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Title: "The Christ of the Second Coming" Subject: The names of Christ at His coming. Intro: Jesus said, "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown" Rev. 3:11 The subject of the second coming of Christ has life-changing implications for both the lost and the saved. The second coming of Christ closes the age we are now living in, and ushers in an age when this earth will be directly ruled by Jesus Christ from Jerusalem. This 1,000 years is called the millennial reign of Christ, and at any given moment its beginning is only 7 years away. For the lost among us today, the second coming of Jesus Christ is the end of all hope of eternal life, for, IF you are still alive, you will be catapulted into a sinner's Hell, there to remain in agony throughout eternity. This could be your fate in 7 years! This message is a warning to you without Christ! For the saved here today, the implications of Christ's return are equally mind-boggling. During the millennial reign of Christ it is said that we will reign with Him over this earth. Certainly there are qualifications for those who reign, and though we are saved by grace, I believe the standard used to judge which of us will reign with Christ is obedience!! And I believe our obedience today is going to determine our usefulness to Christ during the millennium! Some of us in this room will sit out the millennial reign of Christ because of our continuing disobedience! A fearful thought which will not fully manifest itself until it is too late! This message is a warning to Christians! Jesus said, "Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book" Rev. 22:7 The Bible says that Jesus Christ is coming again, and I believe the Bible!! But before He comes to this earth the second time many end-time events will occur. Let's review what the Bible teaches. First, will be the "catching away" (rapture) of every born-again man/woman/child, and every infant from off the face of the earth (1 Thess. 4:16-18). Second, will be the unveiling of the "man of sin," the antichrist, who will be the embodiment of evil, upon this earth (2 Thess. 2:6-12). Those who refuse to receive Jesus Christ as their Saviour will worship the antichrist (Rev. 13:12-15), and ultimately accept his "mark" on their bodies in order to "do business as usual" (Rev. 13:16-17). Third, there will be 7 years of tribulation when God pours out His wrath upon sinful man (Rev. 6-19). God's wrath will cause the ultimate death of 60% of the human race, and 1/3 of all animals, plants, and sea life. During the Tribulation Period 1/3 of the seas will be turned to blood, 1/3 of the fresh water will be undrinkable and 1/3 of the ships at sea will sink. The sun will turn dark, the moon to blood, stars will fall, and the sky will roll up like a scroll. Then, from the pits of Hell, scorpion like demons will be set free to torment all men, unceasingly, while 200 million more serpent like demons will kill 1/3 of men. The Bible says, "And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it..." Last, the nations of the world, under the influence and leadership of Satan, the antichrist, and the false prophet will gather in Israel, at Armageddon, to do battle, first with each other, but then with the Lord Jesus Christ at His appearing. This is the second coming of Jesus Christ! Jesus said, "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" Rev. 22:12 Rev. 19:11-21 -- "The Christ of the Second Coming" -- prayer Note: It is interesting that the second coming of Christ offers no hope to those that reject Jesus Christ as their Saviour. This message today, before the terrible turn of events, could be your last warning to flee the wrath to come, and to come to the Prince of Peace. But for the Christian, the second coming of Christ reveals the demands of obedience that must be met to reign with Christ for 1000 yrs. As He is, we must be! In this passage we will see the 6 names of Christ as His coming I. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING AS PROMISED (v11) A. He is Coming as Promised Because He is Faithful & True Note: This is the first name of Christ at His second coming. 1. Faithful = "worthy of confidence, One on whom we may rely" Note: In Heb. 10:23 the Bible says that God is faithful. In Titus 1:9 the Bible says that God's Word is faithful. And in Rev. 1:5 the Bible says that Jesus Christ is faithful. He has never failed to do that which He promised. He promised to save you. He promised to keep you. He promised to provide for you. He has promised to come again! Jesus Christ is faithful! 2. True = "Genuine. That which has truth as its base, and is all it says it is. Truth as opposed to what might appear to be 'true.'" Note: In Rom 3:4 the Bible says that God is true. In John 17:17 the Bible says God's Word is true. And in John 14:6, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." Everything Jesus Christ said is true, and everything He does is based on truth. The coming again of Jesus Christ is not based on what appears to be true, but on truth personified. He is truth and He is coming again! B. How You Will Know Him 1. He is coming from Heaven (it is opened) a. After His resurrection Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:11) to be seated at the right hand of God (Col. 3:1). Now He returns from Heaven, and every eye shall see Him (Rev. 1:7). 2. He is coming upon a white horse Note: In Bible times, when a king came in peace, he rode a donkey. But when he came in conquest and war he rode a horse. Jesus Christ first came in peace riding into Jerusalem on a colt of a donkey (Matt. 21:5). But men rejected the Prince of Peace. Therefore, at His second coming He will ride the white horse of conquest and battle. If your refuse the peace of Christ all that is left for you is war, turmoil and strife--in your heart and in your life. 3. He Comes To Judge and Make War a. Judge = "to divide, to separate, to make a final determination." When Christ comes again, it is judgment day! "Because He [God] hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man [Christ] whom He hath ordained..." (Acts 17:31) b. Make war = "battle, tumult." Against Satan, sin, & sinners! 1) Disobedience toward God started the war, and Christ's obedience toward God will end it. c. In righteousness = according to God's standard. It is "right" for Christ to judge sinners! It is "right" for sinners to go to Hell! You can either go to Hell or come to Christ. And if you go to Hell it will not be God's fault, it will be yours! Come to Christ, today! Obedience demands that you be faithful (one that can be depended upon) & true (genuine) II. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING AS PROMISED (v12-13a) A. He is Coming as Promised Because of the Name Written Note: This is the second name of Christ at His coming. It is written, readable, but unknowable, except by Christ. Since names identify, this unknown name of Christ probably represents the embodiment of all He is, and all that is represented by His second coming. It is the unknowable name of One who has been appointed heir over all things. "Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, Whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds;" "Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they." Heb. 1:2,4 1. The Executor of the will is going to execute His authority 2. The Heir is going to clean up His inheritance! B. How You Will Know Him 1. By His eyes a. As a flame of fire = searching judgment. No doves eyes here! Note: You will see those eyes and know that there is no where to hide the hidden things of your heart and life. Christians will see those eyes at the judgment seat of Christ. The lost will see those eyes at the Great White Throne judgment of God. And the world will see those eyes at the second coming of Christ! 2. By His many crowns (v12b) a. Crowns = "diadems, the royal crown, indicating absolute and supreme authority" Note: This Greek word is used only 3 times in the Bible, all in Rev. In 12:3 it is said that Satan has a crown on each of his 7 heads (representing his perfect evil authority). In 13:1 the antichrist has a crown on each of his 10 horns (representing authority over 10 earthly kings). But note that Christ has "many" crowns, as universal Sovereign. He who has the most crowns wins!!! 3. By His bloody clothing (v13a) a. "Vesture" = outer garment, mantle b. "Dipped" in blood = immersed/baptized c. You cannot separated Jesus Christ from His blood! 1) It was His blood that He shed for your sins on Calvary Rev. 1:5 "...Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His Own blood." 2) It was His blood that was sprinkled on the Mercy Seat in heaven to satisfy God' wrath against you Heb. 9:12 "...by His Own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." 3) It will be your unrepentative blood that will stain His garments Isa. 63:3 "I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment." Obedience demands that you live up to your new name earned by the shedding of His blood III. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING AS PROMISED (v13b-14) A. He is Coming as Promised as the Word of God Note: This the third name of Christ at His second coming. All that God is, and all He will do is revealed in His Word, and personified in the Lord Jesus Christ. In John 1:1,14, Jesus Christ is the Word which is God, and which became man. In 1 John 1:1, Jesus Christ is the Word of life. Here, Jesus Christ is the Word of God. This Word is the totality of God's revelation to us. Deny that this is the Word of God, and you have denied God and Christ. B. How You Will Know Him 1. By the army of saints a. It is the Word of God which produced the army of saints which were in Heaven (v14) "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." 1 Peter 1:23 "...Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints..." Jude 1:14 2. By the obedience of the saints ("followed Him") (v14) a. It is the Word of God which produced obedience in the saints "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." James 1:22 3. By the victorious/overcoming saints ("white horses") a. It is the Word of God which produced the victory for the saints "I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." 1 John 2:14 4. By the security of the saints a. It was the Word of God which produced the security for the saints ("clothed in fine linen") They wear no armor, for they are not the executors of vengeance "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." Rev. 3:10 5. By the purity of the saints ("white/clean") a. It was the Word of God which produced the purity of the saints "That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word" Ephes. 5:26 Obedience demands that by your faithfulness & dependence on the Word of God, that you be obedient, victorious, secure, and pure. IV. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING AS PROMISED (v15) A. He is Coming as Promised as the Avenger of God Note: This is the fourth name of Christ at His coming. The Bible says that vengeance belongs to God, and Jesus Christ becomes God's avenger to punish sinners for their wicked deeds, and rejection of God's rule in their lives. "And shall not God avenge His Own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily.. Luke 18:7-8 "And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?" Rev. 6:10 B. How You Will Know Him 1. From His Mouth a sharp "sword" = long, broad sword, or saber used in battle Note: This is the sword that was prophesied to pierced the soul of Mary (Lk. 2:35); the sword that Christ wields in His churches (Rev. 1:16; 2:12); and the sword of the pale horse of Death (Rev. 6:8). a. To smite the nations = "to strike so as to kill" (those gathered to war) Note: No mercy here, only vengeance! Does that surprise you? You who have rejected God will be slain by God! You who have ignored God will be slain by God! You who have blasphemed God will be slain by God! "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" Heb. 10:31 2. From His Hand a rod of iron (v15) a. To rule = (future active) "shepherd, provide for, lead, cherish, defend" It is unyielding, absolute government where men are required to conform to God's standards. God's Word is narrow and demanding! b. Present reality "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." Psalm 2:9 3. From His Feet the fierceness and wrath of God (v15) a. To tread = (present active) "to trample" b. Fierceness = "from soul, an intense passion or forcible exhalation of the mind" c. Wrath = "temper of mind, anger together with the desire for revenge" This is not emotional anger, nor spiteful revenge, but judgment! Note: It is the picture of the "state of mind" of the omniscient God, and the double anger of God being directed toward the ungodly; then trampled by Christ as grapes are trampled in the wine vat. It is the whole anger of God directed against the whole world of unrighteousness. Obedience demands that you leave vengeance in the hands of God V. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING AS PROMISED (v16) A. He is Coming as Promised as the King of Kings Note: This is the fifth name of Christ at His coming. Where there is a king, Jesus Christ is King of that king! This is a superlative name of superiority and sovereignty. Jesus Christ is not only King over the totality of creation, but He is King over any that dare assert their right to rule. 1 Tim. 6:15 says that Christ is the only Potentate, or possessor of the necessary power and authority to rule. Rev. 17:14 says He is the overcomer, there being no obstacles to His stated goals and purposes. And in v19-21, we watch as the mighty kings of the earth are slain. The Jews of Jesus' day said, "We will not have this Man to rule over us!" In rejecting Christ, you have echoed their cry--But He Will Rule Over You! B. He is Coming as Promised as the Lord of Lords (v16) Note: This is the sixth name of Christ at His coming, and is the superlative name of Deity and Master. Jesus Christ is God, and as God, He is the Master/Owner of His creation. Deut. 10:17 "For the Lord your god is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward." The illustration of Christ as Lord of Lords, at His second coming, is found in v17,18 where He commands the angel to call, and the carnivorous birds of prey to gather: in v20 where the beast and false prophet are "taken" (not slain), and "cast alive into a lake of fire." Jesus Christ is Lord over every aspect of His creation, spiritual & phys. B. How You Will Know Him 1. On His bloody vesture (v13) (the place of authority) is written King of Kings 2. On His thigh (the place of strength & power) is written Lord of Lords Obedience demands submission to Christ as King, and acquiescence to Christ as Lord Conclusion: Jesus Christ is coming again, reject Him or receive Him. For the Christian it is the time when the Master rewards the servant for his/her obedience. Do you want to reign with Christ for 1000 years? Are you--right now--living in obedience? Can God and others depend on you? Are you genuine or are you a faker? Are you living up to your blood-bought name? Is your total dependence on the Word of God? Are you vengeful or are you leaving vengeance up to God? Are you in subjection to Christ or are you in rebellion? Is Christ Lord of your life or is someone or something else master? If Christ came today, you are but 7 years away from 1000 years of joy or regrets! Make it joy. Determine--today--to be obedient! Lost friend, when Christ comes the second time, will you be lost or saved; heading for heaven or hell; with the sinners on earth or with the saints in heaven? I cannot promise you another hour of life, but I can promise you that Jesus Christ is coming again, and that if you will repent of your sins, and receive Christ as the Saviour He is, that you will not experience God's wrath on this earth, nor an eternity in Hell. Will you be saved today?? The Bible says, "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus" Rev. 22:20 |