The Culmination of the Greatest Love Story

The central theme of Revelation 14 is the Second Coming of Jesus, which is the very foundation of Adventism. This is why we are called Adventists—because we are eagerly awaiting the Second Advent of Jesus Christ. Adventism was born from the deep yearning of people who desperately longed to see the Lord.

The pioneers of our church were so consumed by their love for Jesus that merely speaking about Him wasn’t enough; they wanted to see Him face-to-face. Through their study of ancient prophecies in Daniel, they found reasons to believe that His return might be closer than others had anticipated.

When these pioneers pinpointed a specific day for Jesus’ return (October 22, 1844), they waited anxiously. As the day wore on, their concern grew, and when the clock struck midnight with no sign of Jesus, their hearts broke. Hiram Edson wrote of a spirit of weeping that overtook them—a sorrow unlike anything they had ever experienced. They wept through the night.

Have you ever wept uncontrollably because you missed and loved someone so much? The Second Coming is more than just an event; it’s a pivotal part of the greatest love story that has ever been told.

This story is one of deep love and commitment, of promises made and broken. It tells of rejection, death, loss and redemption. It’s a story of searching for a loved one and a vow to return and take them home. The Second Coming is a continuation of this story.

Ephesians 5:25 captures this beautifully: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” We, the Church, are the bride of Christ. When you’re deeply in love, what do you do? You say, “I have to spend the rest of my life with this person! Be my wife! Be my husband!” You get married, committing to love, honor and cherish each other, to make the other your one and only, in sickness and in health, until death do you part.

You plan your wedding with care, making sure everything is perfect. You reserve the church, hire the photographer and order a special cake. The food, the clothes—everything about the day reflects the deep love between the bride and groom.

When Jesus said, “I am going there to prepare a place for you,” (John 14:2), I believe He was making all the necessary arrangements to spend eternity with us. When He breaks through the skies, the most incredible wedding ceremony will take place, and He will receive us unto Himself.

As I reflect on the Second Coming of Jesus, I see it as part of the greatest love story the universe has ever known. Do you love Him so deeply that your heart aches to see Him? My hope and prayer is that our hearts long for Him so intensely that we simply cannot wait for His arrival.

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