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The
Second Coming of Christ
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One of the mysteries of these latter days is the refusal of many Biblically
well educated and Godfearing men and woman, to accept the testimony
of the Bible, that there will be a literal and actual second coming
of the Lord Jesus Christ, when the graphic evidence is available.
Many
20th century 'Christians' discard the Old Testament and it's prophecies
of the Lord's second coming because they feel that the Old Testament
is old fashioned and out of date and of little use to 20th century ,
'modern, thinking' men and women. However, as well as discarding the
Old Testament, they go further and ignore the vital and clear evidence
in the New Testament. Let us then briefly examine that New Testament
evidence of the Lord's coming.
On
the very day the Lord Jesus ascended to heaven, 'two men (angels?) in
white apparel' stood by the disciples and solemnly declared to them...."This
same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come
in like manner as ye have seen him go into into heaven." The evidence
is sure and certain....the disciples saw Jesus ascend bodily into heaven
and the positive evidence is that he will return the same way.
The
Lord Jesus leaves us in no doubt of His second coming for we read in
Matthew 16:27...."The Son of man shall come in the glory of the Father
with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his
works.." The reward the Lord Jesus speaks of, is the reward Paul
wrote of..."The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ
our Lord." (Rom 6:23) To make sure we understand this simple concept,
the Lord Jesus wrote through the Apostle John in Rev 22:12...."Behold
I come quickly and my reward is with me to give every man according
as his work shall be." In the face of such overwhelming yet simple
proof, how can we fail to accept the fact that the second coming of
the Lord Jesus is one of the basic promises of Scripture. The New Testament
confirms the old...Jesus confirms both.
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PROPHECIES
OF HIS FIRST COMING
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The
House of Israel always understood from their own books of the Law, the
Psalms and the Prophets, that Messiah would come.....it was a basic
promise from their God and the last Prophet of old Testament days, Malachi,
wrote to them saying...."The Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come
to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in:
behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts." (Mal 3:1)
Some
of the most dramatic Scriptural proofs of the Lord's first coming, (and
indeed His second coming) are to be found in Isaiah 7:14 and Isaiah
9:6-7...."The Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin
shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel". The
dramatic fulfilment of these promises was lost on Israel. for they looked
for a mighty 'warrior-deliverer-Messiah', not the 'Lamb of God slain
from the foundation of the world'. Sadly, Israel temporarily turned
their back on the one who would be their deliverer.
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PROPHECIES
OF HIS SECOND COMING
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One
of the most dramatic prophecies of the Lord Jesus' second coming, was
provided by the Lord Jesus to John, who wrote about it in Revelation
1:7..."Behold, he cometh with clouds; and EVERY eye shall see him,
and THEY ALSO which pierced him: and ALL kindreds of the earth shall
wail (mourn) because of him, Even so, Amen." There are many confusingtheories
concerning the Lord Jesus' second coming, but this evidence is uncompromising
. He IS coming again and EVERY one will see and know it
is Him, including Israel and Rome. As well, all nations on earth will
finally 'mourn' for Him and accept Him as King and ruler.
The
Apostle Paul describes the second coming of the Lord Jesus..."The
day of the Lord so cometh as a thief (unexpectedly)....but ye brethren,
are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief."
(1 Thess 5:2,4) The very fact that Paul pointed out to the Thessalonians
that they were 'not in darkness' highlights the fact that some would
be, and that state of unbelief is wide spread amongst religious communities
which look for their 'reward' in heaven, not 'in Christ' on the earth.
Read the 'song' of the redeemed, "Thou hast made us unto our God
kings and priests: and we shall reign ON THE EARTH." (Rev 5:10)
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WHY
IS IT NECESSARY FOR HIM TO COME?
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In
Luke 17:27 we find sure evidence provided by the Lord Jesus, of the
flood of Noah's day, brought on the earth because of mankind's wickedness
and refusal to accept the Father's simple concepts of righeousness.
The Apostle Paul, in 2 Thess 1:7-8, speaks of a second judgement on
people and nations who again refuse to obey the Father's call to simple
righteousness.."The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with
his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that KNOW
NOT GOD, AND THAT OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST: who
shall be punished with everlasting destruction...." BUT...it is
not all gloom and doom. Revelation 20:4 gives us a glimpse of many who,
are described in Heb 9:28 as looking for the Lord's second coming for
salvation..."They lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years."
"THEY" are those who are rescued from eternal death by belief, faith,
works and baptism into the saving name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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WHAT
WILL BE CHRIST'S FUTURE ROLE?
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The
lamb of God who came unto His own and they 'received him not' (John
1-11) is the one to be given the 'throne of His father David'. (Luke
1:32). The meek and mild Nazarene, who 'opened not His mouth' (Isaiah
53:7), is the one who shall 'roar out of Zion' (Joel 3:16). On the day
on which the Lord Jesus was crucified 'the earth did quake and the rocks
rent.' (Matt 27:51) and on the day when He returns to 'receive the kingdom'
(Luke 19:15) there will be a mighty earthquake in the Land of Israel
and the 'Mount of Olives....shall cleave in the middle' (Zech 14:4).
The Prophet Micah describes what happens when "the house of the Lord
shall be established (in Jerusalem) ....and many people shall flow unto
it........for the law shall go forth of Zion and the word of the Lord
from Jerusalem.....he shall judge among many people and every man shall
sit under his own vine and fig tree; none shall make them afraid.' (Micah
4:1-4)
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HIS
SECOND COMING ...IT'S MEANING TO US
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In
the fourth paragraph of this article we quoted .."The gift of God
is eternal life" (Rom 6:23) and the words of Jesus in Rev 22:12.."Behold
I come quickly and my reward is with me to give every man (and woman)
according as his works shall be." A life of devotion to the Father
and His Son can result in the gift of immortality. The Bible shows conclusively
that we do not have any spark of immortality now, but the Lord Jesus
may bring it to us when He comes. "When Christ who is our life, shall
appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory" (Col 3:4).
The evidence and promise of His coming cannot be ignored.
