we know history repeats itself...

At the Hebrews study tonight we went wrapped up chapter two and one of the themes discussed was the author's continuing argument before the Jews that Christ really was God despite being human. A lot of verses in the chapter--7 and 9 are the ones I recall off hand; there are plenty more--discuss Christ's glory and power and how we as believers will eventually share in that. An obvious thought occurred to me but I don't remember thinking of it in such a light before.

Today's popular "comic book" eschatology seems to imply that Christ will return in some blaze of glory amidst an epic battle to decide the fate of all humanity. Some can't wait for this mega-glorious return so they can finally be victorious over all enemies. (I'm not saying His return won't be glorious or victorious--keep reading.) Instead of seeing symbolism or figurative language here, they see a vivid description of what we are waiting for on earth. And so they eagerly await what they are sure will be a most triumphant return. At least in their eyes.

Now wait a minute...does that sound familiar? It should. Recall the Jews of biblical times. They had the exact same sort of high hopes for an earthly conqueror who would right all that was wrong in their world and establish them as rulers over those around them. And when their Conqueror came to establish God's kingdom, they were too blinded by their own pride and expectations to submit to Him. They were so sure God would come in the form of a mighty warrior that they couldn't fathom their savior as a lowly human like the rest of us. They weren't even willing to consider the possibility, despite the fact that God never promised the Messiah would bring them earthly conquest and domination. And so their false perception of God's coming kept them out of the kingdom they awaited so eagerly.

I don't know just what Christ's return will look like or exactly what to expect, but I do know that the Bible stresses preparedness at all times and not being unduely focused on the future over the present. Christ Himself said "the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him" (Luke 12:40) and "[i]t is not for you to know the times or dates" of His return and subsequent establishment of His kingdom (Acts 1:7). Jesus was speaking directly to His disciples/apostles in these verses so we know the context implies that believers are referred to here. Paul wrote on this in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 as well, stating "about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." Given that Paul's words are addressed to his "brothers" (v. 1) we can conclude that even to believers Christ's return will be as unexpected as the arrival of a thief.

So why do so many focus on the details of the second coming when the Bible not only doesn't provide such details but warns us against trying to discern times and dates we can't know? I guess it's a fascination for some, an interesting puzzle of sorts. I'm sure others really believe that they know how Jesus' return will play out. And I'm not saying their conclusions are wrong; I don't claim to have the inside scoop myself. But they are unquestionably wrong to put so much faith and emphasis on them. And given the circumstances of his coming the first time around, I'm inclined to believe we're in for something similar. He won't come in a way we expect or have planned for (in a worldly sense) so it's not helpful--it's quite dangerous actually--for us to lose sight of the big picture in our quest to conform his return to our own expectations. Hopefully that's not going on as much as I think it is, but I have my concerns.