The Second Coming, Resurrection and Ascension
The second coming of Christ is tied to the resurrection and ascension just as a promised event is tied to historical incidents. These constitute a unified presentation of the Son of God in successive and related phases of His great work of saving men for His kingdom. The Scripture reveals:
Christ the Creator
“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16 also Hebrews 1:2; John 1:1–3).
Christ the Incarnate
“But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7) “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14, 15 also John 1:14).
Christ the Crucified
“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4 also Acts 17:3; Matthew 27:31–56; John 19:17–37).
Christ the Risen One
“Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:3, 4 also 1 Corinthians 15:3–22; Matthew 28:1–15; John 20:1–18).
Christ the Coming King
“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30 also Revelation 11:15; 19:11–16; Matthew 25:31).
Conclusion
In all these phases, He is “this same Jesus,” “the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). Thus, without the second coming, all the preceding work in the plan of salvation would be as vain as the sowing and cultivation of crops without a harvest.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
