Parousia

September 28, 2003

Title: Parousia

Text: Rev. 19:11-21

Introduction

1. Well, it has been an interesting month!

We have covered the span of time from before the creation of the world...

we have talked about the Rapture...

We have talked about the tribulation...

and now we come to the Second Coming of Christ...

Some people mistakenly refer to the Rapture as the 2nd Coming...

but during the Rapture, Christ doesn’t actually come back to earth...

He calls His saints, those who are saved...

and He meets them in the air...

During that time, we are enjoying sweet communion with Christ...

We have the Marriage Supper of the Lamb...

a great wedding party for the Bride of Christ (that’s us)

and the Groom (Jesus)

Meanwhile, those who are not saved...

those who have been left behind...

they remain...

they go through the Tribulation

Or the rest of the Tribulation...

(depending on your view...)

And all this sets up an incredible event that we call The Second Coming of Christ.

I simply use the word "parousia" in order to differentiate between the Rapture and the true Second Coming.

Parousia is a Greek word simply meaning "to be present"...

Parousia is when Christ comes back to earth...

Parousia is what the Choir sang about this morning:

"the next time He comes, He won’t have to die for me,

the next time He comes, there won’t be a Calvary"

2. Let’s read about it in our text: Rev 19:11-21

Body

1. Prophet, Priest, and KING

A. First of all, let’s quickly summarize the life of Christ...

Before the beginning of time Christ was there...

Christ was there at Creation...

And when the time was right, Christ came to earth and was born of a human female...

thus we have Jesus Christ...Jesus, fully human....and Christ, fully God--the God-man.

during the years that Christ walked this earth...

He was known as a great Prophet...

of course, we know that He was more than a Prophet...

but He certainly occupied that position...

as He told those early followers about events that were yet to come.

B. But then Christ was crucified...

tragically and horribly killed on a cross

3 days later, He rose from the dead...

and 40 days after that, He ascended into heaven...

Now, Christ is occupying the position of Priest...

He intercedes for us "Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us " Romans 8:34 (NIV)

Christ is our mediator...

Christ in our High Priest

Hebrews 8:1 says, "We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man." Heb 8:1-2 (NIV)

The Priest is the one who presented sacrifices to God on behalf of sinful people...

When Christ submitted to death on the cross...

He was actually serving as our High Priest by presenting the final Sacrifice...

by giving Himself as the sacrifice...

He was serving as a Priest...

offering the Sacrifice for our sins...

C. But, now we come to the Second Coming...Parousia...

This time...when He comes...He won’t have to die for me...

there won’t be a calvary...

because when He comes again...He is coming as

KING

Listen to this description:

Rider on a white horse (the white horse symbolizing victory and conquest)

He is called Faithful and True...

He judges with Justice...

He makes war with sin...

He eyes are blazing like fire...

On His head are many crowns...

He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood...

representing the blood that Jesus shed for you and for me.

The armies of heaven follow Him...

Out of His mouth comes a sharp sword...

On His robe and on His thigh, His Name is written...

King of Kings and Lord of Lords...

D. When Jesus comes again...

He comes as the King...

He comes as a conqueror...

maybe when Christ was here before there were people who thought that Jesus was weak...

someone they could just push around...

His followers were hoping that Jesus would come and install an earthly kingdom...

but instead, Jesus was killed...

But Jesus WILL install an earthly kingdom...(which we will talk more about next week)

And when Jesus comes again, He won’t be someone to kick around...

He comes to rule with an Iron Sceptor...

He comes to conquer...

He comes to install His earthly kingdom...

2. But it won’t happen without a battle!

A. The most horrific battle in the history of the world will take place...

The Battle of Armeggedon.

Last week, we saw in looking at the 7 bowls...

the 6th Angel poured out the 6th bowl...

and the Euphrates River dried up in preparation for the Battle of Armaggedon.