Is the Second Coming of Christ Really Real? Is There a New Earth?
When we look at the current and evolving global human turmoil that exists in politics, environment and finances we wonder and most probably share a mutual concern. Where is this all going? How it will all end? Catastrophic? One world government? Is there hope for our children? the human race?
The answer can lie within the world view that you espouse. In a secular worldview, you get what you can while you can and live self-centered, selfish, me-first, power over others lives. The strong and rich survive. The poor become collateral damage. It’s might, power and control. The rich and powerful inherit what this world has to offer, the poor serve and live on the left-overs. It is the grossest inequality imaginable. Studying the annals of history it is a story that has repeated itself over and over again. The global economy that was to have created equality and improved the condition of the poor has failed.
If you accept a Christ centered world view, you espouse the worldview of simplicity, less stuff, power under not power over, of living other-centered, selfless lives. We serve in the realm of power under, not power over others. It is the total opposite of the secular worldview, where the poor become rich and the weak become strong and the inheritance of the weak, poor and disenfranchised is the New Jerusalem or New Earth. We live this life in the example and footsteps of Jesus Christ our Lord, God and Savior who risked all and gained the victory, that we might have hope of a closer relationship with Him. He died for you and me. He didn’t have to. He did so because God is love and Jesus has promised that He is coming again to take the poor and weak that claim Him as their Lord and Savior home.
Here are some precious thoughts of our Blessed Hope that we have in Jesus Christ. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is real. So is the promise of a New Earth.
“With Jesus at our head we all descended from the city down to this earth, on a great and mighty mountain, which could not bear Jesus up, and it parted asunder, and there was a mighty plain. Then we looked up and saw the great city, with twelve foundations, and twelve gates, three on each side, and an angel at each gate. We all cried out, “The city, the great city, it’s coming, it’s coming down from God out of heaven,” and it came and settled on the place where we stood.
Then we began to look at the glorious things outside of the city. There I saw most glorious houses, that had the appearance of silver, supported by four pillars set with pearls most glorious to behold. These were to be inhabited by the saints. In each was a golden shelf. I saw many of the saints go into the houses, take off their glittering crowns and lay them on the shelf, then go out into the field by the houses to do something with the earth; not as we have to do with the earth here; no, no. A glorious light shone all about their heads, and they were continually shouting and offering praises to God.
I saw another field full of all kinds of flowers, and as I plucked them, I cried out, “They will never fade.” Next I saw a field of tall grass, most glorious to behold; it was living green, and had a reflection of silver and gold, as it waved proudly to the glory of King Jesus. Then we entered a field full of all kinds of beasts—the lion, the lamb, the leopard, and the wolf, all together in perfect union. We passed through the midst of them, and they followed on peaceably after. Then we entered a wood, not like the dark woods we have here; no, no; but light, and all over glorious; the branches of the trees waved to and fro, and we all cried out, “We will dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.” We passed through the woods, for we were on our way to Mount Zion.
As we were traveling along, we met a company who also were gazing at the glories of the place. I noticed red as a border on their garments; their crowns were brilliant; their robes were pure white. As we greeted them, I asked Jesus who they were. He said they were martyrs that had been slain for Him. With them was an innumerable company of little ones; they also had a hem of red on their garments.
Mount Zion was just before us, and on the mount was a glorious temple, and about it were seven other mountains, on which grew roses and lilies. And I saw the little ones climb, or, if they chose, use their little wings and fly to the top of the mountains, and pluck the never-fading flowers. There were all kinds of trees around the temple to beautify the place; the box, the pine, the fir, the oil, the myrtle, the pomegranate, and the fig-tree bowed down with the weight of its timely figs—these made the place all over glorious. And as we were about to enter the holy temple, Jesus raised His lovely voice and said, “Only the 144,000 enter this place,” and we shouted, “Alleluia.”
This temple was supported by seven pillars, all of transparent gold, set with pearls most glorious. The wonderful things I there saw, I cannot describe. Oh, that I could talk in the language of Canaan, then could I tell a little of the glory of the better world. I saw there tables of stone in which the names of the 144,000 were engraved in letters of gold.
After we beheld the glory of the temple, we went out, and Jesus left us, and went to the city. Soon we heard His lovely voice again, saying: “Come, My people, you have come out of great tribulation, and done My will; suffered for Me; come in to supper, for I will gird Myself, and serve you.” We shouted, “Alleluia! glory!” and entered into the city.
And I saw a table of pure silver; it was many miles in length, yet our eyes could extend over it. I saw the fruit of the tree of life, the manna, almonds, figs, pomegranates, grapes, and many other kinds of fruit.
I asked Jesus to let me eat of the fruit. He said: “Not now. Those who eat of the fruit of this land, go back to earth no more. But in a little while, if faithful, you shall both eat of the fruit of the tree of life, and drink of the water of the fountain.” And He said, “You must go back to the earth again, and relate to others what I have revealed to you.” Then an angel bore me gently down to this dark world.”
Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White, pp. 62-64
Parousia Second Coming of Jesus Christ: Is the Second Coming of Christ Real? Is There a New Earth?
