Christmas Devotional Day 19

Monday- Day 19

Since we addressed "How will He come?" in relationship to His first coming now let us answer that same question but now about His Second Coming. To do that we will compare the First and Second Coming and respond to the question of : "What are the differences of the Comings?"

There is a numerous contrast in these two Comings. The foundational difference is that at when Jesus came at the First Coming, He experienced suffering and shame as the Servant. When He comes the at the Second Coming it will be with glory, honor, and praise to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16)!

The following is a partial list of  comparisons:

1st Coming:    He came as a Baby in weakness, in meekness, 

                      and in obscurity (Luke 2:11; Matthew 2:11-12; 2:16). 

2nd Coming:   He will come the next time in power and glory to 

                       assert His will over all the earth (Matthew 24:30).

1st Coming:     Very few bowed before Him at His first coming.

2nd Coming:   When He comes again all knees shall bow at His
                       feet in humble worship (Philippians 2:10-11;
                       Romans 14:11).

1st Coming:     At His first coming to the door of the inn was shut
                       in His face (Luke 2:7).

2nd Coming:    For His second coming we read of a door opened
                       in heaven out of which He rides as King of Kings
                       and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:11-16).

1st Coming:     His coming was shrouded in secret. Very few
                       knew of His arrival (John 1:11).

2nd Coming:   But when He returns everyone will know. Every
                      eye will see Him and recognize Him as the one
                      they pierced and all the peoples of the earth will
                      mourn because of Him (Revelation 1:7;
                      Zachariah 12:10).

1st Coming:     He came to suffer for the sins of the world. He was
                       mistreated, humiliated, and rejected (1 John 3:16;
                       1 Peter 3:18; Matthew 21:42-43; John 1:11) .

2nd Coming:   He will return as Judge to pass judgment on all those
                      who rejected Him (Revelation 19:11).

1st Coming:    He came in great humility as a servant
                      (Philippians 2:5-7; Matthew 20:28) .

2nd Coming:   He will return as the Commander in Chief of a very
                      large army (Revelation 19:11-16).

1st Coming:     He came the first time to wear the crown of thorns
                       (John 19:2).

2nd Coming:   He is coming the second time to wear the crown of
                      power and glory (Revelation 19:12).

1st Coming:     He came to set up His assembly which includes both
                       sheep and goats, the good and bad (John 10:14-16).

2nd Coming:   At His return, He will separate the sheep from the
                      goats and not allow any that are false to enter His
                      kingdom (Matthew 25:32-46).

1st Coming:     When Jesus came the first time it was to settle the
                       problem of sin. He did not come to end the
                       problems of government nor the social dilemmas that
                       harass our world (Mark 2:17; Romans 5:6).

2nd Coming:   When He comes again He will solve all government
                      problems, and political and social ills.

1st Coming:     He came the first time to make peace between God
                       (The Spirit) and man (Romans 5:1).

2nd Coming:   He will return to make war on those who do not know
                      God (Revelation 6:14-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12;
                      Revelation 19:19-21).

1st Coming:     He came as our Savior (Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:11;
                       1 Timothy 1:15).

2nd Coming:   He will return as our Sovereign King
                      (Revelation 11:15; 1 Timothy 6:14-15).

In His First Coming, He endured the mocking of men who hated Him for His goodness. Though He could have called ten thousand angels to fight for His kingdom (Matthew 26:53), He allows Himself to be put to death that His death could be the means to salvation for the world (John 3:16). But in His Second Coming all mocking of Himself will cease and He will rule with a rod of iron (Revelation 19:15). He came the first time as the Lamb of God, but when He comes again it will be as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5)! The First Coming gave Jesus Christ to the world, but the Second Coming will give the world to Jesus Christ! Two thousand years ago the religious leaders shouted in scorn, "He can save others, but He cannot save Himself! (Matthew 24:42)" The day will come when the whole world will see Jesus as He really is. When that happens, then every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:9-11)!

Around the first coming inscribe the word HUMILITY in letters large and bold. Around His second coming write the word GLORY so that all the world may see. Nothing could be more natural than a triumphant return of our victorious Lord. Though He was once “despised and rejected of men,” He will one day return “in power and great glory,” heralded by angels and accompanied by His saints[1].

Your Response

The Second Coming of the Lord will a glorious time for His people! The saints of the "caught away church" will be returning to the earth with their Savior and King! Our challenge is to make sure we have lived a life that was worthy of the rapture experience. Take time today to pray. As you do, ask the Lord to help you on your Spiritual journey. Let His Spirit lead you in your ways of life! Take time to begin planning your Bible reading plan of 2015. Realize that you need His Word to be a lamp on your feet (The present time of your life) and a light for your path (The future decisions and events of your life) (Psalms 119:105)!

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[1] Taken from "Sound the Trumpet! Christ's Second Coming to the Earth" by Keep Believing Ministries