The Glorious Appearing of Christ

By J. Dwight Pentecost, Th.M., Th.D.
Distinguished Professor, Bible Exposition, Emeritus, Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas

The Transfiguration of Jesus, Matthew 17.1-8 and Mark 9.1-8, was a miniature and premature revelation to three of the apostles the essential glory, which belongs to Jesus, Hebrews 10.20, and will be displayed to the whole world at His Second Advent. The second coming of Christ will be heralded by the appearance of the “sign of the Son of Man in Heaven,” Matthew 24.30. These three apostles were given a revelation at the Transfiguration as to Who this Person really is, Matthew 12.24.

At His ascension, the veil was removed and the Son appeared in glory, Acts 7.55,56, and never to have that glory veiled again. When He returns to this earth to set His feet on the Mount of Olives, Zechariah 14.4, all who dwell on earth “shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory,” Matthew 24.30 and Revelation 19.11-16.

When the Son returns in glory, Revelation 1.13-16, He is fulfilling His God-given role as Judge: John 5.27. He is portrayed in that role throughout the book of Revelation. Christ is the One, Revelation 5.5, Who looses the series of judgments described in the breaking of the seals, Revelation 6.1-17, and the blowing of the trumpets, Revelation 8.2 – 9.21. The seventh trumpet is actually the Second Advent of the Judge back to Earth: Revelation 11.15. The form of the judgment associated with His advent is revealed in the emptying of the vials in judgment: Revelation 16.1-21. His right to judge is vindicated: John 5.27. Upon the Second Coming, Jesus will assemble living Israel for judgment, Matthew 24.31 and 25.1-30, and will judge living Gentiles to determine who will enter the covenanted Kingdom. His glory will be revealed through His judgments.

Also upon the Second Coming, Christ will fulfill the role of Savior and Deliverer: Romans 11.26,27. Because of lawlessness and idolatry, Israel was delivered into the hand of Gentile oppressors who would rule over them and their land until “the times of the Gentiles,” Luke 21.24, should be fulfilled. (See the article, “The Times of the Gentiles” by David Breese.) The Son’s glory will be revealed as a Savior and the nation of Israel shall look in faith upon the One Whom they rejected and will give Him the glory due Him: Zechariah 12.10.

Christ returns the second time to fulfill His God-given role as King, a role appointed to Him by His Father at His ascension: Psalm 2.6,7 and 110.1. He was introduced in that role by His appointed forerunner, John, Matthew 3.2, and claimed that right Himself: Matthew 4.17. When the multitudes witnessed a spectacular miracle, they acknowledged Christ was the Messiah, the Son of David: Matthew 12.23. At the Second Advent, He will appear as “King of kings and Lord of lords,” Revelation 19.16. His glory will be revealed throughout the thousand years of His reign here on earth, Revelation 20.2,3, as David’s “Son” in David’s kingdom as covenanted by God with Israel: 2 Samuel 7.16 and Psalm 89.3,4.

The believer anticipates the glory to be revealed at Jesus’ coming, Titus 2.13, for we will share His glory. This hope, settled assurance, is a source of blessing while we await the revelation of His glory: His glory as Judge, Deliverer and King!