Topical Bible: The Second Coming of Christ: The Purposes of, are to Reign

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The Second Coming of Christ is a central tenet in Christian eschatology, signifying the future return of Jesus Christ to earth. This event is anticipated as a time when Christ will establish His kingdom and reign with authority and justice. The purpose of His return is multifaceted, but a primary aspect is His reign as King over all creation.

Biblical Foundation

The expectation of Christ's reign is rooted in numerous biblical prophecies and teachings. In the Old Testament, the prophet Daniel speaks of a kingdom that will be established by God, which will never be destroyed. Daniel 7:14 states, "And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."

In the New Testament, the Book of Revelation provides vivid imagery of Christ's return and His reign. Revelation 11:15 declares, "The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and loud voices called out in heaven: 'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.'"

Purpose of Reign

1. Fulfillment of Prophecy: The reign of Christ fulfills the prophecies concerning the Messiah's eternal kingdom. Throughout Scripture, the promise of a righteous ruler who will govern with justice and peace is a recurring theme. Isaiah 9:7 proclaims, "Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore."

2. Establishment of Justice and Righteousness: Christ's reign will bring about a time of unparalleled justice and righteousness. In a world marred by sin and corruption, His rule will restore order and fairness. Psalm 72:7-8 envisions this reign: "In his days may righteousness flourish and prosperity abound, until the moon is no more. May he rule from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth."

3. Defeat of Evil: The Second Coming marks the ultimate defeat of evil and the final judgment of Satan and his forces. Revelation 19:11-16 describes Christ as a conquering King, "He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God... On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: King of kings and Lord of lords."

4. Restoration of Creation: Christ's reign will also involve the restoration of creation to its intended glory. Romans 8:21 speaks of creation being "set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God."

5. Gathering of the Faithful: The reign of Christ will be a time of gathering for His people, where believers will be united with Him. Matthew 24:31 states, "And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other."

6. Eternal Worship and Glory: The reign of Christ will usher in an era of eternal worship and glory to God. Philippians 2:10-11 affirms, "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

The Second Coming of Christ, therefore, is not only a moment of divine intervention but also the commencement of His righteous and eternal reign, fulfilling God's promises and bringing His divine plan to completion.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 24:23
Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 7:14
And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 11:15
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Introduction
... of our Lord in many respects, His Second Coming will be ... in weakness and humiliation,
but at His second He shall ... all, then it shall be that Christ Himself shall ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/introduction.htm

The Resurrection of Christ; his Last Interview with his Disciples ...
... They were appointed to be "witnesses" of Christ to the ... were not acquainted with the
important purposes to be ... is the certainty of his second coming; for this is ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture i the resurrection of.htm

A Great Religious Awakening.
... had received the message watched for the coming of their ... of the world, and not the
second advent of ... The time of expectation passed, and Christ did not appear ...
/.../20 a great religious awakening.htm

A Great Religious Awakening
... had received the message watched for the coming of their ... of the world, and not the
second advent of ... The time of expectation passed, and Christ did not appear ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 20 a great religious.htm

The Voice in the Wilderness
... is the one chosen to open the purposes of God ... its place in the work of preparation
for Christ's second coming. ... shone the promised glory of the Messiah's reign. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 10 the voice in.htm

New Testament History and Prophecy.
... of the forms of expression peculiar to it, and of the purposes which it was ... of our
era; they generally look forward to the second coming of Christ, and set ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter x new testament history.htm

The Evening of the Third Day in Passion-Week - on the Mount of ...
... assertions made by that writer for purposes of his ... Temple - with the when' of His
Second Coming and the ... We also recall the suggestion, that Christ referred to ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi the evening of.htm

The Feeblest Essay in the Volume is the First. ...
... in, as it were, accidentally, for certain assignable purposes. ... need to say that until
His Second Coming to judge ... shall have no Teacher but Christ,"no other ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/i the feeblest essay in.htm

The First vision "On Earth"
... In the first of the second series we have the ... 24:29) and "immediately" before the
personal Advent of Christ. ... gladness, and he likens it to the coming of the ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision on earth.htm

The Wicked Husbandmen.
... before him, with all their crooked purposes revealed to ... his first coming generated;
for his second coming creates no ... believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xi the wicked husbandmen.htm