This Lesson is the final installment in this year’s Christmas Series of studies.
The Birth of Jesus is the initial move in His First Coming to earth.
Then came His sinless Life.
And substitutionary Death on the Cross.
Followed by His bodily Resurrection.
And finally His Ascension back to Heaven, to sit at His Father’s Right Hand.
But today, I must tell you about Jesus’ Second Coming!
Yes, the Baby in the manger grew up.
And now from Glory intercedes for us daily!
But some day He will return!
I see the New Testament depicting Jesus’ Second Coming in a twofold manner.
First, what’s often called the Rapture!
Paul writes of it, in First Thessalonians 4:13-17. “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. FOR THE LORD HIMSELF SHALL DESCEND FROM HEAVEN WITH A SHOUT, WITH THE VOICE OF THE ARCHANGEL, AND WITH THE TRUMP OF GOD: AND THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST: THEN WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS, TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
Wow!
Then next, seven years (the Tribulation) later … Jesus comes all the way back to earth! Not just “in the air” as previously during the Rapture.
Revelation 19:11-16, wonder of wonders! “And I (John, from the little isle of Patmos) saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
And Zechariah 14:3-4 further prophesies: “Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight (Armageddon) against those nations (who hated Israel), as when he fought in the day of battle. And His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east.”
Yes, this is Jesus … coming again to earth!
Wow once again!
So as Christmas fades into the background, this being December 28, 2015, let’s not forget that the Birth of Jesus (a virgin Birth) occurred so that God’s total Plan of the ages might be consummated. His First Coming happened so that His Second Coming might follow, precisely in God’s good time!
Hallelujah!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell