“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16
The Promise of Christ’s Return
We often find comfort in the promises that God has made to us, and the most profound of these is the promise of Christ’s return. The Bible reassures us that Jesus will come back to gather his followers, fulfilling the words He spoke during His earthly ministry. This is not just a vague hope; it’s a core belief within our faith. Living with the anticipation of Christ’s return encourages us to stay faithful and ready, knowing that all He has promised will come to fruition.
John 14:3
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” – John 14:3
1 Thessalonians 5:2
“For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:2
Revelation 22:12
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” – Revelation 22:12
Acts 1:11
“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
Matthew 24:30
“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven, and then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.” – Matthew 24:30
The Signs of His Coming
As we consider the second coming of Jesus, we also need to recognize that the Scriptures give us signs that will precede His return. These signs act as a reminder for us to stay vigilant in our faith and to never lose sight of His promised return. They motivate us to spread the Good News to others. Being aware of these signs encourages us to lift each other up and prepare ourselves for that glorious day.
Matthew 24:6
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” – Matthew 24:6
Luke 21:25
“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.” – Luke 21:25
Matthew 24:14
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” – Matthew 24:14
Mark 13:8
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.” – Mark 13:8
2 Timothy 3:1
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.” – 2 Timothy 3:1
The Call to Be Prepared
As believers, we must remember that Jesus’s return is not just a future event; it is a call to live in a manner that reflects our readiness for that day. Living each day as if it could be the day of His return encourages us to align our lives with the teachings of Scripture and to lead a life filled with love, service, and purpose. This preparation cultivates a spirit of fostering community while we await our blessed hope.
Matthew 25:13
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” – Matthew 25:13
1 Peter 4:7
“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.” – 1 Peter 4:7
Matthew 24:42
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” – Matthew 24:42
Luke 12:40
“You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” – Luke 12:40
Revelation 3:3
“Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.” – Revelation 3:3
The Glory of His Coming
When we reflect upon the second coming of Jesus, we are invited to imagine the magnificence of that day. The glory of His arrival is not just awe-inspiring; it is a source of hope for all who have faith in Him. For us, it means the fulfillment of God’s promises, healing from pain, and restoration of all things. Imagining this glory encourages us to live joyfully and share that joy with others.
Colossians 3:4
“When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” – Colossians 3:4
Mark 8:38
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” – Mark 8:38
Revelation 1:7
“Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all peoples on earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.” – Revelation 1:7
Matthew 25:31
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.” – Matthew 25:31
Romans 8:18
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” – Romans 8:18
The Celebration Upon His Return
The moment of Christ’s return will be one not only of awe but also of profound joy for all believers. We will gather to celebrate the victory of good over evil—an eternal festivity that awaits us. This anticipation teaches us to rejoice in the hope we have, stretching it beyond our temporary struggles. The celebration is a reminder that we are united as God’s children and that darkness will never have the final say.
Revelation 19:7
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” – Revelation 19:7
Psalms 100:2
“Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” – Psalms 100:2
Isaiah 25:9
“In that day they will say, ‘Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.'” – Isaiah 25:9
Luke 15:10
“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” – Luke 15:10
Revelation 22:17
“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” – Revelation 22:17
The Call to Evangelize Before His Coming
As we anticipate the second coming of Jesus, we are reminded of the Great Commission to share the Good News with others. This mission guides us to actively seek out opportunities to talk about Christ and spread His love. Each time we share the message, we make a difference in the lives of those around us. Our enthusiasm for sharing becomes more significant as we seek to ensure that everyone hears the glorious news of Jesus’s return.
Matthew 28:19-20
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20
Mark 16:15
“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'” – Mark 16:15
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9
Luke 10:2
“He told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'” – Luke 10:2
1 Corinthians 9:22
“To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” – 1 Corinthians 9:22
Final Thoughts
The second coming of Jesus Christ is a powerful promise filled with hope that gives us motivation in our daily lives. Through the various challenges we face, we can look forward to a day when He returns in glory, bringing joy and restoration. His return reminds us to remain vigilant and prepared, sharing the gospel with everyone around us. This anticipation nurtures a spirit of encouragement, united as we await that blessed day. Together, let us hold onto these promises and encourage one another to live in faith and share His love.
There are many other profound topics to explore in the Bible. I encourage you to look into the gates of heaven or read about future events. Dive deeper into your faith journey.