The Promise of His Coming is a central theme in Christian eschatology, referring to the anticipated return of Jesus Christ to earth. This promise is rooted in both Old and New Testament scriptures, where it is depicted as a future event that will bring fulfillment to God's redemptive plan for humanity and the world.

Old Testament Foundations

The expectation of a coming deliverer is woven throughout the Old Testament. Prophecies concerning the Messiah often allude to a future time of restoration and peace. For instance, Isaiah 11:1-10 speaks of a shoot from the stump of Jesse, who will bring justice and righteousness. While these passages primarily focus on the first coming of Christ, they also lay the groundwork for the expectation of His return to establish His kingdom fully.

New Testament Affirmation

The New Testament provides a more explicit promise of Christ's return. Jesus Himself spoke of His second coming in various passages. In Matthew 24:30-31 , He declares, "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other."

The apostles also emphasized this promise. In Acts 1:11 , as Jesus ascended into heaven, two angels assured the disciples, "Men of Galilee, 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."

Theological Significance

The promise of His coming is not merely a future hope but a present reality that shapes Christian life and doctrine. It serves as a source of encouragement and perseverance for believers, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 : "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words."

The anticipation of Christ's return also calls believers to live holy and godly lives. In 2 Peter 3:11-12 , Peter exhorts, "Since everything will be dissolved in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God."

Eschatological Hope

The promise of His coming is intertwined with the hope of the resurrection and the final judgment. Revelation 22:12 records Jesus' words: "Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done." This promise assures believers of ultimate justice and the consummation of God's kingdom.

Conclusion

The Promise of His Coming remains a cornerstone of Christian hope and expectation. It is a promise that not only looks forward to the future but also impacts the present, urging believers to live in readiness and faithfulness as they await the glorious return of their Savior.