Question: Why is there such a strong belief in Jesus Christ’s second coming?
Answer: Probably the reason there is such a strong belief in Christ’s second coming is because Jesus came the first time in fulfillment of prophecy. The first time Jesus, the Messiah, came in fulfillment to hundreds of Old Testament prophecies. It is only reasonable to believe He will come again the second time like He said He would! He rose from the dead, appeared to many people over a period of forty days, more than five hundred at one time. He ascended into heaven in front of many disciples, so is it too hard to believe He will return this same way!
The prophecies of His Second Coming, I believe, refer to two separate and distinct phases. The first coming will be in the air to take home Christ’s bride the Church. Here are some prophecies on this phase: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3)
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) We as Christians don’t fear death, for us we look forward to Christ’s return at any minute. In this next passage we will see how fast it will take place.
“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (I Corinthians 15: 51-52)
So those who have fallen asleep in Jesus will be given a new glorified body, then we which are alive will in the next half of the twinkling of the an eye be given a glorified body! If you are not saved yet, you better get saved, so you can go with us!
The second phase of His coming will be to this earth to set up His rule as King on the earth for one thousand years; this is called the millennial reign of Christ. Before He does this however, He will destroy His enemies, those who would not repent of their sins and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The following verses are about this second phase of Christ’s return.
“After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, ‘Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” (Revelation 4:1) This is what happens after the Church, Christ’s bride is taken to heaven.
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Matthew 24:29-31)
“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” (Luke 21:29-33)
“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:11-15)
Are you ready to go? If not, receive Jesus as your Savior right now. If you want more information on prophecy, go to our article called “Prophecy.”
Thanks,
Gary T. Panell
For more information email me at [email protected]
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