The Second Coming of Christ (Part I)

Lesson Content

After His resurrection, Jesus was seen of His disciples for forty days and was then taken up to heaven. Jesus Who was thus taken up to heaven after His resurrection will come again the second time. There are many passages in the Bible, which refer to the Second Coming of Christ. Analysing them clearly, we will know that His Second Coming comprises three parts. They are:

1. The Secret Advent

2. The Harvest

3. The Public Advent

1. The Secret Advent: Jesus comes to gather the Bride or the perfected New Testament saints (I Cor. 15:51,52; I Thess.4:14-18). Since He will come suddenly, at an unexpected hour, it is said that He will come as a thief (I Thess.5:2). He will come for those who “look for” Him (Heb. 9:28). In the original it is said for those who are “ardently looking for” Him. At the secret coming of Jesus, the perfected saints who died in Christ will be raised to life first and then the perfected saints who are alive will be transformed and both groups will gather together in the air. These two occurrences will take place in the twinkling of an eye (I Cor.15:51,52). Various names are given for these two groups in the Word of God: the glorious Church (Eph.5:27); the manchild caught up to the throne (Rev.12:5); the saints who have overcome (Rev.2:26,27); the chaste virgin (II Cor.11:2); the Church, His Body, which is the fulness of Him that filleth all in all (Eph.1:23); New Jerusalem and Zion (Heb.12:22; Rev.21:2; 14:1-5). They are the most glorious group. This secret coming of Jesus is mentioned in Matthew 24:36-51.