The "Second Coming" of Christ, reality or religious dogma? By Dr. Bertram L. Marks

Most of what we read and encounter in the Bible are the reflections of the writers experiences with love, faith in the unseen, morality, justice, and fairness principles. Often, but not always, the writers scribed the real life episodes of those who reflected the essence and spirit of God in the flesh. A great example is the book of Job. An epic story of a man who through many trials and tribulations never abandoned his principles of faith and loyalty to the God he served. Job represents every strata of society and affliction. He went from being rich to being poor. He suffered the loss of his children and the rapid decline of his health. He suffered the ridicule of a social outcast and was rejected and called a fool by his wife. Yet through all of his challenges, he remained faithful. Job was no fair weather servant of God and justice. Rather he was a committed servant irrespective of his wealth, health, or status in society.

The Bible is a compilation of numerous instances of thematic discourses designed to teach us how to live in justice, in faith, and with a solid moral compass. It contains a variety versions and yet, maintains the core themes notwithstanding the many translations, revisions, edits, editions and languages available. It is important to note that approximately sixteen versions of the Holy Bible existed before the King James version was commissioned. All versions maintain the core themes of love, faith in the unseen, morality, justice, and fairness.

These themes take their place in the context of economics, poverty, and social inclusion or exclusion. There is oppression, there exists a cry from the people, one or several emerge to lead the people from oppression and with the help of God, the oppression is ended. In each instance where the status quo was challenged, out of the dust of depression emerged clear thinking capable leaders willing to risk their lives out of love, and for the sake of justice and equality for others. Those fitting this category include but are not limited to the aforementioned Job, Peter, John the Baptist, Paul, Silas, Stephen, and of course, Jesus Christ.

Jesus represents the most profound example of selflessness, of restoration, and of hope. His life course was one riddled with attempts to silence him. His message was simple in its depth, but far reaching in consequences. In short, Jesus advocated a society where justice prevailed over inequality and oppression. Liberation from tyranny and oppression was a central theme of his ministry. Clearly articulable assertions about the need for balance, justice and compassion abounded in every core message he preached or taught.

Consider Jesus in the context of his landmark prayer for justice, a prayer commonly referred to as the Lord's prayer. This prayer is found in both Matthew and Luke with slight variations in each. It states in pertinent part:

Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven

The key to this prayer as denoted by this excerpt is a purposeful inclusion of all people into the kingdom. This is not a prayer which seeks to elevate one class over another. Instead, this is the ultimate prayer of justice, fairness, and freedom from oppression. The unseen heaven is used as a guide to what earth can and should be. Consider further, the following:

Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we
forgive our debtors

Note that the request is for an allowance of daily bread. This passage clearly denotes a jubilee influenced economy where no one takes more than what is needed for daily sustenance. It is a clear denunciation of hoarding and a direct appeal for compassion and sharing. The forgiving of debts owed and debts owed to us is a principle of release from oppression unheard of during the time of Jesus and seldom practiced today. Debt was the single greatest cause of stress and oppression during the time of Jesus and little has changed today. Many religious writers, translators and editors of the Bible have attempted to insert other words into this passage. Some merely want to say forgive us of our sins as we forgive those who sinned against us. Others have inserted the word trespass. These words, sin and trespass deal with external non tangible acts of interpersonal wrong. Clearly, Jesus was teaching a principle much more expansive than interpersonal relationships. Jesus attacked the very system of debt exploitation not unlike the current policy push to end the terrible consequences of predatory lending. During the time of Jesus people were literally working themselves to death to attempt to pay off debts with impossible terms and down right astronomical interest rates.  It was a systemic, continuous exploitation of those in society with the least chance of improving their condition. In short, this passage is yet another indication of a plea for immediate economic and social justice for the people. This theme is so powerful and relevant in any point in history. This is why the following phrase was added to the prayer although it was never uttered by Jesus or recorded in any of the gospels:

For thine is the kingdom, the power
and the glory for ever and ever Amen.

It is apparent that whomever added this additional phrase wanted the readers of the gospel to be distracted away from the kingdom at hand which Jesus fervently spoke of. The kingdom for Jesus was not a far off and distant concept. Rather, the kingdom of God was at hand now as he announced on many occasions. Jesus warned that It was time for deliverance in the here and now. Not the distant future.

As we contemplate the return of Jesus and whether it is based in reality or myth, we should be careful not to miss the spiritual dimension of this Christian principle. You see, as a Christian one cannot profess belief on one hand and dismiss the notion of the second coming on the other. The notion of being a Christian is intricately woven into the doctrinal fabric of Jesus and his triumphant return. While some argue and debate whether we should expect it, perhaps a better question is not will he return but in what way?

Taking our inquiry even further, perhaps the proper, maybe even more appropriate discourse and discussion centers around the spirit which accompanies or leads his return. That is, do we have enough faith to believe that love, faith in the unseen, morality and justice are all elements of the spirit of Jesus?
As Jesus walked the earth he healed, advocated, helped, and loved all who needed him. Millions of people with no sense of direction or hope were changed by Jesus and continue to be changed by his contributions to humanity today. While on earth, Jesus brought a great sense of love, of faith, of clear morality, of justice. He sought and achieved the goal of inclusion, not exclusion. He was successful at exposing the trickery and exploitation of powers and principalities.

Is it not possible that these themes can become the norm for humanity and replace hate, cynicism, immorality, and injustice? As Christians we are bound by the principles of our beliefs to exercise faith in the notion that such a universe can exist. Would not this be a "second coming"?  Will we be at some point or are we in a position now to recognize him if he were to return today? Do we need to end the world to change the world? Is a vision of a kingdom that has justice on earth just as there exists justice in heaven truly possible?

I submit that we must have faith that it is. For the true Christian we cannot deem the great prospect for the return of Jesus and his spirit of love, hope, and justice, being the only guides to human relations and conduct as myth. We must have faith that the world as we know it can be changed and will be changed when the spirit of Jesus returns. Though we have no carnal evidence of it, we must believe that all of humanity will one day view itself as the sacrificial lamb for one another. Is this not what Jesus boldly proclaimed, that the kingdom of the Lord i.e., a just and righteous society was at hand? Since this is so, there is little room for one professing to be a follower of Jesus Christ to doubt his return. His return signals the beginning of a new way of life. A life of freedom, justice, love, compassion, and fairness.

As Christians a just and fair society must be our expectation. Once it occurs, then we will know that the "second coming" has truly arrived.