The Signs of the Second Coming: Hope in the Midst of Crisis?
Welcome back to where we plant the everlasting gospel deep into the soil of Scripture and watch prophecy bloom into hope.
Today’s episode: The Signs of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Not speculation.
Not sensationalism.
But Scripture.
And the prophetic insights of Ellen G. White, especially from The Desire of Ages and The Great Controversy.
Let’s walk carefully through the Bible — from Daniel to Revelation — and then listen to how the Spirit of Prophecy amplifies that message.
Moral and Spiritual Collapse
📖 Old Testament Foundation
Isaiah 24:5–6
“The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws…”
Daniel 12:4
“Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”
Daniel predicts both moral decline and accelerated knowledge before the end.
📖 New Testament Fulfillment
Matthew 24:12
“Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”
2 Timothy 3:1–5
“In the last days perilous times shall come… having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”
Jesus and Paul both describe religious culture without spiritual transformation.
In The Great Controversy, chapter “The Impending Conflict,” White writes:
“The condition of the world before the first advent of Christ is a picture of the condition of the world just prior to His second advent.”
She parallels the days of Noah — violence, corruption, indifference.
In The Desire of Ages, she adds:
“When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.”
The delay is not prophetic failure — it is redemptive mercy.
Wars, Disasters, and Global Unrest
📖 Jesus’ Direct Words
Matthew 24:6–7
“You shall hear of wars and rumors of wars… Nation shall rise against nation… there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes…”
He calls these “the beginning of sorrows.”
📖
Haggai 2:6
“Yet once… I will shake the heavens, and the earth.”
The Great Controversy, chapter “The Final Warning”:
“Satan works through the elements also to garner his harvest of unprepared souls.”
She describes calamities increasing in frequency and intensity, often misinterpreted spiritually.
But she also clarifies:
“While appearing to the children of men as a great physician who can heal all their maladies, he will bring disease and disaster.”
The crisis has a spiritual dimension.
Signs in the Heavens
📖 Biblical Prophecy
Joel 2:31
“The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood…”
Revelation 6:12–13
“The sun became black… and the stars of heaven fell…”
📚 Ellen White’s Historical Application
In The Great Controversy, chapter “Signs of the Times,” she identifies:
- 1755 Lisbon earthquake
- 1780 Dark Day
- 1833 falling stars
She writes:
“These signs have been fulfilled. Now we know of a surety that the Lord’s coming is at hand.”
But she warns against date-setting and sensationalism.
The Gospel to All Nations
📖 Christ’s Prophetic Marker
Matthew 24:14
“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”
This is not merely global distribution — but global confrontation.
📖 Revelation’s Final Call
Revelation 14:6–12
The Three Angels’ Messages:
- Worship the Creator
- Judgment has come
- Warning against the beast
- Call for endurance
📚 Ellen White’s Emphasis
In The Great Controversy, chapter “The Final Warning”:
“The message of Christ’s righteousness is to sound from one end of the earth to the other to prepare the way of the Lord.”
The final crisis is not primarily political — it is worship-centered.
The Judgment Before the Appearing
📖 Daniel’s Courtroom
Daniel 7:9–10
“The judgment was set, and the books were opened.”
📖 New Testament Confirmation
Hebrews 9:28
“Unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”
Revelation 22:11–12
“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still… Behold, I come quickly.”
A decision precedes His appearing.
📚 Ellen White’s Explanation
In The Great Controversy, chapter “The Investigative Judgment”:
“The work of the investigative judgment and the blotting out of sins is to be accomplished before the second advent of the Lord.”
Yet she balances it with assurance:
“All who have truly repented of sin… have had their names retained in the book of life.”
Judgment is not terror for believers — it is vindication.
The Visible, Literal Return
📖 Clear New Testament Declaration
Acts 1:11
“This same Jesus… shall so come in like manner.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16–17
“The Lord himself shall descend… with the trump of God… the dead in Christ shall rise…”
Revelation 1:7
“Every eye shall see him.”
No secret rapture.
No symbolic metaphor.
A cosmic, visible event.
📚 Ellen White’s Climactic Description
The Great Controversy, chapter “God’s People Delivered”:
“Soon there appears in the east a small black cloud… It is the cloud which surrounds the Saviour.”
She continues:
“The King of kings descends upon the cloud, wrapped in flaming fire.”
And from The Desire of Ages:
“The voice of God is heard from heaven, declaring the day and hour of Jesus’ coming.”
Christ comes not as a suffering servant — but as conquering King.
What Do These Signs Mean for Us?
- The world’s instability is not random — it is prophetic.
- The gospel must go deeper before it goes farther.
- Judgment is good news for those in Christ.
- The Second Coming is personal, visible, and imminent.
The signs are not given to create fear.
They are given to grow faith.
Friend, the question is not: Are the signs happening?
The question is: Is Christ’s character being formed in me?
Because according to Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy:
The greatest sign of the Second Coming…
is a people who reflect Jesus.
Judgment Without Fear: Good News from the Heavenly Courtroom
Companion to this episode on the Second Coming and the Judgment.
This guide is structured for:
- Personal devotion
- Small groups
- Sabbath School
- Couples or family worship
- Ministry training
Grounded in Scripture and the writings of Ellen G. White, especially The Great Controversy and The Desire of Ages.
🌿 Reframing the Word “Judgment”
Common Emotional Responses
When people hear judgment, they often think:
- Investigation
- Exposure
- Rejection
- Punishment
- Uncertainty
But Scripture presents judgment differently.
📖 Key Anchor Texts
Daniel’s Courtroom Vision
“The judgment was set, and the books were opened.” — Daniel 7:10
Notice:
- The court sits before the Second Coming.
- The Son of Man approaches the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:13–14).
- The verdict ultimately favors the saints (Daniel 7:22).
New Testament Assurance
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 8:1
“Perfect love casts out fear.” — 1 John 4:18
Judgment for the believer is not condemnation — it is vindication.
⚖️ What Is the Investigative Judgment?
Biblical Structure
- Daniel 7 — Heavenly court convenes.
- Hebrews 8–9 — Christ ministers in the heavenly sanctuary.
- Revelation 14:7 — “The hour of His judgment is come.”
Judgment precedes Christ’s visible return (Revelation 22:12).
Ellen White’s Clarification
In The Great Controversy, she writes:
“The work of the investigative judgment and the blotting out of sins is to be accomplished before the second advent of the Lord.”
But she immediately anchors this in assurance:
“All who have truly repented of sin, and by faith claimed the blood of Christ… have had pardon entered against their names.”
Judgment is not God searching for reasons to exclude.
It is God publicly affirming those who trusted Christ.
Why We Don’t Need to Fear
1️⃣ Jesus Is the Judge — and Your Advocate
“The Father judges no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” — John 5:22
“If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” — 1 John 2:1
The Judge is the same One who died for you.
2️⃣ Judgment Is About Relationship, Not Perfection
From The Desire of Ages:
“Those who accept Christ as their personal Savior are not left as orphans to bear the trials of life alone.”
Judgment asks:
- Did you cling to Christ?
- Did you trust His righteousness?
- Did you surrender when convicted?
Not:
- Were you flawless?
3️⃣ The Cross Already Secured the Verdict
“By one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.” — Hebrews 10:14
White harmonizes this by emphasizing:
- Christ’s sacrifice is complete.
- His priestly ministry applies its benefits.
- The judgment reveals who has accepted that gift.
Discussion
Personal Reflection
- When you hear “judgment,” what emotion rises first — and why?
- How does Romans 8:1 reshape your view of the judgment?
Theological Depth
- How does Daniel 7 change the narrative from fear to vindication?
- Why is it important that Jesus is both Judge and Advocate?
Practical Application
- What does daily surrender look like in light of a present judgment?
- How can we preach the judgment without producing anxiety?
Teaching Framework
You can teach this episode in four movements:
Seed 1: The Court Is Convened (Daniel 7)
God is transparent before the universe.
Seed 2: The Priest Is Present (Hebrews 9)
Christ ministers for us now.
Seed 3: The Verdict Is Announced (Revelation 22)
Destinies are settled before Christ appears.
Seed 4: The King Returns (1 Thessalonians 4)
Judgment culminates in resurrection and restoration.
Devotional Exercise: Living in the Judgment Hour
Step 1: Assurance Prayer
“Lord Jesus, You are my Advocate. I place my life under Your righteousness.”
Step 2: Surrender Audit
Ask:
- Is there known sin I am resisting surrendering?
- Is there someone I need to forgive?
- Is there obedience I am delaying?
Judgment is not about terror.
It is about alignment.
🔥Teaching Without Fear (Ministry Leader Section)
When presenting the judgment:
Avoid:
- Date-setting urgency tactics
- Emotional manipulation
- Fear-based appeals
Emphasize:
- Christ’s intercession
- Assurance in Him
- The beauty of transparent justice
- Vindication of God’s character
From The Great Controversy:
“In the judgment the use made of every talent will be scrutinized.”
But also:
“Those who have confessed and forsaken their sins… need not retain them in the memory.”
The emphasis is transformation through grace.
✨ Closing Reflection
The investigative judgment is not heaven looking for reasons to reject you.
It is heaven declaring before the universe:
“This one trusted My Son.”
And when Christ appears,
He comes not to decide your case —
but to execute the already-settled verdict.
Welcome home sons and daughters of God!
