The "Middle" Coming of Jesus

God's Word Will Come To Us
(St. Bernard, Abbot & Archbishop of Vienne, France - 9th century)

We know that there are three comings of the Lord. The third lies between the
other two. It is invisible, while the other two are visible. In the first
coming he was seen on earth, dwelling among men; he himself testifies that
they saw him and hated him. In the final coming all flesh will see the
salvation of our God, and they will look on him whom they pierced. The
intermediate coming is a hidden one; in it only the elect see the Lord
within their own selves, and they are saved. In his first coming our Lord
came in our flesh and in our weakness; in this middle coming he comes in
spirit and in power; in the final coming he will be seen in glory and
majesty.

Because this coming lies between the other two, it is like a road on which
we travel from the first coming to the last. In the first, Christ was our
redemption; in the last, he will appear as our life; in this middle coming,
he is our rest and consolation.

In case someone should think that what we say about this middle coming is
sheer invention, listen to what our Lord himself says: If anyone loves me,
he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him.
There is another passage of Scripture which reads: He who fears God will do
good, but something further has been said about the one who loves, that is,
that he will keep God's word. Where is God's word to be kept? Obviously in
the heart, as the prophet says: I have hidden your words in my heart, so
that I may not sin against you.

Keep God's word in this way. Let it enter into your very being, let it take
possession of your desires and your whole way of life. Feed on goodness, and
your soul will delight in its richness. Remember to eat your bread, or your
heart will wither away. Fill your soul with richness and strength.

If you keep the word of God in this way, it will also keep you. The Son with
the Father will come to you. The great Prophet who will build the new
Jerusalem will come, the one who makes all things new. This coming will
fulfill what is written: As we have borne the likeness of the earthly man,
we shall also bear the likeness of the heavenly man. Just as Adam's sin
spread through all mankind and took hold of all, so Christ, who created and
redeemed all, will glorify all, once he takes possession of all.