Jesus tells us, “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity… Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:25,27). These words remind us that the story of Jesus isn’t finished—it’s still unfolding. Advent is a season that looks both backward and forward. It’s like standing on a bridge, with the manger on one side and the clouds of His return on the other.
Think about it like this: When Jesus first came, He arrived quietly—like a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. No fanfare, no armies. But His second coming? That’s the grand finale, the moment when the King returns in full glory, like the sun breaking through a stormy sky.
The first Advent was about grace—God stepping into our broken world to save us. The second Advent will be about glory—God coming to set everything right. Today, I want to take us between these two moments and explore why they matter so much in God’s redemptive plan for the world—and for you and me.
When we think about Jesus’ first coming, it’s like imagining a king who trades his crown for a servant’s apron. The Apostle Paul said it perfectly: “Though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:6–8)
Let’s start with His birth. The Gospel of Luke tells us He was born in a manger—a feeding trough for animals. (Luke 2:7) The King of kings didn’t come with a parade or a royal welcome; He came in humility, wrapped in diapers. The Apostle John reminds us, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14) He stepped into our mess, not as a distant ruler, but as someone who came to walk beside us.
But His purpose went far beyond just living among us. The Prophet Isaiah describes Him as the suffering servant: “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows… He was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:4–6) Jesus came to take on the weight of our sin and die in our place. His resurrection, as Paul tells us, is the foundation of a New Covenant—a promise that through Him, death is defeated, and life eternal is possible. (1 Corinthians 15:20–22)
Why did He do all of this? Grace. Paul tells us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9) No matter how hard we try, no human effort could ever reconcile us to God. Paul reminds us that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6–11)
So, what does this mean for us? It means that in this Advent season, we don’t just look for gifts under a tree. We reflect on the greatest gift of all—God’s grace, freely given through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. His first coming gives us hope, because it shows us that God’s love reaches down to us, right where we are.
When Jesus first came, He came as a humble servant, but His next coming will be very different – a conquering king riding into battle—not with humility this time, but with power and glory. Jesus revealed to the Apostle John this awe-inspiring image: “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems.” (Revelation 20:1–6)
Why is He returning? To bring the age of man’s rule to an end. Through the Isaiah God promises a time when “the government shall be upon his shoulder” and “of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.” (Isaiah 9:6) After centuries of human failure—wars, injustice, and broken systems—Jesus will demonstrate what true, perfect rule looks like during His 1,000-year reign. (Revelation 20:1–6) It’s the ultimate contrast: man’s way versus God’s way.
Here’s where it gets even more amazing: the resurrected saints will join Him. Paul describes this moment: “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17) Those who are resurrected will meet Christ in the air and will return with Him to rule the Earth for 1,000 years. (Revelation 20:4–6)
These resurrected saints, believers redeemed by His grace, will reign with Him as it is written, “If we endure, we will also reign with him.” (2 Timothy 2:12) Their presence is a living testimony to the power of God’s redemption and restoration—a picture of what humanity can be under God’s perfect rule.
So what does this mean for us now? First, it means hope. No matter how chaotic or broken the world feels, Christ’s return assures us that justice will prevail and His kingdom will come. Second, it gives us urgency as “ambassadors for Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:20) We have a mission: to live out His love and share His truth with a world that desperately needs Him before He returns.
Christ’s second coming reminds us that this life isn’t the end of the story—it’s just the beginning of an eternal kingdom where He reigns in glory, and we reign with Him. Let’s live every day as if He could return tomorrow, with hearts full of hope, hands ready to serve, and eyes fixed on the skies.
Imagine living in a world of perfect peace—a world where Jesus Himself is ruling. For 1,000 years, His reign will show us what life under God’s perfect authority looks like. But God will be release Satan for one final test. (Revelation 20:7–10) It’s hard to believe, but after all that time of peace, some will still choose rebellion.
This is the moment of truth. The world will be given a choice to stay loyal to what is shown to be right or to chase something that leads to destruction. Satan’s release reveals what’s in the hearts of men. It’s not about circumstances—because under Christ’s rule, no one can blame the system, the government, or bad leadership. It’s about whether people truly trust and follow God.
Then Satan “will come out to deceive the nations… to gather them for battle.” (Revelation 20:8) Despite experiencing God’s perfect rule, some will still choose to stand against Him. But their rebellion is short-lived. The book of Revelation says, “The devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur… and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10) Then comes the great white throne judgment, where every person must give an account and the final choice—God or Satan, life or death. Those who reject God face eternal separation, but those whose names are in the Lamb’s Book of Life will enter eternal life. (Revelation 20:11–15)
So, what does this mean for us today? It’s a wake-up call. Advent reminds us to prepare not just for Christmas but for Christ’s return and the final judgment. We need to examine our hearts: Are we fully devoted to Christ, or are we chasing things that don’t last? And we need to prepare others as “ambassadors for Christ,” urging people to be reconciled to God.
This final test isn’t something to fear if we are in Christ. It’s a reminder that we belong to a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Let’s live like it—fully devoted, fully prepared, and fully hopeful.
Think of the most beautiful place you’ve ever been—maybe a sunrise over the mountains or a peaceful beach. Now imagine something infinitely better: a world where there is no pain, no sin, no death. That’s what God promises. “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth… He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:1–4) This is God’s eternal kingdom—a place where His perfect plan is fully realized. Sin and death, which have plagued humanity since the fall, will be gone forever. This is eternal fellowship with God Himself. The word says, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people.” No more separation, no more distance—just the joy of being with our Creator forever.
God’s plan has always been about restoration. His first coming brought salvation through the cross. As Jesus told John, His second coming will bring restoration, making all things new. Jesus said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” It’s the fulfillment of everything He promised—a world where His glory fills all creation, just as it was meant to from the beginning.
So how do we respond to this incredible hope? First, we rejoice. Advent is a time to celebrate the promise of eternal life with God. Like running a marathon and catching sight of the finish line—our hearts should be full of anticipation and joy. Second, we focus. Advent reminds us to keep our eyes on both the cross and the crown, on the salvation Jesus has already given and the restoration He will bring.
This is the hope that keeps us going, no matter what life throws at us. A new heaven, a new earth, a forever home with God. Let’s live with that hope in our hearts and share it with the world.
Advent is like standing between two great mountains—the manger behind us and the throne ahead. On one side, we look back at Christ’s first coming, a moment of love and grace when God humbled Himself to save us. On the other, we look forward to His second coming, a moment of justice and sovereignty when He will reign forever as King.
Both remind us of the same truth: God’s love for us is relentless, and His plan for the world is perfect. As Paul revealed, “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) What He started in the manger, He will finish at His return.So, what do we do now? We live with hope. Hope that the baby in the manger is also the King who will return in glory. Hope that the world’s chaos will one day give way to perfect peace. And hope that we, as His people, have a purpose in this waiting.
Here’s the challenge: Share the good news of His first coming, His love and grace, and prepare yourself and others for His second coming. Be His ambassadors, inviting everyone to be reconciled to God.
Advent isn’t just about looking back or looking forward. It’s about living in the here and now with the hope of both the cross and the crown. Let’s carry that hope into the world this week. Let’s prepare our hearts for His return and help others do the same. “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)