From Humble Birth to Glorious Second Coming

When Jesus was born to humble earthly parents, He entered the world in a place reserved for animals. The events fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah’s arrival. His birth was marked by simplicity, vulnerability and focus on God’s love for humanity. In stark contrast, Christ’s glorious second coming is eagerly anticipated as the fulfillment of His promise to return. This momentous event will be marked by majestic displays of power and authority, culminating in the establishment of God’s divine kingdom on earth.

Gratitude for both Jesus’s first and second comings is essential because they represent distinct facets of God’s redemptive plan. Christ’s first coming, characterized by His humble birth and sacrificial death, serves as the foundation of our salvation. Expressing gratitude for His first coming acknowledges the immeasurable love and grace in providing humanity with a path to reconciliation. Gratitude for Christ’s second coming, on the other hand, centers on the anticipation of the ultimate redemption and the restoration of all things. While the first coming brought salvation from the penalty and power of sin, the second coming promises salvation from the very presence of sin and the persistent brokenness that plagues our world. Both advents are integral to the Christian narrative, evoking deep gratitude for God’s endless love and unwavering faithfulness.

Isaiah 9:6 declares, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” As we meditate on these words, we recognize Christ as our Wonderful Counselor, whose teachings provide guidance and wisdom for our lives. Jesus was, and is, the Mighty God. His birth brought His divine presence to humanity. Contemplating Him as the Everlasting Father invites us to consider the eternal impact of His sacrifice and our newfound familial relationship with God. Lastly, as the Prince of Peace, we find comfort in the peace that Jesus's birth and salvation bring to our lives and to the world.

Revelation 22:12-13 serves as a heartrending reminder, “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, I will give each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Our Lord is coming soon! As Seventh-day Adventists, we anticipate Jesus’ promised return with hope and readiness. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega. There is no beginning or end to Jesus’ existence. His role in creation and redemption is the ultimate fulfillment of God's divine plan.

Comparing these two significant events highlights the striking contrast between Christ’s humility and exaltation. His birth displayed His willingness to take part in the human experience, while His second coming will emphasize His ultimate authority and triumph as the risen Lord. Both events stand as pillars of the Christian faith, demonstrating the full scope of God’s plan for salvation, and for the salvation and complete restoration of humanity and the world.

By Lee-Roy Chacon

President