Introduction
Jesus is coming again! This is the great expectation of all Christians. Nothing is more clearly taught in the New Testament. However, the manner of Christ’s return has long been a subject of controversy, largely because of speculation about certain prophetic passages. We shall confine ourselves to those Scriptures which are plain statements of fact. Of these, there are so many that it will not be hard to determine how Christ will return.
WHEN CHRIST WILL RETURN
In every age, some have boldly predicted the exact time of our Lord’s return. Always they have been mistaken. The Bible clearly teaches that no man knows when Jesus will come again. Jesus said, ‘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
Paul and Peter both declare that Christ’s return will be as ‘a thief in the night.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 / 2 Peter 3:10. Therefore none can possibly know when He will come.
Paul declared that the second coming would be preceded by a falling away from the truth, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4. Peter said that before Christ’s return scoffers would ask, ‘Where is the promise of his coming?’ 2 Peter 3:4. As a result, many will be totally unprepared when He does come. Since we cannot know when He will come again, the important thing for every person is to be fully prepared.
The second advent will be seen by all. Some teach that Jesus returned a few years ago but many did not see Him. They ignore the Scripture, ‘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.’ Revelation 1:7.
Jesus said, ‘For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.’ Matthew 24:27.
Christ will be accompanied by His angels when He returns, Matthew 16:27. Jude adds that ‘He will come back with ten thousand of His saints’. Jude 14.
At the second coming the dead will arise from the grave. 1 Corinthians 15:23. Some teach that the unrighteous will never rise from the grave. Others contend that the righteous and unrighteous will be resurrected at different times.
Jesus proves both ideas wrong when He states, ‘Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 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.’ John 5:28-29.
So we learn that both the righteous and unrighteous will be resurrected to face the judgment at the same time.
Perhaps the clearest explanation of the second coming is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.
‘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. And so we will be with the Lord forever.’
Notice The Sequence Of Events:
1. Christ will descend with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God.
2. The dead in Christ will arise from the grave.
3. After the dead have arisen the living will be caught up with them in the clouds.
4. They will meet the Lord in the air.
What will happen to the earth when Christ returns? Peter answers our question.
‘But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.’ 2 Peter 3:10-12
No man will be left to live on this earthly sphere.
The pre-millennial theory, which asserts that Christ will reign on the earth in the flesh for a literal thousand years, is clearly erroneous.
1. No passage teaches that Jesus will set foot on earth again. Rather, the disciples of Christ will meet Him in the air.
2. The pre-millennial theory requires that the righteous and unrighteous arise at different times. As noticed, John 5:28, 29 contradicts this.
3. Since the earth will be destroyed when Christ returns, no thousand-year reign will be possible.
The great judgment will follow the return of Christ. None shall be able to escape it, Hebrews 9:27 / 2 Corinthians 5:10.
As they appear before Christ the judge, the righteous will be set on the right hand, the unrighteous on the left. The righteous will be rewarded with an everlasting home in heaven; the unrighteous will be consigned to the eternal punishment of hell. Matthew 25:31-46. Nothing in the Scriptures teaches that man will receive a second chance.
After the judgment, Christ will deliver up the kingdom to God. Every enemy, including death, will have been overcome, and Jesus, who has been reigning, will deliver up His authority to God, the Father, and will Himself be subject to Him. The righteous will dwell with God in the eternal home of unspeakable beauty.
It is the hope of heaven that impels the Christian to cry out with John, ‘Even so, come, Lord Jesus.’ Revelation 22:20.
WHY JESUS IS COMING AGAIN?
1. To raise the dead. John 5:25 / John 5:28-29.
2. To judge all men. Jude 14-15.
3. To reward the righteous. Matthew 25:31-34.
4. To punish the unrighteous. Matthew 25:31-33 / Matthew 25:41.
5. To destroy the world. 2 Peter 3:10.
6. To deliver the kingdom to the Father. 1 Corinthians 15:24.
