The Second Coming
Introduction. All who believe the Bible believe the great truth that Jesus is coming again. At the time of Jesus' ascension, two angels announced Jesus' return. Hear them, “And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 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” (Acts 1: 10, 11).
The certainty of Jesus' second coming. There are over 300 hundred direct and indirect references to Jesus' parousia or return. Inspiration affirms: “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” (Rev. 1: 7). James, John, Peter, and Paul explicitly taught Jesus is coming again (Jas. 5: 7, 1 Jn. 3: 2, 2 Pet. 1: 16, Phili. 3: 20). Jesus himself said he would return (Jn. 14: 1-3).
The manner of his coming. Jesus shall personally return, “this same Jesus” (Acts 1: 11). His return shall be audible (Jn. 5: 28, “shall hear”), visible (Rev. 1: 7, “every eye shall see him”), and unexpectedly (Matt. 25: 13, “know neither the day nor the hour...”). Jesus' coming shall be characterized by majesty and grandeur (Matt. 25: 31, 2 Thes. 1: 1: 7).
The time of Jesus' return. No man knows when Jesus is returning (Matt. 24: 36). The same verse says the angels do not know, only the Father. Furthermore, Jesus (while incarnate) did not even know (Mk. 13: 32). We are given general information, however, but we cannot know “the day and hour” (see 2 Thes. 2: 1-12, Rev. 20).
Prevailing conditions on earth when Jesus returns. The scriptures show indifference will be prevailing when Jesus returns (Matt. 24: 37-39). Most will be unprepared (Ibid.). There will also be a false sense of spiritual security experienced by man at Jesus' coming (1 Thes. 5: 2, 3). Greed, selfishness, and general depravity will be common (2 Tim. 3: 1-5).
The purpose of Jesus' return. Jesus shall raise all the dead (same day), both those who have “done good” and those “that have done evil” (Jn. 5: 28, 29). Jesus shall judge all men at his return (Matt. 25: 31-46). Men shall be judged based on their deeds and God's word shall be the standard (Rom. 2: 6, 2 Cor. 5: 10, Jn. 12: 48). The wicked shall be assigned to everlasting punishment and the righteous to life everlasting (Matt. 25: 46). The righteous living “shall be caught up together with them (dead in Christ, vs. 16, dm) in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thes. 4: 13-18).
Jesus is not coming to establish a governmental kingdom on earth (not taught). In fact, at his coming the kingdom (spiritual kingdom, Jn. 18; 36) will be “delivered up” to the Father (1 Cor. 15: 24). Jesus will not be coming to offer man a second chance, it will be too late when Jesus returns.
Conclusion. The duty of man. Instead of attempting to speculate and bind where the scriptures have not spoken, man needs to accept what is taught relative to Jesus' return and prepare himself for that great, august event (Matt. 24: 42, 1 Thes. 5: 6-9).
The certainty of Jesus' second coming. There are over 300 hundred direct and indirect references to Jesus' parousia or return. Inspiration affirms: “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” (Rev. 1: 7). James, John, Peter, and Paul explicitly taught Jesus is coming again (Jas. 5: 7, 1 Jn. 3: 2, 2 Pet. 1: 16, Phili. 3: 20). Jesus himself said he would return (Jn. 14: 1-3).
The manner of his coming. Jesus shall personally return, “this same Jesus” (Acts 1: 11). His return shall be audible (Jn. 5: 28, “shall hear”), visible (Rev. 1: 7, “every eye shall see him”), and unexpectedly (Matt. 25: 13, “know neither the day nor the hour...”). Jesus' coming shall be characterized by majesty and grandeur (Matt. 25: 31, 2 Thes. 1: 1: 7).
The time of Jesus' return. No man knows when Jesus is returning (Matt. 24: 36). The same verse says the angels do not know, only the Father. Furthermore, Jesus (while incarnate) did not even know (Mk. 13: 32). We are given general information, however, but we cannot know “the day and hour” (see 2 Thes. 2: 1-12, Rev. 20).
Prevailing conditions on earth when Jesus returns. The scriptures show indifference will be prevailing when Jesus returns (Matt. 24: 37-39). Most will be unprepared (Ibid.). There will also be a false sense of spiritual security experienced by man at Jesus' coming (1 Thes. 5: 2, 3). Greed, selfishness, and general depravity will be common (2 Tim. 3: 1-5).
The purpose of Jesus' return. Jesus shall raise all the dead (same day), both those who have “done good” and those “that have done evil” (Jn. 5: 28, 29). Jesus shall judge all men at his return (Matt. 25: 31-46). Men shall be judged based on their deeds and God's word shall be the standard (Rom. 2: 6, 2 Cor. 5: 10, Jn. 12: 48). The wicked shall be assigned to everlasting punishment and the righteous to life everlasting (Matt. 25: 46). The righteous living “shall be caught up together with them (dead in Christ, vs. 16, dm) in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thes. 4: 13-18).
Jesus is not coming to establish a governmental kingdom on earth (not taught). In fact, at his coming the kingdom (spiritual kingdom, Jn. 18; 36) will be “delivered up” to the Father (1 Cor. 15: 24). Jesus will not be coming to offer man a second chance, it will be too late when Jesus returns.
Conclusion. The duty of man. Instead of attempting to speculate and bind where the scriptures have not spoken, man needs to accept what is taught relative to Jesus' return and prepare himself for that great, august event (Matt. 24: 42, 1 Thes. 5: 6-9).