The prospect of Jesus’ second coming demands a response from everyone. It will be unmissable, and it will affect every person without exception.
It may happen in our lifetime. Many signs point to its imminence, and the nature of our response is the biggest decision any of us will ever make.
A return in stages
The Bible outlines the second coming as a succession of events, each with a different purpose and a different audience:
- The rapture – a dramatic rescue of Jesus’ faithful followers
- Judgement – for those who have rejected his offer of salvation
- Restoration – of a broken world, in preparation for his perfect reign
Echoes of the First Coming
We can learn much about the second coming by looking back at the first. The two share striking parallels.
The timing was hidden. World events pointed to Jesus’ first coming, but nobody knew the day or hour. The same will be true of his return.
One ruler held the world. At Jesus’ first coming, the known world answered to a single oppressive leader – Caesar Augustus, who ordered a census both for financial control and to secure allegiance. At the second coming, the world will again answer to one leader: the Antichrist.
The heavens gave warning. A great star heralded Christ’s birth. Signs in the heavens will herald his return.
False teaching clouded the truth. False prophets in Israel led many to reject their Messiah. In the same way, deception, especially within the mainstream church, will leave many unprepared before Christ’s return, and may even draw people toward allegiance with the Antichrist. Jesus warned us of this directly.
Preparation didn’t guarantee recognition. The Jews had roughly 2,000 years to prepare for Jesus’ first coming, yet they didn’t recognise him, they handed him to the Romans for crucifixion. If Jesus returns soon, it will again be roughly 2,000 years since he last walked the earth. History suggests only a remnant will be ready.
No neutral ground
Everyone who met Jesus, or heard of him, responded with either homage or hostility. Nobody stayed neutral, he was a divisive figure, and he still is.
Jesus did everything possible to show who he was: he lived a perfect life, performed every kind of miracle, and proved his identity beyond doubt through the resurrection. No one else in history holds that set of credentials.
Many of his early followers died for their belief in the resurrection.
The movement that began with Jesus remains unique. Every other movement in history is anchored to a grave. Followers of Jesus are anchored to an empty one:
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.” (Mark 16:6 NIV)
His death paid a price we could not pay. His resurrection is the receipt that the payment was accepted. And he is coming back.
Is the stage set?
We believe the signs point to his return coming soon. Time is running out on this age, and Jesus provided many signs to alert the world of his arrival, most of which are unique to the times we live in. We encourage you to explore them for yourself. Ask which ones don’t hold up. For those that don’t yet seem fulfilled, ask how quickly they still could be.
Before Jesus restores the earth to its original, perfect state, the world will undergo a period of severe upheaval. We believe he will first gather his faithful followers in the rapture, then allow the world to pass through the Great Tribulation, a period of judgement no one in their right mind would choose. Followers of Jesus can be assured of rescue from it.
The invitation
Each of us lives estranged from our Creator, cut off by our own rebellion. Jesus provided the solution through his death and resurrection. Anyone can now enter God’s kingdom by accepting the grace on offer. As Jesus said:
“Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (John 3:3 NIV)
Being “born again” restores that broken relationship and secures an eternity in God’s kingdom. Everyone is welcome, simply by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. We believe God is delaying his Son’s return to give as many people as possible the chance to choose life with Jesus.
What’s stopping you from taking that step?
Everyone will one day stand before the Lord Jesus. The Bible is clear that judgement day comes for believers and non-believers alike, and the outcome depends on whether you have submitted to him in repentance:
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV)
On that day, we’ll be judged against God’s standards, not our own. God gave us free will, and we’ve used it for both good and harm; the state of the world reflects that.
But we haven’t been abandoned to our fate. Jesus is the only one who can deliver us from judgement, and the only one who offers a place in a restored world, back in relationship with God.
First Coming, Second Coming
Jesus’ two appearances carry entirely different missions:
- He came first as a suffering servant. He’ll return as reigning King.
- He came first as the Lamb of God. He’ll return as the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
- He came first as a baby in a manger. He’ll return as Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
- He came first in meekness, on a donkey. He’ll return in power, on a white horse.
- He came first to bring peace to our hearts. He’ll return to bring peace to the world.
- He came first to die. He’ll return to bring the “born again” to life.
- He came first to pay for our sins. He’ll return to judge them.
- He came first to rescue. He’ll return to reign.
Jesus arrived the first time as a baby, and grew up to die a brutal death for you and me. Your life is in his hands now – how will you respond?
This website exists to glorify Christ and to point anyone who will listen to the only way of salvation.
“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11 NIV)
“The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.” (Zechariah 14:9 NIV)
This will be the biggest moment in history. Will you be ready for the Coming King?
Useful references
- GotQuestions.org – What is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?
- CompellingTruth.org – What is the importance of the second coming of Jesus Christ?