Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  2000 Jesus Christ  »  2500 Jesus Christ, history of  »  2505 Jesus Christ, ascension of  »  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

Daniel 7:13-14 See also Psalm 72:2-4; Isaiah 2:2-4 pp Micah 4:1-3; Isaiah 11:4-9; Isaiah 40:5

By Jesus Christ

Matthew 24:30 pp Mark 13:26 pp Luke 21:27 See also Matthew 16:27; Matthew 25:31; Mark 14:62; Luke 12:40; John 14:3,28

By the angels at Jesus Christ's ascension

Acts 1:11

By the apostles

Philippians 3:20 See also Acts 3:20-21; 1 Corinthians 1:7; Corinthians 11:26; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; Thessalonians 3:13; Thessalonians 4:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Hebrews 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:

Matthew 24:3; James 5:7-8; 2 Peter 3:4; 1 John 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:

Luke 17:30; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:7; Peter 4:13

“Epiphaneia”

Meaning literally “appearing” or “manifestation”, the term suggests coming out into view from a hidden background:

2 Thessalonians 2:8; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1; Titus 2:13

Events that will precede the second coming

The universal preaching of the gospel

Matthew 24:14 pp Mark 13:10 See also Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:7-8

The persecution of believers

Matthew 24:9 pp Mark 13:9 pp Luke 21:12 See also Matthew 24:21 pp Mark 13:19; Matthew 24:22 pp Mark 13:20; Mark 13:12-13 pp Matthew 24:12-13 pp Luke 21:16-17; 2 Timothy 3:1; Revelation 7:14

Apostasy, nominal religion and godlessness

1 Timothy 4:1 See also Matthew 24:10; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 2 Peter 3:3-4

The revelation of the antichrist

1 John 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 Daniel 7:20-22; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; 1 John 4:3; Revelation 13:1-10

The appearance of false Christs and false prophets

Matthew 24:24 pp Mark 13:22 See also Matthew 7:15; Matthew 24:5 pp Mark 13:6 pp Luke 21:8; Matthew 24:11; Luke 17:23; 2Jn 7

Wars and rumours of wars

Matthew 24:6-7 pp Mark 13:7-8 pp Luke 21:9-10

Famines and earthquakes

Matthew 24:7-8 pp Mark 13:8 pp Luke 21:11

Cosmic changes

Matthew 24:29 pp Mark 13:24 pp Luke 21:25-26

The timing of the second coming

At God's appointed time

Acts 3:20-21 See also Matthew 24:36 pp Mark 13:32; Luke 17:20-30; Acts 1:7; 2 Peter 3:9

Unexpectedly

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 See also Matthew 24:27 pp Luke 17:24; Matthew 24:43-44 pp Luke 12:39-40; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 3:3; Revelation 16:15

After a delay

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

Imminently

Matthew 24:30-34 pp Mark 13:26-30 pp Luke 21:27-32 See also John 21:22; Romans 13:11-12; James 5:8-9; Revelation 3:11; Revelation 22:7,20

The manner of the second coming

Jesus Christ's personal return

Acts 1:11 See also Acts 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Hebrews 9:28

A visible and glorious return

Revelation 1:7 See also Matthew 24:30 pp Mark 13:26 pp Luke 21:27; Matthew 26:64; Acts 1:9

With the sound of a trumpet

Matthew 24:31; 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16

With angels

Matthew 16:27; Matthew 24:31; 2 Thessalonians 1:7

The purpose of the second coming

To raise the dead

1 Corinthians 15:22-23 See also John 5:28-29; 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16

To judge all people

Psalm 96:13 See also Psalm 98:9; Matthew 16:27; Matthew 25:31-32; 2 Timothy 4:1; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 22:12

To judge the wicked

2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 See also Matthew 24:51; Romans 2:5; 2 Peter 3:7; Jude 15

To separate the wicked from the righteous

Matthew 25:31-32 See also Matthew 24:40-41 pp Luke 17:34-35

To destroy all evil and opposition to God's kingdom

2 Thessalonians 2:8 See also 1 Corinthians 15:24-26; Revelation 20:10,14

To reward believers

Matthew 24:46-47; Luke 12:37; 2 Timothy 4:8; 1 Peter 5:4; 1 John 3:1

To gather the church together

John 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 2 Thessalonians 2:1

To bring final salvation

Luke 21:28; Hebrews 9:28

To transform the saints into his likeness

1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 3:4

To end the present age

Matthew 24:3; 1 Corinthians 15:24; 2 Peter 3:10,12

To restore and renew all things

Acts 3:21; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-5

Reactions at Jesus Christ's second coming

Matthew 24:30 all peoples will mourn; 2 Thessalonians 1:10 His people will marvel.

Present implications of the second coming for believers

They must always be watchful and ready

Matthew 24:42-44 See also Matthew 25:10; Mark 13:35; Luke 12:35-36

They must be faithful stewards

Matthew 25:14-30 pp Luke 19:12-27

They must eagerly expect his coming

1 Corinthians 1:7 See also Luke 21:28; Philippians 3:20; Titus 2:13

They must endure suffering with patient endurance

Matthew 24:13; 1 Peter 1:6-7

They must wait patiently

1 Thessalonians 1:10; James 5:7-8

It is an incentive to holiness

1 John 3:2-3 See also Colossians 3:4-5; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Peter 3:11; 1 John 2:23,28

It is an incentive to mission

2 Timothy 4:1-2 See also 2 Peter 3:12

See also

7774  prophets, false
8318  patience
8424  evangelism
8490  watchfulness
8746  false Christs
8794  persecution
9105  last things
9115  antichrist, the
9140  last days
9220  day of the LORD
9240  last judgment
9610  hope