Why Bible Prophecy Matters! “Jesus Second Coming as King, Judge and Lord”. Part 2
It is interesting to note when the Magi (wise men) came from the east searching for Jesus in Jerusalem approximately 2 years after His birth, and here is what they said, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it arose and have come to worship him”. These Persian or Babylonian wise men may have known about a King/Messiah being born in Judah from there interaction with Jews living in their own country or the study of ancient manuscripts including the Torah (read Numbers 24: 15-17 Balaam prophetic word). However, there was a supernatural factor here in that a star appeared and guided them to Israel and they were looking for a Jewish king to worship. So, by revelation Jesus is proclaimed a king as a young child by foreign magi, but it was also what partially motivated the Roman governor Pilate to ultimately have Jesus crucified Matt. 27: 11 when he learned Jesus was a king (a threat to Rome). Jesus is also declared a king at His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Luke 19:38. As an interesting note, in all three occasions when Jesus is identified as KING there is a negative reaction by a person or a group in leadership positions and this may be partially fulfilling Psalm 2.
The Apostle Paul was trained as Jewish theologian (a serious student of the OT) and as a teacher clearly expressed the Sovereign kingship of God the Father as well as to Jesus His exalted son in charging Timothy to be faithful to his calling until Jesus returns I Timothy 1:17 and 6: 13-16.
Jude the half brother of Jesus, quotes from the book of Enoch a prophetic word concerning the Lord coming with tens of thousands of his holy ones to execute judgement on the ungodly. Jude 14-16 This passage acknowledges Jesus as both Lord and Judge. I have already quoted Phil. 2: 9-11 stating the high position the Father bestowed on Jesus as both King of Kings and Lord of Lords and every knee will bow to Him and confess His Lordship.
I think some Christians may struggle with the idea that Jesus will return as a Judge, however that is exactly what the Scriptures consistently declares. Acts 17: 30-31 states, “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people to repent, because he has fixed a day (The Day of the Lord) on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead”. Jesus is the righteous Judge! Paul also has the same revelation in again charging Timothy to preach the Gospel 2 Tim. 4:1 “Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead” also see 2 Thes. 1:5-10. James another half brother of Jesus exhorts believers concerning the coming of the Lord and one of His main purposes is to Judge, James 5: 7-8. Peter joins in the chorus expressing a key role Jesus will fulfil when He returning as Judge, I Peter 4: 5 and 2 Pet. 3: 7.
But what did Jesus say regarding His future role as coming Judge? In Matt. 16:27 Jesus states, “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angles in the glory of his Father, and repay each person according to what he has done”. Our future judgement is solely based on our words, actions and faith while here on the earth. See also Matt. 13: 41-43 and Matt. 25: 31-46 and Jesus strongly warns us a day is coming of separation of His true followers who will dwell with Him forever in peace and the wicked, unbelieving rebels who will be cast into the eternal fire with the Devil and his angels.
The Apostles and Jesus own words should motivate all Christian’s to live a life that honors God and people, be holy, and flee sin. In light of the eternal consequences we will all face, we must share our faith as often as Jesus gives us opportunity. We cannot save another person for that is the work of the Holy Spirit, but we are clearly charged to share the hope that is within us and pray for those whom we love or meet in the marketplace. Lord Jesus, help me to be a faithful as a witness and intercessor!
So, when will this all happen? We cannot finish this blog without visiting our dear brother Daniel and John’s amazing Revelation which clarifies the timing and circumstances. Daniel has a night vision that makes him extremely anxious, Dan. 7: 13-15. Daniel see’s the Son of man coming in the clouds (Christ's second coming) and He is given dominion, glory and an eternal kingdom. All peoples, nations and languages will serve Him (Millennial Reign) and it will be an everlasting kingdom as it extends into the new heavens and earth after Jesus and the Father make all things NEW after the millennium.
Then an angel interprets the vision for Daniel as he see’s four great beasts rising out of the sea (the Kings and kingdoms of Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome). From the fourth beast (Rome) shall arise as a terrifying, dreadful and exceeding strong ruler (Antichrist) when the 10 horns manifest in the last days. After the EU experiment falls apart (which is underway) and the war of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38-39) has left a huge power vacuum in the Middle East with God destroying Russia and her Islam allied armies (Turkey, Iran, Sudan/Ethiopia, Libya; this will set the stage for a coming either global (I tend to believe it will be global as the Antichrist reach will be worldwide) or a European 10 regional governance that will take the world stage as the new solution with so much global crisis (social, government, economic and religious breakdowns and failures). The Antichrist will ultimately take charge of this group (Rev. 17: 17) and turn his attention to Israel and Christian’s on the earth with terrible persecution (on those who will not receive the mark of the beast or worship him) Dan 7:21, 25 and Rev. 13: 9-10.
The Antichrist will demand global dominance/worship (Rev. 13: 7b-8) and at the end of the Tribulation with Satan’s help he will gather all the kings of the world to a valley in Israel called Armageddon in a last attempt to overthrow Christ at His glorious second coming (Rev. 16: 12-16, 17: 11-14). The outcome of this war will be swift and decisive and is described in Revelation 19: 1-11
• V. 11 The Faithful & True rider (King Jesus) returns on a white horse from heaven and He righteously judge’s and makes war
• V. 12-13 Describes Jesus in all of His glory and power as conquering King
• V. 14 All saints who partook in the resurrection/rapture (OT and NT Believers) in glorified bodies will return with King Jesus on white horses and His angels to defeat the Antichrist hordes in an epic but short battle.
• V. 15 Jesus (The Word of God) will decisively lead the charge with the sword of His mouth and strike down the rebel nations and rule the remnants that did not bow to Satan or his evil son with a rod of iron. God Himself will support His righteous Son with the fury of His wrath in this war.
• V. 16 Jesus will fulfill His role and take His proper place as King of Kings and Lord of Lords ruling the earth in righteousness and justice.
• V. 17-18 The grim details of this epic war are described as an angel calls the birds of heaven to feast on the flesh of the entire armies.
• V. 19-20 Johns attention is turned to the beast, the kings of the earth and their vast armies who vainly believed they could overcome Christ and His all-powerful heavenly army. The beast and the false prophet are captured and John again reiterates the grand deception of these two egomaniacs who enslave humanity with their crafty lies and demonic powers. (Important note: do not be shocked at humanities failure at the end to believe such wicked lies just as our first parents too fell to the master deceiver…most important DON’T BE ONE OF THEM…know God’s Word and stand on TRUTH). Great deception will befall all of mankind in the last days and we are seeing it rise in the earth right now, but in Christ we can overcome!
• The beast and the false prophet are thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. Jesus loops off the heads of this rebellion (figuratively) and the remaining rebels are slain with the sword of His mouth and the birds devour their flesh. Jesus under the Fathers mandate will right all wrongs (which are without number) with pure justice and install a righteous kingdom where order is restored and humanity will learn how to get along. This is our blessed hope when Christ Jesus returns as King, Lord and Judge. (Read Titus 2:11-14 and it clearly does not say we will escape the Tribulation as some often claim, but to live Godly lives with hope and be about the Father business until our Redeemer returns).
My hope is this blog gives you a solid Biblical position to stand on and understand how Jesus return is so critical to God’s full plan of salvation for all the world. The current evil deception of Satan and his soon coming perverse dual (Antichrist and False Prophet) must be understood but not feared. As committed Christians we must resist the current lies flooding the air waves (media) preparing the world for a false Messiah. Our hope is in Jesus the true Messiah and the rewards that await those who stand firm and live for Christ will far out way the current and coming trials that will befall all of humanity. As the Apostle Paul said, “to live is Christ and to die is gain” Phil. 1: 21 is far more than a quaint slogan. It was the truth that Paul lived daily and so must we by the power of the Holy Spirit and by standing firm in faith in the truth of God’s Word!
Next week we will transition to what will transpire after the Millennial reign of King Jesus with us His people.
From a friend, Bill W…if you have found these studies insightful and encouraging pass them on to a friend! Maranatha…Our Lord, come!