The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is the grand theme of the Bible. In fact, one verse out of every eleven verses in the New Testament talks about this climatic event. Evangelist Dwight Moody said that the event was spoken of 2500 times in Scripture!
One of my passions is studying the Bible – and prophecy! I get soooo excited about this subject. If you see me in person and get me started…. it’s hard for me to stop. It brings a smile to my face and a thrill to my soul. Prophecy is just so fascinating.
The second coming of Jesus is an amazing event that Christians everywhere are anticipating. So let’s take a look at what the Bible has to say about the second coming.
Second Coming of Jesus | Bible Study
There is so much to learn in the Bible. For years I didn’t know very much about the Bible. And I still have a lot to learn!
I believe this Bible study about the second coming of Christ is easy to understand and in depth.
It’s Scripture based.
I believe that the Bible interprets itself and so when I write Bible studies I let the Bible explain itself. I’m confident that you’ll learn something new if you take the time to read this three part series. You won’t be sorry!
Personally, I am so ready for Jesus to come back and take me home to heaven. I’m tired of the sickness and sorrow, the pain and grief of this world.
What about you? Are you excited about the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior?
When Jesus came the first time, it took the religious people of the day by surprise. They were not prepared to welcome Jesus come despite the hundreds of prophecies describing the first advent. They didn’t understand the prophecies. In fact, they were applying the prophecies incorrectly.
People today are often in the same boat. They don’t understand the prophecies and/ or they are applying the prophecies incorrectly. Some folks believe that the book of Revelation is sealed and there’s no point in trying to understand the baffling symbols and prophecies.
Like the people of the Old Testament, there may even be church leaders who misunderstand the prophecies and are applying them incorrectly.
But I want to share the good news with you! We can understand the book of Revelation. The Bible always explains itself.
Revelation 22:10 says, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near.”
Matthew 24:4 says, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” He went on to say in Matthew 24:24 that it would even be possible for the “very elect” (Christians) to be deceived.
You see, Satan isn’t so worried about deceiving the lost people of the world. He already has them right where he wants them. However, he desperately wants to deceive God’s people, “the very elect.” He wants to you and me to be lost!
What will the Second Coming of Christ be Like?
So, let’s look at what Jesus’ return will be like.
Acts 1:9-11 says, “After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “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.”
What do these verses tell us about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?
- He will be visible.
- He will return in a cloud.
- He will be flesh and bones.
- His ascension was literal, personal, bodily, and visible.
When Jesus returns, he will come back in the clouds just like he went up to heaven in the clouds.
Revelation 1:7 says, “Look he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.”
Revelation 14:14 says, “I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one ‘like a son of man’ with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.”
Jesus will be surrounded by thousands and thousands of angels when he returns.
Psalm 104:3b says, “He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.”
Psalm 68:17 says, “The chariots of God are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands.”
Matthew 25:31 says, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.”
There will be no mistaking the Second Coming of Christ. Every person, including those who are saved and those who are lost, will see it happen!
Remember, Revelation 1:7 told us, “Look he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him.”
Matthew 24:30 also says, “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.”
When Jesus returns, the angels will gather God’s people together to take them home.
Matthew 24:31 says, “And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.”
When Jesus returns, and the angels spread out to gather his people together, what happens to the dead in Christ or rather, God’s people who have passed away?
1 Thessalonians 4:16 says, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”
1 Corinthians 15:52 says, “For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”
The dead in Christ will rise first! And then what happens? Those who are still alive who have given their hearts to Jesus will be caught up in the clouds to meet Jesus!
1 Thessalonians 4:17 says, “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
We will be given new bodies. Bodies that will never get sick, grow old, or die.
1 Corinthians 15:53, 54 says, “For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’”
Philippians 3:20, 21 says, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
I’m looking forward to the day when I get to meet Jesus face to face. And, I can’t wait to be changed “in the twinkling of an eye!” I’m kind of looking forward to a perfect body!
Can you even imagine such a glorious event?
Many wonderful, God fearing Christians believe that the Second Coming, or the Rapture, will be a secret event. Maybe you have read the Left Behind series of books or even seen the movie. The “Secret” Rapture is portrayed as a sudden event where all of God’s people are snatched up, leaving the unsaved souls behind. Airplanes fall out of the sky, cars pile up on the freeway and loved ones wonder where their family members have disappeared to.
Sweet friend, this is not what the Bible says. There is no secret Rapture. Let’s look again at what we know so far about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
- It will be visible. Every eye, every nation will see Jesus coming in the clouds.
- He will be accompanied by ten thousand and thousands and thousands of angels.
- People around the world will hear Jesus return. There will be a loud trumpet call.
- The angels will gather the “very elect,” God’s chosen people together.
- Jesus will return just as he left – in the clouds and in person.
- God will not be silent. The whole world will hear him coming.
- The dead in Christ will rise first. Then, those believers who are still alive will be caught up in the air.
- In the twinkling of an eye, we will be given perfect bodies that will never get sick, grow old, or die.
Let’s continue to look at what the Second Coming of Jesus will be like. The Second Coming will be loud and visible. God will not keep it a secret.
Matthew 24:27 says, “For as lightning comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
Psalm 50:3-6 says, “Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages. He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people: ‘Gather to me my consecrated ones who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.’ And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God himself is judge.”
You see, God will not be silent! He will come with a roar and a thunder and a shout that will resound across the whole world!
Jeremiah 25:30-33 says, “The Lord will roar from on high; he will thunder from his holy dwelling and roar mightily against his land. He will shout like those who tread the grapes, shout against all who live on the earth. The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth, for the Lord will bring charges against the nations; he will bring judgment on all mankind and put the wicked to the sword.”
Is the Second Coming the Same as the Rapture?
It will not be a secret! In fact, the Second Coming of Jesus will be cataclysmic! But if that’s the case, why do so many good Christian people believe in the Secret Rapture? Well, unfortunately, it’s a case of Scripture taken out of context.
Let’s look at some key verses used in favor of the Secret Rapture.
2 Peter 3:10 says, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”
It’s true that a thief usually robs a person in secret. Let’s look at the verse in context. Was Peter actually saying Jesus would come back in secret?
Taking the above verse in context… Peter is definitely talking about the Second Coming.
2 Peter 3:3, 4 says, “First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, ‘Where is this ‘coming,’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation….”
Picking up at 2 Peter 3:8, 9… “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends, With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
Verse 10. “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.”
Verse 11,12. “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.”
Verse 13. “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new haven and new earth, the home of righteousness.”
Verse 14. “So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”
Peter was not suggesting that the Second Coming, or “Rapture” would happen in secret. What he was suggesting was that the Second Coming would be a surprise and that people would be caught unaware and off guard.
He was warning God’s people to be ready, to live godly lives, so they were not caught unaware and unprepared.
Notice how in verse 10 he says, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.”
He will come like a thief, with a roar and destruction. The whole earth will be consumed! That doesn’t sound very secret like to me!
In Luke 21:34 Jesus gives us a warning, he says, “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.”
Notice how Jesus said “unexpectedly.” Just like a person never “expects” to be robbed by a thief, so will the Second Coming of Jesus be unexpected.
He will Come Like a Thief in the Night
Revelation 16:15 also uses the “thief” analogy. “Behold, I come like a thief!”
Is Jesus saying his coming will be in secret, or is he warning us not to be caught unprepared?
Let’s look at the verse in context. “Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
Jesus is telling us to be ready. Is your heart ready to meet Jesus?
Now, going back to the theology of the Secret Rapture…
Another verse that is used to explain the Secret Rapture is Matthew 24:40, 41. It says, “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; and one will be taken and the other left.”
And in Luke 17:34- 37 Jesus says, “I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken, and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.”
If you read the verses above – by themselves – you could conclude that there would be a Secret Rapture. But it is important that we never take one or two verses in the Bible and base an entire theology on them without studying to see what the Scriptures as a whole have to say on the subject.
Let’s look at the verses in context. In Matthew 24, starting with verse 36, Jesus tells us that no one knows the day or the hour.
Matthew 24:36- 44 says, “No one knows that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an unexpected hour when you do not expect him.”
You see, again, Jesus is telling us that we need to be ready. We need to keep watch, read our Bible, study, pray, avoid temptation, and seek God’s will for our lives.
Where did Jesus say the one who was taken went? Let’s look at Luke 21: 34- 37 in context. “’I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.’”
“’Where, Lord?’ they asked.
“He replied, ‘Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather.’”
Do you want to be the one taken? Where there is a dead body the vultures will gather… The one taken was lost! He was caught unprepared.
We are so close to the Second Coming of Jesus! Now is the time to give your heart, your mind, your soul to Jesus. Prepare your heart to meet him face to face. He is coming in the clouds!
So, again, let’s look at what we’ve learned so about what the Bible says regarding the Second Coming of Jesus Christ:
- It will be visible. Every eye, every nation will see Jesus coming in the clouds.
- He will be accompanied by ten thousand and thousands and thousands of angels.
- People around the world will hear Jesus return. There will be a loud trumpet call.
- The angels will gather the “very elect,” God’s chosen people together.
- Jesus will return just as he left – in the clouds and in person.
- God will not be silent. The whole world will hear him coming.
- The dead in Christ will rise first. Then, those believers who are still alive will be caught up in the air.
- In the twinkling of an eye, we will be given perfect bodies that will never get sick, grow old, or die.
- It will not be a secret like so many people believe!
- The Second Coming will be unexpected, like a thief in the night.
Pretty amazing right!?! Okay. Let’s continue our study of the amazing prophecies concerning the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. I hope you’re as excited as I am!
He is Coming in the Clouds
At the Second Coming, when Jesus returns to take his children home to heaven, he will remain in the air. He will not come down to the earth. The angels will gather God’s chosen people from around the world and catch them up in the air to meet Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 4:17 says, “After that, we that are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”
Why is this so important for us to understand?
In Matthew 24:24 – 27, Jesus warned, “For false Christs and false prophets and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect – if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time. So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the desert,’ do not go out; or ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible in the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man.”
If anyone suddenly appears here on earth and claims to be Jesus Christ, you should know he is an impostor. Jesus says do not even go see, and do not believe! It isn’t safe to even look, lest you be deceived. Jesus will appear in the clouds, not on the earth!
It is important to stay away, not even look lest we be deceived. We need to remember:
- The devil appears as an angel of light. “For Satan himself masquerades as an agel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14
- The devil works miracles. “The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9
- The devil can call fire down from heaven. “And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men.” Revelation 13:13
- The devil can and will quote Scripture, twisting it to his benefit. “’If you are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Matthew 4:6
- The devil is full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. “You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.” Ezekiel 28:12b
How can we avoid being deceived?
Satan wants our worship. He is a master deceiver. He wants us to be deceived so that when Jesus really does come, we aren’t prepared!
What will happen to the wicked at the Second Coming?
Revelation 6: 14 – 16 says, “The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. The the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They call to the mountains and the rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb.’”
Is there a Second Chance?
There will be no second chances. Don’t think that you can “wait until the last minute.” No one will get a second chance. The hour is at hand. You need to make a decision now. When Jesus returns to take his people home, it is too late.
2 Thessalonians 2:10b -12 says, “They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.”
Revelation 22: 11 says, “Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy.”
The wicked will be destroyed at the “brightness of his coming” and the “spirit of his mouth.”
2 Thessalonians 2:8 says, “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.”
No one knows the day or the hour when Jesus will return, but we can know it is near. Jesus tells us to watch for the signs. (Matthew 24, Luke 21)
And when he comes again, God’s people will be rewarded, “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.”
“Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.”
Revelation 22:7
The second coming of Jesus is going to be an awesome, brilliant thing to behold. It’s hard to imagine exactly what it will be like, but I know it’s going to be amazing. I hope some you are looking forward to that day just as much as I am.
If Jesus were to come tonight, would you be ready?
Action Steps You can Take Today
- Make a decision to follow Jesus Christ today if you haven’t already. He’s ready and waiting!
- Get out your Bible and read the verses we talked about above. Study for yourself.
- Print out my free Second Coming of Christ Bible study Guide, if desired.
- Be ever watchful. He is coming soon!
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