The Coming of Christ in Glory
After his crucifixion and resurrection, the Lord Jesus Christ went to his Father in heaven. This was a fulfillment of prophecies in the Old Testament and of the Lord Jesus himself:
"Thus says the LORD from the LORD unto me, Set ye on my right hand until I have laid your enemies as a footstool for your feet. Yahweh stretches out your mighty scepter from Zion: rule among your enemies ... "(Psalm 110, see also Mark 16:19, Acts 7:56, Ephesians 1: 19-23, Colossians 3: 1)
"... and behold, with the clouds of heaven, a man came like a son of man; he went to the Ancient of Days (God who is of eternity), and they led him to this; and him was given dominion and honor and royal authority. "(Daniel 7: 13-14, compare Luke 19:12)
"I (Jesus) am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." (John 20:17, 3:13, 6:62)
"And after he had said this, he was taken up, when they saw it, and a cloud stripped him from their eyes." (Acts 1: 9)
From Psalm 110 and the book of Daniel, it appears that his ascension, his exaltation, his glorification, come from God. The servant of God, who had humbled Himself to the death of the cross, has received an extraordinary honor because He as the only man has gone to God in heaven:
"... did not Christ have to suffer this to enter into his glory?" (Luke 24:26, 1 Peter 1:11)
"And found in his appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. That is why God also exalted Him greatly and gave Him the name above all name, so that in the name of Jesus all knee would bow ... and every tongue would confess: Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father "(Philippians 2). : 8-11).
"... we see Jesus, who for a short time was put under angels because of the sufferings of death, that by the grace of God he would taste death for everyone, crowned with glory and honor" (Hebrews 2: 9).
"The Lamb that is slain is worthy to receive power and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and praise." (Revelation 5:12, compare 1 Peter 4:11; 2 Peter 3:18)
The Lord Jesus looked forward to that day with joy and desire and asked his disciples to do the same:
"If you loved me, you would rejoice, because I go to the Father, because the Father is more than I." (John 14:28)
The apostles later witnessed everywhere that they had seen the exaltation of the Lord to heaven:
"For David has not ascended to the heavens, but he himself says," The Lord said to my Lord, "Put on my right hand ..." So all the house of Israel must know for sure that God made Him and Lord and Christ. have this Jesus whom you have crucified "(Acts 2: 34-36).
"Him (Jesus) exalted God through his right hand, as a leader and a Savior to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins" (Acts 5:31; see also 2:33)
"... you who believe through Him (Jesus) in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory ..." (1 Peter 1: 20-21)
He is in heaven to work with his Father on the future of the earth and the people on it:
"... I am going to prepare your place ..." (John 14: 2-3)
"He who has come down, it is he who has ascended far above all heavens, to bring everything to fullness." (Ephesians 4:10)
The promise, however, is that He will return. Not in the way that He lived among his people, with a body of flesh and blood, but with the glory and power that God has given Him:
"... when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that you may also be where I am." (John 14: 2-3)
"Galilee men, what are you standing there and looking up to heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come again in the same way as you have seen Him go into heaven "(Acts 1:11).
Christians have therefore always been people who are waiting for their Lord. Not passive but active:
"... awaiting the blessed hope and appearance of the glory of our great God, and Savior Christ Jesus ..." (Titus 2: 13-14, also compare 1 Thessalonians 1: 9-10 and Hebrews 9: 27-28).
"So have patience, brethren, until the coming of the Lord! ... strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. "(James 5: 7-8)
"Because you kept the command to keep expecting Me ... I am coming soon ..." (Revelation 3: 10-11)
"He who testifies these things says: Yes, I will come soon. Amen, come, Lord Jesus "(Revelation 22:20).
His coming means life and glory for those who believe, but in them also for the whole earth:
"... and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, with great power and glory. And he will send his angels with a trumpet call, and they will gather his chosen ones ... "(Matthew 24: 30-31, Mark 13:26, Luke 21:27, see also Matthew 16:27; 25: 31-46; Mark 8: 38, Luc 9:26)
"... the face of the Lord, and the glory of his strength, when he cometh, to be glorified in that day in his saints, and to behold with astonishment in all that have come to faith ..." (2 Thessalonians 1: 9 -10)
"Are we children now, then we are also heirs ... of God and co-heirs of Christ; after all, if we share in his sufferings, it is also to share in his glorification. "(Romans 8:17)
"When Christ appears ... you shall also appear with Him in glory." (Colossians 3: 4)
"For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the glory of the LORD ..." (Habakkuk 2:14, compare 2 Corinthians 4: 6)
"Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only does miracles. And believe her glorious name forever, and his glory fills the whole earth. Amen, yes, amen. "(Psalm 72: 18-19, compare Psalm 57: 6 and 12; 108: 6; 97: 6).
Question for consideration:
How are you preparing for your meeting with the Lord Jesus Christ?
Vigilance
The Lord Jesus has pointed out many times that his followers must expect Him. This is an active verb, by which He meant that they should be prepared for the day of his coming. That day is the final moment of our ordeal. After that, there is no opportunity to edit our salvation. We, therefore, have to live as if He can appear at this moment. In a number of parables, He introduced people who are actively engaged in work for their Lord or the preparations of a feast. They have nothing to fear from Him because they have done everything according to His will. But others are overcome by this and will not share in the reward and fun. His strong warning is, therefore, Watch! Be alert! Apostles also called for this. See: Matthew 24: 32-51; 25: 1-30; Mark 13: 28-37; Luke 12: 35-48; 19: 11-27; 21: 29-36; 2 Peter 3: 10-14; 1 John 2:28; Revelation 16:15.
Thanks for reading.
Stay blessed.
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