His first coming was without pomp or show of power. And yet—in truth—there were few who could endure its testing might. Herod and all Jerusalem trembled at news of the wondrous birth. Those who claimed to be waiting for him exposed their lie by rejecting him when he came. His life on earth was a winnowing fork that tested the great heap of religious profession. And precious few survived the sorting.

But what will his second coming be? What sinner can bear to think of it? "He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked." When he was humiliated and arrested, he merely said to the soldiers, "I am he," and they fell backward to the ground. What terror will seize his enemies when he fully reveals himself as the great I AM?

His death shook earth and darkened heaven. What will be the dreadful splendor of that day when the living Savior summons the living and the dead before him? Oh, that the terrors of the Lord would persuade men to forsake their sins and kiss the Son before he is angry!

Though a lamb, he is yet the Lion of the tribe of Judah, tearing the prey to pieces. Though he does not break the bruised reed, yet he will shatter his enemies with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. None of his foes will stand before the tempest of his wrath. None will hide from the sweeping hail of his indignation.

But his beloved blood-washed people look for his appearing with joy! They hope to stand before him without fear. Even now he sits as a refiner over them. And when he has tried them, they will come forth as gold.

Search yourself this morning. Make your calling and election sure, so that the Lord's coming causes no dark forebodings in your mind. Oh, for grace to cast away all hypocrisy, and to be found by him sincere and without rebuke in the day of his appearing!