Lately I’ve been reflecting on the question: how will the Lord return?

[AshleyJoyce]

The Bible gives us many different passages that describe His coming:

“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…” (1 Thessalonians 4:16)

“Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him…” (Revelation 1:7)

“At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” (Mark 13:26)

But there are also verses that describe another aspect of His coming:

“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:44)

“For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:27)

“But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.” (Luke 17:25)

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:20)

These verses seem to show two sides of the Lord’s return:

One is full of glory, visible to all, sudden and majestic.

The other speaks of rejection, suffering, and even a more personal, intimate coming to those who open their hearts.

My question is: How do you understand these seemingly different descriptions? Do you think they point to two stages of the Lord’s return, or are they describing the same event from different angles?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

 

[p_rehbein]

They are all one in the same.

 

[homwardbound]

When reading the Bible, see from the time when written. What is or was happening, at that time.
You used Luke 17:25, yet please read the whole Chapter in context.
That was before the cross ever took place with the resurrection three days afterwards. Jesus is risen, where new life given from Father is given.
Now see, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John's report, before the death, burial and resurrection took place.
Each begin with what they saw and heard, before the crucifixion ever took place. There is a before the cross and an after the cross.
Before the cross, Under Law. Jesus was born through the Virgin Mary, in the tribe of Judah. Raised here on earth, in flesh under Law, to fulfill the Law (Matthew 5:17), not destroy Law, fulfill the Law given by Moses through God, ( The, I am), Now, Jesus did what he came here to earth to do, as stated in John 19:30. One, anyone that turns to God from within theirselves, and say, to God personally, they believe God to God, not to any others, that is not necessary to do that, since God knows who is who and what is what! This love and mercy by Son for me and everyone else too, is done once for us all (Hebrews 10:10), in thanksgiving and praise, seeing Son took away all sin once for everyone, John 1:29, Psalm 103:12, ask in belief for the new heart Ezekiel 36:26, speaks of and see Psalm 100:4 and stay in that praise, even if you sin again, and did not want to. God knows, and will teach you truth over all error here on earth still. Say thank you to God for being and remaining forgiven by God in the shed blood of Son that is done only once for us all. Then one, anyone will begin the New life offered them, from God Father through the done work of Son as risen for them, once see and believe seeing Col 1:21-23.
Believe, receive and see new in love and mercy given thee forwarded to all, not a few, anymore.
The change of life is: my life for God's life to live new in love and mercy to all, as in Phil 3 expresses this from Paul, who gave up being under Law to upholding Law as good for him to trust God to do Law through him in love and mercy as Son did for us all already.
That is done in the risen Son, for you and everyone else too 1John 2:1-27
Verse 27, reveals you do not need anyone else to reveal truth to you, God does this in and through you to all. Even those not believing God yet.
What? The new life given us by God Father for us through Son to us, in the resurrection, changes one, at least has me.
I try to hate, I can't any longer, now that I have given me up for God to lead me, willingly. The key is being willing, then the new leads, at least me, love to all, yes even those that do wrong. Understanding this as well. There is a time for everything, a time to kill, and a time to not kill, a time to rebuke and a time to not rebuke, Ecclesiastes is an eye opener to me at least. Learning, learned Matt 10:16-20, Luke 21:14-15 God gets all the credit or it is not from God or is it? We each get to choose! Whenever it is from me, then pride has got in the way again, or if guilty as well, which religion uses very well to deceive, steal, kill and destroy others as said in John 10:10 first part, then seeing the second part, life more abundantly, the risen Son gets given from Daddy, PaPa, Father to us and we just love all as is done by God first for us to do it, without pride or anymore guilt
2 Corinthians 11:14
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Trusting Daddy, to reveal the whole truth to you and to remain humble in knowing it too, thank you Father

 

[Genenco]

Your first five passages all point to his return how it will be and how fast. Like it says in the Bible "in a twinkling one will disappear and one will be left behind"

The sixth one is simply Jesus saying that he's going to be rejected by the people that he is trying to save. Remember the Pharisees were walking by wagging their heads saying "If you be the Messiah save yourself!"

(I don't see how that can be construed with anything of his return)


The last one was to the church in lacodocia, letting them know that because they are lukewarm he's not accepting of them. But should they repent in earnest and seek him he will join with them and accept them.

 

[homwardbound]

Your first five passages all point to his return how it will be and how fast. Like it says in the Bible "in a twinkling one will disappear and one will be left behind"

The sixth one is simply Jesus saying that he's going to be rejected by the people that he is trying to save. Remember the Pharisees were walking by wagging their heads saying "If you be the Messiah save yourself!"

(I don't see how that can be construed with anything of his return)


The last one was to the church in lacodocia, letting them know that because they are lukewarm he's not accepting of them. But should they repent in earnest and seek him he will join with them and accept them.

Believe God in Son as risen for thee, sincerely
Receive truth from God in the done work of Son for you as reconciled
then be new in love and mercy to all, being given the Holy Spirit to lead you, since you are now willing and not trying to do its yourself anymore