This may be a strange time to think about Christ’s return, but is it really? I don’t know about you, but I’ve been reading Bible plans about Christmas and the scriptures that tell about His birth. When I woke up this morning, two days before Christmas, it wasn’t Jesus first appearance I wanted to write about, I know all the scriptures foretelling Christ’s birth, but I’m not as confident that I could tell you all the prophecies about His return.

The first scripture that came to mind, though, wasn’t about His second coming it was about the road to Emmaus.

That same day two of Jesus’ disciples were going to the village of Emmaus, which was about eleven kilometers from Jerusalem… Jesus asked them, “What were you talking about as you walked along?”

The two of them stood there looking sad and gloomy. Then the one named Cleopas asked Jesus, “Are you the only person from Jerusalem who didn’t know what was happening there these last few days?”

“What do you mean?” Jesus asked.

They answered: Those things that happened to Jesus from Nazareth. By what he did and said he showed that he was a powerful prophet, who pleased God and all the people…

Then Jesus asked the two disciples, “Why can’t you understand? How can you be so slow to believe all that the prophets said? Didn’t you know that the Messiah would have to suffer before he was given his glory?” Jesus then explained everything written about himself in the Scriptures, beginning with the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets.
‭‭Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭13‬, ‭17‬-‭19‬, ‭25‬-‭27‬ ‭CEV‬‬

Jesus explained everything to them. It was all written down, but many people didn’t understand the meaning. The same is true of Jesus second appearance. I won’t take the time to do a deep dive, but I will touch a few key verses.

If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.
‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭3‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Jesus told us directly he would come back again. To the believer He comes to retrieve us, but that will not be His only reason.

Then I saw heaven opened, and suddenly a white horse appeared. The name of the one riding it was Faithful and True, and with pure righteousness he judges and rides to battle. He wore many regal crowns, and his eyes were flashing like flames of fire. He had a secret name inscribed on him that’s known only to himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title is called the Word of God. Following him on white horses were the armies of heaven, wearing white fine linen, pure and bright. A sharp sword came from his mouth with which to conquer the nations, and he will shepherd them with an iron scepter. He will trample out the wine in the winepress of the wrath of God. On his robe and on his thigh he had inscribed a name: King of kings and Lord of Lords.
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭19‬:‭11‬-‭16‬ ‭TPT‬‬

In this description we se Jesus as the conquering King. This was what the Jewish people had expected of their Messiah. That he would come to vanquish their enemies. That was the disconnect the two disciples had on the road to Emmaus. Look back to what Jesus said, “Didn’t you know that the Messiah would have to suffer before he was given his glory?”

If He had come in this role, no one would be exempt from God’s wrath. No one would be saved.

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

And if you want an Old Testament reference —

Look! The Lord is coming from far away, burning with anger, surrounded by thick, rising smoke. His lips are filled with fury; his words consume like fire. His hot breath pours out like a flood up to the neck of his enemies. He will sift out the proud nations for destruction. He will bridle them and lead them away to ruin.
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭30‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The verse following begins — “But the people of God will sing a song of joy….” Each year brings us closer to Jesus’ second coming, and with it the time for receiving His gift of grace will pass. Christmas is a reminder of the greatest gift Father God has ever given to humanity, His Son, His plan to bring us into His family, into life eternally in His presence.

I hope you will see God’s love for you in the humble scene of the baby in the manger. May your Christmas be full of His love and the love of family and friends.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

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