THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

PROCLAMATION

“Arise, shine, for Your light has come, and the glory of The Lord rises upon You.  See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but The Lord rises upon You and His glory appears over You.”  Isaiah 60:1-2 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah.  Chapter sixty presents the full manifestation of the Millennium and the coming of Christ to Zion. (Isaiah 60:1-2)  Jesus, The Christ, The Light of the world, (John 9:5) will now be The Light both literally and figuratively. (Isaiah 60:2-3)  All will come to Him and all will serve Him. (Isaiah 45:23, Isaiah 60:3-9, and Romans 14:11)  Any nation that will not serve Him will be destroyed. (Isaiah 60:12)

APPLICATION

On His first coming, Jesus, The Christ, was The Light of the world figuratively.  On His second coming, Christ will be The Light of the world both literally and figuratively.  This light will never set, it will be everlasting. (Isaiah 60:20)  All of God’s sons and daughters will be gathered there with Him. (Isaiah 60:4)  Where will your soul be?

THE WORD WAS WITH GOD AND WAS GOD AND BECAME FLESH

Proclamation:

“In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God, and The Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.”  John 1:1-4 (NIV)  “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us…”  John 1:14 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle John.  Here, “The Word” refers to The Lord Jesus, The Christ, and not some written word on a page.  John clearly states that The Word, Jesus, was with God when everything began, and that The Word, meaning Jesus, was God.  To further clarify this he also said that The Word “became flesh” and dwelt among us, referring to the birth of Christ and His life on earth.  John states that “The Word” is Jesus, The Christ, and He is God. (John 1:1)  Jesus said that I and my Father are one. (John 10:30 and 1 John 5:7)  The Lord Jesus Christ is The Creator and everything that was made was made by Him. (Genesis 1:1 and John 1:3)  The Lord Jesus, The Christ, is the life and the light of all mankind. (John 1:4)  He gave life to mankind (Genesis 2:7) and He is the light of the world. (John 8:12 and 9:5)  He then goes on to say that The Word, The Lord Jesus Christ, put on human flesh and lived among us as a human being. (John 1:14)  The Bible documents the glorious and miraculous things that He did as The Son of God while He was here on earth in human flesh.

Application:

The gospel according to the Apostle John is an asynoptic gospel.  It  does not record the life of Christ in order as  sequential events but it focuses on several miracles which Jesus, The Christ, performed.  His purpose for writing this Book this way was so that all would believe. (John 1:7)  We know that Jesus, The Christ, is The Son of God and that we were created in His image. (Genesis 1:26)  We are alive because He breathed into us the breath of life and we became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7)  Our bodies were formed from the dust of the earth and one day to the dust they shall return. (Ecclesiastes 3:20)  Just as Christ put on flesh and dwelt among us in human form, our bodies are just the house where we, our souls, live while we are on earth.  One day, we will leave our house of flesh and return to our Creator. (2 Corinthian 5:1)  Our souls are eternal and believers will spend eternity with Christ.  Where will you spend eternity?

JOY COMES TO THOSE WHO WALK IN THE LIGHT

Proclamation:

“Let those who love The Lord hate evil … Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.  Rejoice in The Lord, you who are righteous, and praise His holy name.”  Psalm 97:10-12 (NIV)

Explanation:

The words of this psalm are thought to have been written by King David under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  It presents the same subject and argument as the preceding psalm, the coming of the kingdom of Christ.  This psalm provides descriptive imagery regarding the coming of The Lord.  It ends with a focus of the light of The Lord shining on the righteous.

Application:

Those of us who love The Lord cannot also love the things which The Lord hates.  We cannot serve two masters. (Matthew 6:24)  Believers love The Lord and must walk in the light and let His light shine through us for the world to see. (John 8:12, Matthew 5:16, and 1 John 1:7)  He will show us the way, guide our feet and a light unto our pathway, if we follow His word. (Psalm 119:105)  Blessings are in store for those of us who are upright in heart.  So, let us rejoice in The Lord and praise His holy and righteous name.  He is coming back.

LET YOUR LIGHT AND YOUR TRUTH LEAD AND DIRECT US

Proclamation:

“Send me Your light and Your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy mountain, to the place where You dwell.  Then I will go to The Alter of God, to God, my joy and my delight.  I will praise You with the lyre, O God, my God.”  Psalm 43:3-4 (NIV)

Explanation:

This psalm was written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by an unknown human author (probably King David) and is believed to be a continuation of Psalm 42, which was written for the sons of Korah to sing.  The psalmist began with a prayer for The Lord God to vindicate him and he wanted Him to plead his case to an ungodly nation. (Psalm 43:1) He also wanted The Lord God to rescue him from an unjust man.  It is not clear whether the man that he wanted to be delivered from was his son Absalom, his friend Ahithophel, or King Saul.  Regardless of who he is referring to, he wants The Lord God to rescue him. (Psalm 43:1)  He needs guidance, protection, and direction, and he wants The Lord God to give it to him.  He wants to be in the presence of The Lord God and to be with Him where He lives. (Psalm 43:3)  Then he will go to The Alter and there he will publicly praise and worship The Lord with singing and playing the harp. (Psalm 43:4)  He ends this psalm with the same rhetorical question that he asks in Psalm 42, why is his soul depressed, then states that he will put his trust in The Lord and praise Him. (Psalm 42:11 and 43:5)

Application:

Regardless of what it is that we are going through, The Lord God, The Light of the world, can protect us, guide and direct us.  We just need to sincerely seek Him.  We need to be in His presence.  His divine guidance will lead us to the house of God and to publicly praise and worship Him along with the other saints for He is worthy. Prayer and praise is always appropriate whatever our situation.  In God we will always trust.

WALK IN THE LIGHT AND NOT IN THE DARK

Proclamation:

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”  Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by King David under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  David knew that without the help and guidance from The Lord that he would wander down the wrong path.  By meditating on The Word of God (Psalm 119:97) and by obeying it kept him from going down the evil path. (Psalm 119:101)  The Word of God illuminated his path and gave him directions. 

Application:

The steps and directions of a good man are ordered by The Lord God. (Psalm119:133)  If we read, study, and obey The Word of God and acknowledge His influence in our lives, then He will direct our paths. (Proverbs 3:6)  It is not wise for us to walk down the dark road of life by ourselves.  If we choose to do that then we are sure to stumble.  We need to let The Lord God direct us, and provide the light on our path.  As we plan, begin, continue, and complete every work and purpose in this life, we need to include God in it.  For it is in Him that we live, move, and have our very being. (Acts 17:28)  Walk in the light of the presence of The Lord and be blessed. (Psalm 89:15)

WE SHOULD LET OUR LIGHT SHINE

Proclamation:

"... Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus, The Christ, as He spoke to His disciples and indirectly to the surrounding crowd during His Sermon on The Mount.  After He presented the beatitudes, Jesus told them that they were the salt of the earth and then He said that they were the light of the world. (Matthew 5:13-16)

Application:

Salt has a purifying influence in addition to having a unique taste.  Light always defeats darkness and it reveals things which are hidden in the dark.  As believers we are to be a purifying influence in a sin sick world.  We are to be the light which shines so that the lost can find their way to Christ.  We are to live our lives in such a manner that others can see The Christ within us.  Our good deeds are to be done for the benefit of others, to help, encourage, edify, and enlighten them.  We are to be living examples of good Christian behavior for others to see and imitate.  Additionally, we are to do so, not for the personal praise from men, but for the glory of God.  Before we speak or act, we should ask ourselves, "What would Jesus say or do in this situation?"  Let us examine the motives for our words and actions.  Let us stop living for personal attention, glory, gain, and gratification.  We each should pray and ask God, "What is His purpose for our life?"  Then we should let our light shine and live for the glory of God.

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

Proclamation:

"You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

Explanation:
These are the words of Jesus, The Christ, which He spoke during His Sermon on The Mount, as recorded by the Apostle Matthew.  Jesus was speaking to His disciples, and indirectly to the believers in the crowd which had gathered around them.  After He taught them the Beatitudes, He told them that they were the salt of the earth.  Then He told them that they were "the light of the world."  Jesus is The Light of the world. (John 9:5)  The Light came into the world, but mankind preferred the darkness because they were evil and sinful. (John 3:19)  Because the disciples were believers, He was within them.  They were to let the light of Christ that was within them shine forth so that men could see their good works and glorify God. (John 17:21 and 23) 

Application:
As believers we have the same charge and the responsibility to behave and speak in a Christ-like manner so that the light of Christ within us can shine and so that men can see The Christ in us.  By living a godly life, we have a convincing testimony of the saving power of Christ.  We are the only “Bible” that some people ever see so our behavior needs to be above reproach.  People will make inferences regarding all Christians by what they see in us.  Therefore, not only should we to obey His Holy Word, to do good works, and  avoid that which is evil, we should also avoid even the things which have the appearance of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22)  All that we say and do should give God glory, and those who see our good works should glorify God, and not us.  We are the present day light on the pathway to Christ for a world lost in darkness.  So, let your light shine.

You Are The Light Of The World

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)


These are the words of Jesus, The Christ, which He spoke during His Sermon on The Mount, as recorded by the Apostle Matthew.  Jesus was speaking to His disciples, and indirectly to the believers in the crowd which had gathered around them.  He told them that they were "the light of the world."  Jesus is The Light of the world. (John 9:5)  The Light came into the world, but mankind preferred the darkness because they were evil and sinful. (John 3:19)  Because the disciples were believers, He was within them, and they were to let the light of Christ that was within them shine forth so that men could see their good works and glorify God. (John 17:21 and 23) 


As believers we have the charge and the responsibility to behave and speak in a Christ-like manner so that the light of Christ within us can shine and men can see The Christ in us.  Not only are we to obey His Holy Word, to do good works, and to avoid that which is evil, we are to avoid even the things which have the appearance of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22)  That which we say and do should give God glory, and those who see our good works should also glorify God and not us.

Do Not Complain

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe ..."  Philippians 2:14-15 (NIV)

Under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, the Apostle Paul wrote these words to the believers in Philippi to encourage them to continue to obey The Word of God, but to do so without complaining or a negative attitude.  As the people of God they were to be godly examples to a wicked and depraved world.

We need to understand that if we do the right thing, but we grumble and complain while doing it, God is not pleased.  Our negative attitude displays an emotional rejection of God's providence and His will.  God knows our thoughts, motives, and intentions. (Psalms 94:11)  The Bible teaches us that God loves a "cheerful giver". (2 Corinthians 9:7)  We are to be the light of the world. (Matthew 5:16)  Whatever the activity or situation, it is the will of God for us at that time and we should accept His will joyfully. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 and James 1:2-4)  All things happen for a reason, and even if we do not understand why at that time, they will eventually work for our benefit. (Romans 8:28)  So, whatever we do, let us do it without complaining, and do it to the glory of God. (Colossians 3:23)

Let Your Light Shine

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."  Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

These are the words of Jesus, The Christ, as recorded by the Apostle Matthew as Jesus was beginning His Sermon on the Mount.  After telling His disciples that they were the salt of the earth and the light of the world, He told them to let their light shine.  He wanted all men to see their good works and then glorify God, The Father, in heaven. 

Believers are to be a living example of the teachings of Christ.  Once we are saved, The Holy Spirit of God indwells us and we are changed. (Ezekiel 36:27 and 1 John 3:24)  That Spirit within us is the light which shines forth, however brightly.  By living godly lives, we show the world the power of salvation to change us from what we used to be.  We all need to let our light shine, and let it shine brightly.

The Lord God Keeps Our Light Burning

"You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light."  Psalms 18:28 (NIV)  The King James Version of The Bible reads; "For thou wilt light my candle, The Lord, my God will enlighten my darkness."

King David penned this psalm as a song of deliverance.  In this psalm he records what God has done for His chosen people, and specifically what He has done for David himself.  Here he states that it was The Lord God who brought him out of trouble and darkness, and into His marvelous light.

When we were walking in darkness, we were lost, undergoing disappointment and discouragements, trials and tribulations, all without hope.  It was The Lord God who turned our darkness into light, showed us the right way, and provided a light on our path for our feet. (Psalms 119:105)  The moment that we believed, The Holy Spirit of God entered into us, and changed us. (John 14:17, Romans 8:11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, and 2 Corinthians 5:17)  He enlightened our mind and our heart.  The light that He lit within us, was so that we could be a light to a world that is struggling in darkness. (Matthew 5:14-16)  He made disciples of us so that we could go forth and make disciples of others. (Matthew 28:19 in the ASV, ESV, NAS, NIV, NKJV, NLT, and  RSV Bible versions)  We were spiritually enlightened so that we could enlighten others.  He keeps our light burning only because He still has work for us to do. (Ecclesiastes 9:10 and John 9:4)

Let The Light Of Christ Within You Shine

"You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."   Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

These are the words of Jesus, recorded by the Apostle Matthew, as He continued to teach His disciples, and the surrounding crowd, about the characteristics of believers.  After He had completed the beatitudes, He told them that they were to be lights of goodness in a dark sinful world, and they were to live their lives in a manner which would give glory to God, so that the people would see and praise God.

Jesus said that He was The Light of the world. (John 8:12)  He also said that as long as He was in the world He would be The Light of the world. (John 9:5)  Jesus also said that He abides within those who believe in Him. (John 6:56 and John 15:5)  Therefore, as believers, we have The Spirit of Christ within us, and we are to let that light shine for the world to see and praise God.  We are to speak and behave in such a way that the world will see Christ in us.  We are not to be ashamed of The Light, and try to hide it.  We are to display The Light of Christ in all that we do.  We are to give The Light to, and share The Light with others.  We are not to do this to attract attention to ourselves.  We are to direct people to Christ, and tell them about Him, so that others may be saved, and so that God is glorified.  If we tell them, The Lord God will convict, convince, and convert them, and add them to The Church as He deems necessary. (Acts 2:47)

The Light Of The World

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, 'I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.' "  John 8:12 (NIV)

The Apostle John again records the words of Jesus, The Christ, as He spoke to the people gathered in the courts of the temple.  Here Jesus spoke the second of the great "I AM" statements and said "I AM the light of the world".  In this metaphor Jesus said that He eluminates and enlightens the way for those who believe so that they will not be lost in the darkness of ignorance or lack understanding.  The scriptures also refer to The Messiah as a light. (Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 49:6, and Isaiah 60:1-3 & 19-20)

In this second "I AM" statement, Jesus declared that He is "the light" to show the way for the world so that we would not have to continue to be lost in darkness. (John 1:4-5 & 1 John 1:5)  Jesus is the "light" of salvation and the "light" of God.  He not only lights the way to salvation, (Psalms 27:1), He also enlightens us and gives us "the light of life" which is wisdom and understanding. (Luke 2:32)  He indwells those who believe, and it is His light that shines forth from us when we obey Him and do His will. (Matthew 5:16)  Because He is in us, and we are in Him, we should seek to do that which pleases Him, to follow Him, to walk with Him, and to avoid that which is darkness and sinful. (Ephesians 5:8-14)   We need to pray that He will help us to walk in His light.

Be Careful What You Look At

"The eye is the lamp of the body.  If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness."  Matthew 6:22-23 (NIV)

As part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that ones eyes are the lamp and light to the body.  If ones eyes are good and look at good, then the whole body is filled with light.  However, if the eyes are bad and look at that which is bad, then the whole body is full of darkness.

Physically, the eyes allow light to enter the body if they are functioning properly.  If they do not function properly and do not allow light to enter, then we live in darkness.  Spiritually, that which we look at and see enters our mind through our eyes.  If what we see is good, then good thoughts are produced.  However, if what we see is bad, evil, or sinful, then that is what we think about.  Philosophically, our eyes are the windows to our soul and we are what we think. (Proverbs 23:7)  So, be careful what you look at, look at good things, read The Good Book (the Bible), think good thoughts, and do good.

May Your Light Shine Like Stars

"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed ... continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life ..." Philippians 2:12-16 (NIV)

To the Philippian Christians the Apostle Paul here writes to encourage them to continue in their Christian ways so that God can use them according to His purpose. They should not complain about their situation but should continue in a Christ-like manner so that they can be like light and shine like stars in a a dark and depraved world.

We should also behave in such a way as to let the light of Jesus Christ, that is within us, shine. We are the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14-16) When we act according to the will of God, we allow Him to control our lives and to use us according to His good purpose. We need to live so that we may become useful to God to spread the word in this sin sick world in which we live.

In This World But Not Of This World

"You are all sons of The Light and sons of The Day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others ... But since we belong to The Day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up ..." 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11 (NIV)

Addressing the Church at Thessalonica, Paul began this chapter talking about "the day of The Lord", judgement day, and reminded them that as children of God they would be raptured beforehand. And that as children of God they should act differently from the worldly people. He reminded them that they need protection against worldly temptations. As believers, they would be spared the wrath of God.

Jesus said, "I am The Light of the world." (John 8:12 & 9:5) We are sons of The Light. We are in this world, but not of this world, so we should not act like worldly people. We need to exercise self-control. We should put on the whole armour of God as we do battle with the world and its temptations. It is not God's plan for us to suffer His wrath, but to be saved. Therefore let us encourage each other, better days are coming. Let us build each other up and not tear each other down. Let us help, and not hurt; let us give, and not take; let us love, and not hate.

Condemned And Exposed Can Be Forgiven

"For God did not sent His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of Light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates The Light, and will not come into The Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed." John 3:17-20 (NIV)

God does not condemn us, we condemn ourselves by what we do, what we say, and what we believe. Most of us who sin and do wrong or evil, do not want our deeds made public knowledge. Jesus, The Light of the world (John 8:12 & 9:5), just exposes us for who we really are. We need to repent and turn from our wicked ways.

"If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14