PROPHECIES CONCERNING THE TWO ADVENTS OF THE SAVIOUR

The story of the entire Bible is “The Lord is Coming”. According to Old Testament prophecy, He came “to bear the sins of many”. New Testament prophecy informs us that “unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time, apart from sin unto salvation”. (Heb. 9:28).

Both comings are miraculous. His first coming as “the Lamb of God” (Jn. 1:29) was a miracle of obscurity and grace. His second coming is to be a miracle of display and glory. (2 Thess. 1:10).

HIS COMING PROPHESIED IN DETAIL

• The exact manner of Christ's first advent was foretold. (Isa. 7:14; cf. Mt. 1:23).

• The exact place of His appearance was foretold. (Mic. 5:2; cf. Mt. 2:5-6).

• He was to be the “seed of the woman.” (Gen. 3:15; cf. Gal. 4:4-5).

• His forerunner was to come in the spirit of Elijah. (Isa. 40:3-4; cf. Mt. 3:3).

• He was to have a marvelous ministry with miraculous works. (Isa. 9:1-2; 35:5–6; cf. story of the Gospels).

• He was to be betrayed by his own familiar friend. (Psa. 41:9; Zech. 13:6; cf. Mt. 26:49-58).

• He was to be sold for 30 pieces of silver. (Zech. 11:12; cf. Mt. 26:14-15).

• The price would be cast to the potter. (Zech. 11:13; cf. Mt. 27:5-7).

• He was to be forsaken by His disciples. (Zech. 13:7; cf. Mt. 26:56).

• He was to be accused by false witnesses. (Psa. 35:11; cf. Mt. 26:59–60).

• He was to be smitten and spit upon. (Isa. 50:6; Mt. 26:6-7).

• He would be dumb before His accusers. (Isa. 53:7; cf. Mt. 27:12, 14).

• He would be wounded and bruised. (Isa. 53:5; cf. Mt. 27:26-29).

• His hands and feet were to be pierced. (Psa. 22:16; cf. Lk. 23:33).

• He would pray for His persecutors. (Isa. 53:12; cf. Lk. 23:34).

• The people would shake their heads at Him. (Psa. 109:25; cf. Mt. 27:39).

• He was to be ridiculed. (Psa. 22:8; cf. Mt. 27:41-43).

• People would stare at Him in His sufferings. (Psa. 22:17; cf. Lk. 23:35).

• They would part His garments and cast lots. (Psa. 22:18; cf. Jn. 19:23-24).

• He was to utter the cry of the God-forsaken. (Psa. 22:1; cf. Mt. 27:46).

• They would give Him gall and vinegar. (Psa. 69:21; cf. Jn. 19:20–29).

• His friends were to stand far from Him. (Psa. 38:11; cf. Lk. 23:49).

• His bones were not to be broken. (Psa. 34:20; cf. Jn. 19:33, 36).

• His heart was to be pierced. (Psa. 22: 14; cf. Jn. 19:34).

• His side was to be pierced. (Zech. 12: 10; cf. Jn. 19:34).

• Darkness was to be over the land. (Amos 8:9; cf. Mt. 27:45).

• He would be buried with the rich. (Isa. 53:9; cf. Mt. 27:57-60).

• He was to be raised from the dead. (Psa. 16:8-10; cf. Mt. 28:1-8).

PURPOSE OF FIRST ADVENT

It should be borne in mind that there was a clearly defined purpose in His incarnation and first advent. Carefully read Gal. 4:4-5 and Heb. 2:9.

Human history from the time of man's fall looked forward to one absolute necessity. (Acts 17:2-3; Jn. 3:14-15).

The cross of Calvary stands midway between the ages as the very heart of God's redemptive purpose. Christ was the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Rev. 13:8).

It is a serious mistake to teach that Jesus came to offer the temporal Kingdom to the Jews; that had they received Him as such, He would immediately have set up His throne in Jerusalem, overturning the Roman government. This view assumes that the mission of John the Baptist came to naught and that Christ's own plan failed for lack of Jewish support and is postponed to the future. The church is considered as a substitute plan or “parenthesis” which came in through failure of the original plan, and church truth is said to be found only in Paul's prison epistles.

Our contention is that this view completely inverts the order of prophecy. The cross had to come before the crown. Carefully read 1 Pet. 1:10-11.

The very name “Jesus” means “Jehovah —SAVIOUR” (Mt. 1:21). Angels hailed Him as “a Saviour, Christ the Lord.” (Lk. 2:11). Simeon, looking upon the Child said: “Mine eyes have seen thy salvation.” (Lk. 2:28-30). Christ's forerunner proclaimed Him “the Lamb of God.” (Jn. 1:29).

Jesus plainly announced His own program. Carefully read Lk. 19:10; Mt. 20: 28; 26:28. Read in Lk. 24:25-26 what was said about it after His resurrection.

We should be careful not to make the cross anything less than the center of His first-advent purpose. He came to die—not to live. He took the straight road to Calvary.

Do not forget that it was Satan's suggestion that He avoid the cross and take the world kingdoms then, and that Peter's later suggestion to the same effect was rebuked. (Mt. 4:8-9; cf. 16:23).

OTHER PROPHECIES AWAIT LITERAL FULFILLMENT

Having noted the fulfillment of so many Old Testament prophecies in Christ's coming as the Sin-bearer, it must not be overlooked that over half of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah describe Him as coming in power as Ruler of all the nations.

His second coming is the great event to which the New Testament looks forward. (Acts 1:9-11; Rev. 19:11-16). It is referred to 318 times, or once in every 25 Verses.

Just as literally as the prophecies concerning His first advent were fulfilled, those concerning His coming in power, will be. The future glorious appearing can be no less literal than the first coming, for the prophecies appear side by side throughout the Old Testament.

The heavens will give back the Christ of God to a world that sorely needs Him. Not until He comes will the earth and all its inhabitants be purified and reunited to the whole empire of God.