The Advents of Jesus Christ

Luke 2:1–20 (NKJV) 1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” 15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

The word “Advent” comes from the Latin “Adventus” and means “arrival.” We Christians often use the word Advent to describe the first arrival of Jesus Christ to our earth nearly two thousand years ago. This Advent has been one of the most publicized events in history. Although only two of the Gospel writers recorded the birth of Christ and John in his mystical manner alluded to it, nevertheless, volumes have been written concerning the first coming of Jesus to our earth. Many sermons have been preached on the same topic. And all of this is done with much celebration of heart with songs of joy to the world and peace on earth good will toward men. And well it should be.

But lest we fail to be good stewards of our Christian faith, let us not forget that this same Jesus that came to our earth, has declared that He will one day come again. Just as angels announced the first advent of Jesus Christ’s coming as a servant-child, so angels make the proclamation that the risen and glorified Lord Jesus will come again to reign over His people.

Acts 1:9–11 (NKJV) 9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Knowing that, not only should we celebrate His first arrival, but we should also be preaching and singing about the glorious second Advent and soon coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

I. THE FACTOF THE ADVENTS

The first Advent of Jesus was announced and proclaimed:

A. By the Prophets

1. Micah 5:2, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,

Yet out of you shall come forth to Me

The One to be Ruler in Israel,

Whose goings forth are from of old,

From everlasting.” (NKJV)

2. Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

3. Isaiah 7:14

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

4. Genesis 3:15

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”

B. Announced by the Angels

1. Luke 1:30-33, 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.31 “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.32 “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.33 “And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

2. Luke 2:9-11, 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.11 “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

The second Advent of Jesus has been announcedand proclaimed as well:

A. By the Prophets

Isaiah 11:1-3, There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,

And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. 2 The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might,

The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. 3 His delight is in the fear of the LORD,

B. By the Apostles

1 Thessalonians 4:14-17, 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

C. By the Angels

Acts 1:11, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

D. By JesusHimself

John 14:3, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

II. THE FUNCTIONSOF THE ADVENTS

A. The first Advent was in humility and obedience.

Luke 2:7, And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Revelation 5:6, And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain….

B. The second Advent will be with power and dominion.

1 Corinthians 15:51-57, 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ

Revelation 20:11-15, 11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

You know about His first coming, His first Advent. Now you understand that He is coming again, His second Advent. But the most important Advent of all is the Advent of Jesus Christ into your own heart and life. Have you let Him come in? Jesus said, Revelation 3:20 (NKJV) Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

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