Pastor Adrian Rogers paints for us a wonderful picture comparing elements of Christ’s first and second comings. According to Rogers’: “He came the first time to die; He is coming again to raise the dead. When He came the first time, they questioned whether He was King; the next time the world will know that He is King of kings and Lord of lords. The first time He wore a crown of thorns; the next time He will be wearing a crown of glory. The first time He came in poverty; the next time He is coming in power. The first time He had an escort of angels; the next time He will come with ten thousands of His saints. The first time He came in meekness; He is coming again in majesty.”1
Let’s take a moment to briefly look at each of these comparisons:
He came the first time to die; He is coming again to raise the dead
How comforting to know that we serve a dying Savior, whose death made it possible for us to live and experience His resurrection power.
When He came the first time, they questioned whether He was King; the next time the world will know that He is King of kings and Lord of lords
Sadly, most people rejected Jesus when He came, the first time, claiming He was the King of glory. But what’s even sadder is when He comes the second time, everyone will recognize that He is indeed King and Lord, but it will be a time for people to be judged for their lack of worship when He came the first time.
The first time He wore a crown of thorns; the next time He will be wearing a crown of glory
Christ’s crown of thorns symbolized the need for Him to endure suffering before He could receive His crown of glory. And isn’t this the same for us. We often have to go through a crucible of afflictions before we can come forth with the joy of the Lord and bring glory to Jesus.
The first time He came in poverty; the next time He is coming in power
What a contrast! Jesus came to this earth humbly with no earthly riches in His bank account. But when He comes the second time He will come as the sovereign Lord of the universe with all riches and power.
The first time He had an escort of angels; the next time He will come with ten thousands of His saints
When Christ was in the wilderness for 40 days we read that after being tested angels came and ministered to Him. But what is so exciting is when He comes back the second time, He will be coming with a myriad of precious saints to showcase for all the world to see!
The first time He came in meekness; He is coming again in majesty
My friends Jesus’ example of meekness should never be taken as weakness. Meekness is a wonderful quality in that it shows the world we are here to let Jesus get all the glory through our actions. And on this last point meekness by our Savior will one day, when He comes again, be replaced with His majesty for all the world to see!