In the Scriptures there are many references to the return of Jesus to the earth; this time not as the suffering servant dying on the cross, but as Lord, King of kings, and the Judge of heaven and earth [1] (Isaiah 11:1-9,  Isaiah 65:17-25;  Habakkuk 2:14).

The Second Coming was clearly foretold by angels in Acts 1:11.  They told the disciples, "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."  The Lord ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives and it will be to the Mount of Olives that He will descend at His return.  Much more is said also in 1 and 2 Thessalonians and in the book of Revelation, which ends with the words, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

The early church leaders all believed Jesus was going to return, as expressed in the Christian Creeds: "and He shall come with glory to judge the quick and the dead whose kingdom shall have no end."

If Jesus isn't going to return, then His teaching on the subject, the many Scripture references to it, and the beliefs of Christians down two thousand years, are all false and make the Lord a liar at worst or deluded at best.  But the opposite is the truth.  The Lord Jesus showed Himself in Scripture to be the personification of truth in everything He did and in every word He spoke, so we know we can trust what He says concerning His Second Coming.

The return of Jesus marks the next stage in God's master plan for the redemption of mankind.  Some Christians believe He will return to reign on earth for one thousand years in order to fulfil God's original plan before man rebelled so long ago in the Garden of Eden.  Though His will seemed to be foiled then, in the end it will be done.  All glory be to Him!

Life on earth when Jesus rules perfectly will be very different from the way it is now under the imperfect rule of flawed man.  Everyone will be Christ-centred, rather than self-centred, as they prepare for eternity in God's presence.  All evil, war, killing, and strife will be no more and there will peace and harmony between peoples and nations.  Famines and droughts shall find no place under Christ's rule; neither will the wicked.

The final act will come when Jesus presents His Bride (all those found faithful to Him) to God the Father; then shall the temporal give way to the eternal when all, including the Lord Jesus Himself, will submit to the Father, and the Bride of Christ will live and reign with Him for ever.  May we all be in that number "when the saints go marching in"! [2].

Scriptures That Refer to the Second Coming of Jesus

His Return is Promised:
John 14:3;  Acts 1:11;  1 John 2:28.

Why is Jesus Coming Back?
To fulfil His Word  (Luke 21:31-33)
To reward God's People  (Luke 21:25-28)
To gather the elect  (Matthew 24:310)
To judge the world  (John 3:19)
To glorify believers  (2 Thessalonians 2:13-15)
To raise the dead  (1 Thessalonians 4:13-15)
To cast death and hell into the lake of fire  (Revelation 20:14)
To bring salvation to those on earth waiting for His return  (Hebrews 9:28;  1 Peter 1:5).

What Will Be the Signs Before He Returns?
Deceivers will claim to be Christ  (Matthew 24:3-5;  Matthew 24:23-27;  Mark 13:5-6,21-22;  Luke 21:7-8)
There will be an increase in wars, famines, earthquakes, floods, etc  (Matthew 24:6-8;  Mark 13:7-8;  Luke 21:9-11)
People will be more self-centred, they will scoff and ridicule the Bible, and believers will depart from the Christian Faith (Matthew 24:9-12;  Luke 21:34-36;  2 Thessalonians 2:3)
There will be an intense increase in evil and godless activity  (Matthew 24:37-39)
There will be a universal numbering system applied to all men, without which nothing can be bought or sold  (Revelation 13:16-18)
Jerusalem will be surrounded by her enemies  (Matthew 24:15;  Mark 13:14;  Luke 21:20-24)
THEN the Lord will come.

How Will Jesus Come?
On the clouds, with His angels, in great glory  (Mark 13:26-27).

Who Will See His Return?
Everyone  (Mark 13:26).

What Should be the Christian's Attitude to the Return of Jesus?
Be ready and prepared, watching, on our guard, and in a right relationship with the Lord  (Mark 13:32-37)
Living a patient, positive, godly, holy life  (1 Peter 1:14-16).
The question to exercise our minds is: "How should His coming affect the way we live our lives day by day?"

Conclusion:
When Jesus came the first time, He came without pomp and ceremony, and few knew of His humble birth  (Luke 1 & 2).
When He comes the second time, he will come in great glory and every person will be aware of it!

Some More Scriptures:
Matthew 24:1-44;  Mark 13:1-37;  Luke 17:20-37;  Luke 21:5-36;  1 Corinthians 15:12-28;  1 Thessalonians 2:17-20,  1 Thessalonians 3:11-13,  1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:23;  2 Thessalonians 1:5-10, 2:1-12;  1 Peter 1:3-12;  2 Peter 3:1-18;  Revelation 1:7-8.

Footnotes

[1]  Isaiah 11:1-9;  Isaiah 65:17-25;  Habakkuk 2:14.          [2]  1 Corinthians 6:9-11;  1 Corinthians 15:24-28.

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© Michael Smith 2013