It is fortunate that Christ did not return in 1844 or else subsequent generations, including our own, would not have been around to hear the gospel. The great disappointment highlights the folly and presumptuousness of assigning a specific date to Christ's return although it should not deter believers from discerning the signs of the times as set out in prophetic passages of scripture.
There are several groups of people, each of whom consider themselves a part of “the second advent movement”. One group expects to reign with Jesus on Earth during the millennium. Two other groups expect to reign with Jesus in heaven during the millenium. One of those two groups emphasizes justification by grace alone through faith alone, the primacy of scripture and the priesthood of all believers and other protestant principles. The other of those two groups emphasizes modern revelation and the authority of a “Church” organization. A person could easily argue that there aren’t many people who are really protestant anymore, even in the United States. But which of the last two groups listed above do you think is likely to have greater success in encouraging protestants to understand the nature of the kingdom and the nature of the king, i.e. that Jesus can never be the kind of king the Hebrews expected and wanted 2,000 years ago? Did Jesus mean what he said? Is the purpose of his return to resurrect the people who have died in faith and take living believers with them to the mansions he has gone to prepare? In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:2 & 3
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It is fortunate that Christ did not return in 1844 or else subsequent generations, including our own, would not have been around to hear the gospel. The great disappointment highlights the folly and presumptuousness of assigning a specific date to Christ's return although it should not deter believers from discerning the signs of the times as set out in prophetic passages of scripture.
There are several groups of people, each of whom consider themselves a part of “the second advent movement”.
One group expects to reign with Jesus on Earth during the millennium.
Two other groups expect to reign with Jesus in heaven during the millenium.
One of those two groups emphasizes justification by grace alone through faith alone, the primacy of scripture and the priesthood of all believers and other protestant principles.
The other of those two groups emphasizes modern revelation and the authority of a “Church” organization.
A person could easily argue that there aren’t many people who are really protestant anymore, even in the United States. But which of the last two groups listed above do you think is likely to have greater success in encouraging protestants to understand the nature of the kingdom and the nature of the king, i.e. that Jesus can never be the kind of king the Hebrews expected and wanted 2,000 years ago?
Did Jesus mean what he said? Is the purpose of his return to resurrect the people who have died in faith and take living believers with them to the mansions he has gone to prepare?
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:2 & 3
*Happy Investigative Judgement Day!*
(now going on for 179 years)