The purpose of the coming of the Lord is to drive evil from the world. The Lord Jesus will return, call up His saints to Himself, and then descend upon the earth. All that is of Satan shall be removed. The sons of God will go throughout the earth, destroying sin and lifting the Divine curse from nature. The saints, the members of the royal priesthood, shall govern with the rod of iron. All who resist will be broken to pieces just as clay pots are smashed when struck with an iron rod.

We see a picture of the iron hand of the priesthood in the incident concerning Phinehas, the priest of God.

And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it [an act of rebellion against the Lord], he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. (Numbers 25:7,8)

Notice the response of the Lord to the action of Phinehas.

Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace: And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel. (Numbers 25:11-13)

"An everlasting priesthood."

When the sons of God return with the Lord Jesus they will not approach the nations of the earth with gentleness and patience. The time for gentleness and patience is now. In that Day the rebellious nations will bow the knee to the Lord Jesus or be removed from the earth.

And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? (Joel 2:11)

The purpose of the coming of the Lord is not to carry His saints to Heaven but to bring justice to the nations. Considering the state of mankind today, can you think of anything more wonderful than the removing of sin from the earth? No more aborting of babies. No more mutilating of children. No more perversion, drunkenness, crime, treachery, evil men seeking to dominate other men. A world in which nature comes alive in the Spirit of righteousness.

Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment [justice] to the Gentiles [nations]. (Isaiah 42:1)

He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment [justice] in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. (Isaiah 42:4)

To be continued.