Will Christ Return?

Do you believe in the return of Jesus Christ?
Should you believe in it? What difference does it make?

by Dave Treybig

Will Jesus Christ return? As we approach the dawn of a new millennium, interest in a prophesied future is surging. Most people do not believe Jesus Christ will return to earth. Considering that Christians are a minority of inhabitants of the world, this fact is obvious. What is surprising is that in the United States, where the majority of the population professes Christianity, only some six out of 10 believe in the second coming.

Those who do believe that Jesus will come again are further divided over whether it will be a literal return. Many think that good people, through the leadership of the church, will bring about a utopian age, making it unnecessary for Jesus to actually come down from heaven. From this perspective, many believe He will return only symbolically.

Numerous books have been written and bought by people searching for authoritative information on Christ’s return. But Jesus repeatedly said that no one would know the day nor hour of His second coming (Matthew 24:36,50; 25:13). Of course, that hasn’t prevented many from trying their hand at prediction. Many well-intentioned religious figures have set dates, prophesying Christ’s return at various times over the centuries. Those dates have all passed without the great event taking place.

Was the promise of Jesus’ return simply an empty pledge, a vain attempt to foster hope in weak people who need the crutch of the hopeful expectation inherent in the gospel message? Was Jesus merely a great leader who imparted to mankind lofty humanitarian ideals?

Or can we believe in the literal return of Jesus Christ?

The plan from the beginning

Before we consider His second coming, we need to better understand Jesus’ first coming. Let’s be clear about one thing: Jesus Christ’s first coming was not a reaction to failed policy. God did not send Jesus to earth as part of an improvised plan to overcome the unforeseen sin of Adam and Eve.

On the contrary, as the apostle Paul explained, God’s “purpose and grace” was “given to us in Christ Jesus before time began” (2Timothy 1:9, emphasis added throughout). His first coming was not an afterthought.

Keeping this in mind helps us understand why Jesus is spoken of as having been “slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8) and “foreordained before the foundation of the world” (1Peter 1:20). God’s plan existed from the beginning. Isaiah described God as “declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure’” (Isaiah 46:10). God and Christ knew exactly what They were doing.

Only a few weeks after Jesus’ crucifixion, the apostle Peter began preaching about Christ’s second coming. In his first recorded sermon, Peter said, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before” (Acts 3:19-20). Christ had just completed His first stay on earth and Peter was already speaking of another. How did Peter know Jesus would come again?

Peter continued speaking of Christ, “whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began” (verse 21). Peter knew that the prophets had spoken of this event from the beginning; the Old Testament contains many prophecies of the Messiah.

Because they had seen the fulfillment of the prophecies of Jesus’ first coming, Peter and the other apostles had a sound basis for believing the prophecies regarding His second. Nearing the end of his physical life, Peter emphasized this important truth in two letters that are preserved in the Bible. These works are recognized as his formal and final statement of belief preserved for posterity.

A more sure prophetic word

Notice Peter’s inspired words: “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2Peter 1:16-19).

When Peter spoke of the first coming of Jesus, the “transfiguration,” which Peter had witnessed (Matthew 17:1-2), gave him confidence that his Master was the Son of God. God the Father’s spoken approval of Jesus at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:5) had the effect of confirming “the prophetic word” (2Peter 1:19). This had implications for the second coming. Peter had seen the glorified Christ as He will be at His return.

Prophecies of Christ

Isaiah prophesied extensively of Christ’s first and second comings. Many of Isaiah’s words do not apply to Christ’s first coming. For example, he foretold a time during which earth’s inhabitants will “go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, from the terror of the Lord and the glory of His majesty, when He arises to shake the earth mightily” (Isaiah 2:19).

Zechariah spoke of an era when “the Lord shall be King over all the earth” (Zechariah 14:9).

Daniel was another prophet God used to reveal Jesus’ second coming. Through a remarkable dream given to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, God revealed there would be four world-ruling empires followed by a fifth: the Kingdom of God (Daniel 2). Years later, when King Belshazzar assumed the Babylonian throne, God gave Daniel a similar dream with additional details about this fifth kingdom, including the return of Christ to rule the earth.

Notice how Daniel described his vision: “I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14).

Jesus did not fulfill these prophecies during His first stay on earth. He announced, but did not establish, the Kingdom of God.

An angel further explained that “the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever” (verse 18).

Jesus did not fulfill these prophecies during His first stay on earth. After He came in the flesh, He announced, but did not establish, the Kingdom of God. On trial before Pilate, He said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). Even though Jesus acknowledged that He was born to rule (verse 37), He was referring to a time yet future.

Signs of His coming

The disciples understood Jesus would come again. They often asked questions about this future event. In the Olivet prophecy, so called because Jesus spoke these words from the Mount of Olives,
He described conditions that would be prevalent before He would come again (Matthew 24; Mark 13; Luke 21).

These conditions included false Messiahs usurping Jesus’ role and position, wars, famines, diseases, earthquakes and persecution of those who would truly follow Christ. In an age characterized by lawlessness (disregard of God’s eternal law), Christ said the gospel of the Kingdom of God would be preached in all the world before His second coming (Matthew 24:14).

Very few people understand that Christ’s message, the gospel, includes His return and the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. Many believe the gospel is only a message about Christ’s life, concerning His actions on earth after His first coming. Sadly, the wonderful truths surrounding His second coming are largely overlooked or dismissed as allegorical. The commission to preach the same gospel Jesus taught has been given to the Church of God (Matthew 28:19-20). (For additional information on this subject, request our free booklet The Gospel of the Kingdom.)

How Christ will return

A good place to begin understanding how Christ will return is to note how He left. After a discussion with His disciples concerning the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3), we read that “when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven’” (Acts 1:9-11).

Though Jesus will return in a way similar to His departure, there is one distinction about His second coming that Jesus Himself (Revelation 1:1) revealed to John: “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him . . .” (verse 7). Jesus’ return will be a public event; everyone will see Him.

Besides the spectacular sight of the returning Christ, the apostle Paul identifies other miraculous events that will accompany this historic event. “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” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Very few people understand that Christ’s message, the gospel, includes His return and the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. The wonderful truths surrounding His second coming are largely overlooked.

More details are in Revelation 11:15-19: “Then the seventh angel sounded: and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’ And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: ‘We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was and who is to come, because You have taken Your great power and reigned. The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear Your name, small and great, and should destroy those who destroy the earth.’ Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.”

This passage of Scripture confirms that the second coming will not be a secret occurrence. Everyone will be able to see Christ; an archangel will announce His return; a trumpet will sound. When these things happen, God’s people who are alive on earth will be made immortal along with those who are simultaneously resurrected from their graves (1Corinthians 15:51-53), all rising in the air to meet Christ.

Christ’s plan of action

When Jesus returns, the world will not be a tranquil, peaceful place. Of the conditions just before His return, Jesus said, “If that time of troubles were not cut short, no living thing could survive; but for the sake of God’s chosen it will be cut short” (Matthew 24:22, New English Bible). Jesus will return to a world on the brink of self-destruction and annihilation.

The Bible further reveals that, instead of welcoming Jesus at His return, the first thing the nations will do is literally fight Him. Revelation 9 describes how enormous armies will be mobilized in the end time, gathering for a showdown against each other in the Holy Land. However, as Christ returns they will instead face off to battle against Him. This will take place at Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives, where He will first set foot on earth (Zechariah 14:1-4).

The apostle John recorded a vision of Jesus at His return. Shocking to the sensibilities of some, it clearly identifies Christ as prepared to wage war.

“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 19:11-16).

This picture is strikingly different from the loving, peaceful demeanor most often associated with Jesus. Since the purpose of the Kingdom of God is to bring about peace for the world (Isaiah 9:7), why does it begin with warfare? After all, one third of mankind will have already been killed in the events leading up to Christ’s return (Revelation 9:15,18).

Why a battle at the end of the age?

To find the reason for this battle, we go back to the Garden of Eden. From the beginning God gave mankind instructions that would produce happiness and eternal life (Genesis 3). Swayed by Satan’s deceptive advice, Adam and Eve rejected God’s instructions. They chose to decide for themselves how to live.

This largely unaltered pattern continues throughout Bible history. God gave the ancient Israelites His laws and encouraged them to obey so they could be blessed (Deuteronomy 30:19). They decided otherwise, as most people have today.

With the exception of a few who genuinely love God, demonstrated by keeping His commandments (1John 5:3), most reject God’s straightforward teachings in the Bible. Many mistakenly believe that Christ kept the law for us, therefore we no longer need to obey it.

When Jesus returns, the world will not be a tranquil, peaceful place. Of the conditions leading up to His return, Jesus said, “If that time of troubles were not cut short, no living thing could survive . . .”

Reflecting such misguided perspectives, a 1994 U.S. survey of 1,200 people ages 15 to 35 “found that most of those polled could name no more than two commandments, and as the essayist Cullen Murphy wrote, ‘They weren’t too happy about some of the others when they were told about them’” (John Leo, U.S. News & World Report, Nov. 18, 1996, p. 16). Such an attitude and approach were prophesied by Jesus when He said, “Lawlessness will abound” (Matthew 24:12), culminating in the terrible events leading up to His return.

But, after Christ defeats the gathered armies, the Kingdom of God will be established on earth. This government of God will be based on His eternal, unchanging law (Micah 4:2; Romans 7:12), which will provide the foundation for a worldwide program to reeducate everyone in God’s ways. Of this time God also says, “I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws” (Ezekiel 36:27, New International Version).

What Jesus Christ expects

The Scriptures are plain regarding the promise of Jesus Christ’s second coming, but keeping a clear vision of this remarkable future is a challenge. What can we do to hold onto this perspective and make it the core of our lives?

Notice Jesus’ instructions in Mark 1:14-15: “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.’”

Believing the gospel of the Kingdom of God and repenting of disobedience to God’s law are the foundation of our relationship with God. By practicing the faith of the Bible, our lives are ingrained with this perspective. Our daily prayers should include appeals for God’s Kingdom to come (Matthew 6:9-10).

God gives us reminders of Christ’s return and His wonderful Kingdom. Observing Holy Days revealed by God reminds us how His Kingdom will be established and all of mankind given the opportunity to be part of it. The weekly Sabbath and the annual Feast of Trumpets keep us mindful of the second coming of Jesus Christ and His prophesied rule on earth. (If you are interested in knowing more about these Holy Days, write for our free booklets Sunset to Sunset: God’s Sabbath Rest and God’s Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind.)

Focus on Christ’s return

God’s people have long anticipated the Messiah’s reign. Joseph of Arimathea, the disciple who asked Pilate for Jesus’ body after His crucifixion, was described as “a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God” (Mark 15:43). To the Thessalonians Paul wrote: “And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patient waiting for Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:5, King James Version).

James reminds Christians to “be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand” (James 5:7-8).

Hebrews 9:28 also promises: “To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time.” These scriptures show us that Jesus expects us to conduct our lives with the expectation of His return foremost in mind.

Will Christ return? He placed His own credibility on the line. Because He promised, “I will come again” (John 14:3), we can have absolute confidence that He will return. Because God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), this prophecy will be fulfilled. Christ will return.

(c) 1997 United Church of God, an International Association