What exactly is the Second Coming of Christ?
The Second Coming of Christ is exactly what it sounds like: the return of Jesus to earth following His ascension into heaven. This event is mentioned multiple times in the Bible, including in the New Testament in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the letters of Paul. In fact, the second coming of Christ is mentioned over 300 times in the New Testament alone!
Now, the Bible doesn’t give us an exact date for when this event will occur, but it does provide us with some clues about what we can expect.
For example, in Matthew 24:30-31, Jesus himself says:
“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send 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.”
Why will all the people who were left behind of the earth mourn? Because it is a terrifying realisation to discover the Bible was true after spending your life rejecting it.
What does Matthew 24:30-31 mean?
Matthew 24:30–31 describes the visible return of Christ to earth. This is not presented as a hidden or symbolic event. The world sees it happen.
The passage describes Christ returning with power and glory, accompanied by angels and the sound of trumpets as believers are gathered together. It is one of the clearest descriptions in the Bible of the Second Coming being a real, global event rather than merely a spiritual idea.
The Bible also connects Christ’s return with judgement.
The Bible also tells us that when Jesus returns, there will be a judgment day. In Matthew 25:31-32, Jesus says: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.”
What this passage describes is judgement. The White Throne judgement, to be precise.
When Christ returns, humanity is separated like a shepherd separates sheep from goats. One group enters eternal life with Him. The other faces judgement for rejecting Him.
That is why the Second Coming is both hopeful and deeply sobering, depending on where you stand.
How do we know about the Second Coming of Christ?
The Second Coming of Christ is written about 318 times in the New Testament, and 17 books in the Old Testament mention it. Furthermore, there are 1,845 references to the second coming of Christ!
Aside from that one, above, from Matthew 24:30-31, here are three more:
Acts 1:11: “Men of Galilee, they said, “why do you stand here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!“
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.“
Revelation 1:7: “Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him – even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen!“
What Does the Second Coming of Christ Mean for Christians?
For Christians, the Second Coming of Christ represents the fulfillment of God’s plan and the final defeat of evil.
Revelation describes a world that grows increasingly corrupt, violent, deceptive, and hostile toward God. The return of Christ marks the end of that rebellion and the beginning of His rule on earth.
It is therefore a moment of hope for believers, but also one of judgement.
The Bible teaches that Christ will judge humanity, separating those who accepted Him from those who rejected Him. Those who belong to Him enter His kingdom, while those who rejected Him face judgement.
That is why the Second Coming is presented throughout scripture as both comforting and serious at the same time.
What to Expect When the Second Coming of Christ Happens?
The Bible gives us some clues as to what to expect when the Second Coming of Christ happens. Here are a few of the most significant:
The Resurrection of the Dead: According to 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, the dead in Christ will rise first, at the Rapture. This means that those who have died before the Second Coming will be raised from the dead and given new, glorified bodies.
The Rapture: The term “rapture” is not found in the Bible, but it refers to the event described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, where believers will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. This event is often depicted as a sudden, dramatic event that takes place without warning.
The Tribulation: The period leading up to the Second Coming of Christ is often referred to as the “Tribulation.” This will be a time of great turmoil and suffering on Earth, as God pours out his wrath with 21 terrible judgements on a sinful and rebellious world.
Armageddon: The battle of good and evil, after which the antichrist and false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire and Satan is bound for 1000 years.