What is the Second Coming? The most significant event in the future of human history will be the return of Jesus Christ to the earth. Acts 1:8–11 (NIV) describes the last time the disciples were with Jesus before he ascended into heaven. Jesus told them,
“‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ After [Jesus] said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’”
When Jesus Christ returns, human history as we know it will come to an end. What we mean by the second coming of Christ is that one day, on the future horizon of human history, the historical person of Jesus of Nazareth, who was raised from the dead and ascended to heaven in the first century, will return to the earth.
Titus 2:11–14 (ESV) describes this future event:
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”
“…waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…”
There are at least five ways we can characterize Jesus’ second coming. It will:
- be visible,
- be sudden and unexpected,
- bring glory and honor to Jesus,
- bring reunion with those Christians who have died, and
- set up the final judgment.
The Second Coming Will Be Visible
First, it will be a visible event. People will know Jesus has returned because they will be able to see him. In Revelation 1:7 (NIV), we read,
“‘Look, he is coming with the clouds,’ and ‘every eye will see him, even those who pierced him’; and all the peoples of the earth ‘will mourn because of him.’ So shall it be! Amen.”
Elsewhere, Jesus himself said that all the nations of the earth will mourn when they “will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory” (Mark 13:26, NIV). This event will be as visible to people as lightning in the sky.
“At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time. So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 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 24:23-27, NIV)
What is the Second Coming? “For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
This is also confirmed by a comparison with his ascension to heaven. When Jesus left his disciples to return to heaven, he went up into a cloud before their eyes (Acts 1:9). While the disciples were still looking up at the sky, two angels appeared and told them, “Why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
The Second Coming Will Be Sudden and Unexpected
A second characteristic of the second coming is that it will be sudden and unexpected. People will be caught off guard. The imagery that is often used to describe the second coming is that of a thief who robs people in the night when they are not expecting it. Jesus said,
“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. . . . Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:36, 42-44, NIV)
The apostle Paul described the suddenness in a similar way:
“Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, NIV)
What is the Second Coming? “The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”
By this we realize that the exact time of Christ’s second coming is unknowable.[1] Though numerous people have speculated as to the exact time and date of his return in the past, and numerous people will continue to do so in the future, ironically those who are most knowledgeable of the Bible know that the exact timing is impossible to know.[2]
The Second Coming Will Bring Glory and Honor to Jesus
A third characteristic is that the second coming of Jesus will bring him glory and honor. His power will silence all opposition. When Christ came the first time, it was in great humility. He was born, likely in a cave, to very poor and humble parents (Luke 2:7, 24). He lived out his childhood as a refugee and under great suspicion (Matthew 2:13-23; 13:53-58). As an adult, he was mocked as a glutton, drunkard, and one working with the prince of demons (Matthew 10:25; 11:19). Then, in his death, he was abandoned by everyone, and he became the object of insults (Matthew 27:32-40).
But when Christ returns the second time, it will be in great glory. Every knee will bow in heaven and on earth (Philippians 2:10). Every tongue will confess that he is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:11). He will be counted worthy to receive honor, glory, and praise as “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:16). He will destroy death (1 Corinthians 15:53ff), and he will cast Satan into the lake of fire and brimstone to be punished forever and ever (Revelation 20:10). This is why Jesus said that “at that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory” (Mark 13:26). This is why the Bible says we look forward to “the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).
What is the Second Coming? “At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.”
The Second Coming Will Bring Reunion with Christians Who Have Died
The second coming will mean the gathering of those Christians who have previously died, together with those Christians who are alive on the earth when Jesus Christ returns. We will all be gathered together when he returns. The Bible describes Jesus uniting two groups when he appears. First, Jesus’ followers who have died and are in paradise will come with Jesus, and then, second, his followers who are living on earth when he returns will rise up to meet them in the clouds. From that point on, both groups will go to be with him forever.
“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 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.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, NIV)
“And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
The Second Coming Will Set Up the Final Judgment
The second coming will result in the fulfillment of hope, but also the end of hope for non-believers. This is why the second coming has been delayed so long—to increase opportunity for unbelievers to come to Christ. When Christ returns, the opportunities for repentance will be over, and unbelievers will be left without hope. Because of this, God is waiting, hoping that more people will repent (2 Peter 3:1-9).
Thus, a fifth characteristic is that the second coming will set up the final judgment (although not all end-times paradigms place the two events one right after the other; see chapter 9). 1 Corinthians 4:5 (ESV) describes it this way:
“Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.”
“Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart.”
Take note of the finality that comes with the second coming:
“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.” (2 Peter 3:8-10, ESV)
“Behold, I [Jesus] am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” (Revelation 22:12, ESV)
[1] This is not to say that we cannot know the general season. In this regard; there seem to be indicators, some possible indicators are found in 2 Thessalonians 2, Luke 21, and the book of Revelation.
[2]For a good historical survey of the various attempts to set a date, see Loraine Boettner, The Millennium (Philadelphia: The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1958), 334-341. For a good roundtable discussion on all of the issues about the end times, see John Walvoord, Gleason Archer, Alan F. Johnson, Anthony A. Hoekema, John Jefferson, and Kenneth S. Kantzer, “Our Future Hope: Eschatology and Its Role in the Church,” Christianity Today 31 (February, 1987): 1I-14I.
