The Gospel and the Second Coming of Christ

Pastor Pete Beck III • October 14, 2019

In another article, entitled The Gospel according to John the Baptist , I showed how the Spirit of God used John the Baptist to identify Jesus the Messiah’s three central roles in God’s great salvation, which are three vital aspects of the Gospel.

  • He died as the Lamb of God for our sins.
  • He rose as the Lord of lords for our justification, and
  • He ascended into heaven as the glorious Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, the Lord of the ongoing harvest of people into God’s kingdom, as the church fulfills the Great Commission.

In this article, I will show how the revelation of Christ in the last book of the Bible identifies Jesus with the glorious Son of Man prophesied by Daniel and confirms that knowing and acknowledging that Christ is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings is the proper response to the gospel message.

The Lamb of God Ministry

Through his first coming, Jesus the Messiah fulfilled the role of the Lamb of God. He came to die for our sins in order to open the way for us to come back into relationship with Father God.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29 (NLT)

The forgiveness of sins was not God’s end game, however, because Jesus had a much greater goal to accomplish – the restoration of all creation under his Lordship. Nevertheless, a central component of the gospel message is that when we place our trust in Christ and his death on the cross, we will receive forgiveness for our sins.

He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.” Acts 10:43 (NLT)

The Resurrected Lord of Lords

Jesus’ resurrection three days after his crucifixion proved that his sacrifice for our sins was accepted by Father God. It also proved and served to announce Jesus’ role as the glorious Lord of all, the risen Jewish Messianic King.

The Good News is about his Son, Jesus. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, 4  and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 1:3-4 (NLT)

Those who believe that God raised Jesus from the dead and confess that he is Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:9-10) Jesus now reigns over his church and the entire universe, sitting at God’s right hand, waiting for his enemies to be completely subjected to him in due time.

“God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. 33  Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today. 34  For David himself never ascended into heaven, yet he said, ‘The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand 35  until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”’ 36  “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” Acts 2:32-36 (NLT)

The Baptizer in the Holy Spirit

When Jesus ascended into heaven to take his place at God’s right hand, he poured out the Spirit as he promised he would, launching the church into her mission to preach the gospel and make disciples prior to Christ’s return.

Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” … 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:4-8 (NASB)

During the present church age, Jesus functions as the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit. The baptism in the Spirit is given to equip and empower Christ’s followers to be bold and fearless witnesses (literally, martyrs) and fishers of men. We are in the harvest period of church history. The church has been tasked to fulfill the Great Commission by preaching the gospel and making disciples who will go and do the same. Receiving the baptism in the Spirit is an important and necessary part of being faithful to Christ and fulfilling the Great Commission.

The Second Coming: Jesus, the Glorious Son of Man

Even though Jesus’ death as God’s Lamb is crucial to our salvation, acknowledging his lordship is the criteria Paul gives for obtaining  it. (Romans 10:9-10) When we confess that Jesus is Lord, we acknowledge and voluntarily come under his rule and obtain all the benefits of his Lamb of God ministry, too. For the last two thousand years or so, we have been in the Great Commission phase of God’s plan, which the Bible calls the “last days.” As this epoch draws to a close, we anticipate the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophesy that he gave the night of his betrayal and the miscarriage of justice called his trial.

But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” 64  Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:63-64 (NLT)

Jesus’ words referenced Daniel’s prophesy about a glorious heavenly being who will sit in judgment of the all the earth. (Daniel 7:13-14) At this future point in history, which is surely coming, there will no longer be any doubt at all for anyone as to Jesus’ true identity. No longer will naysayers claim that he was merely a prophet or a fine teacher. No more will anyone be able to say that he was a mythical person. None will declare that his resurrection was a fable concocted by his misguided followers. At that time, everyone will see him in his terrifying glory.

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:7-8 (ESV)

Before his return, God has given us the opportunity to clearly hear the gospel call to bow the knee to Jesus, the Lord of Lords. What we do in response to this call is on us. One day it will be too late. On that glorious day when Jesus returns as promised, every knee will bow and every tongue confess who he is. There will be no option.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 (NLT)

Although Jesus is merciful to those who seek mercy and ask for forgiveness, do not think for a moment that he is too weak to enforce God’s justice at the proper time. Though he is patient, God the Father does not wink at sin or coddle rebellion against his Son’s rule. There is coming a day of judgment. Those who do not tap into the river of God’s mercy by declaring allegiance to the risen Messiah King, the Lamb who was slain, will rue their mistake at the Second Coming. We who hear, believe, and respond properly to the gospel before Christ’s Second Coming have the privilege of willingly bowing the knee to him before it is no longer an option. At the Second Coming all, even the openly rebellious, will be forced to acknowledge his glorious sovereignty.

Prayer

Perhaps your heart has been touched by what you just read and you are ready to become part of the throng who chooses to willingly acknowledge Jesus lordship before the great and terrible Day of the Lord. If so, you may wish to pray something like the following. Let it be from your heart. God will hear you and answer your petition. He never rejects anyone who comes to him.

Father God, thank you for graciously sending your Son to die for me. I accept the forgiveness of sins he provided for me by shedding his blood on the cross. I believe that Jesus rose from the dead as the Lord. Thank you for making me right with you and part of your family through his glorious resurrection. Thank you for setting me free from the power of sin and death. Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to live inside of me to give me all the help I need to be a follower of Christ. Jesus, I ask you to baptize me in the Holy Spirit and power so that I can be one of your Great Commission-aries. Thank you for giving me eternal life. I declare my allegiance to you, and I depend on your Spirit to help me live this out. I look forward to the day when you come again in great glory. Amen.

Kingdom Teamwork

By Pete Beck III • February 10, 2025
Following Christ is not a spectator sport. Each of us has a role to play and a job to do.

How to Escape from the Prison of Bitterness

By Pete Beck III • December 18, 2024
Bitterness imprisons its victims and subjects them to demonic harassment, a version of self-inflicted torture.

What do we do when we are unsure of our next move?

By Pete Beck III • December 17, 2024
One of the most difficult and challenging times is when we are not sure of what to do next.

How Do We Align Ourselves with God's Purposes?

By Pete Beck III • December 13, 2024
When the gospel accomplishes its purpose in us, it brings glory to our Lord and a sense of peace and contentment to us, while it furthers the advance of God’s kingdom.

How Do I Know If I Am Called By God?

By Pete Beck III • December 12, 2024
Our heavenly Father has great interest in our lives and shows his children what he wants us to do.

How Can I Transition from Spectating at Church to Being a Player?

By Pete Beck III • December 3, 2024
Christianity is not a spectator sport. The Reformation renewed some very important truths of the faith that had been lost over time, one of which is the priesthood of the believer . This doctrine means that in the New Covenant there is no clergy-laity distinction. Everyone is called to ministry. All followers of Christ are called, equipped, and expected to partner with the Holy Spirit in the adventure of using their spiritual gifts, time, energy, finances – everything – to fish for people and encourage them to become followers of Christ and fishers of men in their own right. Every football and basketball season an interesting phenomenon takes place. People personally identify with their favorite teams. When their team is doing well, they feel good about themselves and become enthusiastic, vocal, and visible fans. What is so intriguing is that many of us think that we somehow acquire greater worth and prestige, if our team excels and does better than the other teams. It is almost as if we were the ones who are competing. All big sporting events are filled with such fans who get satisfaction out of watching others play the game. So it is with many people who attend churches. We all know that playing and spectating are vastly different. When we spectate, we can imagine ourselves making better decisions and better plays than the players on the court or the field, but the reality is that we are not playing. Jesus has invited his followers actually to participate in the greatest adventure of being his Spirit-filled and empowered representatives. Unfortunately most of us who call ourselves Christians are merely spectating fans. We may agree with the concept of being involved in the Great Commission, but we have fallen into the trap of being passive, sitting on the sidelines, hoping that someone else will lead our family member, neighbor, or friend to Christ and teach them how to follow him fully. Many Christians think that evangelism is inviting someone to church, where they will hear the preacher talk about Christ. We do not see ourselves as the one who can best share the gospel with them. However, the truth of the matter is that we cannot transfer our responsibility to fulfill the Great Commission to someone else. God does not give us the option of merely being fans or spectators. God asks us to be players – disciples and disciple makers. Not everyone is equally gifted in this area, but we are all asked to participate. Some may win thousands to Christ, while others may help only a few become followers of the Master over a lifetime. Sadly, a great number of those who call themselves Christians have never led even one person to faith in Christ. In some cases they have given up trying. This ought not be. Could this be because we do not even talk about Jesus in a serious way with anyone outside of church meetings? Suggestions Ask God to forgive us for succumbing to laziness, fear, and the spirit of the age that tells us to keep our faith to ourselves. Ask the Holy Spirit to stir in us the fire of enthusiasm for Jesus and the Gospel. Ask him to give us a love for those who live around you who do not yet know Christ. Familiarize ourselves with the Gospel. (I recommend The King Jesus Gospel by McKnight. You can read my summary by clicking here or you may wish to read my articles on the subject .) Pray for opportunities to speak meaningfully to people. Make it a priority to get to know the people in your neighborhood, at work, at the gym, at school, and wherever you have the opportunity to connect. As we spend time in conversation, we will begin to see how Jesus and the Gospel can help them. Our care for them may give us a platform from which to speak about Jesus to them. Visit people and have them over to our homes. The more time we spend with people, the greater the opportunity we provide for the Holy Spirit to work in the relationships. Offer to pray for people on the spot when a genuine need for God’s help surfaces. Join a group (or start one) whose focus is fishing for people and making disciples. In many cases this will be what some call a “missional” church, as opposed to an event-oriented spectator church. We need to be encouraged in the work of the Great Commission because, although it is rewarding, it can be difficult and discouraging at times. Never, never, never, never give up. Our heavenly reward will be great!
Show More
Share by: