The Theocrat

THE COMING OF CHRIST IN GLORY

The first Messianic promise given in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15) referred to two distinct phases of Messiah's work in providing Redemption for sinful, fallen man. The first phase was His humiliation as the Son of Man suffering the cruel death upon the Cross. The second phase will be His triumph over Satan at His coming back to earth to set up His Messianic Kingdom.

Messiah's Second Coming will be in two phases: (1) His Coming "in the air" to receive unto Himself "His own;" and (2) His Coming "down to this earth" with His saints in power and great glory. Christ's Coming FOR His saints was considered in a previous Lesson. This Lesson will deal with His Coming in Glory.

I THE GLORY OF CHRIST FORETOLD BY THE PROPHETS--Psalm 24; Isaiah 9:6, 7; 11:1-10; Daniel 2:34, 44; 7:13, 14; Joel 2:18-21, 27, 32; Zech. 14:1-5; Jude 14, 15.

The conception of man's need of a Messiah did not originate with man but with God. He not only gave to Adam and Eve the promise of the coming Redeemer, but by providing a covering of skins of sacrificial animals for them, He taught the need of appropriating the blessings of Messiah's atoning work. Throughout the centuries prior to Christ's first Coming, God unfolded many phases of Messiah's mission through various prophetic messengers. Enoch, in the antediluvian period, was given the revelation, "Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of His saints to execute judgment upon all the ungodly." It was given to Abraham to "see" Messiah's day of triumph. Moses recorded that Messiah would wield a scepter and would come "with a shout of a king" in Israel's latter days.

opening doors would be opened for "the King of glory" to enter in. Isaiah declared Messiah would be "the Prince of peace" and would take the government of the nations upon His shoulders. Jeremiah stated that Messiah would bring upon Israel "all the good" which He had promised. Daniel that Messiah would come "with the clouds of heaven" establishing upon earth "an everlasting kingdom." Joel that Messiah would "pity His people" and do great things for them. Zachariah that Messiah's feet would stand in that day "upon the Mount of Olives," and that He would bring with Him "all the saints."

II THE MANNER IN WHICH CHRIST WILL MANIFEST HIS GLORY -Matt. 17:1, 2; 24:27-31; 25:31, 32; 26:63, 64; Acts 1:8-11; Col. 3:4; II Peter 1:16, 17; Rev. 1:7; 11:15; 19:11-16.

Jesus' first declaration upon entering His Messianic ministry was, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Jesus knew from the beginning that the Jewish nation would not receive Him as their King. Daniel wrote that Messiah would be cut off and "have nothing."

At His first Coming, Jesus provided the remedy for man's sin by His atoning death. In His Olivet discourse He made frequent reference to His Coming again as "the Son of man."

He also spoke of His Coming from heaven, saying, "Then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn when they see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." Jesus admonished His disciples to be ever watching for His Coming, for "Ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." When Caiaphas, the high priest, adjured Jesus to declare whether He was the Christ, Jesus replied: "Hereafter ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven."

While still gazing up after His ascension, the disciples were told: "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven." Three disciples were given the special privilege of being "eyewitnesses of His majesty" on the Mount of Transfiguration, so that in their ministry they could make known "the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." The Book of the Revelation states: "He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him." Read the majestic description of Jesus' return as King of kings and Lord of lords as given in The Revelation. Here He appears riding upon a white horse with the armies of heaven following Him upon white horses. He comes "to rule the nations with a rod of iron" and to execute righteousness and justice.

III THE PURPOSE OF CHRIST'S COMING IN GLORY Zech. 14:9; Luke 21:25-33; Acts 3:19-21; Romans 8:16-25; II Thess. 1:7-10.

When Jesus returns to this earth in majesty and glory, He will then be acknowledged as "King over all the earth;" and will then inaugurate "the times of the restitution of all things." This means that the curse will be lifted from creation. Creation is waiting for "the manifestation of the sons of God" at Christ's Coming. The saints of God will share with Christ in His rule and reign upon earth.

WILL YOU BE AMONG THE REDEEMED WHO WILL RETURN WITH CHRIST IN GLORY?

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