Faith In Jesus' Sitting and Coming Again

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Revelation 5; Lord's Day 19
Psalters: 403, 321, 129, 200
  1. His sitting at God’s right hand.
    1. The position of God’s right hand is the One Who exercises the authority and power of the Throne.
      1. There He, on God's behalf, carries out God’s plan for the new dispensation (Rev.5:2-7).
      2. From this position our Savior completes His work of salvation.
      3. He subjects all things to the Father, including Himself, so that God will be seen to be all in all (I Cor. 15:24-28).
    2. The extent of Christ's rule is universal, but two-fold.
      1. By His Spirit and grace He rules over His Church.
      2. By His power He rules over the devil and the ungodly.
    3. Great comfort is derived from His rule.
      1. The knowledge that Jesus is Lord greatly comforts in every difficulty of life.
      2. The knowledge that He is Lord of all moves us to love Him, and to strive to obey Him.
  2. Jesus will come again in order to judge.
    1. The return of Jesus will be with great power and glory (Matt. 24:30,31; II Thess. 1:7).
      1. The characteristics of His return.
      2. It is a "revelation," "an unveiling or uncovering" of something too wonderful for us to see now (I Cor. 2:9).
    2. The chief purpose of Jesus'return is to Judge all (John 5:22,27; II Cor. 5:10).
      1. The purpose is the theodicy, the justification of God in the consciousness of all moral creatures.
      2. This will finally and eternally separate the elect and the reprobate, the wheat from the tares.
      3. It will be according to man's works (II Cor. 5:10; Rev. 22:12).
    3. Christ’s return is "most desirable and comfortable to the righteous" (Belgic Conf., Art. 37).
    4. Therefore, we anticipate His return "with uplifted head."
      1. Knowing that He will come again strengthens our resolve to be patient and to continue to forbear.
      2. We are to strive to maintain this perspective.