The concept of "The Return" in the Bible primarily refers to the anticipated second coming of Jesus Christ, a pivotal event in Christian eschatology. This event is characterized by the return of Christ to earth to fulfill the remaining prophecies and establish His eternal kingdom. The Return is a central theme in both the Old and New Testaments, with numerous references and descriptions that provide insight into its significance and implications for believers.

Old Testament Foreshadowing

The Old Testament contains several prophecies that foreshadow the coming of a Messiah who will establish a kingdom of righteousness. While these prophecies initially point to the first coming of Christ, they also have eschatological implications that extend to His return. For instance, the book of Daniel speaks of a future time when the "Ancient of Days" will come, and the saints will possess the kingdom (Daniel 7:22). Similarly, Zechariah prophesies about the Lord's feet standing on the Mount of Olives, a scene associated with the return of Christ (Zechariah 14:4).

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament provides a more explicit revelation of The Return, with Jesus Himself teaching about His second coming. In the Gospels, Jesus describes His return as a visible and glorious event. In Matthew 24:30-31 , Jesus states, "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 apostle Paul also addresses The Return in his epistles, emphasizing its suddenness and the need for believers to remain vigilant. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 , Paul writes, "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."

Theological Significance

The Return of Christ holds profound theological significance for Christians. It represents the culmination of God's redemptive plan and the final defeat of sin and death. The Return is a time of judgment and reward, where Christ will judge the living and the dead, as stated in 2 Timothy 4:1 : "I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom."

For believers, The Return is a source of hope and encouragement. It assures them of the ultimate victory of Christ and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. The anticipation of this event motivates Christians to live holy and godly lives, as Peter exhorts in 2 Peter 3:11-12 : "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 Views

Various eschatological views exist within Christianity regarding the specifics of The Return, including premillennialism, amillennialism, and postmillennialism. These views differ in their interpretation of the timing and nature of Christ's return in relation to the millennium, a thousand-year reign mentioned in Revelation 20. Despite these differences, all orthodox Christian traditions affirm the certainty of Christ's return and its significance for the fulfillment of God's promises.

Practical Implications

The Return of Christ has practical implications for the life of the believer. It calls for readiness and watchfulness, as Jesus warns in Matthew 24:42 : "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come." This anticipation encourages believers to remain steadfast in faith, engage in evangelism, and live in a manner that reflects the values of the coming kingdom.