KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

When Christ came the first time, He would humbly ride on a donkey into Jerusalem where He would be crucified. When He comes the second time, He will gloriously ride on a horse into Jerusalem where He will be crowned. 

We read in Revelation 19:11-16 of CHRIST’S TITLES. He bears three titles that are revealed in Revelation 19:11-16. 

First, Christ is called, “Faithful and True,”  (v. 11). He is utterly faithful. He cannot be otherwise. His promises are all, “Yes, and in Him Amen,” (2 Cor. 1:20). He is absolutely true. He is the full expression of truth, for He is, “the Truth,” (John 14:6).  It has been 2000 years since the Lord promised He would return. Rest assured—He will keep His word.

Second, He is called, “The Word of God,” (v. 13).  It is a favored expression of the Apostle John, found in His Gospel, His first Epistle, and now, in Revelation. If you want to know what the Father is like, all you need do is look at the Son, for He is the communication of the invisible God in manifest form. Open the Bible and study Him, for Jesus is on every page, the Living Word in the written Word.

Third, Jesus is called, “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS,” (v. 16).  This is His sovereignty—the undisputed, undefeated champion of all. The first time He came, He was rejected, but the second time He comes, He will reign. Paul put it:

“who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬-‭11‬‬).

Did you notice Paul mentioned that the Lord will bear a name, “which is above every name”? John wrote of a fourth title of the returning Lord, “He has a name written that no one knew except Himself,” (v. 12). While it is folly to try to speculate on when Christ will return, it is likewise impossible to know the name that is above all names. One thing we do know—that title will be infinitely and immeasurably glorious for it will be the supreme title that encompasses all titles!

Also, in Revelation 19, we read of CHRIST’S TRIUMPH. There are five descriptive terms that portray the victorious King at His second advent.

We read of His virtue. There is His, “righteousness,” (v. 11). All He is, says, and does and is fully manifest righteousness. 

We read of His verdict. Jesus, “judges,” (v. 11), and His verdict is final. He presides over the eternal Supreme Court.

We read of His vision. “His eyes were like a flame of fire,” (v. 12). You cannot hide from Him. You cannot fool Him. He sees all and through all.

We read of His voice. “Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations,” (v. 15). See the power of His Word. The One who spoke and the storm ceased will speak and the strife ends.

We read of His victory. Jesus, “makes war,” (v. 11) and “on His head were many crowns,” (v. 12). It is a war He cannot lose. The enemy is vanquished, “He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (V. 14-16).

The first time, He would be crowned with thorns in agony, but the second time, Christ will be crowned with triumph in glory. What a day that will be, and for the church, we will ride with Him—in “the armies of heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean…on white horses,” (v. 14)!

THOSE WHO OVERCOME

Identifying Christ and His people as those who “overcome,” is a dominant theme in the book of Revelation. It is the Greek word, “nikao,” and is used seventeen times, variously translated in English as “overcome,” “conquer,” “prevail,” etc. though it is the same word in the original. The seven churches in chapters two and three are each given a specific promise related to those who “overcome.” 

For this study, we will identify the characteristics of those who overcome as presented in Revelation 17:14 that reads, “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of Lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” In this chapter, the fiendish foes who will rise to oppose Christ are the scarlet woman and the scarlet beast—whom I identify as the False Prophet of a one-world religion and the Antichrist and his global governance. These oppose Christ, the Lamb of God, with the climax of their hate being the battle of Armageddon at Christ’s return, (Rev. 19:11-21). “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of Lords and King of kings,” (Rev. 17:14a). We will be in that victorious vanguard, “and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful,” (v. 14‬‬b). 

These are THE CALLED, “those who are with [Christ] are called.” They have heard the call of the Gospel. The Holy Spirit has summoned these to follow Christ. It is a work of grace that bids the spiritually dead to rise as Lazarus was called by Christ to come out of the grave.  Those who overcome have heard Christ’s call.

These are also THE CHOSEN, “those who are with [Christ] are…chosen.”  The Gospel call is to extend to all sinners, but is effectual only to those chosen—those who attest to that in their responding by faith to Christ. Our Lord taught, “For many are called, but few are chosen,” (Matt. 22:14). I think of the rich young ruler that our Lord called to follow Him, who sadly walked away. Those who overcome have been chosen and have heeded Christ’s call.

These are furthermore, THE COMMITTED, “those who are with [Christ] are…faithful.”  If you take the word faithful and turn it around it would define this attribute as those full of faith. These have not merely made a profession of faith, but are in possession of faith. The verbal commitment to Christ in their confession is validated by the visual commitment to Christ in their conduct. Judas Iscariot once identified himself as a disciple, but in the end proved his profession to be false.  He was overcome by the world, the flesh, and the devil rather than overcoming these as a true believer will. This is the perseverance of the saints. Those who overcome have been called, chosen, and are committed.

BE PREPARED!

When I was a young lad, I was part of the Boy Scouts. The motto was, “Be prepared!”  Concerning the second coming of Christ and the consummation of the age, that is to be the believer’s spiritual state also.  Our Lord declared, “ ‘Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.’ ” (Revelation‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬‬).

Prophecy is not given to us just for information—though God desires that we know the truth. Nor is it written to only bring inspiration—though it certainly should cause that. Most importantly, it is for preparation—that we would be ready for the Lord’s return—living in such a way to please Him.  There are three dimensions of being prepared that we see in this verse.

We are to be ALERT, “ ‘Behold, I am coming as a thief.’ “ Throughout my adult life, I have had a practical routine.  Before I leave the house, I lock the doors; before I go to sleep, I check to see that they are locked. Now, I have taken it a step further. There is an alarm that will be set and cameras installed to give warning should a thief break in.  I know that a thief will not send out a notice telling me that he is coming on a certain date and time. His arrival will be unexpected. So, will the return of the Lord Jesus. That call to be on the alert has been given and repeated for 2000 years, day after day. While unbelievers scoff, the child of the God knows today could be the day and stays on the alert!

Our attitude is to be ANTICIPATING, “ “Blessed is he who watches,’ “. Jesus declares a special blessing on those who are living with expectancy. We love Jesus and long to see His face. Think of a loved one who has gone on a trip. There is sorrow in not seeing them. But, as the day approaches for their beloved to return, there is an intensifying of that desire. When that day comes, there is a joyful embrace—overflowing emotion and great satisfaction. How does it make you feel that Christ could come back today?  Preacher, as you prepare to speak to your congregation, how does it affect you to know this could be your final sermon before we are all called to be with Jesus? 

That leads to a final point. We are to be ADORNED. The blessing is also for the one who, “ ‘keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.’ ” Paul wrote this:

“According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” (1 Cor.‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬-‭15‬‬). 

It is a picture of someone awakened in the middle of the night by a fire consuming the house. They jump out of bed in their underwear or nightgown and flee the flames. There is no time to dress. If they are naked, they save their skin, but nothing else of value. We do not minimize being saved—even if there lingers the smell of smoke on us. Some will get to heaven—just in and nothing more. You might think now, “That is enough!”  But, when you stand naked before the Lord, you will think differently. While you will not be cast into eternal flame, your works will be burned up. It will be a lifetime of missed opportunities and wasted years.

Be prepared!

PREACHING PROPHETIC PASSAGES: ITS NECESSITY AND URGENCY

Preachers may tend to avoid preaching about prophecy due to its difficulty and potential for controversy. Yet, Scripture itself calls us to preaching prophetic passages as a necessity and with urgency. 

Concerning the coming of Christ and the consummation of the age there are often three major views: 

1) Premillennialism—that says Christ will return and then set up a thousand year reign on earth;

2) Postmillennialism—that says the church will win the world to Christ and then He will return and receive His kingdom;

3) Amillennialism—that says the prophetic passages are symbolic and Christ will return with a general resurrection and judgment bringing the eternal state. 

Someone has suggested a fourth—panmillennialism: it will all “pan” out in the end!  I would say that is the worst of the views. It is a wish-washy approach to the significant number of prophetic passages that demand to be preached. Peter would have forcefully confronted such thinking. One third of his second epistle is devoted to the subject, and brings the climax of all the Apostle wanted to say to us. 

Preaching prophetic passages is A CALL TO REMEMBRANCE, (2 Pet. 3:1-7). The old fisherman speaks to this purpose when he says, “Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,” (v. 1‬-‭2‬‬).  We dare not forget that Christ is coming!  That fact will compel us to live for eternity and with urgency. Sure, there will be “scoffers,” (v. 3-4) who “willfully forget” how God judged the world in Noah’s day, (v. 5-7). Jesus said that the end of the age would be marked by a return to such corruption and chaos with condemnation to come. “But, as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be,” (Matt. 24:37). Our Lord warned against the complacency where people go on their lives as though there is not a day of reckoning.  

“For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matt.‬ ‭24‬:‭38‬-‭44‬‬).

God forbid that preachers fail to call people to remembrance! That is spiritual malpractice!

Further, preaching prophetic passages is A CALL TO REPENTANCE, (2 Pet. 3:8-9). The certainty and gravity of judgment on this world should compel us to preach with urgency and fervency. It is not for us to try to set dates. Jesus said that none would know the day or hour of His return—a time appointed by His Sovereign Father. As an eternal Being, God’s calendar is not the same as mortal man’s. We think a thousand years is a long span of time, whereas God considers it as a mere fleeting day. We do not know the precise time Christ will return, but we do know that time is imminent, and could be today. Every man of God must realize that his next sermon could be his final one!  It could also be the last one the congregation will hear. The clarion call to come to Christ in repentance must be issued.

I think of Ezekiel—appointed as a watchman on the wall—to sound a warning of judgment to come. The sobering words to the spiritual sentry is that failure to do so means that judgment falls, but to the man who does not alert the people, God says, “his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand,” (Ezek. 33:6b). We cannot make people repent, but we must call them to repentance!

Then, we preach prophetic passages as A CALL TO RIGHTEOUSNESS, (1 Pet. 3:10-18). Prophetic preaching is a call to sinners to repent, but also a call to saints for righteousness.  

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Pet.‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬-‭13‬‬).

Since God is going to purge the earth of sin and establish an eternal kingdom where “righteousness dwells,” then we, as His people, are to begin to prepare for it, “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,” (v. 11). Indeed, in a proper response to that day of destiny, by looking forward to it, we can be “hastening the coming of the day of God,” (v. 12). Now, we do not speed things up from God’s perspective, but from man’s. How? In this sense—God knows who the final soul is that will be won to faith to complete the Bride of Christ. When that one is won then the Bridegroom will return to claim His Bride who has made herself ready for Him!  Is it not amazing that the next person you lead to Christ could be that one? This should spur us on in soul-winning!

Perhaps you have heard the expression, “they are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.”  The truth is that those who are most properly heavenly minded do the most earthy good!  Peter ends his writing by calling us to be “looking forward to these things,” that we may “be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.”  

Preaching prophetic passages is immensely practical:

“and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” (2 Pet.‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬-‭18‬‬)

AT THE FEET OF JESUS

There are many lessons to learn from the visit of the Magi. It is a wise man indeed who falls at Jesus’ feet to worship Him. There are numerous occasions where this act of submission, devotion, and adoration is recorded in Scripture.

They bow at Christ’s INCARNATION.  “When they … saw the young Child … [they] fell down and worshiped Him.”  (Matt.2:11).  This stresses His humanity. We marvel that God would become man—the Infinite as an infant; the Creator becoming a creature!  To know He came in love to be one of us in order to save us fills us with awe.

They bow at Christ’s TRANSFIGURATION. “They fell on their faces” (Matt. 17:6).  This stresses His deity. Peter, James, and John got a glimpse of His glory. For one brief, shining moment, who Jesus was on the inside burst through to the outside. They were smitten by His splendor and fell at His feet.  Only a man could die for us, but only God could save us. How marvelous!

They bow at Christ’s RESURRECTION. “They came and  held Him by the feet” (Matt. 28:9).  This stresses His victory. He stands before them as Conqueror of death!  It is now nail-scarred feet before which they fall. Wonder and worship is their response, and ought to be ours as we bow before the One who holds the keys to death, hell, and the grave!

Later, John would record how he would bow at Christ’s GLORIFICATION.  “I fell at His feet as dead” (Rev. 1:17a).  This stresses His supremacy. Those who bow before Him now as the Lord and Savior, will bow before Him in glory as King of kings and Lord of lords. When we gather for worship, spiritually we may bow before the glorified Christ in anticipation of literally bowing before Him someday!

The Gospel song, written by Squire Parsons, Jr., puts it:

If I leave this world of sorrow sometime before you do,
Just look for me in heaven and we'll talk the ages thru;
But if, at first, you fail to see me, let me tell you where I'll be,
I'll be thanking Christ, my Savior, for saving a wretch like me.

Don't look 'neath the gates of pearl, don't look on the streets of gold,
Don't look by the walls of jasper, nor among the many sights untold;
For I've been longing and I've been waiting for the precious, holy One to meet,

There I'll be thru the countless ages, look for me at Jesus' feet.

THE SUCCESSFUL SERVANT

“Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah‬ ‭53:10-12‬‬)

First the cross and then the crown. There is suffering and then there is glory. The story of Jesus does not end with tragedy, but triumph. Indeed, He suffered greatly, but He will reign supremely!  Isaiah concludes this marvelous prophecy of Christ by pointing to the resurrection, ascension, and return of Christ.

His resurrection is inferred in “He shall see His seed.”  Yet, Jesus died without being married or having children. But, His death would make it possible for sinners to become children of God, and because He arose, He would see the fruit of His suffering!  “He shall prolong His days,” in that death could not keep him; the grave could not hold Him. He lives forevermore!

His ascension is implied in how “By His knowledge My Righteous Servant shall justify many,”—that is, knowing Christ today justifies us before God. Not only are our past sins taken care of, but any additional failings, for He “made intercession for the transgressors.”  The writer of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is not just the sacrifice for sin in His death, but in His ascension back to heaven, He is our High Priest who, “always lives to make intercession for [us].” (7:25).

His return is seen in dividing “a portion with the great,” and “the spoil with the strong.”  The spoils of victory are those won by a conquering King. At His second coming, Christ will overthrow all opposition and claim universal dominion. He will share all the wealth of the universe with His Bride, the church, as He reigns in power and glory!

Whose side are you on?  As a follower of Christ, I am assured of being on the winning side!

MYSTERIES REVEALED: Words to the Wise

Read Matthew 25.

I had a school teacher, who would tell you what to study for the test, and when the test would be, then close with this warning, “A word to the wise should be sufficient.”  Then would come the time of the test and the results revealed some were wise and some were foolish.

We may debate the details of prophecy. Among Bible preachers and seminary professors, you will find differing schools of thought.  But, one thing all who believe the Word of God will agree on is the purpose of prophetic truth being presented in Scripture—to be ready for Jesus is coming.

To that end, Jesus concludes His great prophetic discourse in Matthew 24-25 with three descriptions of the end times as a wedding (25:1-13), a stewardship (25:14-30), and a judgment (25:31-46).  In each the point is the same—make preparation.

There is much to be learned in the study of prophecy. We ought not neglect it because some texts are intricate and difficult.  We need not become frustrated at the many differing viewpoints we will see presented.  It is a major portion of Scripture and you will have to avoid much of the Bible, if you skip the prophetic passages.

Ultimately, remember this—it isn’t about gaining information, though much can be learned. It is not about inspiration—although the hope we have of a world set right one day is thrilling. The bottom line is that the return of Christ is about preparation—being ready.

A word to the wise should be sufficient.

THE SALVATION OF ISRAEL

Read Romans 11.

God is not through with the Jew. If I cannot trust His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David, then I cannot trust His covenant with me. Yet, I am reminded, “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (v.29).  The failings of men, cannot bring the failing of God. “And so all Israel will be saved...” (v.26a).

This doesn’t mean, of course, that someone is saved eternally by a matter of their DNA. Only through faith in Christ can anyone be saved.  Those who died in faith under the Old Covenant trusted in a Savior to come.  Their sin debt, as ours, was paid for on Calvary. We now look back on that as the basis of our salvation.  Jesus was, is, and will ever be the only Way to the Father. The future salvation of the Jews will be as they come to faith in Jesus, “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins” (v.26b-27).

Jesus came to be the Savior of the world, and the Messiah of Israel.  They rejected their King and demanded He be crowned with thorns.  Since then, “blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (v.25b). A remnant of Jews have been saved down through the centuries, and we have Messianic congregations in our area today for example.  But, not many, for their is “blindness in part.”  The great harvest of those who are spiritually, as well as genetically, Israel awaits Christ’s second coming.

In the present, the church is predominately Gentile.  God is dealing with all men and women—including Jews—by the Gospel proclaimed by the church.  None are, or can be saved otherwise. Therefore we must witness to our neighbors, Jew and Gentile.  When, the church age is over, however, and “the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (v.25b), then a great harvest of Israel will be gathered.  God is not through with the Jew.

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

“Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!  (Revelation 22:20)

Tonight, around a million people will crowd into Time’s Square in New York City.  The ball will begin its descent on the final sixty-second countdown to the New Year.  10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 and the lights on the ball turn off at the stroke of midnight and the numerals of the New Year “2016” will be emblazoned high above Times Square. Horns will blare, people will yell, “Happy New Year,” and confetti will be released from the rooftops of buildings, creating a colorful blizzard.  But, did you know there is another countdown on?  It is the final countdown, when God the Father looks over to the Son and says, “Go get my children!”  I’m looking up, watching for Jesus to drop from the clouds, and what a happy eternity that will be!  I believe with all my heart that Jesus is coming soon!  Three times Jesus says in these verses, “I am coming quickly” (v.7,12,20).  Seven times, the word, “come” or “coming” is used.  How then am I supposed to live in light of this?

I need to become a servant (v.6-9).  In verse six, God’s people are called, “servants.”  When Jesus comes, He is to find us busy, occupied with Kingdom work.  

My service is directed by the Word of God.  The words of the Revelation are declared to be, “faithful and true.”  That is the case with all the Word of God.  It is a solemn warning, because the last days are marked by a great departure from the faith.  In our day, entire denominations and churches are rejecting the authority of Scripture.  But, there is a  blessing for those who will be faithful and true to hold and heed it (v.7).  

My service is offered in the worship of God.  Not even this holy angel was worthy of worship.  A perverse spiritualism that has invaded America—even among Christians who are obsessed with angels rather than God.  Thank God for angels and their ministry to us, but Satan masks himself as an angel of light (2 Cor.11:13-14).  Muslims and Mormons have been deceived by angels (Gal.1:8).  Let us not fall prey to deception, but worship God alone!

I need to behave as a saint (v.10-17), set apart to live a holy life for God.  We ought to confess that we follow Christ.  Don’t shut up the Book, but share the Gospel!  It is time to tell people about Jesus.  John had seen the horror of hell and the happiness of heaven—and wanted us to tell about it.  We are born in sin, but we can be born again as saints.  Yet, this opportunity is for our lifetime.  There is no second chance beyond the grave—no purgatory.  You can’t straddle the fence.  When God weighs you in the scales will you be solid and summoned inside (v.14) or seen to be a sham and be shut outside (v.15)?

I need to embrace that I am a son (v.18-21).  Those born into God’s family are children of the King!  Every child needs the wisdom of a loving parent to guide them to get ready.  God has written down that wisdom in a Book to guide us. Then there is grace to lead us home!

In the first book of the Bible, God said to Noah, “Come into the ark.”  God spoke and Isaiah wrote it down, “Come now, let us reason together…”  Jesus invited, “Come you who are weary…” and now the last invitation is given in Revelation, “Come.”  Have you?

THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST

And the LORD shall be King over all the earth.  (Zechariah 14:9a)

The next event on God’s prophetic calendar is the rapture of the church.  At any moment, God could remove all born-again believers from the earth, before He pours out His wrath on a Christ-rejecting world.  No prophecy remains to be fulfilled before the rapture.  It is imminent.   Sometimes the rapture is confused with the second coming of Christ to earth.  In the rapture, the dead in Christ are raised and the living saints are translated.  Then, seven years of tribulation—a time of horrific judgments—begins.  At the climax of this cataclysm, Christ comes back with His church to commence His kingdom reign on earth.   The second coming is what Zechariah describes in chapter fourteen.  

He calls this time “the day of the LORD” (v.1).  This is not a 24-hour day, but a period of prophetic significance, signifying the end of human history.  Man has had his day—now God has His.  This is the day the Jews anticipate will usher in the Messianic kingdom.  This time is portrayed in Scripture as a time of awesome judgments.  Here, it mentions the “spoil” of battle, for Jesus said it would be a time of wars and rumors of war.  The culmination of this bloodshed will be at the battle of Armageddon (v.2-3).  From the West, the Beast—the Antichrist—will bring the combined might of the United States of Europe; Russia and her allies will descend as vultures from the North; armies numbering in the millions will march from the Orient; and the Arab and African nations sweep up from the South. They all converge in the Middle East for War. Jerusalem will fall and the Jews will be on the verge of extinction, when Christ will appear with heaven’s armies to conquer.

Jesus will set foot precisely where He departed—from the Mount of Olives (v.4-5).  The angels told the disciples who watched Jesus ascend that when He returned He would come to the same spot!  That mountain overlooks the Eastern Gate—the sealed Golden Gate of Jerusalem. It overlooks the valley of Jehoshaphat—scene of the judgment of the Gentile nations.  Here, Jesus wept over the city that rejected Him and said, “You shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’” (Matt.23:39)

The first time He came it was in weakness, as a babe in a manger, but He will come the second time in power, as a King on a stallion.  Christ returns with the angelic host and the raptured church.  We are coming to reign with Him as His Bride.  The earth will quake at His arrival.  A valley created will provide an avenue for those still in Jerusalem to escape.  God will keep His covenant with Israel.  

The Lamb of God will be the light (v.6-7).  This marks the dawn of a new day and dispels the darkness of sin.  As Malachi puts it, “The Sun of Righteousness is risen with healing in His wings.” 

The earthquake that splits Olivet will also open the stores of water beneath Jerusalem (v.8).  These life-giving waters flow out of the rebuilt Temple according to Ezekiel.  The desert will bloom.  The paradise Adam lost, will flower again under Christ’s rule (v.9).  Today the name  of Jesus is profaned, His cause is scorned, and His rule is rejected—but not in that day!  Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!

SEEING THE SAVIOR

“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.”  (Zechariah 12:10)

When the shepherds looked into the manger on that first Christmas, they saw the salvation of God.  Salvation is in a Person and that One is Jesus Christ.  He had come for the express purpose of sacrificing His life to atone for sins.  The cradle and the cross are ever connected.  The means by which the Lamb of God would redeem us at Calvary was foreordained, but the sin of rejecting the Messiah was the free choice of sinful Israel.  

We witness both Divine sovereignty and human responsibility in Acts 2:22-23, “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death….”  The Roman government ordered Christ’s execution and their legionnaires nailed Him to the tree, but it was the hatred of the Jews that demanded it.  That is why the prophet Zechariah speaks of Jesus as the One whom “the inhabitants of Jerusalem…pierced.”  Theologically, the reality is that since Christ suffered for the sins of us all, each of us may as well have been on Skull Hill with hammer and nails in our hands.

Throughout the Old Testament from Genesis to Malachi, we have the sad saga of man rejecting his Maker.   Israel would be the chosen people—in a covenant relationship with God—yet, would repeatedly spurn Him.  Over and again, we find them experiencing the consequences of their unfaithfulness.  The prophets—and Zechariah was one of the last—would find their message rejected and the men themselves would often suffer at the hands of their countrymen.  So, God at last sent His Son.  That is the record of the New Testament.  What did the Jews do?  John puts it this way, “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.”  (1:11) From the time of His birth, where He found the inn closed to His arrival, until the condemnation by the Sanhedrin, Israel had no room for Jesus.  Following His resurrection, the Apostles went to the Jews first—and some heeded the call to repentance—but, most did not.  They still don’t, and the chastisement they have gone through has been severe.  The worst is yet to come.  Zechariah 12 predicts the unparalleled suffering of Israel that is yet to be.

Today we find Jerusalem encircled by enemies.  The noose is tightening.  Satan’s minions in the Gentile kingdoms are bent on the genocide of the Jews.  One day the Antichrist will come to the seat of world power and unleash horror on Israel.  Yet, when all hope seems gone, the Blessed Hope will appear in the clouds!  This same Jesus will come and Israel will mourn for the One they pierced.  They will recognize Him by the nail-prints in His hands.  So, all Israel will be saved (Rom.11:26).  His look will be a look of forgiveness for the repentant and a look of fury to the rebellious.  What determines His look hereafter is whether or not we look in faith to Him here.  Bow to Him today!

PRIORITIES IN MINISTRY

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.  And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.  (Jude 20-23)

There is not enough time to do all you want to do.  There is not enough time to do all others want you to do.  There is enough time to do what God wants you to do!  It is a matter of finding His agenda to drive your priorities.  When it comes to church ministries, there are many good things that can claim the time of pastor and people.  Jude gives us insight on God’s priorities.  

Priority number one is BUILDING (v.20a).  Jude isn’t referring to bricks and mortar, but building up God’s people.  We have tended to measure a church’s effectiveness by the buildings, budgets and bodies.  But that isn’t what the Scripture here suggests.  This is spiritual development.  

It is a conscious action.  You must make a decision to build.  It is costly, time consuming business with little immediate results.  Building people up won’t happen by accident.  

It is a careful action.  God has given us a blueprint—the Bible.  We must take care to build according to His specifications.

It is a continuous action.  The Greek verb is a present active participle meaning continuous action.  The work of discipleship is never done—personally or corporately—this side of eternity. Faith is the foundation, but we must carefully build upon it. 

Priority number two is PRAYING (v.20b).  Concerning praying, when all is said and done—there is often a lot more said than done!

This speaks to the priority of prayer.  Without it, we’re on a religious treadmill.  We can do much after we pray, but nothing until we pray.

We recognize the power of prayer.  The Spirit gives the direction and dynamic to our praying.  He is the source of our power.

Priority number three is LOVING (v.21a).  Jesus loved the church and gave himself for her.  We are to follow His model.

This demands our personal effort.  You must keep yourself—it’s a choice.  You don’t fall in or out of love.  Guard your heart.

It speaks to our present environment.  We abide in an atmosphere of holy, heavenly love.  This is love for our Father and love for our brother.  You can’t love one and not the other. 

Priority number four is LOOKING (v.21a).  The most effective ministry is one done with an eye on eternity.

This is a look or preparation.  The most important dimension of Christ’s return is a call to readiness.  What are we doing that is of eternal significance?

This is a look of expectation.  The script of this story we call life can bring difficulty, but just remember the final chapter ends in glory!

Priority number five is REACHING (v.22-23).

This speaks to our compassion (v.22).  All about us we see the misery caused by the mastery of sin.  We can help by reaching out with the Gospel!

This should be our compulsion (v.23).  The fire of hell compels us to sound the warning.  Lost souls cannot rescue themselves.  We must pull them out.

May God keep us focused on these priorities!  Some day when we stand before Him, we’ll be glad we did!

THE KINGDOM COME

So the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion From now on, even forever.  (Micah 4:7b)

Jesus taught His disciples to pray to the Father, “Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  (Matt.6:10)  He means to literally answer that petition that has been countlessly offered for two thousand years.  The fourth chapter of Micah tells us of a future time—much closer now than ever—when the kingdoms of men are supplanted by the kingdom of God.

Our Lord was born into this world to be Lord and Savior, yet rejected by man.  Jesus presented Himself to Israel as their Messiah.  He rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, but within days they demanded His crucifixion.  There is coming a day, when the King who rode on a donkey into the city of David will the next time ride into Jerusalem on a white horse as King of kings.  The return of Jesus to Jerusalem will usher in earth’s golden age (v.1-2).  The nation of Israel that last saw Him crowned Him with thorns will see Him crowned with glory!  A new temple will be built, with all people flowing into it for worship.  Jews and Gentiles will be gathered to study His Word and submit to His will.

This violent, war-wracked world will see an industry of selling arms, transformed into supporting agriculture (v.3-5) for the Prince of Peace will reign in Zion.  At the outset of the Millennium—the thousand year reign of Christ—the nations will be gathered for judgment.  The sheep will be divided from the goats—the saved separated from the sinners.  All who enter that kingdom will be those who are God’s redeemed.  Tragically, the rest will be cast into hell.  

The lame will be made to walk, the outcast will be welcomed, the afflicted will be healed—all that Jesus previewed in His first coming will be realized fully in His second coming (v.6-8).  That thousand year reign on earth will give way to the eternal state, voiced in the Hallelujah Chorus, “and He shall reign forever and ever!”  (Rev.11:15b).  

The Jews—now hated and across the ages persecuted—will in that day be delivered.  The suffering brought on by rejecting Christ will be reversed when they receive Him.  A new world order will be birthed, but first the labor pains of the tribulation will be experienced (v.9-10).  Following the rapture of the church, there will come seven years of God’s wrath being poured out on a Christ-rejecting world.  The last half will be the Great Tribulation—three and one half years of unprecedented horror.  The effect on the Jews, however, will be to drive them to cry out for their King—and Christ will return to save the seed of Abraham.

At the climax of those seven years, all the nations will encircle Jerusalem—the battle of Armageddon will ensue (v.11-13).  In their folly, the rulers of earth will gather to war against Christ—and the battle is over as soon as it is begun.  Israel is delivered as God’s wheat by the threshing of tribulation, while the sinners are as chaff to be blown away.

Looking about at what is happening now—seeing the suffering wrought by sin—wrings from my throat a cry to the skies, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”  (Rev.22:20b).  With great expectation, may we join our prayer to those voiced across the centuries and repeated in churches around the globe today, “Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

CODE BLUE

Blow the trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the LORD is coming, For it is at hand….   (Joel 2:1)

Our world is sick with sin.  The immune system of a godly heritage that once offered protection to America against this plague has weakened to the point our nation is being overwhelmed by evil.  Unless we turn to God, our condition is terminal, our demise perhaps imminent.  A cascade of catastrophe can overwhelm a country.  Our vital signs indicate distress!

I have been in the hospital numerous times—in fact, my first job was at St. Joseph’s Hospital—and heard the call, “Code Blue! Code Blue!”  A patient was in a crisis situation—resuscitation was required immediately, or the patient’s next room would be in the funeral home.  Sometimes, it is too late, the person too far gone—they cannot be revived.

The Jews of Joel’s era had come to such a critical condition.  God tells His prophet to sound the alarm—a spiritual “Code Blue” call goes out.  The parallels to America today should be obvious. We have an emergency.  Our nation needs intervention—stat!

Joel’s “Code Blue” alarm is phrased as “The Day of the Lord.”

The first chapter contains a PREVIEW OF THE DAY OF THE LORD.  Joel’s focus is on the Day of the Lord—a time of retribution for the Gentiles and of redemption for the Jews.  The first chapter presents a preview of the Day of the Lord.  These were literal events in history which preview future events in prophecy—a portrait of Divine judgment is painted.  The devastation we read about was caused by a locust plague.  It reminds us that when the Day of the Lord comes it will be a day of retribution.  The intent of the suffering was to bring them to repentance. Their distress was meant to drive them to their knees.

The preview of the Day of the Lord, given in chapter one, brings us to PROPHECY OF THE DAY OF THE LORD in the second chapter of Joel.  Joel’s, “Code Blue” extends beyond his day, to that future Day—a judgment previewed by historical experiences, that issues in a judgment prophesied in eschatological events.   Joel had described a plague of locusts that would devour the land in the first chapter of his prophecy.  In chapter two, he describes an invasion of a massive army like a locust plague which decimates the land.  If the Jews are not led to repent of their sins by the insect invasion, something much worse is coming—infantry, not insects, from the north (v.20).  As the locust plague was devastating in its scope, so the horror Israel faces in her future will exceed any previous terror.  Jesus described it as a time of tribulation—not just for Israel, but the world—that if it were any longer all life would perish (see Matthew 24:21-22).  Wars and rumors of wars mark the course of the last days and lead ultimately to Armageddon.  Beyond the cataclysm of World War III and its bloody campaigns, there is a demonic locust invasion from the abyss during the Day of the Lord (see Rev.9:1-12).  Ultimately, Israel’s suffering leads them to cry out to God.  Scripture tells us that as the Great Tribulation comes to a crescendo of conflict, the Jews in Jerusalem will face certain genocide, but Christ will come again with the armies of heaven and obliterate Israel’s foes.  Get ready!  Jesus is coming soon!

HERE'S HOPE!

looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ….  (Titus 2:13)

Your world can be turned upside down in a heartbeat.   Just a few weeks ago, our little six-year old granddaughter, Mya, seemed a picture of health and bundle of energy.  Then she was diagnosed with cancer.  As I write these words, she is in the hospital fighting a deadly enemy.  What we desperately sought was hope—and the doctors told us this could be successfully treated—but, ultimately our hope rests in the Great Physician, Jesus Christ.  While she seems to be responding well to the treatments, we know the immediate future still contains uncertainties, yet Mya’s future—and ours—is in a hope that does not depend on earth’s circumstances, but God’s eternal assurances.  Do you have such a hope?  You can.  Titus 2:11-14 tells us how.  We see salvation is in three tenses—all bringing hope.

The first tense deals with our past: WE HAVE BEEN PURCHASED (v.11, 14a).  I have been saved from the penalty of sin.  That's justification.  It is the work whereby we are placed in right standing with God by faith in Christ.  There are three great Gospel words featured here: "grace" and "salvation" in verse eleven and "redeem" in verse fourteen.  The word redemption means to be set free by payment of a price.  When Paul wrote these words, men and women were sold in the marketplace like commodities.  Spiritually, we were in the slave market, held fast in the shackles of sin.  Christ paid the price to free us—and the price He paid was His own blood!  He "gave Himself for us" and the great exchange took place—Christ took my sins and gave me His righteousness.  

The second tense deals with our present: WE ARE BEING PURIFIED (v.12, 14).  I am being saved from the power of sin.  That’s sanctification.  It is an on-going process.  "Ungodliness" is all that is contrary to the nature of God. "Worldly lusts" are the perverse passions of our nature that are informed by the putrid philosophies of our culture.  These must be denied.  But the Christian life isn't just about what we avoid, but what we apply: "We should live soberly" in our inward disposition; "righteously" in our outward demonstration; "godly" in our upward devotion. We must be different to make a difference "in the present age" as we are in the world but not of it. A boat is of no use unless it's in the water, but get water in the boat and you're sunk!  Paul says that Christ has purified us "for Himself."  We belong to Him—“His own special people," who are to be "zealous for good works."

The third tense deals with our prospects: WE WILL BE PREPARED (v.13).  I will be saved from the presence of sin.  That’s glorification.  I’m "looking for the blessed hope...."  Some golden daybreak Jesus will come!  The Savior whom we have heard of, we will we see with our eyes!  John wrote, "everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as He is pure" (1 John 3:3).  The hope is verse thirteen connects with holiness in verses twelve and fourteen.  The most important aspect of prophecy is not to give us information about the future, but bring transformation anticipating it.  It is a call to readiness (see 2 Peter 3:10-14).

Is your hope secure?  Does it rest upon Jesus Christ?   Remember,  

Only one life;

‘Twill soon be past;

Only what’s done for Christ, will last.