The Gradual and the Abrupt - Part 2

Jesus arrived abruptly as a baby (Luke 2.7), and was proclaimed Messiah upon arrival by an angel (Luke 2.10-11) and was accompanied by a heavenly army (Luke 2.13-14). Shortly thereafter gentiles from the east came to acknowledge Him as king of the Jews (Matt 2.1-2), and King Herod believed them (Matt 2.3ff).

There was a gradual period of thirty years where there is little noticeable activity by Jesus.

There was a gradual period of three years where Jesus preached about the coming Kingdom, made disciples, and cast out the enemies of disease and demons.

Within a period of a week a sequence of abrupt events took place. On Sunday, a crowd of people abruptly accompanied Jesus along the read to Jerusalem and declared Him to be king (John 12.12; Mark 11.8-10). Jesus was abruptly declared as king (though in jest) by Pontius Pilate, Roman governor of Judea (John 19.19), and Roman soldiers (John 19.2). Then He abruptly died and was resurrected.

There has been a gradual period of about two thousand years where the kingdom of God has been expanding in the hearts of people, but not in civil authority.

The Son of man will return again abruptly—like lightning (Matt 24.27) and like a thief in the night (Matt 24.36-44).

After Jesus will return abruptly as king, he will give authority over cities to his servants who have been faithful to him in little things. (Luke 19.11-26)

There will be a period where the King of Kings and the armies of Heaven will make war against the nations culminating in the defeat of kings and generals and the capture of the beast and the false prophet. (Rev 19.11-21) Whether this period is abrupt or gradual is yet to be seen.

There will be a gradual period of a thousand years where Christ reigns along with resurrected saints.