The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is not a peripheral teaching but a central, non-negotiable doctrine of the Christian faith. From the earliest creeds of the church to the eschatological hope of believers today, the return of Christ stands as a cornerstone of Christian hope, judgment, and consummation. In an age of scoffers and skeptics (2 Peter 3:3–4), the Church must proclaim this truth with conviction and clarity.
Biblical Basis
Old Testament Anticipation:
The Old Testament speaks of “the day of the Lord” with imagery of judgment and restoration. Though not always directly tied to a return of the Messiah in two separate comings, passages such as Daniel 7:13–14, Zechariah 14:4–9, and Malachi 4:1–6 lay the groundwork for understanding the climactic intervention of God through His Anointed One.
New Testament Fulfillment:
The New Testament proclaims the Second Coming with certainty and detail:
- Jesus’ Own Words:
“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory” (Mark 13:26, ESV). Jesus spoke frequently of His return (Matt. 24–25; Luke 21; John 14:3). - Apostolic Testimony:
Paul describes the Lord’s return in 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17:
“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command…” (ESV). Other key texts include Titus 2:13, 2 Thessalonians 1:7–10, and Revelation 19:11–16. - Revelation’s Vision:
John’s apocalyptic vision centers on Christ’s return as the warrior King, vanquishing evil and ushering in the eternal state (Rev. 19–22).
Together, these Scriptures affirm that Christ’s return is personal, visible, glorious, and certain.
Definitions
- Second Coming: The future, bodily return of Jesus Christ to earth at the end of the age to judge the living and the dead and to consummate His kingdom.
- Parousia (παρουσία): Greek for “presence” or “coming,” used in the New Testament for Christ’s return (Matt. 24:27; 1 Thess. 2:19).
- Eschatology: The branch of theology concerning last things—death, judgment, resurrection, the Second Coming, heaven, and hell.
Theological Significance
The Second Coming is not an isolated event but the climactic fulfillment of redemptive history:
- Christ’s Vindication: His return completes the triumph begun at His resurrection and ascension.
- Judgment: Christ returns to judge both the living and the dead (2 Tim. 4:1), bringing justice to a world marred by sin.
- Resurrection and Glorification: The dead in Christ will rise, and believers will receive glorified bodies (1 Cor. 15:51–52).
- New Creation: Christ’s coming ushers in the New Heavens and New Earth, where righteousness dwells (2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1–4).
This doctrine exalts Christ as Lord over history and Judge of all, while giving hope to His people and warning to the unrepentant.
Historical Confessions
- Apostles’ Creed:
“He will come again to judge the living and the dead.” - Nicene Creed (325 AD):
“He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.” - Second London Baptist Confession (1689), Chapter 31.1:
“God hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ…” - Westminster Confession (1646), Chapter 33.1:
“God hath appointed a day, wherein he will judge the world, in righteousness, by Jesus Christ…”
These confessions affirm the Second Coming as a settled and cherished belief of the historic, orthodox church.
Comparative Worldview Analysis
The Second Coming radically contrasts with secular and non-Christian worldviews:
- Secularism and Naturalism: See history as a closed system with no divine intervention. The idea of Christ returning in judgment is seen as mythological.
- Postmodernism: Denies meta-narratives, including eschatology. The idea of a final judgment or absolute justice is offensive.
- Neo-Marxism: Looks for utopia through revolution, not redemption. Human progress replaces divine consummation. Woke ideologies view Christian eschatology as regressive.
- Islam: Believes Jesus (Isa) returns, but not as divine Judge and King—denying key truths of the Christian gospel.
- Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses: Hold eschatological views that deviate from the biblical teaching, including altered views of Christ’s return and the nature of judgment.
Only the biblical worldview rightly diagnoses sin and provides a coherent, hopeful vision of Christ’s return to make all things new.
False Teaching and Distortions
- Liberal Theology: Often spiritualizes the return of Christ, treating it as myth or metaphor.
- Hyper-Preterism: Argues that all prophecy, including the Second Coming, was fulfilled in AD 70—denying future judgment and resurrection.
- Date Setting Cults: Groups like the Millerites and Jehovah’s Witnesses have falsely predicted the date of Christ’s return, causing disillusionment.
- Progressive Christianity: Downplays judgment and replaces Christ’s return with a vague hope for social justice or utopian improvement.
- New Apostolic Reformation (NAR): At times promotes an overrealized eschatology, claiming the Church will establish God’s kingdom before Christ returns.
Such errors either diminish the glory of Christ or distort the nature of His return.
Eschatological Variations
While the core doctrine of Christ’s Second Coming is affirmed by all orthodox Christians, the timing, nature, and sequence of end-times events differ across theological traditions. Among those who hold to premillennial eschatology, two major streams—historic premillennialism and dispensational premillennialism—accept Christ’s future return but with more complex interpretive frameworks than traditional amillennial or postmillennial views.
Historic Premillennialism
- Christ will return bodily and visibly to earth at a single, future Second Coming.
- He will defeat the Antichrist, raise the righteous dead, and reign over an earthly kingdom for 1,000 years (Rev. 20:1–6).
- After the Millennium, the wicked will be resurrected and judged.
- Only then will the New Heavens and New Earth be established (Rev. 21:1–4).
Dispensational Premillennialism
- Christ returns first secretly, rapturing the Church before a seven-year Tribulation.
- He then returns openly with His saints to defeat evil at Armageddon and rule for 1,000 years.
- The righteous are resurrected at the Rapture; the wicked are judged after the Millennium.
- The New Creation begins only after the final judgment at the Great White Throne.
While these views share the hope of Christ’s return, they introduce multiple phases and expanded timelines, distinguishing them from more unified, single-event interpretations. They are not heretical but deserve theological clarity.
Practical Implications
1. Encouragement in Suffering:
Believers facing persecution, illness, or loss find hope in the return of the conquering King (Rom. 8:18; 2 Thess. 1:5–10).
2. Motivation for Holiness:
“Everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure” (1 John 3:3, ESV). The return of Christ motivates sanctification.
3. Fuel for Evangelism:
Knowing that judgment is coming (2 Cor. 5:10–11), Christians should share the gospel with urgency.
4. Patience and Watchfulness:
Christ’s coming may seem delayed, but God is not slow—He is patient (2 Pet. 3:9). The Church must be watchful, prayerful, and ready (Matt. 24:42–44).
5. Rejection of Utopianism:
Christians should resist both despair and false optimism. The world will not improve ultimately until Christ returns (Rev. 19–20). Political or social revolutions cannot replace the reign of Jesus.
Hymns and Worship Songs
Traditional Hymns:
- Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending – Charles Wesley
- When He Cometh – William Orcutt Cushing
- The King Shall Come When Morning Dawns – Greek hymn, trans. by John Brownlie
- It Is Well with My Soul – Horatio Spafford
Contemporary Christian Songs (from the Christian Music Artists lens):
- Even So Come – Passion
- I Will Rise – Chris Tomlin
- King of Glory – Third Day
- We Believe – Newsboys
- There Will Be a Day – Jeremy Camp
- Living Hope – Phil Wickham
- Come Jesus Come – Stephen McWhirter
These songs stir longing and reverence for the glorious return of Jesus Christ.
Christian Art
- Giotto’s “Last Judgment” – Arena Chapel, 1305
- Michelangelo’s “The Last Judgment” – Sistine Chapel, 1536–1541
- Modern Sacred Art – Depictions of Revelation 19, Christ returning in power
Visual art has long communicated the awe and majesty of Christ’s return, blending fear and glory into unforgettable expressions of truth.
Christian Holiday Connections
Though not exclusively focused on the Second Coming, Advent incorporates it into Christian reflection:
- Advent Season:
Emphasizes both Christ’s first and second comings. Early Advent Sundays focus on watchfulness and hope in His future return. - Christ the King Sunday:
Celebrates the authority and future reign of Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Conclusion
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is the Church’s blessed hope and the climax of God’s redemptive plan. It brings justice for the oppressed, judgment for the wicked, and eternal joy for the redeemed. In an age that mocks or spiritualizes this doctrine, let the Church stand firm: “Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!” (1 Cor. 16:22; Rev. 22:20).
Let us live in light of His imminent return—with holy hearts, alert minds, and voices proclaiming the gospel until He comes.
S.D.G.,
Robert Sparkman
rob@christiannewsjunkie.com
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