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Commentary on "The Promise of His Return"
Day 3: Monday, March 26, 2012 - Promise and Expectation
Overview
This day the focus of the study concentrates on the promise of Jesus’ second coming and how much depends on it. The hope created by this promise is a hope different from other hopes. It carries with it the certainty that, contrary to the disappointing nature of other hopes, it will be fulfilled at some point in time. It has confidence attached to it because it's not subject to the changing nature of today's status. While present hopes depend too much on things that are changeable, uncertain, possible, or probable, the hope of Jesus’ coming rests on something beyond these unsure elements. The subject of the second coming had always been the Adventist concern as demonstrated even in the name of the denomination. The hope of Jesus’ return is also different in the fact that the promise is related to a qualitatively different kind of world, without sin, suffering, or injustice—something that no human being has yet experienced.
Observations
While the certainty of this hope is superior to other hopes, there is a factor that brings this hope to the same level as the rest of the hopes when approached from the Adventist perspective. While the establishing of God's kingdom is a certainty, above any disturbing factor that may make the fulfillment of the promise uncertain, subjectively the believers are not as certain that they will benefit from the fulfillment of this promise. Their entrance into the future kingdom is conditioned on their present obedience, something that is subject to factors that go against any certainty. As long as the entrance into God's kingdom is contingent on personal obedience, the promise is in effect reduced to the same level of uncertainty. While God will prove that his faithfulness is above any question, man's unfaithfulness will make this promise of no effect for this man, in particular. He will see God's promise fulfilled for others, but it will not bring him any comfort.
Thankfully, the Bible teaches us that the enjoyment of the future kingdom is not contingent on man's performance. God's promises are all "Yes" in Christ.
For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 2 Cor. 2:20-22.
The seal of the Spirit of regeneration is real; there is a certain guarantee of our future inheritance. Because of Jesus Christ and his work on our behalf, the promises of God are always "Yes", always affirmative. Even when we are failing, God will remain faithful (2 Timothy 2:13). The grace of God shines when not only is the future kingdom a certainty, not depending on any transitory thing from today's passing world, but the participation in this kingdom is also a certain event, in which Jesus's work on the believer's behalf and the Spirit’s one-time regeneration of our spirits makes the final outcome sure. From top to bottom God's promise is bigger and surer than anything else.
Copyright 2012 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised March 21, 2012. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Camp Verde, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.
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Official Adventist Resources
Standard Edition Study Guide Week 13
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Easy Reading Edition Study Guide Wk 13
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