Introduction – What Does the Bible Say About Jesus Coming Back?
The return of Jesus Christ, often referred to as the Second Coming, is a cornerstone of Christian eschatology and a source of hope for believers. It encompasses the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, the final defeat of evil, and the restoration of creation. This article will delve into various biblical passages that shed light on the nature, timing, and significance of this momentous event, offering insights into how it shapes Christian faith and expectation.
The Certainty of Christ’s Return
The Bible unequivocally affirms the certainty of Jesus’ return, presenting it as a pivotal event in God’s plan.
• Jesus’ Promise to Return: Acts 1:11 (ESV): “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
The angels’ message to the disciples after Jesus’ ascension guarantees His return. This verse emphasizes the physical and visible nature of His Second Coming, mirroring His ascension.
• A Place Prepared for Believers: John 14:3 (ESV): “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
Jesus promises His disciples that His departure to heaven is for the purpose of preparing a place for them, ensuring His return. This assurance highlights the personal and relational aspects of Christ’s Second Coming.
• Return to Save Those Waiting for Him: Hebrews 9:28 (ESV): “So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”
This passage contrasts Christ’s first and second comings, focusing on the latter as a time of salvation for those anticipating His return. It indicates a shift from His sacrificial role to His role as Savior and Deliverer.
• Reward With Him at His Coming: Revelation 22:12 (ESV): “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me, to repay each one for what he has done.”
The closing chapter of Revelation contains Jesus’ promise of His imminent return, bringing rewards based on deeds. This statement underscores the accountability and recompense associated with His Second Coming.
Signs Preceding the Second Coming
The Bible describes various signs and events that will precede Christ’s return.
• The Beginning of Birth Pains: Matthew 24:3-14 (ESV): “As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?'”
Jesus outlines a series of events, including wars, natural disasters, and persecution, which He likens to birth pains leading up to His return. These signs serve as precursors to the Second Coming, indicating its approach.
• The Man of Lawlessness Revealed: 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 (ESV): “Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction…”
Paul speaks of a great rebellion and the revelation of the man of lawlessness as key events preceding Christ’s return. This figure, often associated with the Antichrist, plays a significant role in end-time events.
• Signs in the Heavens and on Earth: Luke 21:25-28 (ESV): “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves…”
Luke records Jesus’ prophecy about celestial and terrestrial disturbances signaling the nearness of His return. These cosmic and earthly upheavals will create a sense of global crisis and anticipation.
• Increased Apostasy: 1 Timothy 4:1 (ESV): “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,”
Paul warns of a rise in apostasy and the influence of demonic doctrines in the latter times. This spiritual decline is another sign of the approaching end times and Christ’s return.
The Suddenness of Christ’s Return
The Bible often emphasizes the unexpected and sudden nature of Jesus’ Second Coming.
• Unexpected Hour: Matthew 24:44 (ESV): “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
Jesus advises His followers to remain vigilant and prepared, as His return will occur at an unexpected time. This unpredictability calls for constant spiritual readiness and watchfulness.
• A Thief in the Night: 1 Thessalonians 5:2 (ESV): “For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”
Paul uses the metaphor of a thief’s unexpected arrival to describe the suddenness of the Lord’s coming. This imagery highlights the importance of not being complacent or caught off guard.
• The Day Will Come Like a Thief: 2 Peter 3:10 (ESV): “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.”
Peter reiterates the suddenness of Christ’s return and its accompanying cosmic transformations. The finality and decisiveness of this event underscore the urgency of being spiritually prepared.
• Blessed is He Who Stays Awake: Revelation 16:15 (ESV): “Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”
This admonition in Revelation calls for alertness and moral readiness in anticipation of Christ’s return. The blessing is pronounced on those who remain vigilant and maintain their spiritual integrity.
The Return of Christ as King and Judge
At His return, Christ will be revealed as the sovereign King and righteous Judge.
• King of Kings and Lord of Lords: Revelation 19:11-16 (ESV): “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.”
John’s vision portrays Jesus as a conquering King, executing judgment and defeating evil. This portrayal emphasizes His authority, righteousness, and power as He establishes His kingdom.
• The Son of Man in His Glory: Matthew 25:31-32 (ESV): “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.”
Jesus describes His return as a time of glory and judgment, where He will preside over the nations. His role as the Judge of humanity highlights the accountability of all people to His sovereign authority.
• Judge the Living and the Dead: 2 Timothy 4:1 (ESV): “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:”
Paul reminds Timothy of Christ’s role as the Judge, a central aspect of His Second Coming. This judgment encompasses both the living and the dead, signifying its comprehensive scope.
• Appointed to Judge: Acts 10:42 (ESV): “And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.”
Peter declares Jesus as the divinely appointed Judge, reaffirming His authority to execute judgment. This appointment by God underscores the legitimacy and significance of Christ’s role in the final judgment.
Resurrection and Rapture at Christ’s Return
The Second Coming of Christ is closely associated with the resurrection of the dead
• Resurrection: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (ESV): “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.”
Paul describes the resurrection of believers and their subsequent meeting with Christ in the air. This event marks a transformative moment for believers, both dead and alive, uniting them with the Lord.
• The Mystery of Resurrection: 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 (ESV): “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.”
This passage reveals the instantaneous transformation of believers at Christ’s return. The resurrection will be a moment of miraculous change, signifying the defeat of death and the fulfillment of God’s promise of eternal life.
• Awakening from Death: John 5:28-29 (ESV): “Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.”
Jesus speaks of a universal resurrection, where all who have died will be raised and face judgment. This resurrection is a key aspect of His return, leading to either eternal life or judgment.
• Transformation of Believers: Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV): “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body…”
Paul anticipates the transformation that will occur for believers at Christ’s coming. This transformation into a glorious state mirrors Christ’s resurrected body and signifies the believer’s full redemption.
The Judgment Accompanying Christ’s Return
The Second Coming of Christ is intrinsically linked with the final judgment of humanity.
• Eternal Destinies Determined: Matthew 25:46 (ESV): “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
In the parable of the sheep and goats, Jesus vividly illustrates the final judgment, where individuals are separated based on their response to Christ. This judgment results in eternal destinies, either punishment or life, underscoring the gravity and permanence of this event.
• Each Person Judged for Their Deeds: 2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV): “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”
Paul emphasizes the individual accountability before Christ’s judgment seat. Each person’s actions and decisions in life will be assessed, highlighting the importance of living in obedience and faith.
• Books Opened in Judgment: Revelation 20:12-15 (ESV): “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.”
The apocalyptic vision of John describes a comprehensive and detailed judgment. The opening of books symbolizes God’s thorough and just evaluation of every person’s life.
• God’s Righteous Judgment Revealed: Romans 2:16 (ESV): “on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.”
Paul asserts that God will judge humanity’s secrets through Jesus Christ, aligning with the gospel message. This judgment will reveal both the hidden aspects of human hearts and God’s righteous standards.
The Restoration of All Things
The return of Christ also signifies the restoration and renewal of all creation.
• Restoration of All Things: Acts 3:21 (ESV): “whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.”
Peter speaks of a time when Christ will restore everything, as foretold by the prophets. This restoration implies a return to God’s original design and the removal of sin’s corruption.
• Creation’s Liberation from Decay: Romans 8:19-21 (ESV): “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope…”
Paul envisions the liberation of creation from its current state of decay and futility. This eschatological hope includes the restoration of the natural world, which groans for redemption.
• New Heavens and New Earth: 2 Peter 3:13 (ESV): “But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
Peter reaffirms the promise of a new heavens and new earth, characterized by righteousness. This future reality reflects a total renewal and transformation of the current order.
• All Things Made New: Revelation 21:1-5 (ESV): “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away… And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.'”
John’s revelation culminates in the vision of a new heaven and new earth, marking the fulfillment of God’s redemptive work. God’s declaration of making all things new signifies a complete and perfect restoration.
Conclusion
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is a foundational doctrine in Christianity, encompassing themes of judgment, restoration, and hope. Christ’s return will be sudden and unexpected, demanding constant readiness and spiritual vigilance. It signifies the culmination of history, where Christ will judge humanity and renew creation. For believers, the promise of Jesus’ return offers comfort, motivates holy living, and instills a profound sense of hope. It reminds us of the impermanence of the current world and the eternal significance of our choices. As we await this glorious event, we are called to live with anticipation, sharing the gospel message and embodying the values of the coming Kingdom. The return of Christ assures us of God’s ultimate victory over sin and death, inviting us to look forward to a restored world under His righteous reign.