Mentioned throughout Scripture, especially in the New Testament, the Second Coming is a future event that will take place as Christ returns to earth in all His glory at the final judgment. At that time, He will make right all the wrongs in our world. This event will occur after the Tribulation, when Christ defeats the Great Dragon, and before His one-thousand-year reign on earth. The Bible gives us much information about the Second Coming, but there is also much we will not know until it takes place. Many theologians of our day have noted the signs of the times indicate that the end is near—and so is the Second Coming of Christ. Let’s take a closer look at what the Bible says about the Second Coming, and how we can prepare for it.
The Proof: Jesus’ Return is Featured Prominently in Scripture
People are often surprised to learn that references to the Second Coming outnumber references to the first coming by a factor of eight to one. Scholars have identified 1,845 different biblical references to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
In the Old Testament, Christ’s return is emphasized in no less than 17 books and the New Testament authors speak of it in 23 of the 27 books. Seven out of 10 chapters in the New Testament mention His return. In other words, 1 out of every 30 verses in the New Testament teaches us that Jesus Christ is coming back to this earth.
The Lord Himself referred to His return 21 times. The fact that Christ’s Second Coming features so prominently in Scripture is an indication that this event is important to God, and, as a result, it should be important to us. It is predicted throughout the Bible wherever you look. In fact, it’s even in the book of Genesis.
The Bible says in Hebrews 9:28, “To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation,” and it actually begins in the book of Genesis. Did you know that Enoch predicted the Second Coming of Christ? Jude tells us this in Jude 1:14-15.
Here’s what it says: “Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, ‘Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.’”
Isn’t that interesting? Enoch, in the book of Genesis, said that Jesus is coming back.
The prophet Daniel also said that Jesus is coming back. He was known for his prophetic dreams, and here in one of his dreams he tells us about the return of Jesus Christ. Here is what he said:
The prophet Zechariah predicted Christ’s final epic battle against the Antichrist. And Jesus said this in His Olivet Discourse , “As the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be…. 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 24:27-31).
The Particulars: Where Will Jesus Return to Earth?
The place of His return is an interesting subject because the Bible tells us where He is going to arrive when He comes back. Zechariah 14:4 says, “And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move toward the north and half of it toward the south.”
Who Will Witness Jesus’ Return?
The first time He came to earth, Jesus appeared in obscurity. But for His Second Coming, the entire world will witness His return. In today’s context, I’ve heard people explain that it’s possible because of satellite TV. Every eye on earth will be able to watch Him on television, if that is how He planned it.
If the One who spoke and the world was created wants everybody to see Him when He comes back, I think He can make that happen. I don’t know how it’s going to happen, but the Bible says when He comes the second time to right every wrong, every eye–in every place, in every corner of the world–will witness His return.
The Promise: A New Heaven and a New Earth
Notice what the apostle John says from his exile on the Isle of Patmos in Revelation 21:1 and 5, “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…. Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ ”
That’s the promise of a new heaven. Almighty God has said to us, through John the apostle, that one day He is going to make everything about this earth and these heavens new.
One Day God Will Make Everything Right
The Bible says He is going to judge in righteousness. “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” (Revelation 19:15).
The Bible tells us that, one day, Almighty God is going to make things right. Sometimes in life, you look around and it feels like hell has opened its door and let every evil thing you can think of come out—every time we turn on the television.
I grew up reading these passages from the Bible. And I remember when I was studying the book of Daniel, I read a story about King Nebuchadnezzar who was such a hateful man. And one day, one of his enemies was caught. He had seven boys. Nebuchadnezzar put out the eyes of the children and put out the eyes of the father last so that the last thing that he would ever remember seeing was that all his children had been deprived of their eyesight.
You read in the history of that time about beheadings. I never thought I would live to hear that term in my day. But it’s been happening, to children and young people and even babies. And then they are thrown into a mass grave. How do you ever deal with such an awful thing? I think hell will be especially hot for people who torture individuals like that.
You wonder, How is that ever going to be made right? Sometimes you say, “Why doesn’t God do something?” And I want to tell you God is going to do something. He is going to come back and make it right. That is the hope we have in the Second Coming of Christ.
For deeper study of Revelation and Prophecy, visit Dr. Jeremiah’s Prophecy Academy where you will find a panorama of prophetic materials to enhance your understanding of God’s Plan for the end of the world.