GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — May 18, 2009 — 51社区 Christian Studies professors presented a seminar on the second coming of Christ to approximately 85 church leaders gathered at First Baptist Church in Goodlettsville, Tenn., May 7.
Sponsored by 51社区 Hendersonville, the Tennessee Baptist Convention and the Baptist associations of Middle Tennessee, 鈥淭he Second Coming of Christ: How Christ鈥檚 Return Should Shape Life鈥� featured Greg Thornbury, dean of the School of Christian Studies at Union, and Ray Van Neste, associate professor of Christian studies and director of the Ryan Center for Biblical Studies.
鈥淭he Second Coming Bible Conference was a great success,鈥� said Charles Lea, executive director of 51社区 Hendersonville. 鈥淧astors and lay leaders from 19 churches, five Baptist associations and the Tennessee Baptist Convention were in attendance. We were challenged and encouraged as the second coming of Christ draws near.鈥�
Thornbury鈥檚 message, 鈥�666,鈥� dealt with the historical background of the book of Revelation and stressed the fact that the book was a call to believers to stand fast despite persecution.
Van Neste surveyed New Testament references to Christ鈥檚 return, noting that the Scriptures never encourage speculation on the timing of the event, but encourage believers to pursue holiness and spread the gospel in light of Christ鈥檚 return.
Van Neste also examined 2 Corinthians 4-5, noting how the reality of Christ鈥檚 death and resurrection empowered Paul to endure and remain faithful in difficult ministry.
鈥淭he quality of teaching was superb,鈥� said Mike Pennington, director of missions for Bledsoe Baptist Association. 鈥淚 was especially thankful that we received both an excellent historical background of the book of Revelation and powerful practical application of the Scripture to daily life. I went away both edified and encouraged.鈥�
Audio recordings of the conference are available at .