The many comings of Jesus.

Have you ever wondered why Jesus’ birth (around 4 B.C.) is never called his “first coming” in Scripture, as Dr. Billy Graham so calls it (Bill Graham, “My Answer,” The Indianapolis Star, 12/5/11, E-4)? It’s for a good reason—it wasn’t. This misconception only leads to the improper numbering of another coming as his “second coming”—which it isn’t either.

God’s Word clearly and plainly documents and teaches that the comings (plural) of Jesus run like a thread throughout both the Old and New Testaments. We have documented 38 such comings. For instance, Jesus told his disciples, “I will come to you . . . . you will see me” (John 14:18-19). Scripture documents that He did and they did. Jesus came and appeared to them many times as is recorded in the Gospels and the books of Acts and Revelation.

Also, please be assured that the comings (plural) of Christ are multifold and ongoing not only throughout both the Old Testament and the New Testament, but also since then, today, and in the future. A discussion of this vital aspect of Christ’s Presence and his many countless comings, however, is a subject for a future and forthcoming book unveiling the contemporary Christ. For a preview, go to “Unraveling the End” MPC series podcasts on this website and listen to Lesson #8 and #9.

Now you know why the expression “second coming” is never found. It is non-scriptural terminology. The closest you can come to the phraseology of a “Second Coming” is in Hebrews 9:28: “so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (italics added). Contrary to popular belief, this scripture does not limit, number, or confine Jesus’ comings to only two times. Rather, it highlights two specific and significant comings, among many, for a special salvation-fulfillment purpose. This “second-time” coming follows the typology of Israel’s high priest on the Day of Atonement, which occurred every year. And Christ as both our sacrifice and our High Priest (see Heb. 7:27-28; 9:11-15) had to come and fulfill this typology, perfectly (see Heb. 8, 9, and 10).

Sources:

1 The Perfect Ending for the World by John Noe

2 The Greater Jesus by John Noe

3 Eusebius: The Church History by Paul L. Maier