Christ's Second Presence
Why

What is the Relationship between 1st and 2nd Advents?
What is the Object of Christ's Second Presence?
How Long will his Second Advent Last?

What is the Relationship between 1st and 2nd Advents?

1st Advent = Redemption
2nd Advent = Restitution

The 1st Advent accomplished the work of Redemption. The man Jesus gave himself a "ransom for all to be testified in due time." I Tim. 2:6

The 2nd Advent will accomplish the work of Restitution. The resurrected Christ will restore the human race to perfect life. "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." I Cor. 15:22

The 1st Advent Christ purchased a kingdom.
The 2nd Advent he returns to establish that kingdom.

The 1st Advent Christ performed countless miracles illustrating the power of his future kingdom.
The 2nd Advent he returns to show the far greater reality which those miracles illustrated.

The 1st Advent Christ laid down the principles of divine justice.
The 2nd Advent he returns to judge the world in righteousness.

The work of the first advent is related to the work of the second advent as cause is related to effect.

What is the Object of Christ's Second Presence?

Christ Comes Again to Reign.

The object of Christ's second presence is to reconcile "whosoever will" of the world to God, by a process of ruling, and teaching, disciplining, called judging and blessing. "For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet." I Cor. 15:25,26

The beginning of Christ's Reign is in a time of trouble. 

"The Lord reigneth [resulting in]...clouds and darkness...a fire...burneth up his enemies...hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord...." Psa. 97:1-7 

The nations are "angry" -- they don't want to lose their power. Rev. 11:15,17,18. 

But Christ's kingdom destroys the kingdoms of this world before he sets up his righteous peaceable kingdom. "In the days of these kings shall...God...set up a kingdom which...shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms." Dan. 2:44 

The present evil order will be destroyed by the conquering "The King of Kings, and Lord of Lords." "On his head [are] many crowns"...from the civil rulers of this unrighteous world. Rev. 19:11-16

Christ Comes Again to Reward.

Christ gave a parable to demonstrate that he would reign at his return and reward his servants. 

"A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.... And...when he was returned, having received the kingdom, he commanded [his] servants to be called unto him...that he might know how much every man had gained by trading." Lk. 19:12-15.

"The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.... And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time...that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great..." Rev. 11:14, 18.

Christ Comes Again to Reap.

When Christ returns, he not only is a King but he is the Chief Reaper, in charge of the Harvest of the Wheat at the end of the age. Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43.

"...upon the cloud sat one like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle...And he...thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped." Rev. 14:14-16

Christ Comes Again to Regather Israel.

One of the "signs" of Christ's return is Israel becoming a nation again. [See "Signs of Christ's Presence--Fig Tree.]

"...the fig tree. When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves [Israel coming back to life], ye know that summer [the kingdom of God, Lk. 21:29-31] is nigh...even at the doors."

This is also described as part of the Lord's reigning over Israel.

"As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand...will I rule [Heb. - begin to reign] over you: And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered..." Ezek. 20:33,34

Christ Comes Again to Bring Righteousness.

Christ's first work as King is to execute righteousness and justice, which at first brings a time of trouble. But then his righteous reign will bring a reign of peace.

"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he [Christ] that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war." Rev. 19:11

"For...Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God...first being by interpretation King of Righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is King of peace..." Heb. 7:1,2 "Christ...called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec." Heb. 5:5-10.

Christ Comes Again to Resurrect.

At Christ's return, he will resurrect all who have died in Adam. First he will resurrect his faithful Church and then the rest of those who have died.

"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming [parousia]." I Cor. 15:22,23.

"Martha saith unto [Jesus], 'I know that [Lazarus] shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.' Jesus said unto her, 'I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.'" John 11:24,25

Christ Comes to Restore All That Was Lost.

Christ will not only restore life to the world, but all that Adam lost will be restored. 

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Rev. 22:17

"[God] shall send Jesus Christ,...whom the heaven must receive [retain] until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." Acts 3:19-21  

These "times of restitution" are pictured by the "Israel's Jubilee." Every 50th year, not only were bondsmen set free, but debts were cancelled and land was returned to its original owners. Most of the Jubilee Year was probably required to straighten out affairs and get each one fully installed again in all his former liberties, rights, and possessions. 

Likewise with the "times of Restitution." It will open with sweeping reforms, with recognition of rights, liberties, and possessions long lost sight of. But the work of completely restoring (to the obedient) all that was originally lost will require the whole Messianic Age. The resurrection to life will only be the beginning. Full restitution will be accomplished when those willing will be brought back into harmony with God.

"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the Tabernacle [God's dwelling place, Christ and his Church] of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Rev. 21:3,4

Click below for more information on:

  "Our Lord's Return -- Its Object the Restitution of All Things."
 
Summary of "Earth's Great Jubilee"

  "Earth's Great Jubilee" 

How Long will Christ's Second Advent Last?

Christ will reign 1,000 years. Rev. 20:4,6 The first advent lasted 34 years, from Bethlehem and Nazareth to the cross, the tomb and the resurrection. The second advent lasts 1,000 years of triumphant reign and overthrow of evil. The second advent could never have been possible without the first. However, the second, covering a broader period of time, also covers a broader work.

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