Articles
Jesus Christ is Coming Again!!
Did you know that Jesus Christ is coming again? Jesus himself said he was as recorded in John 14:1-3, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN (emp LS), and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." If Christ is coming again, that means that He’s already come once before. Why did Christ come the first time?
Man sinned against God and sin separated man from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Man needed a way back to God. Man could not save himself, so through the grace, mercy, and love of God "...he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). In Romans 5:6-8, "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." John 1:1, 14 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
The first time Jesus Christ came, was in the flesh, born of Mary in Bethlehem (Matthew 1:18-2:1). While on earth, teaching and preaching the kingdom of God, he spoke the words recorded in John 14:1-3 just before his death on the cross. Notice again, Jesus said he was coming again. WHY?
Jesus Christ is NOT coming again to set up an earthly kingdom. Many preachers on the radio, TV, and in the papers are telling the world that Jesus is coming again to set up an earthly kingdom in Jerusalem. Jesus established His kingdom when He was here on earth the FIRST TIME. Notice what Jesus said in Matthew 16:18-19, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build MY CHURCH (emp LS); and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the KINGDOM (emp LS) of heaven...". Jesus himself uses the terms church and kingdom to refer to people and authority that he established or built. Paul believed that the church (people) and the kingdom (rule) of God had already been established. Notice in Colossians 1:13-14, Paul is writing to the church at Colossae and says that they had been translated "into the kingdom of his dear Son". The apostle John taught that Jesus had already established or built his church and kingdom. John by verbal inspiration said in Revelation 1:9, "I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and IN THE KINGDOM (emp LS) and patience of Jesus Christ...". Notice that John was also writing to the seven CHURCHES of Asia (Revelation 1:4).
Jesus Christ is coming again, but it will not be to establish or build an earthly kingdom. The kingdom of Christ is in existence today! More about Christ coming again next week.
