The Second Coming of Jesus Christ refers to the future event when Jesus will return to earth in glory and power to fulfill the rest of God’s redemptive plan. It will mark the end of the present age, the final judgment, and the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom.
The Second Coming is a central theme in both the Old and New Testaments, with numerous prophecies and descriptions about this momentous event.
Key Features of the Second Coming
- Visible and Glorious Return
Jesus will return visibly, in glory, and with great power. This event will be unmistakable.- Matthew 24:30 (NIV):
“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.” - Revelation 1:7 (NIV):
“Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all peoples on earth will mourn because of him.”
- Matthew 24:30 (NIV):
- Triumphant and Final Victory
Jesus will return as a victorious King to defeat evil, including Satan, sin, and death.- Revelation 19:11-16 (NIV):
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war… On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”
- Revelation 19:11-16 (NIV):
- Gathering of Believers
Jesus will gather His followers to Himself, uniting all who have put their faith in Him.- 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NIV):
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NIV):
- Judgment of All Humanity
The Second Coming will include the final judgment, where all people—living and dead—will stand before Christ.- Matthew 25:31-32 (NIV):
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” - Revelation 20:12-13 (NIV):
“And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.”
- Matthew 25:31-32 (NIV):
- Renewal of Creation
Jesus will restore creation to its original perfection, establishing a new heaven and new earth.- Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV):
“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away… He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
- Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV):
Timing of the Second Coming
- Unknown Day and Hour
The exact timing of the Second Coming is known only to God the Father.- Matthew 24:36 (NIV):
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
- Matthew 24:36 (NIV):
- Signs Preceding the Second Coming
Jesus provided signs to watch for, including wars, natural disasters, false prophets, persecution, and the spread of the gospel.- Matthew 24:6-14 (NIV):
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars… Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.”
- Matthew 24:6-14 (NIV):
- Unexpected Arrival
Although signs will precede His return, Jesus’ coming will be sudden and unexpected.- Matthew 24:44 (NIV):
“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:2 (NIV):
“For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”
- Matthew 24:44 (NIV):
The Purpose of the Second Coming
- To Fulfill Prophecy
The Second Coming fulfills promises made throughout Scripture about Christ’s reign and the restoration of all things.- Acts 3:20-21 (NIV):
“Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.”
- Acts 3:20-21 (NIV):
- To Establish Justice
Jesus will bring justice to the world, rewarding the righteous and punishing the wicked.- 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7 (NIV):
“God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.”
- 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7 (NIV):
- To Reign as King
Jesus will establish His eternal kingdom, reigning as King of Kings.- Daniel 7:14 (NIV):
“He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away.”
- Daniel 7:14 (NIV):
How Believers Should Respond
- Be Watchful and Ready
Believers are called to live in readiness and holiness, anticipating Christ’s return.- Matthew 24:42 (NIV):
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” - 2 Peter 3:11-12 (NIV):
“You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.”
- Matthew 24:42 (NIV):
- Proclaim the Gospel
The gospel must be shared with all nations before the end will come.- Matthew 24:14 (NIV):
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
- Matthew 24:14 (NIV):
- Hold to Faith and Hope
The promise of Christ’s return provides hope and motivation for perseverance.- Titus 2:13 (NIV):
“While we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” - Hebrews 10:23 (NIV):
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
- Titus 2:13 (NIV):
Conclusion
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is the culmination of God’s redemptive plan, bringing judgment, justice, and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. While the exact timing remains unknown, believers are called to live in readiness, faithfulness, and hope, sharing the gospel and looking forward to the fulfillment of all God’s promises.
- Revelation 22:20 (NIV):
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”