HIS COMING!
- Phillip S. Smith III
- Nov 9, 2023
- 16 min read
KINGDOM BUILDERS
“BUILDING THE KINGDOM THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD”
PIERCING THE VEIL
THE COMING
The Coming! So many people, yay, even scholarly pastors, evangelists, and prophets believe “The Coming” means the second coming of Christ which they say is futuristic, but there is no scripture in the Bible to back up their claims. Nowhere does it say “the second coming”. In fact, if we were to do a careful study, we would find there are many comings of Christ. And none of them refer to a second coming. Oh, I know, you say the Book of Thessalonians and the Book of Revelation talks of his coming on a white horse with his saints to destroy the world and set up his earthly kingdom. But, that has to be interpreted spiritually as an allegory or symbolically, not literally. Before the Lord Jesus Christ left this earth to ascend to heaven, He said, "I will come again." And there have been many different COMINGS. He definitely declared he would come again. But, let’s look at what the scriptures really say about the COMING OF THE LORD.
HIS COMING
¬Behold, the Bridegroom cometh… (Matthew 25:1-10)
¬But who may abide the day of his COMING? And who shall stand when appeared? For he is like a REFINER’S FIRE, and like FULLERS’ SOAP. (Malachi 3:1-3).
¬Even the SPIRIT OF TRUTH…I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you. (John 14:17,18).
¬In flaming fire taking Vengeance on them that know not God…When he shall come to be glorified in his saints… (2 Thessalonians 1:17-10)
¬I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go ... I will come again, and receive you unto myself. (John 14:2-3).
¬"For as the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be" (Matthew 24:27).
¬And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, You men of Galilee, why stand you gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:10-11).
¬Occupy till I come. (Luke 19:13).
¬For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. (Luke 9:56).
¬The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. (Luke 7:34).
¬ Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. (Malachi 4:5,6). And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. (Matthew 17:10-13).
¬Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20).
¬Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (Revelation 19:7).
¬For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. (Matthew 16:27). And, behold , I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Revelation 22:12).
¬Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. (Matthew 16:28).
¬Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (2 Thessalonians 2:1-9).
¬And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. (1 John 2:28).
¬And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. (2 Peter 3:4-14). Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. (Revelation 16:15).
¬Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. (James 5:7,8).
¬For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. (2 John 1:7).
¬I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. (Matthew 3:11)
Above are only a few of the COMINGS of the Lord in the scriptures. It becomes apparent that the coming in judgment or bringing a curse has very ominous overtones and is very different from coming as a bridegroom or to sup with the Lord which generally both are met with joy and gala celebrations. I know most folks only consider there is one coming and that is a second coming when Christ appears on earth, destroys his enemies, sits on his throne in the newly rebuilt temple in the City of Jerusalem, and brings order for 1000 years in a chaotic world. The only problem is that there is something dreadfully wrong with this assertion. Since God moved on General Titus to destroy the temple in 70 AD, He intended to end all religious law, ordinances, sacrifices, priestly functions, and a religious, political system that was weak in that it appealed to the flesh which had a sinful nature and could never cleanse the person. The problem here is that folks keep trying to build up what Jesus destroyed and did away with. Jesus spoke clearly that the generation he was talking to was those from 30 AD to 70 AD, a generation of 40 years, and, that each would see the destruction of the temple in their lifetime or generation as written in Matthew Chapter 24. In fact, Matthew 24 is NOT at all about the “end of time” folks so knowledgeably speak of as prophets of God as being futuristic. They talk of all the trials and great tribulations that are coming on God’s people, and whether it will occur “pre”, “mid”, or “post” not knowing the Great Tribulation has already been fulfilled with the horrific murders of men, women, and children, and the destruction of their precious Jewish temple. They claim there will be wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes and many other dreadful signs BUT, they have all been fulfilled. They speak of false Christs, the parable of the fig tree, the sun being darkened, and the moon turning into blood, and the Lord coming as a thief. And so, all these things were also fulfilled with God‘s judgment on Israel. Matthew 24 spoke of all that would happen in that day to the Jews and the Jewish nation, and not some futuristic calamities coming on the church. End of Story! If one can’t see that, there is no point in reading on. And the book of Revelation cannot be read as futuristic either as it is written to “Reveal the Son of God”, and NOT speak of the destruction of the world. Why? Jesus said he didn’t come to destroy, but to save men’s lives.
Many folks including the Jews believe the Ezekiel Temple is to be built on the Holy site of the Dome of the Rock. It’s not going to happen! Why? God, first all is not going to dwell in a Temple made with hands. He personally had that final temple destroyed. You are now the Temple of God in which he dwells. Even if the temple builders were to manage to destroy the Dome of the Rock, it would not be without nuclear war as the Muslim world would rise up and destroy little Israel. But, let’s say it did happen, what would God think? Why, it would be an affront to his holy sacrifice of his Son for both Jew and Gentile, and be considered to be an abomination because the first covenant containing temple rituals has been replaced by a second covenant whereby we worship God in Spirit and Truth, and a more perfect way of life. This is the day where men will not worship God in the mountain or in Jerusalem so says Jesus himself. It is said of Christ that after his ascension, he would be seen no more. The coming of God as a spirit from heaven to be manifested as his Son has happened. God’s ministry here in the flesh is accomplished. He now has Sons of God, his mature church to carry on his work on planet earth all over the world. All power and authority has been given to us as it has been given to him, and we are commanded to take dominion in the World. We are as he was in the Earth.
So, which COMING shall be the one that so many assert to be His Second COMING? Is it his coming as a BRIDEGROOM to his bride when he was speaking a parable to Israel? Or, is he COMING as refiner’s fire to purge and purify the Sons of God as gold and silver to make them vessels of righteousness which Malachi and Matthew spoke? Or is he COMING as the Spirit of Truth who would dwell in you of which John spoke? Or, is he COMING as an avenger to bring retribution on Israel as the people who put him on the cross and killed the Lord of Glory? Or, is he COMING as one who wants to fellowship with us by eating and drinking? Or, is he COMING to gather together with us, reward us, and live in us as a homemaker? Or, is he COMING as the former and latter rain in the great harvest of souls, and the mighty baptizer in the Holy Ghost? There are so many to pick from, but it has never occurred to bible teachers, that his COMING is to different people, at different times, at different places, and for different purposes.
The word COME or COMING is the Greek word “Parousia” which means “Presence” or to be present, arrive to enter into a situation", properly, coming, especially the arrival of the owner who alone can deal with a situation (parousía), it is a "technical term with reference to the visit of a king or some other official, a royal visit, hence, in the NT, specifically of the Advent or Parousia of Christ, and again it is used in the east as a technical expression for the royal visit of a king, or emperor. The word means literally 'the being beside,' thus, 'the personal presence'". What can I say, it is all present tense, not future. Let’s read a favorite scripture substituting the word presence for coming. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming (presence) of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (1 Thessalonians 3:15). The book of Thessalonians was written in 51-52 AD. Those that sleep are those that went through tribulation in that time and died either as martyrs or through collateral damage unto and up to 70 AD. The word COMING means present tense “presence” or coming alongside which Christ certainly has done, is doing, and will do. He is with us unto the eons of time. He is the royal visitor that has come alongside and abides in us. The Kingdom of God is not over here or over there, but the Kingdom of God is within us. When we speak of his Kingship on earth, we must understand that he has made us to be priests and kings in the earth. We are God’s Sons carrying on his unfinished work of dominion in the earth. Ah, ha, you say. It is unfinished. NO, His works are finished from the foundation of the world and made apparent with his last breath on the cross. But, the perfect work of total dominion has been left to us to accomplish. I can’t help but praise Him!
It’s impossible to explain to folks that there are many COMINGS when they already believe one way. Like one lady said to me, “Don’t confuse me with the facts, my mind is already made up.” HaHaHaHa! I never heard ignorance so well stated. There are so many things that we do and believe in religious circles giving no thought of its origins. For instance, Christmas is nowhere written in the Bible, nor is Mass, or Halloween, Easter, and Mardi Gras, but folks would not think for a moment that they all are pagan in origin, and they would never think to not celebrate them. In fact, they fervently celebrate each and every one. And, don’t try to take one of them from them, for you will wind up in a major battle, and more than likely, totally dis-fellowshipped. And, I’m not coming down on any of them. God spoke to me one day and said, “Santa Claus can’t hurt me.“ Hahahaha! There you go. No one can ever touch God with pagan celebrations or demote him. Also, folks in Christian circles celebrate the Feast Days of the Jewish faith as if they were living and breathing believing they will receive a blessing if they exalt those holy days. Televangelists make huge sums of money telling folks if they will give a large offering on the day of Passover or Pentecost or Tabernacles, they will get a 7 fold blessing. Hogwash! They beguile those weak in the faith and take their money to build up their kingdom, not God’s. Little do they know that all of the feast days have passed away. They are mere shadows pointing to their fulfillment, Jesus Christ. And, so it goes with the many meetings, rituals, religion, mixing of law and grace, ceremonies, and the multitudes of theologies, and eschatologies that have no foundation on what God is doing in the Earth today.
It is written that he will appear a second time, but let’s look and see what he is talking about. Here is a favorite scripture so often repeated. So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:28). There it is, he shall appear a second time. You knew you were right, right? But, what is it really saying? First, he was offered as the supreme sacrifice on the cross to die for us. After his ascension, he does come a second time bearing no sin, bringing salvation to all who believe. He did that then, he does that now, and he will continually do that on into the future. That scripture has nothing to do with his return to Jerusalem. But, you argue, he says he will appear. Let’s explore that very thing.
HIS APPEARING
His appearing means he will bring to light, he will place beside, he will show forth, and he will appear or it will be apparent. Words in the Greek are Epiphaneia which is the root word for Epiphany and Apokalupsis which is the root word for REVELATION. Epiphaneia means to become apparent. It is a knowing rather than seeing. One would say when he gets it, “I see what you are saying”. This means I understand and it is apparent to me what you say. The word “Apokalupsis” means uncovering, revealing, and revelation. It is the word for the Book of Revelation which means the uncovering or revealing of Christ. Hence, The Revelation of Jesus Christ. So, when Christ appears (is apparent) to us, it is understood or seen in a spiritual sense, not in a physical sense.
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. (2 Corinthians 5:16). Folks conjure up in their minds a literal kingdom of heaven on a planet in a Universe far, far from here. On that planet, Jesus is a man the same size as we are ruling on a Great White Throne dispensing judgment to all peoples. They see streets of gold, pillars of pearl, rivers of crystal clear blue waters winding through a beautiful, verdant, green pasture with lambs lowing in the field. All their loved ones are dressed in white wafting through the parochial countryside. A pathway leading to their mansion in the sky is awaiting them just like they thought Jesus said. It is of the most opulent materials and majestic proportions and the finest workmanship made by the Lord Jesus himself which has been under construction for 2000 years. Angels with wings are flitting here and there singing praises to God along with the four beasts surrounding the throne. We each have our own wings and halos, and of course our own harp whereby we play and sing a new song unto the Lord 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is no end to the jubilation. All work has been suspended for it is all finished. It is the 7th One Thousand Years known as the Millenium wherein dwells righteousness. An emerald rainbow is behind the throne while a crystal sea is before it. Multitudes of the saints are before the throne continually casting their crowns before the Lord. Is that about how you see it? Well, guess what? Most of what you just read comes right out of the Book of Revelation. It must be right, right? Wrong! There is nothing in the Bible to support the visualization of all these things. Only a carnal or natural mind will make a definitive place such as envisioned above. If you remember, it was given to John on the Isle of Patmos as a VISION or a DREAM. Most of what folks get in visions or dreams are symbolic of something else. In fact, Jesus spoke in parables relating earthly visualizations to understand heavenly revelations. In the first place, Jesus himself said the Kingdom of God is not over here or over there. The Kingdom of God is WITHIN YOU! And, folks do not understand the incarnation. Jesus asked the disciples, whom do men say that I am? Peter said, some say you are Elijah, or John the Baptist come back from the dead or some other prophet. Jesus said, but who do YOU say that I am? Why, they replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jews understood clearly what the Christ or the Messiah was. He was God MANIFEST IN THE FLESH. He was in spirit form, but became flesh to dwell amongst us. After his death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, he returned to the spirit world. Hence, you will know (see) him no more. When Jesus said he would return, he has. He sent his Holy Spirit and the Kingdom of Heaven now dwells in us. After all, Jesus did promise to return. "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go ... I WILL COME AGAIN, and receive you unto myself" (John 4:2-3). That mansion he was building was US. He has carefully fashioned every stone and artistically put them in place as the corporate body of Christ. No longer will God dwell in temples made with hands, but now he dwells in this tabernacle of flesh. LISTEN! THIS IS THE MYSTERY THAT HAS BEEN WITHHELD FROM THE AGES, BUT HAS NOW BEEN MANIFEST TO US BY HIS HOLY APOSTLES AND PROPHETS WHICH IS CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY!
Probably one of the greatest Bible teachers to live penned the words of inspiration and revelation said:
Almost all of Christendom teaches that the return of the Lord is one single, future event. They are generally agreed that He will come in a body of flesh, with wounds in His hands, feet, and side, and that He will be suspended in the sky in such a manner that every eye of all human beings living on this earth at that time will see Him and thus know of His coming. How much more reasonable and understandable is the glorious truth! Former misconceptions and crude theories concerning this great event should not be permitted to hinder us now from ascertaining the simplicity of the truth concerning it, as set forth in God's blessed Book and revealed unto His elect saints now by the Spirit. Whenever I long for the Lord to move by His Spirit and make Himself real by His presence, or manifest the greatness of His power in some place or circumstance, my heart cries out, "Come, Lord Jesus!"
J. Preston Eby
And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. (1 John 5:20). This scripture does not say that Christ has come or will come, but it says he “IS” come. It is present tense implying his manifestation or his appearing in us is an accomplished fact past, present and future continuously. When you see a true Son of God, you know that Christ IS come. His spirit bears witness with your spirit. Jesus is building up a house, yea, even a spiritual house, a universal house made up of all peoples of all nations throughout the earth. Their lives and their works give God praise. He has a CORPORATE BODY fitly framed together known as the MANIFESTED SONS OF GOD. And they shall rule (teach) the world with a rod (shepherd’s crook) of iron (discipline) and have total dominion in the Earth. Can you see it NOW! I’m beside myself with PRAISE CONTINUALLY!
Phillip S. Smith III
1705 Arkansas Road
West Monroe, LA 71291
Comments