What does the Bible say about Christ’s return? Christians have been asking questions about this ever since He ascended into heaven, and have come up with a lot of different answers. So what can we know for sure? Let’s find out.
While there is much that is unknown about the second coming of Christ, the Bible does speak clearly about a number of elements. Among the essentials of what we can know with confidence are:
- That it will be unexpected (Matt. 24:44).
- Everyone will notice (Matt. 24:30-31).
- Jesus will have a physical body (Matt. 24–25).
- His power and glory will be fully seen (Matt. 24:30).
- Jesus will judge the righteous and the unrighteous (Matt. 25:31-46).
- Sin and death will end (Rev. 21:1-4).
- All creation will be redeemed (Rev. 21–22).
- Only the Father knows when that will be (Matt. 24:36).
Christians of all stripes have more or less been in agreement on these points for the last two thousand years or so. But there are areas that are less clear, and as a result disagreement. The biggest point of disagreement is the meaning of the millennium in Revelation 20. And chances are, you’ve heard at least one of the more common interpretations:
- One says Jesus will return to rule on earth for a literal thousand years before the final judgment.
- Another says the millennial reign is happening right now in the church age to be followed by His return.
- And a third says the millennium represents Christ’s reign in heaven and in the hearts of His people while we wait for His return.
But even these more common interpretations, all agree on the result of Jesus’ second coming: when Jesus returns, all things will be made new. Death will die. Sin will end. And finally we will be made fully new.
Jesus’ return is what every Christian longs for, the “blessed hope” of every believer. And while we might not know all the specifics, it is what motivates us to grow in faithfulness and gives us good news to tell the whole world.
Mike says
Hi I’m Mike I have a few questions.
1 Is there only going to be a 144,000 people going to heaven.
2 And if the Sabbath day is on a Saturday why do we go to church on Sunday.
3. When Jesus rules for a 1000 years on earth what happens next it says God will come back a 3 time for fanily judgment. After the rapture and the 7 year peace treaty is over and the devil is locked away in a cage for a 1000 years shouldn’t there be no bad people.
Matthew says
The 144,000 is the number of living prophets at the time of Christ’s return, not the amount of people who will be saved or in heaven.
History, or the decisions of man led to the majority of churches practicing Sunday mass. One such decision being a movement in the roman catholic church to move their sabbath to Sunday. Saturday is the true sabbath where even Christ rested in the grave before rising to his labors Sunday. Remember that since Lucifer can no longer pander to Christ, he must instead pander to the bride of Christ, meaning the church.
The tribulation comes and then the rapture. In the rapture upon Christ’s coming the evil are burnt up. Lucifer is imprisoned for 1000 years while we learn and live with Christ before returning to the earth for the second resurrection and Lucifer’s destruction.
This is how I have come to understand it through the words of Pastor Doug Bachelor. You can find his sermons on youtube. As far as I can tell, the 7th Day Adventist Church seems to be the closest to studying and speaking only from the word of God and not their own opinions.
Dale Medsker says
He will surely return on the 2000th Anniversary of his crucifixion, so sayeth one who has been shown good and evil; and, in the presence of our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who appeared to him in the year 2000. Sanctify, purify and make ready for his glorious
return is nigh. Blessed are those who have been shown good and evil blessed are those who believe without seeing. Amen
mitchell crow says
Brother Aaron, Dr. David Jeremiah (Turning Point)can help you get the order on the Rapture and Tribulation correct. I think you have it backward. There are many more Pastors and teachers that use The Moody Bible Institute website to promote the Gospel. Check it out I promise it will help. I have been Teaching and Preaching for over thirty-five years as a Born Again Believer since June 10th, 1984. Love you Brother, Sincerely, Mitchell Crow