The Second Coming of Christ: When, Why & How

Among Christians, there is no doubt concerning the second coming of Jesus Christ. The final essential doctrine on our list is the doctrine of the return of Christ. While theologians differ as to when the return of Christ will occur, all Christians will agree that the return of Christ will occur. The doctrine of the return of Christ, or the parousia, speaks to the physical return of Jesus upon the earth.

The Facts Of The Second Coming

The Holy ones of God did not attempt to prove the certainty of our Lord’s second coming; rather, they spoke the doctrine of the Lord with the underlying assurance that all accepted the fact of his second appearance. Paul said, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven” (1 Thess. 4:16). Further, he said, “For our citizenship is in heaven; from where also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20). As recorded in Acts 1:9-11, the disciples were told, “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Thus, “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Heb. 9:28).

When Will Jesus Come Again?

No man has ever known the time of the second coming of Christ. Jesus said, “But of that day and that hour knows no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father” (Mk. 13:32). Many have embarrassed themselves with their projections of when the Lord is coming. The greatest harm is that unbelievers judge all religion by the folly of date-setters like Joseph Smith of the Mormons in 1832, 35, William Miller of the Adventists in 1843-44, Ellen White of the Seventh Day Adventist in 1850, 56, and Russell and Rutherford of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1914. The fact that the Lord will come “as a thief in the night” shows that it will be sudden and unexpected. Therefore those who believe are watching and prepared night and day (1 Thess 5:1-8).

Why The Second Coming

First, Christ is not coming again in order to offer Himself as a sacrifice for sin (Heb. 9:26-28; 10:10-12, 25, 26; Rom. 6:10). His first coming was not to judge but to save the world (Jn. 3:17; 12:47). However, His second coming shall be to judge, and not to save. Jesus is not coming to offer the wicked another chance; the fate of every man will be sealed when Christ comes again. Specifically, the Lord will come again:

To raise the dead (Jn. 5:28,29; 6:39,44,54; 12:48; Rom. 2:1-11);
To judge the world (Acts 17:30,31);
To destroy this present universe and all things contained therein (2 Pet. 3:9-11).

These facts represent the end of time and life as we know it.

How Will The Lord Come?

Jesus ascended visibly, so therefore will he come in like manner (Act 1:11). The scriptures testify that “Every eye shall see him” (Rev. 1:7 f; 1 Jn. 3:2). It is also stated that he will be heard by all: “All that are in the graves shall hear his voice” (Jn. 5:28). “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, and with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God” (1 Thess. 4:16).

What is the Doctrine?

Theologians differ on the events surrounding the return of Christ, particularly regarding the thousand year reign mentioned in Revelation 20. These interpretations include:

Amillennialists: Believe that the thousand year reign is allegorical and refers to the time between Christ’s ascension and the final return to earth.
Post-millennialists: Believe that Christ will return at the close of the millennium and that the world will finally embrace the gospel message and become better and better until Christ returns.
Pre-millennials: Believe that Christ will return before establishing the earthly millennial reign and that the world will become more and more perverse before the return of Christ.