Dedicated To The Men of God Who Preach the Word of God As It
Is To Men As They Are
"Preach The Word"
THE COMING OF CHRIST
That Christ has come is in perfect accord with human history and with the
record of divine inspiration. His first coming was prophesied as early as
Gen. iii. 15, when sin had but entered the Edenic, scene. Prophets and
psalmists spoke and sang of this coming till at last the angel announced the
event to the terrified Shepherds. Many are the Scriptures which allude to
this notable happening and to the purpose of it. We read :
(1) The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to
give His Life a ransom for many (Matt. xx. 28). His Life was lived in
service for others. His death was to procure many for Himself.
(2) The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke
xix. 10). How quickly the mind rushes to think of Him as the Shepherd
seeking the lost sheep (Ch. xv.) or the Samaritan discovering the lost man (ch.
x.) thus illustrating His own statement.
(3) I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Luke v. 32.
Hear Him call the weary to rest, Matt. xi. 28.
Hear Him call the dead to life, John v. 25. Hear Him call the thirsty to
drink, John vii. 37.
Hear Him call the hungry to eat, John vi. 53. Hear Him call sinners for
repentance, Luke v. 32.
There is no doubt as to His first coming. His second coming, however, is
seriously questioned. Our minds can enjoy rest as to the certainty of this
event because He has made the promise. This promise was made to His own.
1. Under the shadows of Gethsemane and Calvary. John xiv. 1=3.
2. On resurrection soil as the divine Conqueror. John xxi. 22.
3. As the Man of Eternal Glory. Rev. xxii. 20. The coming of Christ for His
people may be looked at in the following way. His coming will be
I. Premillennial.
He will return for His redeemed ones and translate them to the glory before
He returns with them to set up His Kingdom. It is certain that at the
inauguration of the kingdom He will be seen in company " with all His saints
" (1 Thess. iii. 13), coming in array like a warrior host (Rev. xix. 14),
and with all His angels (Matt. xxv. 31). They must ascend to Him ere they
can descend with Him. We may be furnished with types from the catching up of
Enoch—the taking away of Methusaleh (Gen. v.)—the deliverance of Lot from
Sodom's judgment (Gen. xix.) and that of Rahab's from Jericho's doom, (Josh.
ii. 16) concerning the rapture of the saints. They all illustrate, with
shades of differences, profitable to understand, the salvation of saints
from coming tribulation and wrath.
II. Personal.
The Saviour said " I will come again (John xiv. 3), Paul declares " The Lord
Himself shall descend from Heaven," etc. (1 Thess. iv. 16). The two heavenly
ones spake thus " This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven,
shall so come in like manner " (Acts i. 11). A threefold cord is not easily
broken. We conclude therefore that the One who came from heaven to die at
Calvary for us—the One who lives upon the throne making intercession for
us—is the very Same One who is coming again for us.
III. Positive.
No doubt need be entertained. He never yet broke His word—indeed it is
impossible for Him to lie. Call to remembrance His various promises promised
to those who accept Him as Saviour and to those who are His own and
immediately all fear will be dispelled.
IV. Punctual.
God's purposes are immutable. He never needs to alter them in the slightest.
He appointed a time for the birth (Gal. iv. 4) death (Ex. xii.),
resurrection (John ii. 19), ascension and glorification of Christ (Acts i.),
for the day of the coming down of the Spirit (Acts ii. 1), in order that the
church might be formed ; for the day of judgment to begin (Acts xvii.
31-32), and assuredly He has appointed a time for the coming of Christ for
His own. Now it behoves all men to be ready since we know not the day nor
the hour of His coming.
V. Private.
Only His disciples saw Him go up to Heaven and His coming has to be in like
manner (Acts i. 11). The world therefore will be unaware of the triumph and
translation of the saints. We will be called secretly into His presence.
What bursts of joy will break forth from us as we travel upwards,
heavenwards, homeward, and Christward !
VI. Presently.
It may be at any moment. His last words were " Surely, I come quickly "
(Rev. xxii. 20).
VII. Powerful.
When He comes the dead will be raised ; the living will be changed, and
together we will rise to meet Christ. (1 Thess. iv. 16-17). All the laws of
gravity will be superseded. Divine power will change our bodies and
translate us to Heaven itself.
He and I in that bright glory,
One deep joy shall share ;
Mine, to be for ever with Him,
His, that I am there."
Sermon by Gavin Hamilton
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