This last week, I preached a message at Grace Point on the end times, a subject formally known as eschatology. I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to preach a sermon on the end times that covers everything you wanted to say, but a single message forces you to focus on what really matters. And the heart of eschatology is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

As disciples of Jesus, the return of our Lord is something that should never stray far from our thoughts. As I said in the sermon, “The question is not whether Jesus is returning; the question is whether you will be ready when He returns.” Jesus told us to stay vigilant.

“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:44, ESV)

Because we know who wins in the end, Christ’s return is something we must not merely be prepared for, but long for with joyful anticipation. 

Of course, this doesn’t mean we can disengage from living life in the present. We’re called to live today in view of how this whole thing ends. Our lives should demonstrate that we are not captive to the secular voices and treasures of this world. We are sons and daughters of God, and we worship King Jesus, the Lord of the universe. By focusing on the end times, we are really focusing on the reign of Jesus, which is breaking forth in our hearts and lives and churches today.  

If you ask the Apostle Paul how he was able to fight the good fight of the faith, finish the course, and keep the faith, he would say he kept his eyes on the prize:

“Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8, ESV)

Will you be counted among those who love Christ’s appearing?

Christ’s first coming is a historical fact. The weight of the evidence is simply too overwhelming to deny. Christ’s second coming is still in the future but no less certain. We are to be ever ready for His return, but even the history-deniers who will be overwhelmed with the reality of that day.

I love looking at the contrast between Jesus’ first coming and second coming. Just as God’s people once looked forward to the Messiah’s first coming, not knowing exactly what that would look like, so we today look forward to the Messiah’s second coming, a day of such extraordinary importance that it’s hard to overemphasize. Both comings fulfill prophecy, demonstrate God’s faithfulness, and call for a response of faith, repentance, and commitment to holiness. The fact that Jesus came once, fulfilling God’s promises, guarantees He will come again to fulfill those remaining promises.

Let me encourage you to prayerfully reflect on how the two comings of Christ compare and contrast.

How the First Relates to the Second

At His First Coming, He came in humility and weakness as a helpless baby. At His Second Coming, He will come in majesty and power as an omnipotent warrior.

At His First Coming, He came as God incognito, living in obscurity for much of His life. At His Second Coming, He will come as God in all His glorious splendor, and “every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him” (Revelation 1:7).

At His First Coming, He came to inaugurate a kingdom with small beginnings and largely unseen. At His Second Coming, He will establish His kingdom in its fullness, and it will be seen across the world.

At His First Coming, He came to seek and save the lost, offering salvation to all. At His Second Coming, He will come to judge and rule as King, bringing destruction on all who have rejected His offer.

At His First Coming, He came as a substitute sacrifice and ransom for many. At His Second Coming, He will lovingly embrace all who trusted Him as their substitute and ransom.

At His First Coming, He rode a young donkey and was welcomed by a crowd expecting a king who does what they want. At His Second Coming, He will ride a white warhorse and will be welcomed by multitudes who obey Him as King, bowing to what He wants. 

At His First Coming, He wore a crown of thorns, and many will mock, beat, and spit on Him. At His Second Coming, He will wear many crowns, and many will wail, flee to caves, and shudder because of Him.

At His First Coming, He was lifted up on a cross for people to jeer. At His Second Coming, He will ascend a throne for people to cheer.

At His First Coming, His face was so badly beaten, people hardly recognized Him and looked away in sadness or disgust. At His Second Coming, His face will radiate brighter than the sun, all will recognize Him, and people will either look on with joy or look away in shame.

At His First Coming, He came as a suffering servant to purchase redemption for His people. At His Second Coming, He will come as a ruling King to apply redemption fully for His people. 

At His First Coming, He came to absorb God’s judgment for the world’s evil. At His Second Coming, He will come to pour out God’s judgment on all those who sided with the world’s evil. 

At His First Coming, He was rejected by many as the Messiah. At His Second Coming, He will be recognized by all as Lord. 

At His First Coming, He came to die and rise again. At His Second Coming, He will come to raise all who have died in Him.

At His First Coming, He died upon a tree to give life to all who believe. At His Second Coming, He will make way for the Tree of Life given for all who believed.

Are you interested in learning more about Jesus Christ and what He’s done for you? I’d love to hear from you!