The Scriptural Doctrine of Imminence

 Those who deny the doctrine of imminence often warn us to be watching for the coming of Antichrist. But there is not even one scripture that instructs us to be watching for him. Instead, the scriptures repeatedly teach us to be watching for our Lord’s coming.

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” (Titus 2:11-13)

“For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10)

“I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing,” (1 Timothy 6:13-14)

And they not only instruct us to be watching for our Lord’s coming, but to be eagerly anticipating it.

“so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (1 Corinthians 1:7)

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” (Philippians 3:20)

“To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” (Hebrews 9:28)

“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8)

Finally, in the Revelation, we are repeatedly warned to watch for His coming.

“Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.” (Revelation 3:3)

“Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” (Revelation 3:11)

“Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” (Revelation 16:15)

“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” (Revelation 22:7)

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” (Revelation 22:12)

“He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)

So we see that our Lord’s coming is continually presented, throughout the entire New Testament, as an immediate hope to be eagerly anticipated, not as something to come after a unparalleled period of intense persecution.