WHAT COMES NEXT?

1. What comes Next?

a) We have seen that salvation is a large subject. In one sense salvation is mine now. But although I have already received salvation, I am still being saved today. I still have a sinful nature. Even a saint who has known the Lord for many years can still be tempted by sin. The old nature will be forever taken away when Jesus comes.

b) The Old Testament teaches that Christ would come. Some verses say that He would suffer, for example, in Psalms 22 and 69. Others tell of His glory, like Psalms 2 and 72. The prophets did not understand how both could be true, 1 Peter 1:10-11. The answer is: Christ has come and suffered. He will come again in glory.

c) Many Old Testament verses tell of Christ's return. Jesus Himself said, If I go, I will come again, John 14:3.

d) As we study verses about the Lord's coming more closely, we see another difference. When telling of Christ's first coming, one prophet said He would come to Bethlehem, Micah 5:2. Another said that He would come to Jerusalem riding on an ass, Zechariah 9:9. Which way did He really come? In both ways. As a baby He first came into the world at Bethlehem, Matthew 2:1. Thirty years later He presented Himself openly to the people as King, Matthew 21:1-11.

e) In the same way when reading about the second coming of Christ, we see that some verses speak of Christ coming for His saints, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17. How can He come for them and with them at the same time? This is of course impossible. We saw that thirty years passed between the two parts of His first coming. In the same way Christ will come with His saints a few years after His coming for them.