What is indicated by the "coming" of Christ?

Read 1 Thess. 4:13-18

Three primary NT terms shed light on the nature of the culminating event of history: appearing, coming and revelation.  Let us consider the second of these.

Ø The “coming” of Jesus Christ.

The Greek word parousia is not difficult to understand.  It simply means coming; Christ will leave the right hand of the Father in heaven and come to earth.  It is similar to his first coming when He was the bread which came down from heaven (John 6:47-58), the Only Begotten Son sent from God (John 3:16-17) and God who humbled Himself and came in the likeness of men (Phil. 2:5-8).

But of the three terms we are considering this is the one that enables us to see the two events involved in the future return of Christ. 

The Rapture of the Church	The Revelation of Christ
·        When the brethren (Church) meet Christ in the air (1 Th. 4:13-18) ·        When the apostles go to the home Christ promised them (John 14:1-6) ·        When the Church is resurrected (1 Cor. 15:22-23; 1 Thess. 4:13-18) ·        After which the Bride is united with Christ at the wedding supper ·        The Church goes to be with the Lord (1 Th. 4:17)	·        When Christ returns physically to the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4) ·        When the apostles reign with Christ over Israel (Matt. 19:28) ·        When the tribulation saints are resurrected (Rev. 20:4-6) ·        When the Bride returns with Christ after the supper (Rev. 19:7-9) ·        The Church returns with Christ clothed in righteousness (Rv. 19:14)

The second event is properly termed the revelation (Grk. apokalupsis, the term we will discuss in our next study) because it is the time when all the world will see Christ and acknowledge Him as Lord.  He not only appears but is known (cf. our last study).  But what is interesting is that both events are referred to as the coming of Christ.  Some might want to discuss which event is in mind with some of the passages but here are two that show the distinction:

1 Thess. 4:15: For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.

2 Thess. 2:8: And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

People had to believe Christ came from heaven in His incarnation; belief in His second coming is an issue today, challenged by the world that wants no part of God’s rule (2 Peter 3:4).  Believers are comforted by the second coming (1 Thess. 4:18) when they will be gathered together to Him (2 Thess. 2:1), to go to the place prepared for them (John 14:3-4).  Christ WILL come again!