The Two Advents Series – Lesson 3

 

 

First Advent: Came As the Suffering Savior

Second Advent: Coming As King, In Power And Great Glory

 

The first Advent had to do with the suffering of the Savior. The second, He is coming in Power and Great Glory. The first Advent He came as a Savior. When He comes the next time, He is going to come as King.

 

First Advent Sign: A Star

Second Advent Sign: A Scepter

 

The first Advent of Christ a Star was predicted. And regarding the second Advent, a Scepter.

 

There are some things relative to the Bible, that if you ask me, I will say, I haven’t got an answer. When I read this story in Numbers, I haven’t got an answer as to the person of Balaam. In the book of Jude he is definitely called “a wandering star to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.” And yet in this 24th chapter of Numbers it says:

 

Numbers 24:2

(2) ….and the spirit of God came upon him.

 

The only answer I can give that helps a little bit is – back in the earlier part of the story, the Spirit of God came upon a donkey too. If you remember, when Balaam was riding a donkey in chapter 22, that donkey turned and talked to Balaam.

 

We went to the park this afternoon for my exercise. I was over there with a donkey for a minute, and I couldn’t help but think of this Bible story. Here is a story of the Spirit of God coming upon a donkey, and the donkey was able to talk to this man Balaam. The humorous part of that story is, when the donkey talked to Balaam, Balaam got so angry that he didn’t know what was happening, and he talked back to the donkey. Every time I read that, I think he was the bigger donkey of the two. It is really something that a man could get so upset, that a donkey was talking to him and he didn’t realize it.

 

The Spirit of the Lord came upon a donkey and the Spirit of the Lord came upon Balaam. And so I simply say, the Spirit of the Lord can come upon people, even though they are not the Lord’s people. You have to accept that if you accept this story.

 

And the spirit of God came upon him.

 

Balaam is prophesying; the Spirit of God is upon him. He himself is a false prophet, but his prophesy is true. 

 

Numbers 24:17, 19

(17) I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth,.

 

(19) Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion

 

You take that Old Testament reference, and look at it. If you didn’t have other Bible verses, you wouldn’t make the Star literal and you wouldn’t make the Scepter literal. But if you turn to the New Testament you have to change your mind, because in Matthew 2, I’ll show you it is mentioned here more than once. So many of these things we associate only with Christmas, and we only read them at Christmas time.

 

Matthew 2: 1-2, 9-10

(1) Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

 

(2) Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

 

(9) When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star which they saw in the east, went before them,

 

(10) When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy,

The star, the star, the star.

 

Now I read Numbers, and if I didn’t have the New Testament, I wouldn’t associate that verse with this event. But because of this emphasis in Matthew chapter 2 relative to the birth of Jesus Christ, I know that the prediction back in Numbers is a prediction of the first Advent of Jesus. As I have said, often in one verse you have both Advents within the confines of one or two sentences. There I have a Star, and in Numbers I have a Scepter. What do you associate a Scepter with?

 

In Genesis 49 Jacob was blessing his sons and his grandsons. I have often been blessed in my soul in reading the story of Jacob, recognizing the fact that although in the earlier part of his life Jacob often walked far from God; as he neared the end of his life he was straightened out. I love that. God touched him and straightened him out.  When he was about to die, the Bible says he was sick. When Joseph came to see him, Jacob strengthened himself and sat up on the edge of the bed. This dear man who was about ready to die was in tune with Heaven. One of the last things he did before he pulled his feet into his bed and turned over and said, “Lord, here I come,” just before that event, he first blessed his grandchildren. I think it is the most beautiful story. The dear old man, facing death, realizing that he was facing eternity, blessed his grandchildren. And then after he blessed his grandchildren, he blessed his own sons. He is blessing his sons, and with each blessing there is a prophesy.

 

Genesis 49:9

Speaking of Judah

(9) Judah is a lion’s whelp

 

(10) The scepter

There is that word you have in Numbers 24:17

The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

Literally, “the peoples” ---- unto Him shall the gathering of the peoples be.

 

Revelation 19:15

You can see that this Scepter spoken of in Numbers is associated with the second Advent of Jesus. There was a Star associated with His first Advent.

 

Speaking of our Lord

(15) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: (with a Scepter)

 

There you have reference to the Scepter that He is going to hold. A Scepter belongs to a king. I don’t want to spend time on this particular subject, but if you remember the story of Queen Esther; the king had a golden Scepter. Praise God, there is a King above the king of Persia, and His Name is Jesus. And when He comes the next time, He is going to come with a Scepter in His hand.  He is going to hold out His Scepter in mercy to the nations,

 

First Coming Brought The Fall Of Israel.

Second Coming Will Bring the Rising Again Of Israel

 

You have the record of the first Coming of Jesus; and a few people who were looking for it. There has always been a Godly remnant. When Jesus came the first time, apparently those shepherds in the field were looking for something. There were a few old folks who were looking for something, and we have two of their names here in Luke, chapter 2.

 

Luke 2:25

(25) And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon

God bless Brother Simeon. I’m going to meet him some day.

 

and the same man was just

(justified -- that means he had faith)

 

and devout,

(he was devoted. He would be called a religious fanatic today)

 

waiting for the consolation of Israel:

He believed in the Coming of Messiah. Messiah hadn’t come yet, and he was looking, not for the second coming, Simeon was looking for the first Coming; because the first coming was still prophesy. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and praise God for these words:

and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

 

Simeon was living and looking and longing for the first Coming; and with that anticipation, the Holy Ghost was upon him. If you are living and looking and longing for the second Coming, I guarantee this: you will have experiences that you can only describe as the Holy Ghost being upon you. If you are really looking to the Coming of the Lord, that’s going to do something for you that nothing else can do. That’s the best medicine for church sickness. Where did I get that? I’m going to go aside and come back again. Don’t forget that wonderful text in 1 John 3:3 talking about the second Coming.

 

1 John 3:3

(3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

God teaches us to live looking for the Coming of the Lord. Here is Simeon looking, living, and longing, and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

 

Let’s go on.

Luke 2:26

(26) And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ

 

What a wonderful thing. I believe every word that I read in the Bible. I don’t know why the Lord revealed that to Simeon, and not to a number of other people. Again, I have to throw myself on the Sovereignty of God but the Sovereignty of God is involved in this. Simeon knew that he wasn’t going to die until he had seen the Lord’s Christ – until he had seen Messiah. They had been waiting for 4,000 years; don’t forget that. Between the time of Simeon and the first Promise of Messiah in the Garden of Eden, men for generation after generation had been looking for something to happen. And now, suddenly it is revealed to Simeon – “Simeon you are not going to die until you see the Messiah.”

 

Luke 2:34

(27) And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

 

(28) Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

 

(29) Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

 

(30) For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

 

(31) Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

 

(32) A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

 

(33) And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him.

 

What did they marvel at? What did Simeon say that was so marvelous in the eyes and ears of a Jewish person? Simply this: Go back and look at verse 32 – a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

 

Dear brother Simeon, with the Holy Ghost upon him, put the blessing of the Gentiles ahead of the Jews, and Mary and Joseph couldn’t figure that out; for the Jews had been looking for their Messiah, and now here is a Jew with the anointing of God upon him, and he is saying that Messiah is going to bless the Gentiles before He blesses the Jew. And so the Spirit is still upon him and in verse 34:

 

(34) Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel.

 

I take that 34th verse and put it on the side of the first Advent; it brought the fall of the nation of Israel. The second Advent is associated with the rising again. Did Israel fall? Was Israel set aside? Positively! Is she set aside forever? No!

 

1 Corinthians 1:23

It explains part of the purpose of the first Coming of our Messiah.

(23) But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock

When Jesus came the first time for the nation of Israel He became a stumbling block, but praise God, unto those of us who believe, is the Power of God.

 

Romans 11:1-2

(1) I say then, Hath God cast away his people?

The last verse of chapter 10 tells you who He is talking about. The answer:

God forbid.

 

Verse 1 is the question: Hath God cast away his people? Verse 2 is the answer.

(2) God hath not cast away his people

 

Romans 11:11-15

(11) I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

 

(12) Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness?

 

(13) For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

 

(14) If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

 

(15) For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?

 

Two Advents, Two Different Works of Christ Relative to The Jewish People

 

And now to understand, go to verse 28. To understand the two Advents and the aspect of the two different works of Christ relative to the Jewish people.

 

Romans 11:28-33

(28) As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.

 

(29) For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

 

(30) For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:

 

(31) Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

 

(32) For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

 

(33) O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out!

 

Let me say this, regarding the whole subject of the first and the second Advents of our Lord Jesus. It is going to take the second Coming to reveal to us, a little more of the depth of God’s riches and God’s knowledge and God’s understanding. Israel fell by the first Coming, and they are going to rise again by the second Coming.

 

Here is something that is very important: When Jesus came the first time He came to bear the cross. When He comes the next time, He is going to come to wear the crown.

Philippians 2:5-11

These verses have to do with the first Coming of Jesus

(5) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

 

(6) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

 

(7) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

 

(8) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

 

These verses were literal, and they were manifest in their fulfillment. Jesus literally came. He was made of no reputation. He literally made Himself obedient unto death. He actually, bodily, physically, was made humble and hung on a cross, and suspended between Heaven and earth. This earth was the scene of my Lord’s humiliation.

 

(9) Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

 

(10) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Notice the order.

                   Of things first in Heaven

                   And then number 2, of things in earth

                   And then number 3, of things under the earth.

 

(11) And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ if Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

I take a portion like that, and I read it in the light of its whole context. When I read verses 5 to 8 everything in the verses had a literal, actual fulfillment. I go on and read about the exaltation of my Lord Jesus. I read that first every knee in Heaven will bow. Do you know there has been rebellion in Heaven? There has been rebellion in Heaven, and according to the Bible, Satan is the accuser of the brethren; he can still go to the throne.

 

We have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ. You wouldn’t need an advocate if you didn’t have an accuser. The devil accuses the brethren day and night; but praise God, one of these days, according to the book of Revelation, Heaven is going to be delivered from the devil. The devil is going to get kicked out of Heaven. That may not fit with your theology, but I see it in the Bible. Heaven is going to be delivered first -- And Jesus is going to be there. Then after that happens, earth is going to be next. And after the 1000 years, under the earth is going to follow, so that every knee in Heaven, every knee in earth, every knee in the regions of the damned will bow before Jesus. Now I simply say: if the first three verses had an actual fulfillment, then the next three verses in the same context must have the same kind of fulfillment. This earth was the scene of the humiliation of Jesus Christ.

 

I wonder if an earthly illustration helps to illustrate just a little. When it comes to a personal defeat, whether it be a king or an individual, there is something about a victory that is not complete until you go right back to the place where you were defeated. When you go back to where you fell and start over again, that manifests victory.

 

Jesus apparently fell when He was here the first time. As far as the world was concerned, the last they saw of Him was on a cross. But never forget, after the resurrection, no one but disciples saw the Lord. He was not seen by unbelievers. As far as the world was concerned that was humiliation to the nth degree. But praise the Lord, the same spot where the Lord was put to shame, is where He is going to be exalted and He is going to be manifest.

 

He was humiliated in this earth, and He is going to be put to Glory and manifest in such when He comes back to this earth again. That’s another reason why I have to believe in the second Advent of Jesus Christ. His victory will not be fully manifest until He returns as Victor. He is going to come back again as Victor, and He is going to wear the crown, where the first time He bore the cross.

 

First Advent He Came To Bring A Sword

Second Advent He Comes To Wear A Crown, To Bring World Peace.

 

The next is very important. When He came the first time Jesus said Himself, He came to bring a sword. A lot of people haven’t paid any attention to these verses. When He comes the second time He is going to bring world peace. Just look at those statements – the first time to bring a sword.

 

Matthew 10:34

(34) Think not that I am come to send peace on earth:

 

That almost is a contradiction in the thinking of some, to what we read about the announcement of the angels. The angels said, “Glory to God in the highest and earth peace, goodwill toward men.” Can you see where I said it fits in when I said the angels were just two days ahead of time? Where Jesus said,

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

 

If you want to keep your theology straight, you have to keep the two Advents straight. If you are going to understand the Bible, and see that the Bible doesn’t contradict itself, you have to draw some lines. You have to see the distinction between the purpose of the first Coming, and the purpose of the second Coming. There was a definite purpose connected with the first Coming of Christ, and there is a definite purpose connected with the second Coming of Christ. And if we mix them up, we are going to be mixed up aren’t we? “I didn’t come,” Jesus said, “to bring peace, I came to bring a sword.” Explain yourself Lord. Read on.

 

Matthew 10:35-42

(35) For I am come to set a man at variance against his father

 

Have any of you had to leave father because you have accepted the Lord? That has happened to some people. I know individuals who are not welcomed at home, simply because they have accepted Jesus Christ. That’s the kind of sword Jesus said He was going to bring. “I came to bring a sword. Those who accept Me are going to be separated from their whole family.” Go on and read.

 

and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

 

(36) And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

 

(37) He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

 

(38) And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

 

(39) He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

 

(40) He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

 

(41) He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.

 

(42) And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

 

That is the kind of thing that happens by the first Coming of Jesus. When you accept Jesus, there is a sword that divides people. Some of the greatest wars have been religious wars that are the result of the Coming of Jesus Christ.

 

Luke 12:51

(51) Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

 

That’s an interesting verse. Maybe I should preach a while on it; in this day, when everybody has the idea that we should break down all the divisions. Listen, the moment you accept Christ, there is going to be a division. The moment you take a stand for something, there is going to be a division. And the more you stand for something, the more division there is going to be. I’ve got a whole series of studies that are made up like this – drawing lines. And I believe that the day has come when perhaps as never before, we’re going have to read our Bibles and find out that lines have been drawn by the Lord.

 

By way of illustration, I start out one of my studies by putting two words on the board. On the one side I put the word HEATHEN. And on the other side I put the word CHRISTIAN. And then I draw a line between them and I ask the question: “Do you think it is proper for me first of all, to put a line between a heathen and a Christian? Do you think there is a difference between a heathen and a Christian?”

 

Well, I happen to be so old-fashioned that I do. So I put a line, and then I go one step further, and I say, “I’m glad I’m a Christian and not a heathen. Am I justified, or am I so out-dated that when I say it you don’t want to listen to me anymore?”

 

I think, again, not only am I glad that I am a Christian and not a heathen, but I think because I am a Christian and not a heathen, people should know by the way I act, that I am a Christian and not a heathen. There are certain things that I don’t do, simply because I am a Christian. Is that alright? The moment you do that, you have drawn a line; you cut right down the center. That’s exactly what you have in the Bible. When Jesus came the first time He came to bring division. And you can’t be a dedicated Christian without acknowledging that Christianity makes a difference.

 

Muggeridge made the statement regarding the church that he was associated with in the British Isles:

We got to the place where we almost agreed on everything because we believed almost nothing.

 

I thought that was a masterpiece! You can get to the place where you break down all the lines. There is a great move today to get rid of denominational lines. I’m an old fogey, and maybe to some of you, an old fool; but I thank God for denominations. I do; because God has raised up denominations to revive Truth. Somebody says, “Won’t it be wonderful if the Lord tarries for 20 years, and we are all one denomination?”

 

 I’ll tell you what I think, what I believe, and where I stand. It is going to be horrible -- not wonderful at all. Because the only way we can all become one denomination, is for all of us to get to the place where we all believe almost nothing. And I just can’t get to that place!  The more I believe what is in the Bible, the more I find there are people who don’t want to be with me. I don’t have to divide myself from them. Do you know that there are some people who won’t keep my company?

 

I’ll go back to an illustration. I was a boy preacher in a little town called Carlyle, Saskatchewan. The first time I tried to pastor, I was so young I only stayed a few months; because I got so homesick, I had to go home. Back in those days with the size of the town, you couldn’t walk down Main Street without them knowing who you were.

 

In those days they had pool rooms and barber shops combined and I had to go into this poolroom/barber shop to get my hair cut. When I stepped into that hall about half a dozen men were carrying on a real live conversation, and I was only a boy preacher. When I stepped in, there was sudden silence. You wondered what in the world ever happened to the place; they quit talking. I come to the conclusion that I had a little bit too much salt, and I am not boasting when I say that. It must have been quite a smutty story that was being told in that place at that moment, for when I stepped in everybody became silent. Hallelujah. I wish that would happen again, more often. It brought a division right there. It made a difference. My company made them uncomfortable. And when your company doesn’t make the world uncomfortable, you better get on your knees and ask God to do something to you.

 

Jesus came to bring division. And if you are going to stand for the Truth it is going to cost something. If you don’t stand for anything, it won’t cost you anything. Jesus said He came to bring a sword.

 

John 15:18-21

I’m trying to explain part of the workings of the first Advent. Jesus came to bring a sword.

 

(18)   If the world hate you,

We are trying to make ourselves acceptable to a Godless world. And it is time that we awaken to the fact that you can’t make yourself acceptable to a Godless world. That’s an impossibility!

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

 

(19) If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world,

Hallelujah for that statement. Aren’t you glad for that great big line? What’s the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian? What’s the difference between a believer and a non-believer? What’s the difference between a heathen and one who knows Jesus? The heathen belongs to the world, but the Christian doesn’t belong to the world. Ye are not of the world. That’s quite a big line isn’t it!

 

but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Somebody said, “The world will love us if we act like the world.” Not at all! The world has a sixth sense. They can smell a Christian. I don’t mean his deodorant either. But there is something about you, that if you have accepted Christ, the world knows it. You might as well be a good Christian, because the world won’t love you any more if you act like the world. The world hates you simply because the world knows that you don’t belong.

 

(20) Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater then his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

 

(21) But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.

 

And so the line is drawn. The sword is there.

 

John 16: 33

A Promise given.

(33) These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 

Are you a believer? Are you a Christian? Do you know what you are Promised in the Book to expect from the world? The best you can expect is the hatred and persecution. And if you are not persecuted, you thank the Lord. That’s all you can do – thank the Lord, because that is what the Lord Promised you in this world. But He said, in Me, peace.

 

John 14:27

(27) Peace I leave with you,

That was at the end of the ministry of our Lord in His first Advent.

 

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:

Peace left, peace given. Individual peace? – Yes. World peace? – No. Do you understand it? When Jesus came the first time, He didn’t come to bring world peace. He is going to do that when He comes the next time. The first time He came to bring a sword that would bring individual peace. That doesn’t seem to click. That doesn’t seem to add up. That seems to be beyond us. God’s ways are above us. God’s ways are higher than our ways. When the cross was suspended, it was placed in a place of a skull. The cross is not against the intellect, it is only above the intellect. And God’s doings are not a contradiction of rationalism, they are simply above intellect. God’s ways are above our ways, and when Jesus came the first time He didn’t come to bring peace to a troubled world, He first came to bring peace to the individual heart.

 

How glad I am to say again, “I’m glad there is peace in my heart.” How can I have the Prince of Peace and not have peace!

 

Philippians 4:5-9

(5) Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

 

(6) Be careful for nothing: but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

 

(7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

(8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 

(9) Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

 

That is the Promise of the first Advent. Thank God for the peace of God and the God of peace.