How Different His Next Coming Will Be!

Millersport Covenant Church Sermon Podcasts

While scholars have long debated the various Biblical texts concerning Jesus' return, their area of expressed unity is that He WILL return. Just as references to His first coming were known but not always fully understood, this is likely true of Jesus' next appearance. Just as Matthew and Luke beautifully narrate the humble birth of our Lord in a Bethlehem stable, no OT prophet knew, save the town itself, the precise details that would unfold on that beautiful scandalous night. And while far more details seem apparent from the NT authors, even by Jesus Himself, it's clear by the diverse interpretations of those inerrant prophecies that Jesus' second Advent will be much different than the first. Will this next event include surprises, things not anticipated? Most likely. Will some prognosticators be embarrassed by how wrongly their interpretations proved to be? Undoubtedly. But this we can safely say: Jesus' first Advent was to bring redemption, salvation, and peace between God and man; His second Advent will be to bring resurrection, vindication, and judgment. Are there any Scriptures that are particularly eyebrow raising in those regards? 2 Thessalonians 1:9-10 may top the list as Paul reveals: "They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might, when He comes on that Day to be glorified in His saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed." (ESV) Therefore on that Day, may we be among the glorifying saints, those who marvel, those who believe, those overcome with unimaginable joy, when our Lord returns...