This is
the revelation
of Jesus Christ. This is that
moment that is the hope of every believer when the Son of God leaves the right
hand of God Almighty to return to earth.
He comes with His Bride to assume the throne of David where He will rule
the nations in a kingdom of righteousness and peace. Let us meditate on this hope that it might
enable us to persevere in joy as we serve God.
First,
let us consider three terms used in Scripture to speak of this event.
·
It is the coming
(Greek parousia) of Jesus Christ
(Matt. 24:3,27,37,39; 1 Th. 4:15). This
is the term used when someone comes to see you.
It implies the personal presence of Christ; He will be known by those
who see Him.
·
It is the appearing
(Greek epiphaneia) of Jesus Christ (2
Th. 2:8; 2 Tim. 4:1,8). This term
indicates it will be a visible return, even as His first coming. Some celebrate Epiphany, the first appearing of Christ. As the angel said in Acts 1:11, He will come
and be seen in like manner as when He ascended.
·
It is the revelation
(Greek apokalupsis) of Jesus Christ
(Rev. 1:1; 2 Th. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:13). This
term indicates it will be an unveiling
of something not seen before. While it
is the same Jesus who came two thousand years ago, it is Jesus no longer veiled
but revealed in all His glory.
His coming will be a personal, physical,
perceptible and powerful event!
Concerning the first and second
appearing/coming of Christ consider the following distinctions made in
Scripture. It is not simply that the two
real, historical events differ in purpose; the one is necessary to the purpose
of the second, and the second completes the work of the first.
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Scripture
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1st Coming
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2nd Coming
|
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Isaiah 61:1-3/Lk 4:16-21
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Preach the gospel
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Vengeance, restoration of Israel
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Jn. 3:17; 12:47f; Lk 9:55f
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To save
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To judge
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Phil 2:5-11
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Humiliation
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Exaltation
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John 6:40
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Faith
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Resurrection
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Another thought is that the rapture is different than, but connected
to the return of Christ.
These are different events. In
one the believers (the Church) meet Jesus in the air (1 Thess. 4:13-18); in the
other the believers (the Church, the Bride of Christ) accompany Him in His
return (Rev. 19:7-10,14). The rapture is the coming of Christ for His Bride, being taken (in the pattern of the
New Testament wedding) to His house and there arrayed in beauty for the wedding
feast that immediately precedes her accompanying her Lord in His return.
Paul commended the Thessalonian believers in
that they had turned to God from idols to
God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from
heaven (1 Th. 1:9-10). This is the
sum total of the believer’s life: it begins when he turns to God; it is
occupied with serving the living and true God; and it is with great expectation
that we wait for His Son from heaven!
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