Understanding Jesus’ Second Coming: Essential Facts and Biblical Evidence

Jesus’ Second Coming is one of Christianity’s essential doctrines (i.e., fundamentals). But even though it is the most exciting future event for every Christian, there is a lot of confusion regarding Jesus’ return. The study of end-time events or eschatology is challenging for several reasons, including unfamiliar and easily confused terms and disagreement among Christians over many features of eschatology. This article seeks to clarify important issues and unravel tangled jargon about Jesus’ Second Coming.

The Importance of Jesus’ Second Coming

Jesus’ death and resurrection officially liberated us from Satan’s bondage (Col. 2:14; Heb. 2:14). But we remain under the devil’s influence. At Jesus’ Second Coming, he will finally and permanently defeat Satan. Christ will eternally send the devil and his angels to the lake of fire (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 20:10). Furthermore, Jesus’ Second Coming marks the last stages of our earthly sanctification. It also signals the end of time as we know it and the final judgment (Great White Throne Judgment) that eternally separates believers from unbelievers (Rev 20:11-15).

Scriptural Evidence for the Return of Christ

The evidence for Jesus’ Second Coming is overwhelming. Multiple reliable sources attest to his return, including prophetic witnesses and direct promises:

• Daniel (Dan. 7:13-14) prophesized Jesus’ Second Coming
• Jesus promised his disciples (Matt 16:27) and the High Priest at his trial (Mark 14:62) that he would return
• The two angels who appeared to the disciples when Jesus physically ascended back to heaven promised he would return (Acts 1:11)
• New Testament writers confirmed Christ’s Second Coming, including Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, the writer to the Hebrews, Peter, and Christ’s half-brother, James.

The Physical Nature of the Second Coming

The evidence that Jesus will return physically at his Second Coming is indisputable. To understand how we know this, we need to start with his resurrection body. Firstly, Jesus proved his resurrection body was the same physical body in which He died (Luke 24:36–39). For instance, Jesus showed his disciples his crucifixion scars, was physically touched, and consumed physical food. Secondly, Christ ascended back to heaven 40 days after his resurrection in the same resurrected physical body (Acts 1:11). Thirdly, the two angels promised that he would return in the same physical way (Zech. 14:4; Acts 1:10-11).

Timing and Preceding Signs

Jesus told his disciples that only God the Father knew the time and date of his Second Coming (Matt. 24:36). Because no one knows when he is coming other than God, all predictions of his coming are automatically wrong. However, Scripture has given us certain events that will precede Jesus’ return:

• Universal preaching of the Gospel (Matt. 24:14)
• Persecution of Christians (Matt. 24:9)
• Widespread abandonment of Christianity (i.e., apostasy) and godlessness
• The rise of the Antichrist (Rev. 13:1-10)
• The appearance of false Christs and false prophets working signs and wonders
• Wars, rumors of wars, famines, and earthquakes
• Cosmic changes (Matt. 24:29)
• The salvation of Israel (Rom. 11:12, 25-26)

Based on the biblical data, we can compare the purpose of His two appearances:

Purpose of First Coming	Purpose of Coming Again
To put away sin by the sacrifice of himself (Heb. 9:26)	Without sin unto salvation (Heb. 9:28)
To save us from the penalty of sin	To save from the presence of sin
To destroy the work of the devil (1 Jn. 3:8)	To establish kingdom on earth (Acts 1:6)
To take away the sins of the world	Execute judgment to those not believed (2 Thes. 1:8)

How to Prepare

Jesus’ Second Coming is a glorious event for Christians, and we should eagerly want and expect his return (Tit. 2:13). There is no need to be fearful or anxious. Christians should be always watchful and ready for his return (Matt. 24:42-44), living holy lives as they wait patiently for Christ's return.