Second coming of Jesus Christ

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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.

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The second coming is foretold

In the OT

Daniel 7:13–14 KJV 1900

I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

See also Ps 72:2–4; Is 2:2–4; Is 11:4–9; Is 40:5

By Jesus Christ

Matthew 24:30 KJV 1900

See also Mt 16:27; Mt 25:31; Mk 14:62; Lk 12:40; Jn 14:3; Jn 14:28

By the angels at Jesus Christ’s ascension

Acts 1:11 KJV 1900

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.

By the apostles

Philippians 3:20 KJV 1900

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

See also Ac 3:20–21; 1 Co 1:7; 1 Co 11:26; 1 Th 1:10; 1 Th 3:13; 1 Th 4:16; 2 Th 1:7–10; Heb 9:28

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

“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

“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

Events that will precede the second coming

The universal preaching of the gospel

Matthew 24:14 KJV 1900

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

The persecution of believers

Matthew 24:9 KJV 1900

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.

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

Apostasy, nominal religion and godlessness

1 Timothy 4:1 KJV 1900

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

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

The revelation of the antichrist

1 Jn 2:18 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.

See also Da 7:20–22; 2 Th 2:3–4; 1 Jn 4:3; Re 13:1–10

The appearance of false Christs and false prophets

Matthew 24:24 KJV 1900

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

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

Wars and rumours of wars

Matthew 24:6–7 KJV 1900

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

Famines and earthquakes

Matthew 24:7–8 KJV 1900

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Cosmic changes

Matthew 24:29 KJV 1900

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:

The timing of the second coming

At God’s appointed time

Acts 3:20–21 KJV 1900

And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

See also Mt 24:36; Lk 17:20–30; Ac 1:7; 2 Pe 3:9

Unexpectedly

1 Thessalonians 5:1–2 KJV 1900

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

See also Mt 24:27; Mt 24:43–44; 2 Pe 3:10; Re 3:3; Re 16:15

After a delay

Mt 25:5 Part of a parable concerning the coming of Jesus Christ who is represented by the bridegroom.

Imminently

Matthew 24:30–34 KJV 1900

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. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

See also Jn 21:22; Ro 13:11–12; Jas 5:8–9; Re 3:11; Re 22:7; Re 22:20

The manner of the second coming

Jesus Christ’s personal return

Acts 1:11 KJV 1900

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.

A visible and glorious return

Revelation 1:7 KJV 1900

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.

With the sound of a trumpet

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

With angels

Mt 16:27; Mt 24:31; 2 Th 1:7

The purpose of the second coming

To raise the dead

1 Corinthians 15:22–23 KJV 1900

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

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

To judge all people

Psalm 96:13 KJV 1900

Before the Lord: for he cometh, For he cometh to judge the earth: He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the people with his truth.

See also Ps 98:9; Mt 16:27; Mt 25:31–32; 2 Ti 4:1; Re 20:11–15; Re 22:12

To restore and renew all things

Ac 3:21; 2 Pe 3:13; Re 21:1–5

To judge the wicked

2 Thessalonians 1:7–10 KJV 1900

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

See also Mt 24:51; Ro 2:5; 2 Pe 3:7; Jud 15

To separate the wicked from the righteous

Matthew 25:31–32 KJV 1900

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: 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:

To destroy all evil and opposition to God’s kingdom

2 Thessalonians 2:8 KJV 1900

And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

See also 1 Co 15:24–26; Re 20:10; Re 20:14

To reward believers

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

To gather the church together

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

To bring final salvation

Lk 21:28; Heb 9:28

To transform the saints into his likeness

1 Co 15:51–52; Php 3:20–21; Col 3:4

To end the present age

Mt 24:3; 1 Co 15:24; 2 Pe 3:10; 2 Pe 3:12

Reactions at Jesus Christ’s second coming

Mt 24:30 all peoples will mourn; 2 Th 1:10 His people will marvel.

Present implications of the second coming for believers

They must always be watchful and ready

Matthew 24:42–44 KJV 1900

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

See also Mt 25:10; Mk 13:35; Lk 12:35–36

They must be faithful stewards

Matthew 25:14–30 KJV 1900

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

They must eagerly expect his coming

1 Corinthians 1:7 KJV 1900

So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

They must endure suffering with patient endurance

Mt 24:13; 1 Pe 1:6–7

They must wait patiently

1 Th 1:10; Jas 5:7–8

It is an incentive to holiness

1 John 3:2–3 KJV 1900

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

See also Col 3:4–5; 1 Ti 6:14; 2 Pe 3:11; 1 Jn 2:23; 1 Jn 2:28

It is an incentive to mission

2 Timothy 4:1–2 KJV 1900

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.