The Second Coming

A Definite Teaching

In the pages of Scripture, there is an abundance of evidence pointing towards the belief in a second coming of Christ, a pivotal event deeply ingrained in Christian theology. This concept is primarily derived from both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, where various passages and prophecies allude to the return of Jesus Christ to Earth. These scriptural references provide context for the anticipation and hope surrounding this significant event.

The belief in the second coming of Christ is deeply rooted in the Scriptures, spanning both the Old and New Testaments.

Key New Testament Scripture Texts

Matthew 24-25

Matthew 24:3 “While he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately and said, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what is the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?””

Matthew 24:27 “For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”

Matthew 24:30 “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the peoples of the earth will mourn; and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

Matthew 24:37 “As the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be.”

Matthew 24:39 “They didn’t know until the flood came and swept them all away. This is the way the coming of the Son of Man will be.”

Matthew 24:42 “Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.”

Matthew 24:44 “This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Matthew 25:31 ““When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.”

Matthew 26:64 ““You have said it,” Jesus told him. “But I tell you, in the future you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.””

Mark 13:26 “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.”

Luke 21:27 “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”

John 14:3 “If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.”

Acts 1:11 “They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.””

Acts 3:19–21 “Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send Jesus, who has been appointed for you as the Messiah. Heaven must receive him until the time of the restoration of all things, which God spoke about through his holy prophets from the beginning.”

Philippians 3:20–21 “Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject everything to himself.”

1 Thessalonians 4:15–16 “For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” (Paul’s clearest and most direct statement)

2 Thessalonians 1:7,2 Thessalonians 1:10 “on that day when he comes to be glorified by his saints and to be marveled at by all those who have believed, because our testimony among you was believed.” “and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us. This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels, when he takes vengeance with flaming fire on those who don’t know God and on those who don’t obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will pay the penalty of eternal destruction from the Lord’s presence and from his glorious strength on that day when he comes to be glorified by his saints and to be marveled at by all those who have believed, because our testimony among you was believed.”

Titus 2:13 “while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Less elaborate references:

1 Corinthians 1:7 “so that you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 15:23 “But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at his coming, those who belong to Christ.”

1 Thessalonians 2:19 “For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?”

1 Thessalonians 3:13 “May he make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. Amen.”

1 Thessalonians 5:23 “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2 Thessalonians 2:1 “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him: We ask you, brothers and sisters,”

2 Thessalonians 2:8 “and then the lawless one will be revealed. The Lord Jesus will destroy him with the breath of his mouth and will bring him to nothing at the appearance of his coming.”

1 Timothy 6:14 “to keep this command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2 Timothy 4:1 “I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and because of his appearing and his kingdom:”

2 Timothy 4:8 “There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.”

Hebrews 9:28 “so also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

James 5:7–8 “Therefore, brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.”

1 Peter 1:7 “so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

2 Peter 1:16 “For we did not follow cleverly contrived myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; instead, we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.”

2 Peter 3:4 “saying, “Where is his ‘coming’ that he promised? Ever since our ancestors fell asleep, all things continue as they have been since the beginning of creation.””

2 Peter 3:12 “as you wait for the day of God and hasten its coming. Because of that day, the heavens will be dissolved with fire and the elements will melt with heat.”

1 John 2:28 “So now, little children, remain in him so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”

The doctrine of the second coming appears to be one of the more widely taught doctrines in the New Testament. “With the exception of the certainty of death, the one eschatological doctrine on which orthodox theologians most agree is the second coming of Christ. It is indispensable to eschatology.” - Millard Erickson (pg. 1192).

Timing is Unknown

Mark 13:32–35 ““Now concerning that day or hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven nor the Son—but only the Father. “Watch! Be alert! For you don’t know when the time is coming. “It is like a man on a journey, who left his house, gave authority to his servants, gave each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to be alert. Therefore be alert, since you don’t know when the master of the house is coming—whether in the evening or at midnight or at the crowing of the rooster or early in the morning.”

Matthew 24:36–44 ““Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels of heaven nor the Son—except the Father alone. As the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. For in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah boarded the ark. They didn’t know until the flood came and swept them all away. This is the way the coming of the Son of Man will be. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding grain with a hand mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. But know this: If the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into. This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Acts 1:7 “He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.”

Matthew 24:50 “that servant’s master will come on a day he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know.”

Matthew 25:13 ““Therefore be alert, because you don’t know either the day or the hour.”

Mark 13:35 “Therefore be alert, since you don’t know when the master of the house is coming—whether in the evening or at midnight or at the crowing of the rooster or early in the morning.”

The Character of the Coming

Personal

Visible

Physical

Unexpected

Triumphant and Glorious

The Unity of the Second Coming

A large and influential group of conservative Christians teaches that Christ’s coming will actually take place in two stages. These stages are the rapture and the revelation. These two events will be separated by the great tribulation, believed to be approximately seven years in duration. Those who hold to this view are termed pretribulationists, and most of them are dispensationalists.

The rapture will be secret; it will not be noticed by anyone except the church. Because it precedes the tribulation, there is no prophecy that must yet be fulfilled before it can take place. Consequently, the rapture could occur at any moment. It will deliver the church from the agony of the great tribulation. Then, at the end of the seven years, the Lord will return again, bringing his church with him in a great triumphant arrival.

In contrast to pretribulationists, the other views of Christ’s second coming hold that it will be a single occurrence, a unified event. They refer all prophecies regarding the second coming to the one event, whereas the pretribulationist refers some of the prophecies to the rapture and others to the revelation.

How do we resolve this?

The theological debate surrounding the timing and nature of Christ's second coming has been a subject of discussion and disagreement among Christians for many years. While the pretribulationist view has its proponents, there are alternative perspectives that advocate for a unified event rather than a two-stage return of Christ. Resolving this theological difference ultimately depends on individual interpretation and theological beliefs.

One way to approach this issue is through respectful dialogue and engagement with various viewpoints within Christianity. It's important to acknowledge that different denominations and theological traditions may hold divergent views on the end times, and these differences can enrich the overall understanding of Scripture.

To promote understanding and unity within the Christian community, individuals and communities with differing views on the timing of Christ's second coming can engage in the following ways:

1. Biblical Study: Engage in a thorough study of relevant Bible passages, considering the context, historical background, and original intent of the biblical authors. This can help individuals better understand the biblical basis for their beliefs.

2. Respectful Dialogue: Engage in open and respectful conversations with fellow Christians who hold differing views. Seek to understand their perspectives and the biblical reasoning behind their beliefs.

3. Focus on Core Beliefs: While the timing of Christ's return is an important theological issue, it's essential to remember that it does not affect core Christian doctrines such as the nature of God, salvation through Christ, and the moral teachings of the Bible. Christians can find common ground in these fundamental beliefs.

4. Embrace Diversity: Recognize that diversity of thought exists within Christianity, and that sincere believers may hold different views on secondary theological matters. This diversity can lead to fruitful discussions and mutual learning.

5. Prayer and Unity: Pray for unity within the body of Christ, understanding that unity does not always require uniformity of belief on every theological issue. Focus on the shared mission of spreading the Gospel and serving others in love.

In essence, while the debate between pretribulationism and other views of Christ's second coming may continue, fostering an environment of respect, humility, and mutual learning can help Christians come together despite their differences and continue to serve a common faith and purpose.

Will the second coming be a single or a dual-stage occurrence?

Vocabulary

The three major terms for second coming are:

παρουσία - parousia - coming; advent; presence (1 Thessalonians 4:15)

ἀποκαλύπτω - apokalypto - reveal; disclose (Matt. 10:26)

ἐπιφάνεια - epiphaneia - appearing; appearance (Titus 2:13)

Pretribulationists tend to argue that παρουσία refers to the rapture, the first stage of the return, the believer’s blessed hope of being delivered from this world before the tribulation begins. The other two terms refer to Christ’s coming with the saints at the end of the tribulation.

A key text for the pretribulation rapture view is

1 Thessalonians 4:15–17 “For we say this to you by a word from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”

The term παρουσία is used to denote an event that is hard to conceive of as the rapture.

George Ladd - “It is very difficult to find a secret coming of Christ in these verses.”

In addition the same term παρουσία is used in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 “and then the lawless one will be revealed. The Lord Jesus will destroy him with the breath of his mouth and will bring him to nothing at the appearance of his coming.”

Here we see that following the tribulation Christ by his coming (παρουσία) will destroy the man of lawlessness, the Antichrist, in a public fashion.

Further, Jesus said of the παρουσία: Matthew 24:27 “For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”

The other two terms likewise don’t fit the pretribulationists’ argument.

ἀποκαλύπτω:

1 Corinthians 1:7 “so that you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2 Thessalonians 1:6–7 “since it is just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us. This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels,”

1 Peter 4:13 “Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed.”

1 Peter 1:7 “so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

These passages suggest that believers (the church) will receive their glory and honor at the ἀποκαλύπτω of Christ.

However, according to the pretribulationist the church should have already received its reward at the παρουσία.

ἐπιφάνεια:

Titus 2:13 “while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

1 Timothy 6:14 “to keep this command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2 Timothy 4:8 “There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.”

Conclusion: the use of a variety of term is not an indication that there will be two stages in the second coming. Rather, the interchangeableness of the terms clearly points to a single event.

Can’t find two comings in the Scripture

In examining the Scriptures, it becomes apparent that there is no clear-cut evidence to support the notion of two separate comings of Christ. The belief in a single, unified return of Jesus Christ is a perspective held by many Christians and is rooted in various passages and themes found within the Bible.

One of the central reasons for this viewpoint is the emphasis on unity and coherence in the biblical narrative. Scripture consistently portrays Christ's second coming as a singular, momentous event when He will return in glory to judge the living and the dead. Passages like Matthew 24:30, which states, "Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man," and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, which describes the Lord descending from heaven with a trumpet call, depict a unified event rather than two distinct comings.

Furthermore, the notion of a secret or silent rapture, as proposed by some pretribulationist interpretations, is not explicitly supported by the Bible. Instead, the Scriptures describe Christ's return as a visible and glorious event that will be witnessed by all. Revelation 1:7 states, "Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him."

In essence, while various theological perspectives exist within Christianity, the interpretation of a single, unified return of Christ aligns more closely with the overall biblical narrative and themes of Christ's triumphant return to establish His kingdom and judge the world.

The main proof text for pre-trib viewpoint:

Revelation 3:10 “Because you have kept my command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth.”

Likely doesn’t mean that we are taken out of the world, but that God will guard/protect our faith.

2 Thessalonians 1:6–8 “since it is just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us. This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels, when he takes vengeance with flaming fire on those who don’t know God and on those who don’t obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”

Relief for us and affliction at the same time.

Christ is coming again, when he comes he will repay unbelievers with affliction and believers with relief. One coming, not two.

2 Thessalonians 2:1–4 “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him: We ask you, brothers and sisters, not to be easily upset or troubled, either by a prophecy or by a message or by a letter supposedly from us, alleging that the day of the Lord has come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in God’s temple, proclaiming that he himself is God.”

Paul is arguing that the Day of the Lord hasn’t come. His reason isn’t because we’re still here (I.e. discuss the rapture) - this would have been easy to say. He says - vs. 3 - that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first and the antichrist is revealed.

Only one coming ever discussed.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”

Key phrase: “caught up” sometimes referred to as the Rapture.

Yes, we will indeed rise to meet the Lord in the air, then we will descend with him in his triumphant arrival.

Meet - is used two other times in the NT.

Matthew 25:6 ““In the middle of the night there was a shout: ‘Here’s the groom! Come out to meet him.’”

Acts 28:15 “Now the brothers and sisters from there had heard the news about us and had come to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.”

In both of these it is a group of people going out to meet someone and accompanying them back.

With this view the idea of Rapture and then seven years later come back evaporate.

One great glorious second coming. No