Christ's Second Coming will be a spectacular, global event beyond anything we have ever witnessed. It is the result of everything that Jesus accomplished for us by dying on the cross.
Explore a profound biblical perspective on the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Discover what Scripture says will happen when Jesus returns — from the resurrection of the dead to the final judgment — and how it will impact humanity, believers, and the world.
When discussing eschatology, it's critical to keep in mind that not everything will end with the Second Coming. It signifies a change from the previous human state to the future self that awaits us if we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior.
It's not surprising that there are a lot of concerns about this event given its importance and enormity. What causes it to occur? How can we predict when it will occur? Will we be able to witness it? Who is eligible for salvation? What happens to those who have already passed away? What about Satan and His angels?
Like any heavy topic, it’s best if we take it in piece by piece:
- Are we certain that Jesus will return?
- What will the Second Coming entail?
- When will these events occur?
- What are the indicators that the Second Coming is approaching?
- What relevance does this hold for us today?
ARE WE CERTAIN THAT JESUS WILL RETURN?
We know that there will be a Second Coming of Christ because it was prophesied in the Bible during His “first coming”—when He arrived on earth as an infant, lived a life free of sin, ministered to those around Him, and sacrificed Himself for our sins, giving us the opportunity for redemption.
When His time on earth was complete, He needed to leave and was taken up into heaven (Luke 24:51). His disciples observed as He ascended and a cloud enveloped Him, hiding Him from their view (Acts 1:9).
“…As the [disciples of Jesus] intently watched Him ascend into heaven, suddenly, two men in white clothing stood beside them, who also inquired, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will return in the same way you saw Him go into heaven’” (Acts 1:10, 11, ESV).
Jesus is coming again. He stated it Himself.
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1-3).
Similar to how the disciples, “through the Holy Spirit, were empowered to testify about Him to the farthest corners of the earth“ (Acts 1:8), we too are called not just to anticipate His return, but to accelerate the arrival of the day of God by sharing this incredible message (2 Peter 3:12).
The assurance is definite and documented. He will come back!
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THE SECOND COMING?
The return of Christ will be an event of universal significance—unlike anything ever witnessed before.
While humanity has faced occurrences that influence every region on Earth, this will be an event that the entire global population will experience simultaneously.
His Second Coming will be literal, global, and glorious. A joyous occasion as Jesus comes back for us.
And we can know that this signals the end of an age of a sin-riddled world. As described in the book of Titus, this is “the blessed hope…” (Titus 2:13)
“It will be said on that day,
‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, that he might save us.
This is the Lord; we have waited for Him;
let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation’” (Isaiah 25:9, ESV).
A LITERAL, PHYSICAL EVENT
The Second Coming will be an actual event everyone will experience. No one will be able to miss Him “coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him” (Revelation 1:7, ESV).
Man silhouetted by the sun with arms raised.
Matthew 24:27 describes it as similar to how “lighting comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (CSB).
This event is not a figurative representation of a spiritual milestone or enlightenment. It is not something that occurs in secret or on another level of existence. This is Jesus literally fulfilling His promise made when He returned to heaven following His time on earth.
WHAT WE WILL HEAR
1 Corinthians 15:52 tells us that “the trumpet will sound.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16 describes Jesus descending from heaven “with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God.”
We may hear shouts of praise, wonder and adoration, as the Apostle Paul quotes Isaiah when talking about the Day of the Lord, “every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will give praise to God” (Romans 14:11, CSB).
WHAT WE WILL SEE
It will be like nothing we’ve ever seen before. And like the verse we just read in Revelation 1:7, “every eye will see Him” as He will appear “in the clouds with great power and glory” (Mark 13:26, CSB, see also Matthew 24:30).
All around us, the “dead in Christ” will be resurrected as “God brings with Him those who have fallen asleep [those who died as believers]” (1 Thessalonians 4:14-16, CSB).
And Jesus will stay visibly “in the air” (1 Thessalonians 17) as He calls us to come with Him to heaven. His feet will not touch the earth at this time.
WHAT WE WILL EXPERIENCE
It will happen unexpectedly. It will be the most delightful surprise we have ever had!
Various Bible verses inform us that Jesus will simply "show up" (1 John 2:28; 3:2; 1 Timothy 6:14; 1 Peter 5:4). He will arrive "like a thief in the night" (1 Thessalonians 5:2-4), and until that moment, people will continue their everyday routines without any awareness (Matthew 24:37-39).
(That’s why it’s crucial not to become engrossed in the relentless hustle of the world and to keep our focus on God and His ultimate purpose that surpasses everything occurring in this sin-tainted world [1 Thessalonians 5:6-8]).
1 Corinthians 15 also tells us that we will be “changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” (verse 51, 52) when we are given new bodies that are “incorruptible” and “clothed with immortality” that can only come from God (verses 52-54, CSB).
This will all be happening as we are drawn up into the air to meet Him (1 Thessalonians 4:17)!
WHEN WILL THE SECOND COMING TAKE PLACE?
In addition to wanting to know what this magnificent event will be like; a natural question is when it will occur. After all, we aim to be prepared!
However, the Bible is quite clear—“no one knows” the “day and hour” of Christ’s return. Not even the angels in heaven! Only God the Father possesses this knowledge (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32).
What the Bible instructs us is to always remain ready. Being “ready” entails preparing our hearts by accepting Jesus as our Savior and nurturing a deeper relationship with Him through prayer and the study of His Word.
“Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is” (Mark 13:33, NKJV).
Why would God choose to keep this timing hidden, even from the angels?
The most straightforward explanation is that when this event occurs is less crucial than what takes place and the reasons behind it. In the meantime, the Bible highlights our mission of loving others, serving others, and guiding others toward Him.
If God decides not to disclose something in the Bible, it indicates that it is unnecessary for fulfilling God’s purpose in our lives. Knowing that information would not enhance our spiritual development.
The Bible also tells us that Jesus is coming “soon” (Revelation 22:12, CSB). This “soon” is not to mean immediacy, but imminence. Urgency. It could be any time—whenever God sees fit.
This could serve as a reminder that everyone should have the opportunity to genuinely decide whether they will accept Jesus as their Savior (2 Peter 3:9). Our understanding is limited, as we cannot perceive things in the same way that God does.
What we do know is that this matter holds eternal significance, which is why we must always be prepared and willing to share this amazing truth with others.
“This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44, CSB).
INDICATORS THAT THE SECOND COMING IS IMMINENT
While no one knows the precise moment of the Second Coming, God offers guidance concerning the current state of the world. The Bible outlines specific signs that indicate the proximity of Christ's return.
In Matthew 24, the disciples inquire of Jesus, “When will these events occur, and what will be the sign of your coming and the conclusion of the age?” (verse 3).
DECEPTIVE LEADERS AND FALSE MESSIAHS
“Many will come in my name, claiming ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will mislead many” (verse 5).
“Numerous false prophets will emerge and mislead many” (verse 11).
“If anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the chosen ones” (verse 24).
A RISE IN GLOBAL CONFLICT
“You will hear about wars and rumors of wars” (verse 6). “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (verse 7).
A RISE IN NATURAL CALAMITIES AND SUFFERING SITUATIONS
“There will be famines and earthquakes in various locations” (verse 7).
MORAL DECLINE
“Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold” (verse 12).
We’re also informed that the “sun will be obscured, and the moon will cease to give its light; the stars will tumble from the heavens, and the forces of the skies will be disturbed (verse 29).
However, not all the signs are frightening.
“This wonderful news of the kingdom will be shared across the globe as a witness to all nations, and then the end will arrive” (verse 14).
Even as He describes these signs to His disciples, He comforts them by saying that there is no need for fear. He tells them not to be disturbed (verse 6). These events must occur, but then we will see Jesus.
The love of Jesus for all His creation overflows. He desires for you not only to understand these truths but also to know Him as the Source of Truth. But there’s more…
WHAT SIGNIFICANCE DOES THE SECOND COMING HOLD FOR US TODAY? HOW SHOULD THIS IMPACT OUR EVERYDAY LIVES?
There’s a well-known saying, “Live each day as if it were your last.”
What do you think makes that saying so prevalent and often used as a source of motivation?
It’s clear that life offers no certainties. Anything can happen at any moment. The course of anyone’s life can shift in an instant. We cannot predict when our final moments will arrive. A phrase like this encourages people to reflect on their current state and the impressions they leave behind in the world around them.
The same idea relates to the Second Coming and our connection with the One who will return for us. It’s not about the timing of His return, but rather that He will return at all! Because regardless of whether we are alive or deceased when that moment comes, our eternal fate remains the same if we accept Him as our Savior.
He is coming because He promised He would (John 14:1-3).
He is returning once more to fulfill the plan of salvation, which encompasses our resurrection, our presence before God, and eternal life with Him in the renewed earth (John 5:25-29).
He is returning to bring His reward with Him (Revelation 22:12).
The reward for those who have been faithful will be eternal life (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17), whereas those who have turned away from Him will no longer exist (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3; Luke 17:26-30; Revelation 6:15-17).
You are the reason for His return!
THE DAY OF THE LORD IS APPROACHING.
When we read about the troubling events that will unfold before Jesus' return, it’s difficult not to notice how many of these occurrences are already taking place.
The frequency and severity of issues such as war, disease, disasters, and the decline of morality will escalate as we near Christ's coming.
The Bible likens this progression to that of pregnancy and childbirth. In the early months, a woman is hardly noticeable as pregnant. However, as the pregnancy progresses, it becomes obvious that she is about to give birth.
Then the "labor pains" start (Matthew 24:8). As the event draws near, the frequency and intensity of these pains rise.
We know the ultimate outcome. In the meantime, we can study and grow in our relationship with Christ. As we continue to read the Bible and acknowledge the signs, our trust in our Ultimate Victor will strengthen.
Even though the world will be going through a “time of trouble” (Daniel 12:1) right before the Second Coming, God has promised us through His Son Jesus: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (NKJV).
Read also this blog: The Second Coming of Christ
Need prayer or have questions about the Bible? You are not alone! Visit http://from-darkness-tolight-ministry.web.app/ to send your prayer requests and Bible-related questions. Let’s grow in faith together—seeking God’s wisdom and support in every season of life.
No comments:
Post a Comment