Al considerar con atención las profecías del Antiguo Testamento, nos sorprenden en gran manera dos clases de predicciones, al parecer contradictorias, con respecto a la venida del Mesías. Una clase de profecía Le anuncia débil y humillado, varón de dolores y experimentado en quebrantos, raíz en tierra seca, sin parecer ni hermosura, sin atractivos, Su rostro ultrajado, Sus manos y Sus pies heridos, desechado de los hombres, sepultado entre los impíos.
Véanse:
Salmo 22:1-181<<To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David.>> My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? 2O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. 3But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. 4Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. 5They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. 6But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. 7All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. 9But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts. 10I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly. 11Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help. 12Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. 13They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. 14I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. 15My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. 16For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. 17I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. 18They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture. (Psalm 22:1‑18); Daniel 9:2626And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. (Daniel 9:26); Isaías 7:1414Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14); Zacarías 13:6-76And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. 7Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. (Zechariah 13:6‑7); Isaías 53; Marcos 14:2727And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. (Mark 14:27)
Las otras profecías anuncian un Soberano hermoso e irresistible, que purgará la tierra con juicios terribles, reunirá los dispersos de Israel, restaurando el trono de David con magnificencia superior a la de Salomón, e introducirá un reinado de paz profunda y de justicia perfecta.
Ejemplos:
Deuteronomio 30:1-71And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath driven thee, 2And shalt return unto the Lord thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul; 3That then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee. 4If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee: 5And the Lord thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers. 6And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. 7And the Lord thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee. (Deuteronomy 30:1‑7); Daniel 7:13-1413I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13‑14); Isaías 9:6-76For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6‑7); Miqueas 5:22But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Micah 5:2); Isaías 11:1-2,10-121And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; (Isaiah 11:1‑2)
10And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. 11And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. 12And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. (Isaiah 11:10‑12); Mateo 1:11The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. (Matthew 1:1); Isaías 24:21-2321And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. 22And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. 23Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously. (Isaiah 24:21‑23); Mateo 2:22Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. (Matthew 2:2); Isaías 40:9-119O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! 10Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. 11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:9‑11); Lucas 1:31-3331And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (Luke 1:31‑33); Jeremías 23:5-85Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. 6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. 7Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that they shall no more say, The Lord liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; 8But, The Lord liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land. (Jeremiah 23:5‑8)
A debido tiempo empezó el cumplimiento de la profecía sobre el Mesías con el nacimiento del Hijo de la Virgen conforme a Isaías, en Belén según Miqueas, y procedió literalmente hasta la plena realización de las predicciones de la humillación del Mesías. Pero los judíos no quisieron recibir a su Rey, “manso, y sentado sobre una asna, y sobre un pollino, hijo de animal de carga”, y Le crucificaron.
Véanse:
Zacarías 9:99Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. (Zechariah 9:9); Mateo 21:1-51And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. (Matthew 21:1‑5); Juan 19:15-1615But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. 16Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. (John 19:15‑16)
Pero no debemos llegar a la conclusión de haber la maldad humana anonadado el propósito firme de Dios, pues Su palabra habla de un segundo advenimiento de Su Hijo, cuando las predicciones referentes a la gloria terrenal del Mesías obtendrán el mismo cumplimiento exacto que cuantas se refieren a Sus padecimientos terrenales.
Véanse:
Oseas 3:4-54For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: 5Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days. (Hosea 3:4‑5); Mateo 24:27-3027For 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. 28For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. 29Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:27‑30); Lucas 1:31-3331And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (Luke 1:31‑33) (el versículo 31 ya cumplido al pie de la letra); Hechos 1:6-76When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. (Acts 1:6‑7); Hechos 15:14-1714Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 16After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 17That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. (Acts 15:14‑17)
Los judíos se resistían a creer cuanto los profetas habían dicho sobre los padecimientos de su Mesías; nosotros nos resistimos a creer cuanto han dicho sobre Su gloria. Nuestra falta es mayor, pues debiera ser más fácil creer en la venida del Hijo de Dios, en las nubes y con poder y gloria, que creer en Su venida como Niño de Belén, como Carpintero de Nazaret. En verdad, lo creemos porque ha sucedido, no porque lo predijeron los profetas, y ya es hora de que cesemos de echar en cara a los judíos su incredulidad. Si se nos pregunta cómo podían ser tan ciegos al significado evidente de tantas profecías tan inequívocas, la respuesta es que estaban cegados de igual modo que muchos cristianos lo están al significado, en igual medida evidente, de un mayor número de predicciones de Su gloria terrenal. En otros términos, los antiguos escribas dijeron al pueblo que las profecías de los padecimientos del Mesías no debían ser interpretadas literalmente, de igual modo que algunos escribas modernos dicen a la gente que las profecías de la gloria terrenal del Mesías no deben ser interpretadas al pie de la letra.
Pero el segundo advenimiento es una promesa hecha, a la par, a la iglesia y al judío.
Las siguientes palabras fueron dirigidas, entre otras, por nuestro Señor a Sus discípulos perplejos y tristes, antes de Su sacrificio en la cruz: “No se turbe vuestro corazón; creéis en Dios, creed también en Mí. En la casa de Mi Padre muchas moradas hay; si así no fuera, Yo os lo hubiera dicho; voy, pues, a preparar lugar para vosotros. Y si Me fuere y os preparare lugar, vendré otra vez, y os tomaré a Mí mismo, para que donde Yo estoy, vosotros también estéis” (Juan 14:1-31Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In 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. 3And 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. (John 14:1‑3)).
Ahí habla el Señor de Su regreso en exactamente los mismos términos que de Su partida.
Esta fue, como sabernos, personal y corporal. Si decimos que Su venida es impersonal y “espiritual”, debemos hacerlo fundándonos en la Escritura, y esto no es posible.
Mas no hay duda en cuanto a ese punto vital. En el momento preciso de la desaparición de nuestro Señor a la vista de Sus discípulos, “se pusieron junto a ellos dos varones con vestiduras blancas, los cuales también les dijeron: Varones galileos, ¿por qué estáis mirando al cielo? Este mismo Jesús, que ha sido tomado desde vosotros al cielo, así vendrá como Le habéis visto ir al cielo” (Hechos 1:10-1110And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11Which 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 1:10‑11)).
Al mismo efecto es 1 Tesalonicenses 4:16-17,16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16‑17) “Porque el Señor mismo con voz de mando, con voz de arcángel, y con trompeta de Dios, descenderá del cielo; y los muertos en Cristo resucitarán primero. Luego nosotros los que vivimos, los que hayamos quedado, seremos arrebatados juntamente con ellos en las nubes para recibir al Señor en el aire, y así estaremos siempre con el Señor”.
Para aquella “esperanza bienaventurada” se nos enseña a “velar” (Marcos 13:33,35,3733Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. (Mark 13:33)
35Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: (Mark 13:35)
37And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. (Mark 13:37); Mateo 24:42; 25:1342Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. (Matthew 24:42)
13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:13)); a “esperar” (1 Tesalonicenses 1:1010And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:10)); y a estar “preparados” (Mateo 24:4444Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 24:44)). La última oración en la Biblia es para el pronto regreso de Cristo (Apocalipsis 22:2020He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)).
Estos textos indican claramente que el segundo advenimiento será personal y corporal; que, por consiguiente, no implica la muerte del creyente, ni la destrucción de Jerusalén, ni el descenso del Espíritu Santo en Pentecostés, ni la difusión gradual del cristianismo; sino que es la “esperanza bienaventurada” de la iglesia, el momento del despertar de los santos dormidos que serán, juntos con los santos vivos entonces, “transformados” (1 Corintios 15:51-5251Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51‑52)), arrebatados para recibir al Señor; el tiempo en que nosotros, hijos de Dios actualmente, seremos como Él, y cuando los santos fieles recibirán la recompensa de las obras hechas en Su nombre.
Los textos siguientes evidenciarán más el contraste entre los dos advenimientos de nuestro Señor.
Comparen:
|
Primer Advenimiento
|
Segundo Advenimiento
|
|
“Y dio a luz a su hijo primogénito, y Lo envolvió en pañales, y Lo acostó en un pesebre, porque no había lugar para ellos en el mesón” (Lucas 2:7).
|
“Entonces aparecerá la señal del Hijo del Hombre en el cielo; y entonces lamentarán todas las tribus de la tierra, y verán al Hijo del Hombre viniendo sobre las nubes del cielo, con poder y gran gloria” (Mateo 24:30).
|
|
“Pero ahora, en la consumación de los siglos, se presentó una vez para siempre por el sacrificio de Sí mismo” (Hebreos 9:26).
|
“Así también Cristo fue ofrecido una sola vez para llevar los pecados de muchos; y aparecerá por segunda vez, sin relación con el pecado, para salvar a los que Le esperan” (Hebreos 9:28).
|
|
“Porque el Hijo del Hombre vino a buscar y a salvar lo que se había perdido” (Lucas 19:10).
|
“Y a vosotros que sois atribulados, daros reposo con nosotros, cuando se manifieste el Señor Jesús desde el cielo con los ángeles de Su poder, en llama de fuego, para dar retribución a los que no conocieron a Dios, ni obedecen al evangelio de nuestro Señor Jesucristo” (2 Tesalonicenses 1:7-8).
|
|
|
|
“Al que oye Mis palabras, y no las guarda, Yo no le juzgo; porque no he venido a juzgar al mundo, sino a salvar al mundo” (Juan 12:47).
|
|
“Porque no envió Dios a Su Hijo al mundo para condenar al mundo, sino para que el mundo sea salvo por Él” (Juan 3:17).
|
“Por cuanto ha establecido un día en el cual juzgará al mundo con justicia, por aquel varón a quien designó, dando fe a todos con haberle levantado de los muertos” (Hechos 17:31).
|
El estudiante puede multiplicar tales contrastes casi infinitamente. Pero ya se ha dicho lo suficiente para demostrar que tanto las promesas a Israel como las hechas a la iglesia exigen imperiosamente un regreso de nuestro Señor a la tierra.
(Nota.— Tal vez los que comienzan el estudio de la Biblia hallarán auxilio en la breve consideración de las teorías opuestas a la doctrina bíblica del segundo advenimiento, personal y corporal, de Cristo).
Por supuesto, se comprenderá que los textos referentes a Su venida visible y corporal al término de esta dispensación deben distinguirse de los relativos a Sus divinos atributos de omnisciencia y omnipresencia, por virtud de los cuales Él está al corriente de todo y en todas partes presente. Mateo 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20) y Mateo 28:2020Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:20) son ejemplos de ello.
Así que, en tal sentido, tenemos la bendición de Su compañía siempre, hasta el fin del mundo.
Pero el “Hombre Cristo Jesús” está ahora personal y corporalmente a la diestra de Dios.
“Pero Esteban, lleno del Espíritu Santo, puestos los ojos en el cielo, vio la gloria de Dios, y a Jesús que estaba a la diestra de Dios, y dijo: He aquí, veo los cielos abiertos, y al Hijo del Hombre que está a la diestra de Dios” (Hechos 7:55-5655But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. (Acts 7:55‑56)).
Ilustración: Durante la guerra Franco-Prusiana, Von Moltke, con su genio y habilidad, y por medio de una red telegráfica, estaba en realidad presente en todos los campos de batalla, aunque visible y personalmente en su despacho en Berlín. Más tarde, se unió al ejército frente a París y entonces su presencia visible estaba ahí. De igual modo, nuestro Señor, por virtud de Sus atributos divinos, está en realidad presente ahora en Su iglesia, pero a Su segundo advenimiento será personalmente visible en la tierra.
1. Las profecías referentes al regreso del Señor no se cumplieron al descender el Espíritu Santo en Pentecostés, ni en Su manifestación en cultos y reuniones de resultados benditos porque:
(1) Esta interpretación anula prácticamente la doctrina de la Trinidad, haciendo del Espíritu Santo tan solo una manifestación de Cristo.
(3) Los inspirados escritores de los Hechos, de las Epístolas, y del Apocalipsis mencionan el regreso del Señor más de ciento cincuenta veces después de Pentecostés, y siempre en el futuro.
(4) En Pentecostés no se realizó ninguno de los acontecimientos profetizados como simultáneos al Segundo Advenimiento de Cristo, tales como: la resurrección de los santos que duermen (1 Corintios 15:22-2322For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. (1 Corinthians 15:22‑23); 1 Tesalonicenses 4:13-1613But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (1 Thessalonians 4:13‑16)); la “transformación” de los creyentes aún vivos, por medio de la cual se vestirán de incorrupción —el “cuerpo de la humillación” hecho “semejante al cuerpo de la gloria Suya”—, y serán “arrebatados ... para recibir al Señor en el aire” (1 Corintios 15:51-5351Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:51‑53); 1 Tesalonicenses 4:1717Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17); Filipenses 3:20-2120For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:20‑21)); y la aflicción de todas las tribus de la tierra a la venida visible del Hijo del hombre en poder y gran gloria (Mateo 24:29-3029Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:29‑30); Apocalipsis 1:77Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7)).
He aquí los fenómenos asociados con el acontecimiento del regreso del Señor. Nada de eso ocurrió en Pentecostés, ni en cualquiera otra manifestación del Espíritu Santo.
2. La conversión de un pecador no es la venida del Señor. Esta teoría parece demasiado pueril para ser expuesta como suficiente explicación de profecías tan numerosas y circunstanciales.
(1) Según la Escritura, sucede justamente lo contrario. La conversión es la venida de un pecador a Cristo, no de Cristo al pecador (Mateo 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28); Juan 5:4040And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. (John 5:40); Juan 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37); Juan 7:3737In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. (John 7:37)).
(2) Ninguno de los acontecimientos profetizados como simultáneos al regreso del Señor acompaña la conversión del pecador.
3. La muerte de un cristiano no es la venida de Cristo.
(2) Los escritores inspirados hablan siempre de la muerte de un creyente como su partida. Ni una sola vez está relacionada la venida del Señor con la muerte de un cristiano. Véanse Filipenses 1:2323For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (Philippians 1:23); 2 Timoteo 4:66For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. (2 Timothy 4:6); 2 Corintios 5:88We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8). Esteban moribundo vio los cielos abiertos y el Hijo del hombre, no viniendo, sino “que está a la diestra de Dios” (Hechos 7:55-5655But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. (Acts 7:55‑56)).
(3) Ninguno de los acontecimientos profetizados como simultáneos al regreso del Señor acompaña la muerte de un cristiano.
4. La destrucción de Jerusalén por los romanos no fue la segunda venida de Cristo.
(1) En Mateo 24 y Lucas 21, tenemos la predicción de tres sucesos: la destrucción del templo, la venida del Señor, y el fin del mundo. Véanse Mateo 24:33And 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? (Matthew 24:3). La confusión innecesaria de estos tres hechos tan diferentes entre sí dio lugar a la noción de ser el cumplimiento de uno el de todos.
(2) El apóstol Juan escribió el Apocalipsis después de la destrucción de Jerusalén, pero habla aún de la venida como de un acontecimiento futuro (Apocalipsis 1:4,7; 2:25; 3:11; 22:7,12,204John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; (Revelation 1:4)
7Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7)
25But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. (Revelation 2:25)
11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (Revelation 3:11)
7Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. (Revelation 22:7)
12And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Revelation 22:12)
20He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)). La última promesa de la Biblia es, “Vengo en breve”; la última oración, “Amén; sí, ven, Señor Jesús”.
(3) Ninguno de los acontecimientos profetizados como simultáneos al regreso del Señor ocurrió a la destrucción de Jerusalén. Véanse 1 Tesalonicenses 4:14-1714For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:14‑17); Mateo 24:29-3129Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:29‑31); Mateo 25:31-32,31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: (Matthew 25:31‑32) etc.
5. La propagación del cristianismo no es la segunda venida de Cristo.
(1) La difusión del cristianismo es gradual, y las Escrituras hablan del regreso del Señor como repentino e inesperado (Mateo 24:27,36-42,44,5027For 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. (Matthew 24:27)
36But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. (Matthew 24:36‑42)
44Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 24:44)
50The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, (Matthew 24:50); 2 Pedro 3:1010But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10); Apocalipsis 3:33Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. (Revelation 3:3)).
(2) La difusión del cristianismo es un proceso; las Escrituras hablan invariablemente del regreso del Señor como un acontecimiento.
(3) La difusión del cristianismo trae salvación a los malos, mientras la venida de Cristo, según se nos dice, no trae salvación sino “destrucción repentina” (1 Tesalonicenses 5:2-32For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:2‑3); 2 Tesalonicenses 1:7-107And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. (2 Thessalonians 1:7‑10); Mateo 25:31-4631When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Matthew 25:31‑46)).
Pero estas explicaciones y teorías, aunque muy extendidas, no se encuentran en los libros de teólogos famosos de cualquiera escuela o denominación, ni las sostiene ninguna eminencia universalmente reconocida. Todos están conformes en cuanto al segundo advenimiento, corporal y visible, de Cristo.
Sin embargo, se dice a veces que esta venida no puede verificarse hasta después de la conversión del mundo por medio de la predicación del Evangelio, y hasta su sumisión al reinado espiritual de Cristo durante mil años. Esta opinión es absolutamente errónea porque:
(1) La Escritura describe claramente la condición de la tierra a la segunda venida de Cristo como una condición de maldad terrible, no de bienaventuranza (Lucas 17:26-3226And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. 27They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. 28Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. 31In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. 32Remember Lot's wife. (Luke 17:26‑32); Génesis 6:5-75And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. (Genesis 6:5‑7); Génesis 13:1313But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly. (Genesis 13:13); Lucas 18:88I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:8); Lucas 21:25-2725And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luke 21:25‑27)).
(2) La Escritura describe todo el curso de esta dispensación, desde principio al fin, en tales términos que queda excluida la posibilidad de un mundo convertido de cualquiera de sus pasajes (Mateo 13:36-43,47-5036Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:36‑43)
47Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 48Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 50And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:47‑50); Mateo 25:1-101Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:1‑10); 1 Timoteo 4:11Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1 Timothy 4:1); 2 Timoteo 3:1-9; 4:3-41This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. (2 Timothy 3:1‑9)
3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Timothy 4:3‑4); 2 Pedro 3:3-43Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. (2 Peter 3:3‑4); Judas 17-1917But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. (Jude 17‑19)).
(3) El propósito de Dios en esta dispensación se nos dice ser, no la conversión del mundo, sino el “tomar de ellos (los gentiles) pueblo para Su nombre”. Después de esto, Él “volverá” y entonces, y no antes, será convertido el mundo. Véanse Hechos 15:14-1714Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 16After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 17That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. (Acts 15:14‑17); Mateo 24:1414And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24:14) (para “testimonio”); Romanos 1:55By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: (Romans 1:5) (“en”, no “de” todas las naciones); Romanos 11:1414If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. (Romans 11:14) (“algunos”, no “todos”); 1 Corintios 9:2222To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. (1 Corinthians 9:22); Apocalipsis 5:99And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (Revelation 5:9) (“de todo”, no “todo”).
(4) Sería imposible “velar” y “esperar” la venida de un acontecimiento cuya realización sabemos no tendrá lugar hasta, por lo menos, dentro de mil años.