Part 6 · Belief 25 — The Doctrine of Last Things
The Second Coming of Christ
What we believe
The second coming of Christ is the blessed hope of the church, the grand climax of the gospel. The Saviour's coming will be literal, personal, visible, and worldwide. When He returns, the righteous dead will be resurrected, and together with the righteous living will be glorified and taken to heaven, but the unrighteous will die. The almost complete fulfillment of most lines of prophecy, together with the present condition of the world, indicates that Christ's coming is near. The time of that event has not been revealed, and we are therefore exhorted to be ready at all times.
Every promise Jesus made, He keeps — and this is the greatest one still ahead. On the night before He died, with His friends frightened and grieving, He gave them a hope to hold onto: "I will come again" (John 14:3). The whole story of the gospel has been moving toward this moment — not the end of the world as a tragedy, but the homecoming the world was made for. The One who came once as a baby in a manger has promised to come again as King of kings. This is not wishful thinking; it is the surest appointment on history's calendar, and it changes how we live today.
A promise, kept in person
Jesus did not send word that He would meet us somewhere; He promised to come Himself. "I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also" (John 14:3). When He ascended, two angels confirmed how He would return: "This Jesus... will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). He left visibly, bodily, personally — and so He will return. This is no symbol and no inner experience; it is the real Jesus, coming back for the people He loves.
Seen by all, missed by none
Some imagine a secret return, but the Bible describes the opposite — an event no one on earth could miss. "Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him" (Revelation 1:7). Jesus warned us not to chase rumors of a hidden Christ: "As the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man" (Matthew 24:27). And it will be glorious — "the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" (Matthew 24:30). When He comes, there will be no doubt and no debate.
The great reunion
For everyone who has wept at a graveside, the Second Coming holds the answer to the deepest ache. Paul wrote so that we "may not grieve as others do who have no hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13). At that moment, "the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive... will be caught up together with them... to meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17). In an instant, mortal bodies become immortal — "we shall all be changed" (1 Corinthians 15:51, 52). No wonder Paul called it "our blessed hope" (Titus 2:13). Death will not have the last word; Jesus will.
Search the Scriptures
Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 21; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 5:1-6; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; 2:8; 2 Tim. 3:1-5; Titus 2:13; Heb. 9:28; Rev. 1:7; 14:14-20; 19:11-21.
Reflect
Jesus told us plainly that "concerning that day and hour no one knows" (Matthew 24:36) — not to make us anxious, but to keep us awake and ready every day. Readiness is not fearful date-setting; it is a heart that loves His appearing and lives each day as if He could come tomorrow. This week, ask yourself one honest question: if Jesus returned today, would I meet Him as a longed-for Friend? Then live in that friendship now.
Check your understanding
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