Christ’s First Advent
The Old Testament scriptures abound with prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah.
Then in Isaiah 9, His deity was announced and it was said that He should have the throne of David.
That He should come through the family of David was definitely prophesied in Isaiah 11 and Psalm 132.
The approximate time of His first appearing was even indicated in Daniel 9.
Many other references might be made to the promises and prophecies concerning Him, but space will not permit. Enough has been quoted to prove the existence of precise information, given by God, whereby His Anointed could and should have been expected, and discovered when He came.
But, how was it? Was the world or even the nation of Israel looking for Him? And when He came, did His earthly people rejoice that He had come? No, no, no. Although coming through the royal line of David He was an outcast from the beginning. People of wealth and social prominence occupied the inn, but there was no room for Him. He was placed in a manger.
The Jews made their boast of having the Scriptures entrusted to them, and these were read every Sabbath day in their Synagogues; but, except for a little handful, none were expecting their Messiah. His birth was almost unnoticed, and an aged woman (Anna the prophetess) could speak of Him to all that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
When Herod the King heard of His birth he called all the chief priests and scribes of the Jews together for information about this coming King. These leaders could quote from the prophet Micah as to the place of His birth, which proved that they were conversant with the letter of Scripture; but they did not make one move to see Him. Their hearts were far from Him. Sad, sad state indeed!
Christ’s Second Coming
Now the Lord Jesus has been gone back to heaven almost two thousand years, but before He went away He definitely promised,
Just as surely as His first advent was foretold, so His coming again is promised in words unmistakably clear. The One who has gone back to heaven will soon come again. He did not say, I will send an angel to bring you to Myself, but
“I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am there ye may be also.”
Now many dear Christians have read these words supposing that they mean death is coming for them, or that Christ will come for them at their death. But that is very careless reading. He. Himself is coming for us. Death has not gone away, nor is it coming again. And when a child of God falls asleep in Jesus he has gone to be with Christ which is far better (Phil. 1:2323For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (Philippians 1:23)). He has gone to Christ; Christ has not come for him.
The early Christians were living in the constant expectation of the Lord’s return. This was a real hope connected with their salvation. The saints at Thessalonica.
The whole character of this dispensation should be one of constant expectancy. Christians should be followers of a rejected Christ, living in view of His return. When this hope ceased to animate the church, it fell into worldliness. Christians settled down to be at home on earth when they ceased looking for their Lord from heaven. There is nothing that so separates one in heart from all that is here, as the expectation of hearing that shout and being caught up to be with the Lord. If you and I knew definitely that the Lord would come tomorrow, it would make the things here seem insignificant, and we would be seeking to be found pleasing to Him when He comes.
The Thessalonians became troubled because some of their number died before the Lord came, supposing that they had lost something. To correct this fear the Apostle Paul wrote the details as to the Lord’s coming.
He has promised, and will come to call all the redeemed to Himself. At His coming for all the saved, He will not come all the way to the earth, but shout that shout in the air, calling all who died in faith from their graves. Immediately following this, all who are living and believe (John 11:2626And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (John 11:26)), will be caught up with the risen saints to meet the Lord in the air. In 1 Corinthians 15 we learn that all this will happen “in the twinkling of an eye.” Our bodies of humiliation shall be fashioned like unto His body of glory (Phil. 3:2121Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:21)).
We do not know of one thing that must take place before the Lord comes. He may come and call all the redeemed from their graves, and catch away all the saved ones who are living on earth, before this paper goes to print. There is nothing that must be fulfilled first, and none can give a reason why He may not come today.
Dear fellow Christian, are we really looking for Him who died for us? Do we long to see Him? I do not ask, Do we accept the doctrine of the Lord’s coming? The Jews knew the doctrine of His first coming, but were not looking for Him. May we not be merely believing in the “Lord’s Coming,” but actually expecting Himself. The unbelieving world shall not see Him when He comes to call us into the air to meet Him. Later when He comes visibly to the earth, we shall come with Him. Then He shall come to execute judgment before He sets up His earthly kingdom and reigns, but the object of this paper is to set before us our proper hope—His coming for His own. May this stir our affections, and not merely increase our knowledge.
Lamb of God, Thy faithful promise
Says, “Behold, I quickly come,”
And our hearts, to Thine responsive,
Cry, “Come, Lord, and take us home.”