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2565 Jesus Christ, second coming of

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.

The second coming is foretold

In the OT Da 7:13-14 See also Ps 72:2-4; Isa 2:2-4 pp Mic 4:1-3; Isa 11:4-9; Isa 40:5

By Jesus Christ Mt 24:30 pp Mk 13:26 pp Lk 21:27 See also Mt 16:27; Mt 25:31; Mk 14:62; Lk 12:40; Jn 14:3,28

By the angels at Jesus Christ’s ascension Ac 1:11

By the apostles Php 3:20 See also Ac 3:20-21; 1Co 1:7; 1Co 11:26; 1Th 1:10; 1Th 3:13; 1Th 4:16; 2Th 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; 2Pe 3:4; 1Jn 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; 1Co 1:7; 2Th 1:7; 1Pe 1:7; 1Pe 4:13

“Epiphaneia” Meaning literally “appearing” or “manifestation”, the term suggests coming out into view from a hidden background: 2Th 2:8; 1Ti 6:14; 2Ti 4:1; Tit 2:13

Events that will precede the second coming

The universal preaching of the gospel Mt 24:14 pp Mk 13:10 See also Mt 28:19-20; Ac 1:7-8

The persecution of believers Mt 24:9 pp Mk 13:9 pp Lk 21:12 See also Mt 24:21 pp Mk 13:19; Mt 24:22 pp Mk 13:20; Mk 13:12-13 pp Mt 24:12-13 pp Lk 21:16-17; 2Ti 3:1; Rev 7:14

Apostasy, nominal religion and godlessness 1Ti 4:1 See also Mt 24:10; 2Ti 3:1-5; 2Pe 3:3-4

The revelation of the antichrist 1Jn 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; 2Th 2:3-4; 1Jn 4:3; Rev 13:1-10

The appearance of false Christs and false prophets Mt 24:24 pp Mk 13:22 See also Mt 7:15; Mt 24:5 pp Mk 13:6 pp Lk 21:8; Mt 24:11; Lk 17:23; 2Jn 7

Wars and rumours of wars Mt 24:6-7 pp Mk 13:7-8 pp Lk 21:9-10

Famines and earthquakes Mt 24:7-8 pp Mk 13:8 pp Lk 21:11

Cosmic changes Mt 24:29 pp Mk 13:24 pp Lk 21:25-26

The timing of the second coming

At God’s appointed time Ac 3:20-21 See also Mt 24:36 pp Mk 13:32; Lk 17:20-30; Ac 1:7; 2Pe 3:9

Unexpectedly 1Th 5:1-2 See also Mt 24:27 pp Lk 17:24; Mt 24:43-44 pp Lk 12:39-40; 2Pe 3:10; Rev 3:3; Rev 16:15

After a delay Mt 25:5 Part of a parable concerning the coming of Jesus Christ who is represented by the bridegroom. See also Mt 25:19; 2Pe 3:3-9

Imminently Mt 24:30-34 pp Mk 13:26-30 pp Lk 21:27-32 See also Jn 21:22; Ro 13:11-12; Jas 5:8-9; Rev 3:11; Rev 22:7,20

The manner of the second coming

Jesus Christ’s personal return Ac 1:11 See also Ac 3:20; 1Th 4:16; Heb 9:28

A visible and glorious return Rev 1:7 See also Mt 24:30 pp Mk 13:26 pp Lk 21:27; Mt 26:64; Ac 1:9

With the sound of a trumpet Mt 24:31; 1Co 15:52; 1Th 4:16

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

The purpose of the second coming

To raise the dead 1Co 15:22-23 See also Jn 5:28-29; 1Co 15:52; 1Th 4:16

To judge all people Ps 96:13 See also Ps 98:9; Mt 16:27; Mt 25:31-32; 2Ti 4:1; Rev 20:11-15; Rev 22:12

To judge the wicked 2Th 1:7-10 See also Mt 24:51; Ro 2:5; 2Pe 3:7; Jude 15

To separate the wicked from the righteous Mt 25:31-32 See also Mt 24:40-41 pp Lk 17:34-35

To destroy all evil and opposition to God’s kingdom 2Th 2:8 See also 1Co 15:24-26; Rev 20:10,14

To reward believers Mt 24:46-47; Lk 12:37; 2Ti 4:8; 1Pe 5:4; 1Jn 3:1

To gather the church together Jn 14:3; 1Th 4:17; 2Th 2:1

To bring final salvation Lk 21:28; Heb 9:28

To transform the saints into his likeness 1Co 15:51-52; Php 3:20-21; Col 3:4

To end the present age Mt 24:3; 1Co 15:24; 2Pe 3:10,12

To restore and renew all things Ac 3:21; 2Pe 3:13; Rev 21:1-5

Reactions at Jesus Christ’s second coming

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

Present implications of the second coming for believers

They must always be watchful and ready Mt 24:42-44 See also Mt 25:10; Mk 13:35; Lk 12:35-36

They must be faithful stewards Mt 25:14-30 pp Lk 19:12-27

They must eagerly expect his coming 1Co 1:7 See also Lk 21:28; Php 3:20; Tit 2:13

They must endure suffering with patient endurance Mt 24:13; 1Pe 1:6-7

They must wait patiently 1Th 1:10; Jas 5:7-8

It is an incentive to holiness 1Jn 3:2-3 See also Col 3:4-5; 1Ti 6:14; 2Pe 3:11; 1Jn 2:23,28

It is an incentive to mission 2Ti 4:1-2 See also 2Pe 3:12

See also