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How Will the King Return?

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Magi asked King Herod, “Where is He who has been born the King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him” (Matt. 2:2). Herod, seeing this King as a threat to his own position, sought to find Him and kill Him. But his efforts failed. This Baby grew up and offered the kingdom to Israel, but they rejected Him as their King. Instead, they nailed Him to a cross. Is He still the King? When will He set up His kingdom?

As we have been viewing the splendor of our amazing Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, we have seen in the Word of God the amazing Person that He is and the wonderful works that He has done. We have examined His past and present works, and in our last study, we focused on His future work—the Rapture, His return in the air. But we see in the Scriptures that this is only the beginning of His future work: His coming in the air will be followed seven years later by His coming to the earth to reign as King. We will now address the question: “How Will the King Return?”

The Contrast Between the Present Reality and His Future Return

How different today is than when Christ returns to earth!

Today

  • Christ is not visible (I Pet. 1:8).

  • Christ is in heaven physically (Heb. 1:1-3; 10:12).

  • Christ is not judging the wicked directly(II Pet. 3:9).

  • Christ is not reigning physically on earth.

  • Satan is active (Eph. 6:11-13; I Pet. 5:8-9).

His Return

  • Christ will be visible to all (Rev. 1:7; Matt. 24:30).

  • Christ will be on earth physically (Zech. 14:4).

  • Christ will judge the wicked directly (Rev. 19:11-21).

  • Christ will reign physically on earth (Zech. 14:9; Rev. 20:6).

  • Christ comes for the Church (I Thess. 4:15-17).

  • Satan will be bound (Rev. 20:1-6).

The Contrast Between the Rapture and the Revelation

The Rapture

  • Christ comes in the air (I Thess. 4:16-17).

  • Christ comes for the Church (I Thess. 4:15-17).

  • Believers go to heaven (Jn 14:1-3; I Thess .4:16-17).

  • Only believers can see Christ (John 14:3).

  • Believers are taken off the earth (I Thess. 4:16-17).

  • The Bible does not state when (Tit. 2:13; Jas. 5:7-8).

  • Believers are rewarded (I Cor. 4:5; II Cor. 5:10).

  • It is a source of comfort (Jn. 14:3; I Thess.4:18).

  • There are no recorded changes in nature.

  • The world is not judged (I Thess. 4:13-18).

  • It is imminent (I Cor. 1:7; Tit. 2:13; Heb. 10:37).

  • It is not in the Old Testament (I Cor. 15:51-53).

  • It directly affects believers only (I Thess. 4:16-17).

  • It occurs before the day of wrath (I Thes. 1:10; 5:9).

  • There is no reference to Satan (I Thess. 4:16).

The Revelation

  • Christ comes to the earth (Zech. 14:4).

  • Christ comes with the Church (Rev. 19:11-14; Zech .14:5).

  • Believers come back to earth (Rev. 19:14; Zech. 14:5).

  • Every eye shall see Christ (Rev. 1:7; Matt. 24:30).

  • Unbelievers are taken off the earth (Matt. 24:36-42).

  • Christ comes 7 years after the Rapture (Rev .11:3; 12:6).

  • Unbelievers are judged (Rev. 19:11-12; Jude 14-15).

  • It is a source of terror (II Thess. 1:6-10).

  • There are many changes in nature (Matt. 24:29-31).

  • The world is judged (Jude 14-15; II Thess.1:7-10; Rev 19:11-21).

  • It follows definite predicted signs (Matt. 24:3-28).

  • It is predicted often in the Old Testament (Zech. 14:1-9).

  • It affects all men (Zech. 12:10-14; Rev. 1:7; Matt. 24:30).

  • It concludes the day of wrath (Rev. 6:15-17; Joel 2:1-2,11).

  • Satan is bound (Rev. 20:1-6).

The Conclusions About His Return to Earth

  • Christ will come visibly and bodily (Acts 1:9-11; Rev. 1:7).

  • Christ will come with power and great glory (Matt. 24:29-30; 25:31; Rev. 19:11-16).

  • Christ will come to earth (Zech. 14:1-6; Rev. 19:11-16).

  • Christ will come in judgment (Rev. 19:11-21; Jude 14-15; II Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8; Zech. 14:3; Matt. 25:31-46). 

  • Christ will come in deliverance (Zech. 12:1-9; 14:3).

  • Christ will come to reign (Rev. 19:16; 20:1-3; Zech. 14:9; Luke 1:31-33; Isa. 9:6-7; Mic. 4:7).

As we see a world that seems to be spinning out of control, we must remember that our God is still in control. As we view escalating crime, flourishing injustice, and widespread suffering, our hearts yearn for the King’s return when He will reign on this earth in true righteousness and peace. Everything that is wrong He will set right. What a glorious day it will be when the King returns to reign! But remember. . . seven years before He comes to earth to reign, He catches up His Church to heaven. If you have trusted in Jesus as your Savior, that is the day to which you should look forward with great anticipation. Keep looking up as you serve Him faithfully. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

Because of His Grace—Pastor Charlie