Yesterday, we reminded ourselves that Jesus’ second coming with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God is way different from his first coming as a baby. I had a friend who presented the gospel that way: “When Jesus comes back, he’s going to be angry!”

However, in all fairness, Paul’s description of the second coming was not given as a gospel presentation to unbelievers but as an encouragement for believers. Jesus, describing his mission by quoting from Isaiah 61 deliberately stopped before the judgment sentence:

He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4.16 – 19, NIV)

The next phrase in Isaiah 61.1, 2 from where Jesus quotes is: …And the day of vengeance of our God. But Jesus doesn’t mention that part…yet. We’re between the first and second Advents – the “day.”

As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (John 9.4, 5, NIV)

And the “works” are clear:

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4.19, NIV)