The Messiah Is Coming

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This is an Advent message that focuses on Jesus' comments about His second advent.

Written Excerpts:

Matthew 24:27 (NKJV) For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

Introduction:

Advent – The season of the year when we center our attention on the approach of Christmas. We focus our thoughts on the events and circumstances that were leading up to the birth of Christ. In our meditations on Advent, we sometimes try to imagine what it would have been like to be involved in the original nativity event. For most of us, with all of the celebrations associated with Christmas and the many times we have heard the Christmas story, it is hard to imagine the original event coming with very few people even aware of it all.

In previous advent sermons I have made reference to the second coming of Christ as a reminder to all of us that He is going to come again, just as certainly as He came the first time. Today I want to purposely devote more time for us to think about His second coming and perhaps make some comparisons and contrasts with the first coming.

In order to address the topic of the Lord’s 2^nd coming, I thought I would use some of the details that Jesus Himself gives us in Matthew 24. As we look into this passage, we want to first of all acknowledge that there has been a lot of misunderstanding and disagreement about the chapter. Many scholars believe that the confusion is a result of the fact that the disciples have asked the Lord two distinct questions in verse 3. As Jesus answers their questions, it is not always easy to know which of the two questions he is answering.

The two questions are:

When will these things be? (i.e. happen) “These things” – Refers back to Jesus’ comment in v. 2 “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

What will signal your coming and the end of the age? (The structure of the sentence in Greek indicates that “your coming” and “end of the age” are considered to be the same.)

Having acknowledged that there is disagreement about which descriptions in this chapter pertain to the second coming, I will try to make it simple by saying I am going to follow the opinion of R.T. France (Tyndale Commentary) when he says:

Other than a brief mention in verse 27, Jesus’ comments about His Coming begin in verse 36 and continue through the end of chapter 25.

So, let us look at these verses and see what the Lord has to say about His 2^nd coming and how it compares or contrasts with His 1^st coming.

I.       His coming will be publicly and widely known.

v. 27

Some writers feel that Jesus has not yet switched to speak exclusively about His 2^nd coming, but He has interjected this comment to let them know that His coming is different from the events of the pending destruction.

When the Messiah came the first time, there were many prophecies that had been made, but the event was obscure. A handful of relatives knew (Zachariah and Elizabeth). Only a few shepherds received the announcement. Only a small number of Magi received supernatural announcement. No one in Jerusalem knew about the event.

But, when He comes again, Jesus indicates that it is going to be noticeable, just like lightening that flashes across the sky from east to west.

II.     The time of His coming is unknown.

This point actually compares with His 1^st coming. Even though there were many prophecies, and there were some that were so inclined to study them, we definitely get the impression that no one was really sure when He would come. The same thing is true regarding the 2^nd coming.

v. 36

Jesus makes it clear that even He (in his humanity), did not know the day nor the hour that He would return. This statement makes some believe that this verse is really the point when he changes from talking about the destruction of Jerusalem and its accompanying conditions and starts talking exclusively about His return.

Why? Because of the statement in v. 34, “… this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” If descriptions and events prior to verse 34 are about the 2^nd coming, then the only option we are left with is to say that Jesus really expected the end to come in their lifetime. In other words, He was confused and mistaken just like the disciples were.

Even though there are a myriad of prophecies in Scripture regarding the end time events, the fact remains… No one knows when Jesus is coming back.

vv. 37-44 – Life will be going on as usual. People will be preoccupied with everyday events that are normal.

v. 44 – Get ready.

III.    Once He comes, opportunity is gone.

When the Messiah came the 1^st time, most of the world was unaware. Only a few people were notified, like the shepherds. Only a few people were expecting Him (Simeon, Anna, & Magi). However, the opportunity to learn of Him and “find” Him has continued from then until now.

But, when He comes again, the opportunity to know Him will end.

25:1-13

So be ready and stay ready (v. 13).

It’s not only important to have the “oil.” But it is imperative to have enough oil.

What’s it mean to have a reserve of oil?

·     Invest your life and gifts in God’s great Kingdom enterprise (vv. 14-30).

·     Devote your life being generous to God’s “least of these.” (vv. 31-46)

·     In other words, you can’t just accept Christ and then “coast the rest of the way to the pearly gates.”

Conclusion:

Just as certainly as the Messiah came the 1^st time, He is coming again! The most important words of Jesus that He repeated over and over – “therefore be ye ready.”