The Returning King

The Second Coming of Christ is the capstone, the crowning point of Jesus’ life and ministry, the point toward which all history is moving. Jesus’ return to earth will be quite different than the His first advent! Consider these comparisons:

He came the first time as an infant, born in time and space, small and weak. (Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-7)
He will return as the everlasting King, great in strength and glory. (Matt. 16:27a; 24:30b)
When He came the first time, His glory was shrouded/concealed from human view. (Phil. 2:5-8; 1 Cor. 2:6-8)
When He comes the second time, His glory will shine brightly. (Matt. 25:31; 13:43)
His first coming was obscure, witnessed only by a few poor shepherds; few recognized who He was. (Luke 2:8-11, 15-20; 9:18-19)
At His second coming, every eye will see Him, and all will know who He is. (Rev. 1:7; Matt. 24:30a)
He came the first time as the Lamb of God. (Isa. 53:7; 1 Peter 1:19; John 1:29; Rev. 5:12)
When He returns, it will be as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. (Gen. 49:9-10; Rev. 5:5)
At His first coming He was judged and condemned to die by sinful men. (Matt. 27:22-23, 26)
When He returns, it will be as the Judge, to execute justice and judgment on all who have refused to repent of their sins. (Isa. 16:5; 11:4; Jude 14-15; Matt. 16:27b; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Rev. 19:11b)
The first time He came as a Man of Sorrows. (Isa. 53:6; Luke 19:41; John 11:33, 35)
When He returns it will be as Almighty God. (Isa. 9:6; 49:26; 1 Peter 3:21b-22; Rev. 1:8)
At His first advent, He rode into Jerusalem on a lowly donkey. (Luke 19:35-36)
When He returns He will be riding on a great white horse. (Rev. 19:11-16)
When He came the first time, only a few bowed to pay Him homage. (Matt. 2:7-11; John 12:1-8)
When He returns, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Phil. 2:10-11)
The first time, He came to earth to die. (Matt. 10:28; John 3:17; 12:27; 1 Tim. 1:15; 1 John 4:9-10)
The second time He will come to earth to reign. (Isa. 9:6-7; Luke 1:30-33; Rev. 19:15b, 16b)
The first time He came as a humble servant. (Phil. 2:5-8)
The second time He will come as the Commander in Chief of the armies of heaven. (Rev. 19:14)
The first time He washed the feet of His disciples. (John 13:3-5)
When He returns, all His enemies will be under His feet. (1 Cor. 15:25, 27)
The first time He came, He wore a crown of thorns. (Matt. 27:29; John 19:5)
When He returns, He will be crowned with many crowns, the King upon His throne. (Rev. 19:12b, 16)
He came the first time to make peace between God and man. (1 Tim. 2:5; 2 Cor. 5:18-19a; Eph. 2:13-14)
When He returns, it will be to make war on those who have rebelled against Him. (2 Thess. 1:7-8; Rev. 19:11)
He came the first time as our suffering Savior. (Ps. 22:1-18; 1 Peter 3:18)
He will return as our sovereign Lord. (1 Tim. 6:15-16)

In light of the promise of His Second Coming, how foolish it would be to put our stakes down deep here on earth. Rather, the great hope of His return motivates us to live holy lives, and to zealously and faithfully serve Christ and proclaim Him to others until He comes.

“Lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28, NASB ).