Scripture:
2 Thessalonians 1:5-8; John 1:14, 45-46
Wed, 10 August 2022

Christ’s First and Second Coming

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about the First Coming and the Second Coming of Christ?

Deeper Reflection
THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST IS NOT UNRELATED TO His First Coming – when “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14). The theological relationship between the two comings of Christ provides an important perspective that is necessary for our discipleship.At His First Coming, Jesus lived, suffered, died, rose and ascended to heaven. But Jesus’ ascension is not the end of salvation history. After the ascension will be the descension: “the Lord Himself will descend from heaven” (1 Thess 4:16). And having disappeared into heaven (Acts 1:9), Jesus will reappear: “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven” (v.7b).The Second Coming of Christ will be in glory and power and “public magnificence”9, descending from heaven “with His mighty angels in flaming fire” (vv.6-7a). The “flaming fire” is “a regular biblical symbol of the holy, consuming nature of God’s presence”10 (Exo 3:2; 19:18). But in His First Coming, Jesus came in weakness: He “was crucified in weakness” (2 Cor 13:4). And Jesus came in obscurity as “Jesus of Nazareth”. When Philip told Nathanael that “Jesus of Nazareth” is “the Messiah”, his immediate response was “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”(Jn 1:45-46). What lies behind Nathanael’s skepticism is “not that the town had a bad reputation but that it was considered totally insignificant”11. “Jesus of Nazareth” “reflected the self-abasement of the man from heaven.”12 The First Coming of Jesus serves as a discipleship pattern for us, as we wait for His return in glory and power. In following Jesus, we walk the path of “Jesus of Nazareth”.
9 John R. W. Stott, 148 10 John R. W. Stott, 148 11 Herman Ridderbos, The Gospel of John: A Theological Commentary (Eerdmans, 1997), 88 12 D. A. Carson, The Gospel According to John (Eerdmans, 1991), 160
Application:

What does it mean for me to follow Jesus in the light of His First Coming and Second Coming?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for Singapore: To see the church living out the hope in Christ’s Second Coming
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Sun, 31 December 2023

Sunday Journal

Past Week’s Review
  • What was my high point and my low point for the week?
  • What gave me life and what drained me?
  • How was the Spirit of God at work?
Reflect

What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

Respond

What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying?
Commit in prayer.

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