Episode Overview

Title: Looking to Christ's Return
Date: December 2, 2024
Host: Sinclair B. Ferguson
Podcast: Things Unseen (Ligonier Ministries)

This episode launches the Advent season by inviting listeners to reflect not only on Christ’s first coming (the Incarnation) but also on His promised return. Sinclair B. Ferguson revives a lesser-known tradition from the Christian calendar: using Advent to anticipate Christ’s second coming, not simply to look back in gratitude, but to look forward in hope. The episode blends biblical teaching, Christian tradition, and personal reflection, emphasizing the need to live with expectation and longing for Jesus’ return.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Advent: More Than Remembering the Incarnation

• Tradition of Looking Forward:
  At Advent’s start, Christians historically paused not only to celebrate Christ’s birth but also to reflect on His anticipated return. Ferguson notes this tradition has faded in many places but carries profound spiritual significance.
  • Quote, Sinclair Ferguson (00:07):
    “There's a tradition in the Christian church that I think in many places has died out. But at this time of year, on the very first Sunday of Advent, celebrating Jesus' First Coming, Christians have paused to reflect on His Second coming.”

2. Hymns as Theological Reminders

• Ferguson references W.Y. Fullerton’s hymn, “I Cannot Tell,” which points from Christ’s first coming to His future glory.
• The hymn expresses the mystery of God’s work, recognizing the eventual global recognition of Christ.
  • Quote, Ferguson quoting Fullerton (00:35):
    “But this I know. All flesh shall see his glory and he shall reap the harvest he has sown and some glad day his sun will shine in splendor when he, the Savior, Savior of the world is known.”

3. Theological Reason for the Tradition

• Incarnation is Historical and Futuristic:
  Christians of previous generations understood that the Incarnation (God becoming man) intersects with history but also points toward its ultimate fulfillment at Christ’s return.
• Advent as Beginning, Not Consummation:
  The birth of Jesus marks the “beginning of something new,” not its completion—the story moves forward to the cross, the resurrection, Christ’s exaltation, and finally, His return.

4. The First Fruits and the Harvest of Nations

• Early witnesses to Christ’s birth (Simeon, shepherds, wise men) are described as only “first fruits”—a small, initial sign of the inclusive, global recognition that is to come.
  • Quote, Ferguson (01:25):
    “The tiny shoots pressing through the soil of history is an indication of what one day will take place in the final harvest, when all the nations will see the glory of the Lord Jesus when He comes again and ushers in the final stage of his kingdom.”

5. The Unified Expectation of the New Testament

• All New Testament authors write with the conviction of Christ’s return. They encourage believers to live with eager anticipation.
• Quote, Ferguson (01:52):
  "Matthew and Mark and Luke and John and Paul and James and Simon Peter and the author of Hebrews, they all write in the light of the fact that Jesus is going to return. And they tell us that when he does, it will be in majesty and glory.”

6. Early Church Expectation and Challenge

• Early Christians were so expectant of Christ’s imminent return, some stopped working altogether, convinced it was immediate (a well-known theme in early church history).
• Ferguson shares a personal story from his student days:
  • Quote, Ferguson (02:30):
    “He said to me, in the early church, it was almost regarded as a sign of apostasy, not to long daily for the return of the Lord Jesus.”
• Ferguson admits to struggling with daily expectancy, inviting listeners to honest self-reflection.

7. Personal and Corporate Application

• Ferguson encourages renewed spiritual health at Advent by remembering and longing for Christ’s return, echoing the cry of the early church, Maranatha (“Our Lord, come” – 1 Corinthians 16:22).

  • Quote, Ferguson (03:10):
    “So I'm sure at the beginning of this Advent season, it's spiritually healthy for us to remember that the Jesus who came at Bethlehem is going to return again in majesty and glory, and to pray that we'll learn to say with the early church, Maranatha, Our Lord, come.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “There's a tradition in the Christian church that I think in many places has died out... celebrating Jesus' First Coming, Christians have paused to reflect on His Second coming.” – Sinclair Ferguson (00:07)
• “But this I know. All flesh shall see his glory and he shall reap the harvest he has sown and some glad day his sun will shine in splendor…” – Quoting W.Y. Fullerton's hymn (00:35)
• “The tiny shoots pressing through the soil of history is an indication of what one day will take place in the final harvest, when all the nations will see the glory of the Lord Jesus when He comes again…” – Sinclair Ferguson (01:25)
• “In the early church, it was almost regarded as a sign of apostasy, not to long daily for the return of the Lord Jesus.” – Ferguson recalling early church tradition (02:30)
• “And to pray that we'll learn to say with the early church, Maranatha, Our Lord, come.” – Sinclair Ferguson (03:10)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:07 – Introduction to the Advent tradition of reflecting on Christ’s return
• 00:35 – Hymn lyric illustrating the connection between Christ’s Incarnation and Second Coming
• 01:25 – First fruits and the harvest: Small beginnings at Christ’s birth point to future global glory
• 01:52 – Testimony of the New Testament writers about Christ's return
• 02:30 – Early church’s daily longing for Christ’s return; personal anecdote
• 03:10 – Advent application: Encouragement to pray, “Maranatha, Our Lord, come.”

Conclusion

Sinclair Ferguson urges listeners to recover the Advent tradition of looking forward: to see the Incarnation as both a historical reality and the promise of a glorious future consummation. Advent, then, is not only a season for remembering, but for anticipating—the return of the Lord in majesty and glory. This week’s reflections will encourage ongoing spiritual renewal through the distinctive hope of Christ’s return.