Jesus’ Second Coming
“Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” (Revelation 19:6)
The story is told of young Queen Victoria attending a performance of Handel’s Messiah. Her advisers had instructed her that when The Hallelujah Chorus was performed, she was not to stand, although the audience would be expected to do so. For the queen to stand would be poor etiquette. Yet she was also a Christian. As the music played, she was so moved that she stood to honor her Lord. (Mitra, Narayan, “Celebrities, mortals, crown him now” 6.24.14, merrittherald.com)
One of the lines from the Hallelujah Chorus is, “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” This line is from Revelation 11:15. It is not just a set of lyrics to a song. It is a prophecy that will one day come true. One day a time will come when all the nations, the kingdoms of this world, will become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ.
Five nations are officially communist: China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, and Vietnam (“Communist Countries 2025,” worldpopulationreview.com). The supreme authority in these nations is the state. One day they will no longer be communist, but will be among “the “kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ.”
Many nations are governed, to greater or lesser extents, by Sharia law, which is derived largely from the Qur’an (“Sharia Law Countries 2025,” worldpopulationreview.com) Yet one day Sharia law will end worldwide. All these nations will also be among “the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ.”
Many nations, including the United States, have leaders who are voted into office. Candidates vie for power during the election cycle. One day all these governments will cease. All of these nations will be ruled by one Monarch. They also will be among the “kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ.”
One day everyone, great and small, will bow to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, even those who rejected Him as Saviour and are condemned to hell: “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)
Yet “The Lord is…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) Jesus wants to save people. That is why He said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) Christians are to tell how Jesus forgives sins, saves souls, and changes lives. Then when the time comes, people can bow with joy and gratitude, not grief and condemnation.
Jesus told His disciples, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:1-3) That promise holds true for all who receive Him as Saviour.
Jesus said He would die for sins and rise again. He did. He also said He would return. One day He will, not as a baby in a manger, but as the “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:16)