The Second Coming of Christ: When, Why & How

Among Christians, there is no doubt concerning the second coming of Jesus Christ. Among unbelievers, there are many mockers who laugh at the very thought. Those who believe, there is no need for a sign or proof of the second coming, for they know the Lord will come as a thief in the night. Therefore they are watching and prepared night and day 1 Thess 5:1-8. The evil seek for a sign, but to them there shall be no sign given, except that which was written in the pages of God’s Holy Word. Mt 16:4 Scoffers argue against the second coming, “saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (2 Pet. 3:3,4)

The Facts Of The Second Coming

“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). 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).  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  (1 Thess. 1:10 ; 5:2 ff; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Cor. 4:5; 1 Pet. 1:13; 1 Jn. 3:2,3). 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.”

When Will Jesus Come Again?

No man has ever known the time of the second coming of Christ. 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. 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). The fact that the Lord will come “as a thief in the night” shows that it will be sudden and unexpected.

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 (2 Cor. 5:10; 5:28,29).

The Lord will come again:  (1) to raise the dead (Jn. 5:28,29; 6:39,44,54; 12:48; Rom. 2:1-11); (2) to judge the world (Acts 17:30,31); and (3) 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?

Seen By All: Jesus ascended visibly, so therefore will he come in like manner. (Act 1:11) “Every eye shall see him” (Rev. 1:7 f; 1 Jn. 3:2).

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).

Conclusion: Having the afore knowledge that Jesus will be coming back to reward all who have obeyed him, and punishing all those who obey him not, how much better lives should we desire to live. 2 Thess 1:7-9 Peter revealed this consolation when he said, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness.” 2 Peter 3:10-11

It is the desire of every Christian whether dead or alive for the Lord to reappear and give them their reward and to avenge them of their persecutors. When an evil man dies, he loses his life and receives eternal damnation to his soul. When a righteous man dies, he gains his life and his eternal reward awaits him. Is it any wonder why the saints pray for the Lord to come again while the wicked hope the Lord never comes and that their present estate is extended to its fullest extent. Peter said, “Looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God,…” 2 Peter 3:12 And John concluded the final pages of scriptures this way, “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” Rev 22:20

The fact of the matter is this, that death is appointed to everyone who has been born. Heb 9:27 Even if we are alive when the Lord comes, we shall be changed in a “twinkling of an eye” at the last trump. 1 Cor 15:51,52 Therefore, if we are wise in the faith, we shall be prepared whether the Lord comes now or waits a thousand years. Let us therefore be prepared to meet the Lord at all times by our obedience to the gospel of Christ and remaining faithful to the doctrine of Christ and his apostles. As Peter concluded, “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17 Jesus warned all of mankind of his second coming by condensing it to one word, WATCH! Mk 13:37