there will be no future Second Coming of Jesus.

 

Here is an article by Martyn McGeown of the Protestant Reformed Churches which refutes this false and dangerous teaching – Click here: Preterist Gangrene: Its Diagnosis, Prognosis and Cure  

 

Anyone can give isolated Scriptural texts to support their false teaching.  One of the benefits of creeds is that it guards against these false teachings.  Usually false teachings are not unique, but rather they have risen in the past and been thoroughly studied and rebuked as part of a creed.  In other words, we do not need to “reinvent the wheel”, but we can take advantage of the work of our Fathers of the Faith.  In essence, we take advantage of sound doctrine. 

 

The general importance of creeds is so important to Reformed Doctrine that I have devoted a “tag” to it that you will see at the top of my Reformed Doctrine blog.  Here is a direct link to the “Plea for Creeds” tag –

 

So, what do some of the creeds teach about Jesus’ Second Coming?

 

 

Question 52.  What comfort is it to thee that “Christ shall come again to judge the quick and the dead”?

 

Answer.  That in all my sorrows and persecutions, with uplifted head I look for the very same person, who before offered himself for my sake, to the tribunal of God, and has removed all curse from me, to come as judge from heaven: who shall cast all his and my enemies into everlasting condemnation, but shall translate  me with all his chosen ones to himself, into heavenly joys and glory. 

                                                   

The Westminister Larger Catechism teaches:

Question 56: How is Christ to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world?

Answer: Christ is to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world, in that he, who was unjustly judged and condemned by wicked men, shall come again at the last day in great power, and in the full manifestation of his own glory, and of his Father’s, with all his holy angels, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, to judge the world in righteousness.

 

Article 37:  Of the Last Judgment.

Finally we believe, according to the Word of God, when the time appointed by the Lord (which is unknown to all creatures) is come, and the number of the elect complete, that our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, corporally and visibly, as he ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare himself judge of the quick and the dead; burning this old world with fire and flame, to cleanse it. And then all men will personally appear before this great judge, both men and women and children, that have been from the beginning of the world to the end thereof, being summoned by the voice of the archangel, and by the sound of the trumpet of God. For all the dead shall be raised out of the earth, and their souls joined and united with their proper bodies, in which they formerly lived. As for those who shall then be living, they shall not die as the others, but be changed in the twinkling of an eye, and from corruptible, become incorruptible. Then the books (that is to say the consciences) shall be opened, and the dead judged according to what they shall have done in this world, whether it be good or evil. Nay, all men shall give an account of every idle word they have spoken, which the world only counts amusement and jest: and then the secrets and hypocrisy of men shall be disclosed and laid open before all. And therefore the consideration of this judgment, is justly terrible and dreadful to the wicked and ungodly, but most desirable and comfortable to the righteous and elect: because then their full deliverance shall be perfected, and there they shall receive the fruits of their labor and trouble which they have borne. Their innocence shall be known to all, and they shall see the terrible vengeance which God shall execute on the wicked, who most cruelly persecuted, oppressed and tormented them in this world; and who shall be convicted by the testimony of their own consciences, and being immortal, shall be tormented in that everlasting fire, which is prepared for the devil and his angels. But on the contrary, the faithful and elect shall be crowned with glory and honor; and the Son of God will confess their names before God his Father, and his elect angels; all tears shall be wiped from their eyes; and their cause which is now condemned by many judges and magistrates, as heretical and impious, will then be known to be the cause of the Son of God. And for a gracious reward, the Lord will cause them to possess such a glory, as never entered into the heart of man to conceive. Therefore we expect that great day with a most ardent desire to the end that we may fully enjoy the promises of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. AMEN.

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” – Revelation. 22:20.