The Return of Christ

At this time of year when we celebrate the incarnation of the Son of God, it is helpful to look ahead and see, in Paul Harvey’s phrase, “the rest of the story.” The One who came the first time in humility, who laid as a Babe in Bethlehem’s manger, will return one day to reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords. The One first crowned with thorns will then wear a diadem of glory.

The book of First Thessalonians has much to say about the return of Christ. In this relatively brief letter, the Apostle Paul links the second coming of Christ with several important things:

1. With Salvation. He commends the Thessalonian Christians because they “wait for His Son from heaven, whom He [God the Father] raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
2. With Service. Paul looks forward to meeting in heaven those who have responded to his ministry, through God’s grace. “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).
3. With Sanctification. The apostle’s desire for these believers is that they live holy lives (separated from those things that are displeasing to God) in preparation for Christ’s return– “So that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints” (1 Thessalonians 3:13).
4. With Solace. The epistle describes the next dramatic event on God’s calendar, the rapture of the church, our catching away into the presence of Christ, where we will be reunited with Christians who have died previously (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). This should bring comfort and encouragement in painful circumstances. “Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18).
5. With Surety. We trust the Lord to fulfil His purpose, coming again at the precise time He has planned. And because of who He is, and because He has promised (“I will come again,” Jn. 1:3), we can be certain of it. “May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).