Digital Logos Edition
Jesus Christ was very clear: One day he will return-and none of us knows when. Vocal fanatics claim to know the details of the second coming, causing many Christians to all but ignore the good news that Jesus is coming again. Yet God’s own Word commands us to know the signs of the times, to remain watchful, and to be ready whenever Christ comes.
MacArthur’s book is a straightforward, in-depth exploration of the key biblical texts regarding the second coming— most notably, Christ’s longest and most important eschatological message, the Olivet Discourse. As readers study what the Bible says about these matters, hearts will stir in an earnest longing for Christ’s return, as well as a certainty about how to live expectantly until he comes again.
“My advice to budding systematic theologians is this: master the fundamental issues of soteriology, hamartiology, pneumatology, Christology, bibliology, theology proper, and other essential points of Christian doctrine before settling into such a dogmatic stance on the eschatological fine points.” (Page 20)
“Those cover several broad categories, embracing every aspect of our sanctification. The hope of Christ’s imminent return is a catalyst and an incentive for all these things—every fruit of the Spirit, every Christian virtue, everything that pertains to holiness and Christlikeness, everything that belongs to life and godliness.” (Page 67)
“So the consistent teaching of the New Testament is that Christians should be looking for the imminent coming of Christ for His church, and 2 Thessalonians 2:1–4 is no exception.” (Page 56)
“So true readiness for Christ’s return involves both expectancy and patient endurance.” (Page 17)
“That quite clearly describes the very same ‘abomination of desolation’ Jesus mentions in Matthew 24:15. Thus Daniel’s seventieth week is expressly associated with the same events described in the Olivet Discourse. The seventieth week is none other than the seven-year period we refer to as ‘the Tribulation.’” (Page 86)
John MacArthur has served as the pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, since 1969. He is known for his verse-by-verse expository preaching, and his pulpit ministry has extended around the world via his daily radio program, Grace to You. He has also written or edited nearly four hundred books and study guides. MacArthur serves as the president of The Master’s College and Seminary, a four-year liberal arts Christian college. He and his wife, Patricia, live in Southern California and have four grown children.