Advent: A reminder of His sure (second) coming

We've seen our fair share this year of false prophets/teachers making a mockery of Christ's second coming. Completely disregarding Christ's words that "no one knows the day or hour" of his return (Matthew 24:36), they presumptuously go on in their date predictions - to their discredit, but unfortunately also to the increased general skepticism and even mockery regarding one of the most fundamental doctrines of historic Christianity, namely the second coming of Christ.

Today is the beginning of advent. A time where various Christian traditions celebrate the advent, or coming, of Christ 2000 + years ago and eagerly await his second advent. And just as God foretold many times in the Old Testament and then fulfilled the promise of Christ's first advent, so we can be sure that his promise of Christ's second advent will also be fulfilled. We can be skeptical about it, we can mock it, but the odds are greatly against us because of God's track record. It's as sure as the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our hope and anticipation, therefore, like our faith, is objective. It's not just hope in hope, but is based on the historic objectivity of a God who has been keeping his promises since the creation of the world.

So when my heart wants to be unbelieving about Christ's second coming, I will think about the fulfilled promises of God that first advent, and then "[wait] for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works" (Titus 2:13-14).