War In Your Heart # 34

Two Advents in God's Counsel - The Child Came to Die - The Son Comes to Reign

God carries out His eternal purpose in two stages, the first and second advents of Christ. One cannot read the Bible with any degree of intelligence and not see that it definitely teaches that Christ is to come to earth twice. Two distinct lines of prophecy are traced throughout the Old Testament which contradict each other utterly unless they are related to two absolutely different events, which are separated from each other by the passing of centuries of time.

One line of prophecy reveals a suffering Messiah, "The Lord of glory" crucified by the princes of this world (1 Corinthians 2:8) because they knew not who He was, nor for what He had come. Psalm 22 is God's clear revelation of Him who was reproached and despised and persecuted and finally, crucified by wicked men and utterly forsaken by a holy God. The suffering Messiah goes to the Cross.

The other line of prophecy reveals a conquering Messiah, "The King of glory," crowned; "The lord of hosts, strong and might, the Lord mighty in battle" welcomed home to heaven after His resurrection and exalted by His Father to a place with Him upon His throne until such a time as He would again go forth to earth to set up the kingdom of God on earth. Psalm 24 is God's clear revelation of the conquering Messiah. The conquering Messiah goes to the throne.

The First Advent - The Saviour Comes

Matthew 1:18: Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise.

Matthew 1:16: Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

Matthew 2:1: Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem ... in the days of Herod.

Luke 2:11, 12: For unto you is born this day ... a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

"Christ is the Lord." "A babe wrapped in swaddling clothes!" The Author of all life - "born!" The Creator of the universe - "lying in a manger." The Eternal Son coming out of eternity into time; coming out of heaven into earth - "Born a Saviour!"

But for what purpose was such a birth? He was born to die. The birth both anticipated and necessitated the Cross. The primary purpose of the incarnation of Jesus Christ was redemption. He Himself clearly conceived His mission to this sinful world to be that of a Saviour.

Luke 19:10: For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

He knew that His Father had sent Him into the world and for what purpose.

1 John 4:14: The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

John 3:17: For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

~Ruth Paxson~

(continued with # 35)