The Second Coming of Jesus Christ

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The Second Coming and Subsequent Judgments

What is the second coming?

The second coming is that event when Jesus Christ—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will gloriously return to the earth at the end of the present age (after the tribulation period) and set up His 1000-year kingdom on earth. The very same Jesus who ascended into heaven will come again at the second coming (Acts 1:9-11).
Acts 1:9–11 KJV 1900
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Can we be sure that the second coming will be a universally visible event?

Most certainly. One key Greek word used in the New Testament to describe the second coming of Christ is apokalupsis. This word carries the basic meaning of “revelation,” “visible disclosure,” “unveiling,” and “removing the cover” from something that is hidden. The word is used of Christ’s second coming in 1 Peter 4:13
1 Peter 4:13 (KJV 1900)
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Another Greek word used in the New Testament of Christ’s second coming is epiphaneia, which carries the basic meaning of “to appear” or “to shine forth.”
In Titus 2:13 Paul speaks of
Titus 2:13 (KJV 1900)
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
In 1 Timothy 6:14 Paul urges Timothy to
1 Timothy 6:14 (KJV 1900)
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Christ’s first coming, which was both bodily and visible, was called an epiphaneia (2 Timothy 1:10 ).
2 Timothy 1:10 (KJV 1900)
10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
In the same way, Christ’s second coming will be both bodily and visible.
We must not forget the clear teaching of Matthew 24:29-30 in support of a visible coming of the Lord:
Matthew 24:29–30 (KJV 1900)
29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

What does parousia mean in connection with the second coming?

Parousia is a Greek term often used in connection with both the rapture and the second coming of Christ. Context is the key issue in determining which “coming” is in view.
This word has a number of nuances of meaning, including “present,” “presence,” “being physically present,” “coming to a place,” and “arriving.”
It often denotes both an “arrival” and a consequent “presence with.”
For example, parousia is used to describe the physical coming and presence of Christ with His disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration (2 Peter 1:16 ).
2 Peter 1:16 (KJV 1900)
16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
Likewise, the apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 16:17 :
1 Corinthians 16:17 (KJV 1900)
17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.
Paul says in 2 Corinthians 7:6-7:
2 Corinthians 7:6–7 (KJV 1900)
6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
In 2 Corinthians 10:10, Paul relays what some people had said about him:
2 Corinthians 10:10 (KJV 1900)
10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
Paul also tells the Philippians:
Philippians 2:12 (KJV 1900)
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Such usage clearly establishes that parousia is often used to communicate the idea of physical presence.
Having said this, it is significant that the term is especially used in connection with the rapture and the second coming of Christ. In both cases Christ will be physically present—in the clouds at the rapture and on earth at the second coming.

In what sense will Christ come again “with the clouds” (Revelation 1:7)?

Revelation 1:7 KJV 1900
7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
Clouds are often used in association with God’s visible glory (Exodus 16:10; 40:34-35; 1 Kings 8:10-11; Matthew 17:5; 24:30; 26:64).
Just as Christ was received by a cloud at His ascension (Acts 1:9), so He will return again in the clouds of heaven (Matthew 24:30 ; 26:64 ; Mark 13:26; 14:62; Luke 21:27).
Matthew 24:30 KJV 1900
30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Matthew 26:64 KJV 1900
64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Just as Jesus left with a visible manifestation of the glory of God (clouds were present), so Christ will return at the second coming with a visible manifestation of the glory of God (clouds will be present).

How is the second coming described in the book of Revelation?

Revelation 19:11-16 tells us:
Revelation 19:11–16 KJV 1900
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
In biblical times, generals in the Roman army rode white horses. Christ on the white horse will be the glorious Commander in chief of the armies of heaven. It signifies His coming in triumph over the forces of wickedness in the world. This is in noted contrast to the lowly colt Jesus rode during His first coming (see Zechariah 9:9 ).
Zechariah 9:9 KJV 1900
9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: Behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; Lowly, and riding upon an ass, And upon a colt the foal of an ass.
Our text tells us that
Revelation 19:12 (KJV 1900)
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
The many crowns, or diadems, represent total sovereignty and royal kingship. No one will be in a position to challenge Christ’s kingly authority.
Jesus is called “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16 ).
Revelation 19:16 (KJV 1900)
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
This title means that Jesus is absolutely supreme and sovereign over all earthly rulers and angelic powers (1 Timothy 6:15 ; see also Deuteronomy 10:17 ; Psalm 136:3 ).
1 Timothy 6:15 (KJV 1900)
15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
Deuteronomy 10:17 (KJV 1900)
17 For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:
Psalm 136:3 (KJV 1900)
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: For his mercy endureth for ever.
The long-awaited messianic King has now finally arrived.
The kingship of Jesus is a common theme in Scripture. Genesis 49:10 prophesied that the Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah and reign as a king.
Genesis 49:10 (KJV 1900)
10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh come; And unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
The Davidic covenant in 2 Samuel 7:16 promised a Messiah who would have a dynasty, a people over whom He would rule, and an eternal throne (see also Luke 1:32-33 ).
2 Samuel 7:16 (KJV 1900)
16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
Luke 1:32–33 KJV 1900
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
In Psalm 2:6 , God the Father announces the installation of God the Son as King in Jerusalem.
Psalm 2:6 KJV 1900
6 Yet have I set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion.
Psalm 110 affirms that the Messiah will subjugate His enemies and rule over them.
Daniel 7:13-14 tells us that the Messiah-King will have an everlasting dominion.
Now the moment has come. Christ the King comes, overcomes all forces of evil, and sets up His kingdom on earth.

Why does it sometimes seem as if the second coming is being delayed?

Second Peter 3:9 instructs us:
2 Peter 3:9 KJV 1900
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
God is patient and is providing plenty of time for people to repent. Once Jesus comes, there is no further opportunity to repent and turn to Him.
This is in keeping with God’s long track record of immense patience before bringing people to judgment (see Joel 2:13 ; Luke 15:20 ; Romans 9:22 ).
Joel 2:13 (KJV 1900)
13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, And turn unto the Lord your God: For he is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness, And repenteth him of the evil.
Luke 15:20 (KJV 1900)
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Romans 9:22 KJV 1900
22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
We should not be surprised that He continues this patience in the present age.
Sadly, despite God’s patience and His desire that none perish, many will refuse to turn to Him and will therefore spend eternity apart from Him (Matthew 25:46 ).
Matthew 25:46 KJV 1900
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
God longs that all be saved (see 1 Timothy 2:4 ), but not all will receive God’s gift of salvation (see Matthew 7:13-14 ).
1 Timothy 2:4 KJV 1900
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Matthew 7:13–14 KJV 1900
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
That is one of the reasons why so many horrific judgments fall on an unbelieving world during the future tribulation period (Revelation 4–18 ). The people living on earth during that time will have no excuse!

Will there be an interim period between the second coming of Christ and the beginning of the millennial kingdom?

I believe so—apparently 75 days long. Here’s how I arrive at this number.
Daniel 12:11 tells us the image of the antichrist that had caused the abomination of desolation at the midpoint in the tribulation will be removed from the temple 30 days after the tribulation period ends:
Daniel 12:11 (KJV 1900)
11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be (1,290) a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
Now, keep in mind that the second half of the tribulation lasts precisely 1260 days or three and a half years. Here’s some simple math: 1290 days minus 1260 days leaves 30 days beyond the end of the tribulation period.
What about the other 45 days needed for the 75-day interim between the second coming of Christ and the beginning of the millennial kingdom? Daniel 12:12 states:
Daniel 12:12 (KJV 1900)
12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the (1,335) thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
The 1335 days minus the 1290 days means another 45 days are added into the mix. It is apparently during this 75-day period that the judgment of the nations (Matthew 25:31-46 ) and the judgment of the Jews (Ezekiel 20:34-38 ) takes place.
Matthew 25:31–33 (KJV 1900)
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Jews
Ezekiel 20:34–35 (KJV 1900)
34 And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.
35 And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.
It is likely that other key events take place during this interval. For example, the antichrist and the false prophet will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20 ).
Revelation 19:20 KJV 1900
20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
The governmental structure of the coming millennial kingdom will likely be set up (see 2 Timothy 2:12 ; Revelation 20:4-6 ).
2 Timothy 2:12 KJV 1900
12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
Revelation 20:4–6 KJV 1900
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
It is also entirely feasible that the marriage feast of Christ—of the divine Bridegroom (Jesus) and His bride (the church)—will take place at the close of the 75 days. Following this 75-day interim, Christ will set up His millennial kingdom (Isaiah 2:2-4; Ezekiel 37:1-13; 40–48; Micah 4:1-7; Revelation 20).
I can’t wait.

What is the judgment of the nations that follows the second coming?

Matthew 25:31-46 describes the judgment of the nations, which takes place following the second coming of Christ.
Matthew 25:31–46 (KJV 1900)
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
The believers and unbelievers among the nations are pictured as sheep and goats. According to Matthew 25:32 , they are intermingled and require separation by a special judgment.
Matthew 25:32 KJV 1900
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
The sheep (believers) will be invited into Christ’s 1000-year millennial kingdom. The goats will depart into eternal fire.

Should we interpret the judgment of the nations as the same as the great white throne judgment in Revelation 20:11-13?

No. A comparison of the judgment in Matthew with the one in Revelation makes this view impossible:
• Different time. The judgment of the nations occurs at the second coming of Christ (Matthew 25:31); the great white throne judgment follows Christ’s millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:11-12).
• Different scene. The judgment of the nations occurs on earth (Matthew 25:31); the great white throne judgment occurs (obviously) at the great white throne (Revelation 20:11).
• Different subjects. At the judgment of the nations, three groups of people are mentioned: the sheep, the goats, and the brothers (Matthew 25:32,40). The great white throne judgment involves the unsaved dead of all time (Revelation 20:12).
• Different basis. The basis of judgment at the judgment of the nations is how Christ’s “brothers” were treated (Matthew 25:40); the basis of judgment at the great white throne judgment is a person’s works (Revelation 20:12).
• Different result. The result of the judgment of the nations is twofold: the righteous enter into Christ’s millennial kingdom and the unrighteous are cast into the lake of fire. The result of the great white throne judgment is that the wicked dead are cast into the lake of fire; the righteous are not mentioned (indeed, the righteous are not even there).
We also observe that no resurrection is connected with the judgment of the nations. However, a resurrection does take place in connection with the great white throne judgment (Revelation 20:13 ).
Revelation 20:13 KJV 1900
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Clearly, a plain reading of the biblical text indicates that these judgments are not the same.

What is the basis of the judgment of the nations?

The Gentiles at this judgment are evaluated according to how they treated Christ’s brothers. In Christ’s reckoning, treating His brothers kindly is the same as treating Him kindly. Treating His brothers with contempt is the same as treating Him with contempt. Jesus thus commends the righteous this way:
Matthew 25:35–36 KJV 1900
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Conversely, Jesus condemns the unrighteous:
Matthew 25:42–43 KJV 1900
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

Who are Christ’s “brothers” in this judgment?

A comparison of this passage with the details of the tribulation suggests that “brothers” may refer to the 144,000 Jews mentioned in Revelation 7, Christ’s Jewish brothers who bear witness of Him during the tribulation.
Ezekiel 11:19 KJV 1900
19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
Ezekiel 18:31 KJV 1900
31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
This will begin to happen right after the Antichrist desecrates the Temple in Jerusalem.
Even though the antichrist and the false prophet will wield economic control over the world during the tribulation period (Revelation 13), God will still be at work. God’s redeemed (the “sheep”) will come to the aid of Christ’s Jewish brethren as they bear witness to Christ all around the world. These will be invited into Christ’s millennial kingdom.
These saved Gentiles (the “sheep”) are not yet given resurrection bodies. They will enter the kingdom in their mortal bodies and continue to have babies throughout the millennium. Though longevity will characterize the millennial kingdom, both mortal Jews and Gentiles will continue to age and die (see Isaiah 65:20 ).
Isaiah 65:20 KJV 1900
20 There shall be no more thence an infant of days, Nor an old man that hath not filled his days: For the child shall die an hundred years old; But the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.
They will be resurrected at the end of the millennium (Revelation 20:4 ).
Revelation 20:4 KJV 1900
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

What does Scripture say about the judgment of the Jews following the second coming?

The judgment of the Jews is described in Ezekiel 20:34-38 . Following are the important facts about this judgment:
Ezekiel 20:34–38 (KJV 1900)
34 And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.
35 And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face.
36 Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord God.
37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:
38 And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the Lord.
• It will take place after the Lord has gathered the Israelites from all around the earth to Palestine.
• Christ will purge out the rebels—those who have refused to turn to Him for salvation.
• Believers among the gathered Israelites will enter into Christ’s millennial kingdom where they will enjoy the blessings of the new covenant (verse 37;
Ezekiel 20:37 (KJV 1900)
37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant:
see also Jeremiah 31:31 ; Matthew 25:1-30).
Jeremiah 31:31 KJV 1900
31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, That I will make a new covenant With the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
• These saved Jews are not yet given resurrection bodies. They will enter the kingdom in their mortal bodies and continue to have babies throughout the millennium, just as their Gentile counterparts will (Matthew 25:46 ).
Matthew 25:46 KJV 1900
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Though longevity will characterize the millennial kingdom, both mortal Jews and Gentiles will continue to age and die (Isaiah 65:20). They will be resurrected at the end of the millennium (Revelation 20:4).
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