Second coming of Jesus Christ

Second coming of Jesus Christ

Synopsis

Jesus Christ will return visibly and in glory at the end of history to raise the dead, judge the world, destroy all evil and opposition to God and consummate his kingdom. Believers are encouraged to be prepared for his return, waiting with eagerness and joy.

The second coming is foretold

In the OT

Da 7:13–14

Daniel 7:13–14 SAYS

In a night vision, Daniel sees someone like a "Son of Man" coming with the clouds of heaven.

He approaches the Ancient of Days (God) and is given authority, glory, and an everlasting kingdom.

All nations and peoples will serve Him, and His rule will never end or be destroyed.

Isaiah 40:5 (LEB) — 5 And the glory of Yahweh shall be revealed, and all humankind together shall see it, for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.”

Isaiah 2:2–4 (LEB) SAYS

In the last days, the Lord’s temple will be established above all, and people from every nation will come to learn His ways.

God will teach them, and His word will go out from Jerusalem. He will judge between nations, bringing peace.

Weapons of war will be turned into tools for farming, and nations will no longer fight or prepare for war.

By Jesus Christ

Mt 24:30

Matthew 24:30 (LEB) — 30 And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man arriving on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Matthew 16:27 (LEB) — 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and at that time he will reward each one according to what he has done.

Matthew 25:31 (LEB) — 31 Now when the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.

John 14:3 (LEB) — 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, so that where I am, you may be also.

By the angels at Jesus Christ’s ascension

Acts 1:11 (LEB) — 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand there looking into the sky? This Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven like this will come back in the same way you saw him departing into heaven!”

By the apostles

Philippians 3:20 (LEB) — 20 For our commonwealth exists in heaven, from which also we eagerly await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

2 Thessalonians 1:7–10

Summary:

To those suffering for Christ, comfort will come when Jesus returns from heaven with His mighty angels.

He will bring fiery judgment on those who reject God and disobey the gospel.

They will face eternal separation from God’s presence. But on that day, Jesus will be glorified among His holy people and honored by all who believed the message.

Hebrews 9:28 (LEB) — 28 thus also Christ, having been offered once in order to bear the sins of many, will appear for the second time without reference to sin to those who eagerly await him for salvation.

NT terms for the second coming

“Parousia”

Meaning literally “presence” or “coming”, the term was used in the NT world of a royal visit:

Mt 24:3; Jas 5:7–8; 2 Pe 3:4; 1 Jn 2:28

Matthew 24:3 (LEB) — 3 And as he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came up to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

James 5:7–8 (LEB) — 7 Therefore be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the soil, being patient concerning it until it receives the early and late rains. 8 You also be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the coming of the Lord is near.

“Apocalypsis”

Meaning literally “unveiling”, “apocalypsis” suggests that the second coming will make visible that which is already true of Jesus Christ but presently hidden from human sight:

Lk 17:30; 1 Co 1:7; 2 Th 1:7; 1 Pe 1:7; 1 Pe 4:13

Luke 17:30 (LEB) — 30 It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed.

2 Thessalonians 1:7 (LEB) — 7 and to you who are being afflicted, rest with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels,

“Epiphaneia”

Meaning literally “appearing” or “manifestation”, the term suggests coming out into view from a hidden background:

2 Th 2:8; 1 Ti 6:14; 2 Ti 4:1; Tt 2:13

2 Thessalonians 2:8 (LEB) — 8 and then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of his mouth, and wipe out by the appearance of his coming,

2 Timothy 4:1 (LEB) — 1 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom,

Titus 2:13 (LEB) — 13 looking forward to the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

Events that will precede the second coming.

The universal preaching of the gospel

Mt 24:14

Matthew 24:14 (LEB) — 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed in the whole inhabited earth for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

See also Ac 1:7–8; Mt 28:19–20

Acts 1:7–8 (LEB) — 7 But he said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest part of the earth.”

The persecution of believers

Mt 24:9

See also Re 7:14; Mt 24:21; Mt 24:22; Mk 13:12–13; 2 Ti 3:1

Matthew 24:21 (LEB) — 21 For at that time there will be great tribulation, such as has not happened from the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will happen.

किनकि त्‍यस बेला यस्‍तो महासङ्कष्‍ट हुनेछ, जो जगत्‌को सुरुदेखि अहिलेसम्‍म भएको छैन, न त फेरि कहिल्‍यै हुनेछ। 

Matthew 24:9 (LEB) — 9 “Then they will hand you over to persecution and will kill you, and you will be hated by all the nations because of my name.

तब तिनीहरूले तिमीहरूलाई सङ्कष्‍टको लागि सुम्‍पिदिनेछन्, र तिमीहरूलाई मार्नेछन्, र मेरो नाउँको खातिर सबै जातिहरूले तिमीहरूलाई घृणा गर्नेछन्‌। 

Mark 13:12–13 (LEB) — 12 And brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child, and children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end—this one will be saved.

एउटा भाइले अर्को भाइलाई मृत्‍युको लागि सुम्‍पनेछ, र त्‍यसै गरी बाबुले छोरालाई। छोरा-छोरीहरू आमाबाबुहरूका विरुद्धमा खड़ा हुनेछन्, र तिनीहरूलाई मार्न लाउनेछन्‌।

Matthew 24:22 (LEB) — 22 And unless those days had been shortened, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened.

ती दिन नघटाइएका भए कोही मानिस बाँच्‍न सक्‍नेथिएन, तर चुनिएकाहरूका निम्‍ति ती दिन घटाइनेछन्‌।

Apostasy, nominal religion and godlessness

1 Ti 4:1

1 Timothy 4:1 (LEB) — 1 Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the last times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

पवित्र आत्‍मा प्रष्‍टै भन्‍नुहुन्‍छ, कि पछि आउने समयमा छली आत्‍मा र भूतप्रेतका सिद्धान्‍ततिर मन लाएर कोही विश्‍वासबाट तर्किजानेछन्‌।

See also Mt 24:10; 2 Ti 3:1–5; 2 Pe 3:3–4

Matthew 24:10 (LEB) — 10 And then many will be led into sin and will betray one another and will hate one another,

2 Timothy 3:1–5 (LEB) —

1 तर यो बुझिराख, कि आखिरी दिनहरूमा डरलाग्‍दा समयहरू आउनेछन्‌।

2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

2 किनभने मानिसहरू आफैलाई मात्र माया गर्ने, रुपियाँपैसाको मोह गर्ने, घमण्‍डी, हठी, अरूको बदनाम गर्ने, आमा-बुबाको आज्ञापालन नगर्ने, बैगुनी र अपवित्र,

3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,

3 स्‍वाभाविक प्रेमरहितका, खुशी पार्न नसकिने, अरूको बदख्‍वाइँ गर्ने, दुराचारी, क्रूर, असल कुरालाई घृणा गर्ने,

4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God — 

4 विश्‍वासघाती, उत्ताउला, अहङ्कारले फुलेका, परमेश्‍वरलाई भन्‍दा सुख-विलासलाई प्रेम गर्ने,

5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

5 भक्तिको भेषचाहिँ लिने, तर त्‍यसको शक्तिलाई इन्‍कार गर्ने हुनेछन्‌। यस्‍ता मानिसहरूबाट अलग्‍ग बस।

The revelation of the antichrist

What is antichrist?

The antichrist is a name given to the one who will lead opposition to God’s kingdom. It appears to refer to an individual but may denote a corporate movement.

1 John 2:18 (LEB) — 18 Children, it is the last hour, and just as you have heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen, by which we know that it is the last hour.

2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 (LEB) — read in nepali

3 Do not let anyone 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,

कसैले कुनै किसिमले तिमीहरूलाई धोका नदेओस्‌। किनकि पहिले विद्रोह नभएसम्‍म पापको मानिस, अर्थात्‌ सर्वनाशको छोरो प्रकट नभएसम्‍म त्‍यो दिन आउनेछैन।

4 who opposes and who exalts himself over every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits down in the temple of God, proclaiming that he himself is God.

1 John 4:3 (LEB) — 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God, and this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.

Revelation 13:1–10 (LEB)

Summery

The beast/Pasu rises from the sea with great power given by Satan.

It blasphemes God, rules over the nations, and persecutes believers.

The whole world worships it—except those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Believers are called to endure with faith.

The appearance of false Christs and false prophets

Mt 24:24

Matthew 24:24 (LEB) — 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear, and will produce great signs and wonders in order to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

See also Mt 7:15; Mt 24:5; Mt 24:11; Lk 17:23; 2 Jn 7

Matthew 7:15 (LEB) — 15 “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inside are ravenous wolves.

Matthew 24:5 (LEB) — 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will deceive many.

2 John 7 (LEB) — 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess Jesus Christ coming in the flesh. This person is the deceiver and the antichrist!

Wars and rumours of wars

Mt 24:6–7

Matthew 24:6–7 (LEB) — 6 And you are going to hear about wars and rumors of wars. See to it that you are not alarmed, for this must happen, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise up against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Famines and earthquakes

Mt 24:7–8

Matthew 24:7–8 (LEB) — 7 For nation will rise up against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 But all these things are the beginning of birth pains.

Cosmic changes

Mt 24:29

Matthew 24:29 (LEB) — 29 “And immediately after the tribulation of those days, ‘the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken.’

The timing of the second coming

At God’s appointed time

Matthew 24:36 (LEB) — 36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows—not even the angels of heaven nor the Son—except the Father alone.

Acts 1:7 (LEB) — 7 But he said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority.

2 Peter 3:9 (LEB) — 9 The Lord is not delaying the promise, as some consider slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance.

Luke 17:20–30 (LEB) — 20

Here’s a short summary of Luke 17:20–30 in 5 quick points:

God’s kingdom is already among you — not visible or political.

Don’t chase false claims about Christ’s return.

Jesus must suffer before returning in glory.

His return will be sudden — like lightning in the sky.

People will be caught off guard, just like in Noah’s and Lot’s time.

Unexpectedly

Revelation 3:3 (LEB) — 3 Therefore remember how you have received and heard, and observe it, and repent. If therefore you are not on the alert, I will come like a thief, and you will never know at what hour I will come against you.

Matthew 24:27 (LEB) — 27 For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so the coming of the Son of Man will be.

2 Peter 3:10 (LEB) — 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will disappear with a rushing noise, and the celestial bodies will be destroyed by being burned up, and the earth and the deeds done on it will be disclosed.

Revelation 16:15 (LEB) — 15 (Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who is on the alert and who keeps his clothing, so that he does not walk around naked and they see his shamefulness!)

After a delay

Matthew 25:5 (LEB) — 5 And when the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

Imminently

James 5:8–9 (LEB) —

8 You also be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the coming of the Lord is near.

9 Brothers, do not complain against one another, in order that you may not be judged. Behold, the judge stands before the doors!

भाइ हो, एउटाले अर्काको विरुद्धमा गनगन नगर, नत्रता तिमीहरू दोषी ठहरिनेछौ। हेर, न्‍यायकर्ता ढोकैमा हुनुहुन्‍छ।

Revelation 22:7 (LEB) — 7 “And behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

Romans 13:11–12 (LEB) —

11 And do this because you know the time, that it is already the hour for you to wake up from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than when we believed.

12 The night is far gone, and the day has drawn near. Therefore let us throw off the deeds of darkness and put on the weapons of light.

Revelation 3:11 (LEB) — 11 I am coming quickly! Hold fast to what you have, so that no one may take away your crown.

The manner of the second coming

Jesus Christ’s personal return

Ac 1:11

Acts 1:11 (LEB) — 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand there looking into the sky? This Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven like this will come back in the same way you saw him departing into heaven!”

1 Thessalonians 4:16 (LEB) — 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

A visible and glorious return

Re 1:7

Revelation 1:7 (LEB) — 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even every one who pierced him, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. Yes, amen.

With the sound of a trumpet, With angels

Mt 24:31; 1 Co 15:52; 1 Th 4:16

Matthew 24:31 (LEB) — 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect together from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other end of it.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 (LEB) — 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

The purpose of the second coming

To raise the dead

1 Co 15:22–23

1 Corinthians 15:22–23 (LEB) — 22 For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own group: Christ the first fruits, then those who are Christ’s at his coming,

See also 1 Th 4:16; Jn 5:28–29; 1 Co 15:52

John 5:28–29 (LEB) — 28

Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice

28  “यसमा अचम्‍म नमान, किनभने समय आइरहेछ, जब चिहानमा हुनेहरू सबैले उसको सोर सुन्‍नेछन्,

29 and come out — those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.

29 र बाहिर निस्‍किआउनेछन्‌: सुकर्म गर्नेहरू जीवनको पुनरुत्‍थानको निम्‍ति, र कुकर्म गर्नेहरूचाहिँ दण्‍डाज्ञाको पुनरुत्‍थानको निम्‍ति। ⓣ

Ezekial prophesyed to dried Bones.

To judge all people

Matthew 25:31–32 (LEB) — 31 Now when the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 And all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them from one another like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Psalm 96:13 (LEB) — 13 before Yahweh, for he is coming; for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his faithfulness.

Revelation 22:12 (LEB) — 12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to repay each one according to what his deeds are!

To restore and renew all things

Ac 3:21; 2 Pe 3:13; Re 21:1–5

Acts 3:21 (LEB) — 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of the restoration of all things, about which God spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from earliest times.

2 Peter 3:13 (LEB) — 13 But according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness resides.

To separate the wicked from the righteous

Matthew 24:40–41 (LEB) — 40 Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.

To judge the wicked

Romans 2:5 (LEB) — 5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart, you are storing up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and of the revelation of the righteous judgment of God,

Matthew 24:51 (LEB) — 51 and will cut him in two and assign his place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!

To destroy all evil and opposition to God’s kingdom

2 Thessalonians 2:8 (LEB) — 8 and then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of his mouth, and wipe out by the appearance of his coming,

Revelation 20:14 (LEB) — 14 And Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire.

Revelation 20:10 (LEB) — 10 And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur, where the beast and the false prophet also are, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

To reward believers

Mt 24:46–47; Lk 12:37; 2 Ti 4:8; 1 Pe 5:4; 1 Jn 3:1

Luke 12:37 (LEB) — 37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he returns! Truly I say to you that he will dress himself for service and have them recline at the table and will come by and serve them.

2 Timothy 4:8 (LEB) — 8 Finally, the crown of righteousness is reserved for me, that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing.

1 Peter 5:4 (LEB) — 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

To gather the church together

Jn 14:3; 1 Th 4:17; 2 Th 2:1

John 14:3 (LEB) — 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, so that where I am, you may be also.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 (LEB) — 17 Then we who are alive, who remain, will be snatched away at the same time together with them in the clouds for a meeting with the Lord in the air, and thus we will be together with the Lord always.

To bring final salvation

Lk 21:28; Heb 9:28

Luke 21:28 (LEB) — 28 But when these things begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near!”

Hebrews 9:28 (LEB) — 28 thus also Christ, having been offered once in order to bear the sins of many, will appear for the second time without reference to sin to those who eagerly await him for salvation.

To transform the saints into his likeness

1 Co 15:51–52; Php 3:20–21; Col 3:4

Philippians 3:20–21 (LEB) — 20 For our commonwealth exists in heaven, from which also we eagerly await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our humble body to be conformed to his glorious body, in accordance with the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Reactions at Jesus Christ’s second coming

Mt 24:30 all peoples will mourn;

2 Th 1:10 His people will marvel.

Matthew 24:30 (LEB) — 30 And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man arriving on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

2 Thessalonians 1:10 (LEB) — 10 whenever he should come to be glorified on that day by his saints and to be marveled at by all who believe, because our testimony was believed among you,