A very blessed Christmas to all viewers out there! Today, as we celebrate Christmas, which is the first coming of Jesus, let us remember that Jesus is not only coming once but twice. Each time to serve a different purpose of course. The first time He came, Jesus came to redeem sinners instead of judge us. Just as He said, “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.” (Jn 12:47-48) “At the last day” would refer to His second coming, and that day will also be Judgment Day, where whoever rejects Christ will be condemned. However, His first coming is “not to judge the world, but to save the world”, that is, to bring sinners the offer of grace and forgiveness of sin.

It may feel odd during the Christmas season to talk about the impending judgment that comes with Christ’s future return. Because Christmas is a time of joyous celebration, feasting, collecting gifts, and the entire atmosphere is one of bliss and gladness, nothing to do with awful judgment. It seems unfitting to talk about the end of the world and fearsome judgment. Christmas and judgment seem to have nothing in common, in fact, they seem to be at odds with each other. Yet, a common thread links them both, because both refer to the coming of Christ; Christmas is Christ’s First Advent where He came to bear the sins of mankind to save those who believe, but at Christ’s Second Advent, He will bring about the final judgment.

1. The first coming of Christ, Christmas, confirms that God is a promise-keeping God and thus Christ will surely return.

Before the birth of Christ, many Old Testament prophets already prophesied about the coming of the Messiah (Jer 23:5-6; Mic 5:2; Isa 7:14). So when Jesus really came, it was a proof of how faithful God was to keep His promise. And if God fulfilled His promise of the First Advent, He will surely bring about the promised Second Advent. Jesus Himself promised that He would come back to fetch His people to Him. He had told His disciples, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (Jn 14:3)

2. Back for a different reason.

(Heb 9:28) so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

(Mt 16:27) For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

(2 Cor 5:10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

In His first coming, Jesus came to pay the full price of redemption for His people’s sins. However, as the scriptures say, when Jesus comes again, He will return to judge each person. Though the thought of judgment may be scary, it is only frightening for those who reject Christ as their Savior. At Christ’s Second Advent, the devil and his followers would be thoroughly defeated and punished.

But the good news for those who believe in Jesus is that we would not be condemned but fully saved in Christ, and Jesus is coming to bring us to the heavenly kingdom. For God’s people who are groaning (Ro 8:23) under the weight of their sinful nature, groaning because of the evil and troubles on this earth and because of the devil’s schemes, Christ’s return will set us free and our redemption in Christ will be complete. Though Christians may struggle to live in this sinful world, the sure return of Christ will give us hope. For Christians who are set apart from the world, they will long for the second coming of Lord Jesus, just as believers in the Old Testament yearned for the first coming of Christ because they were living in darkness and longed so much for light and liberation. However, for believers who are lovers of the world, who are enjoying what the world has to offer – the comfort, the human glory, status, earthly treasures, sinful pleasures, etc., they will not be looking forward to the second coming of Christ.

3. Do we long for and are we ready for Christ’s return?

You and I are in a special position of living between Christ’s first and second coming. God had already proven His word when Jesus came on the first Christmas. We may not know the exact timing but Jesus will surely come back again according to God’s trustworthy word. However, are we prepared for that? Are we treating Jesus as our King in our lives daily and in every matter? Have we been good stewards of the gracious resources God has given us? What are we doing while waiting for His return? Do we seize the time and opportunities still given us to find ways to serve Him, glorify Him, and bring His gospel to His lost people?

Knowing that Christ will surely come again does not mean that we simply sit and wait, or keep analysing when is the most likely time He will return. No doubt, for those who truly believe in Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, Jesus will come back to bring them to heaven. But knowing that Christ will surely return to “test the quality of each person’s work” (1 Co 3:12-15), we should strive to live a life pleasing to God. If Christ will return to bring the final redemption as well as judgment, then am I still hesitating about believing Jesus as my Savior, or about committing to a life of discipleship, to take up my cross to follow Him, or am I still wasting my time away, or is there someone whom I still cannot forgive? These are things we need to resolve and align our hearts with God’s.

This Christmas, as we celebrate Jesus’ first coming, let’s remember that Jesus will surely come again soon, and pray that God help us be ready for that Second Advent!