1. The following statements explain what the word “Adventist” means:
“Advent… a coming or arrival; (with cap.) the first or the second coming of Christ…” The Wordsworth English Dictionary, pg. 12.
“Adventist one who expect a second coming of Christ…” Ibid, pg. 12.
“Advent… Arrival; the coming of Christ…” New Webster’s Dictionary, pg. 7.
“Advent, Christ’s First and Second. The term advent means “the reaching of a destination” or “a coming or arrival.” In referring to Jesus Christ’s arrivals or advents, we know that they have a divine origin or purpose.” Dictionary of Premillenial Theology, pg. 35.
a. Thus an “Adventist” is one who looks for and is expecting the second coming of Jesus Christ. Heb. 9:28.
[28] So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Heb. 9:28.
b. An Adventist looks for the second coming of Christ in such a way as to expect the end of the world. 2 Pet. 3:12-14.
[12] Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
[13] Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
[14] Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 2 Pet. 3:12-14.
2. In the Bible an Adventist awaits the second coming of Jesus Christ in such a way as to live sinfree and fulfil his duties to God and man. Tit. 2:11-15.
[11] For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
[12] Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
[13] Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
[14] Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
[15] These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. Tit. 2:11-15.
3. Adventism is a mind-set created by Jesus Christ Himself as He rejected the Jewish temple for the last time and left it (Matt. 23:37-39; Matt. 24:1).
[37] O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
[38] Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
[39] For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Matt. 23:37-39.
[24] And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. Matt. 24:1.
4. Again, just before His trial and crucifixion, at the last supper, Jesus again introduced the disciples to an Adventist mind-set. (Jn. 13:1; Jn. 14:1-3).
[1] Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. Jn. 13:1.
[1] Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
[2] In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
[3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. Jn. 14:1-3.
5. Again, just as Jesus ascended into heaven, an angel reminded them of the Adventist hope they should all have. Acts. 1:9-11.
[9] And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
[10] And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
[11] Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts. 1:9-11.
6. However, Matthew Chapter Twenty-four and Matthew Chapter Twenty-five (Matt. 24 and Matt. 25) represents the Adventist mind-set that Jesus presented for the generations living just before His second coming. This mind-set includes the following points:
a. Hope and expectancy for Jesus’ second coming.
b. Spiritual preparation for Jesus’ second coming.
c. Prophetic understanding for Jesus’ second coming.
d. The use of personal abilities as a person waits for the second coming of Jesus Christ.
e. A watching of events, a giving of influence with the spirit of diligence, for the second coming of Jesus Christ.
f. A judgement-scene-motivation to love the brethren in view of the saved or lost status of the person at the second coming of Jesus Christ.
7. The following points are the natural divisions of Matthew Chapter Twenty-four (Matt. 24).
i. Matt. 24:1-3.
ii. Matt. 24:4-14.
iii. Matt. 24:15-28.
iv. Matt. 24:29-31.
v. Matt. 24:32-35.
vi. Matt. 24:36-51.
8. The following points are the natural divisions of Matthew Chapter Twenty-five (Matt. 25).
i. Matt. 25:1-13.
ii. Matt. 25:14-30.
iii. Matt. 25:31-46.
9. The general topics of the divisions of Matthew Chapter Twenty-four (Matt. 24) is as follows:
i. Jesus’ warning-prophecy of the destruction of the temple, and the disciple’s quest as to Jesus coming and the end of the world. Matt. 24:1-3.
[1] And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
[2] And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
[3] And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? Matt. 24:1-3.
ii. A summary history of events leading down to the end of the world. Matt. 24:4-14.
[4] And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
[5] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
[6] And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
[7] For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
[8] All these are the beginning of sorrows.
[9] Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
[10] And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
[11] And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
[12] And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
[13] But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
[14] And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Matt. 24:4-14.
iii. A brief history of the persecution of the church and of the existence of false prophets and christs, from the fall of Jerusalem, to the great persecution, to the second coming. Matt. 24:15-28.
[15] When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
[16] Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
[17] Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
[18] Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
[19] And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
[20] But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
[21] For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
[22] And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
[23] Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
[24] For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
[25] Behold, I have told you before.
[26] Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
[27] For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
[28] For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Matt. 24:15-28.
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