The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is one of the most important doctrines of the Christian faith. It is the hope and expectation of every believer that one day, Jesus will return to Earth in glory and power, to judge the living and the dead, to gather his people to himself, and to establish his kingdom on Earth.
But what does the Bible say about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? How can we know when it will happen? And how can we prepare ourselves for that glorious day?
In this blog post, we will explore some of the biblical passages that describe the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and offer some practical tips on how to live in light of his imminent return. You will learn how to watch and pray, how to repent and obey, how to share the gospel and serve others, and how to endure trials and tribulations.
What Does the Bible Say About the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?
The Bible is clear that Jesus Christ will come again. There are over 300 prophecies in the Old and New Testaments that point to his return. Here are some of the key passages that describe the Second Coming of Jesus Christ:
- Matthew 16:27: “For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.” This verse shows that Jesus will come with great authority and glory and that he will judge everyone according to their deeds.
- Revelation 1:7: “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.” This verse shows that Jesus will come visibly and universally and that his coming will cause both joy and sorrow, depending on one’s relationship with him.
- John 14:3: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” This verse shows that Jesus will come personally and lovingly and that he will take his followers to be with him forever.
- Revelation 19:15: “From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.” This verse shows that Jesus will come victoriously and righteously and that he will defeat all his enemies and establish his kingdom on Earth.
How Can We Know When the Second Coming of Jesus Christ Will Happen?
The Bible does not give us a specific date or time for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus himself said, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” (Matthew 24:36).
However, the Bible does give us some signs and indicators that point to the nearness of his return. For example, Jesus said that before he comes, there will be wars and rumors of wars, famines and earthquakes, false prophets and false messiahs, persecution and apostasy, lawlessness and wickedness, gospel preaching, and global witness (Matthew 24:4-14).
The Apostle Paul also said that before the coming of the Lord, there will be a great rebellion against God, a manifestation of the man of lawlessness (the Antichrist), a delusion among those who reject the truth, and a display of God’s power and glory (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12).
The Apostle John also said that before the coming of Christ, there will be a series of judgments upon the world involving seals, trumpets, bowls, plagues, beasts, Babylon, Armageddon, etc. (Revelation 6-19).
These signs are not meant to scare us or make us speculate about dates and times. Rather, they are meant to alert us and make us ready for his return. As Jesus said, “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44).
How Can We Prepare Ourselves for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?
The Bible gives us several practical tips on how to prepare ourselves for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Here are some of them:
Repent and believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior. This is the most important thing you can do to prepare for his return. As Peter said on the day of Pentecost, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
But what does it mean to repent and believe? How can we do that? And why is it so urgent?
To repent means to change your mind about something. It involves turning away from your sin and turning to God. It is not just feeling sorry or guilty, but having a genuine desire to live according to God’s will. Repentance is a necessary condition for salvation because, without it, we cannot receive God’s grace and forgiveness.
To believe means to trust in Jesus as the Son of God who died for our sins and rose again. It means to accept his offer of eternal life and follow him as our Lord and Master. Belief is not just agreeing with some facts or doctrines, but having a personal relationship with Jesus. Belief is the response of faith to God’s love and mercy.
Repentance and belief are not separate steps or stages, but two sides of the same coin. They are both part of the same decision to surrender our lives to Jesus and receive his salvation. They are both enabled by the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, who convicts us of our sins and draws us to Christ. They are both ongoing processes that last throughout our Christian journey, as we grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord.
The reason why repentance and belief are so urgent is that the kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus announced this when he began his ministry: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). The kingdom of God is God’s rule and reign over all creation, which will be fully manifested when Jesus returns in glory. But the kingdom of God is also present now, wherever Jesus is acknowledged as King, and his will is done on earth as it is in heaven.
We need to repent and believe now because we do not know when Jesus will come back. He could come at any moment, like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2). We need to be ready for his return, by living in obedience and faithfulness to him. We also need to repent and believe now, because we do not know when we will die. Our lives are like a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes (James 4:14). We need to be prepared for our judgment, by being reconciled to God through Christ.
Repentance and belief are not optional or negotiable. They are essential and imperative. They are the only way to be saved from sin and death, and to enter into God’s kingdom and eternal life. They are the only way to experience true joy and peace in this life and the next.
If you have not yet repented and believed in Jesus, I urge you to do so today. Do not delay or hesitate. Do not let anything or anyone stop you from making this decision. Do not let your pride or fear or doubt or love of sin keep you from receiving God’s gift of salvation. Do not let the devil deceive you or distract you from hearing God’s voice.
Repent and believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior. He loves you more than you can imagine. He died for you on the cross to pay for your sins. He rose again from the dead to give you new life. He is waiting for you with open arms to welcome you into his family. He is calling you by name to follow him.
Will you answer his call? Will you repent and believe?
If you want to repent and believe in Jesus today, you can pray this simple prayer:
Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner who needs your forgiveness. I turn away from my sin and turn to you. I believe that you are the Son of God who died for me and rose again. I receive you as my Lord and Savior. I surrender my life to you and follow you from this day forward. Thank you for saving me and giving me eternal life. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer sincerely from your heart, congratulations! You have just made the most important decision of your life! You have just become a child of God and a citizen of his kingdom!
But this is not the end of your journey; it is only the beginning of a new chapter. You have learned a lot from your experiences, but there is still more to discover and explore. In this section, I will share with you some tips and advice on how to continue your personal growth and development after achieving a major goal or milestone.
First, celebrate your success. You have made the right decision and deserve to enjoy the fruits of your salvation. Acknowledge God and appreciate Him for what He has done. Celebrate with your friends, family, or anyone who supported you along the way. Express your gratitude and happiness for reaching your destination.
Next, reflect on your journey. Take some time to look back and review what you have learned, what challenges you have overcome, what mistakes you have made, and what improvements you have made. Reflect on how you have changed and grown as a person. What skills have you developed? What values have you strengthened? What insights have you gained? Write down your reflections and keep them as a reminder of your journey.
Set new goals. Don’t let your success make you complacent or stagnant. There is always room for improvement and learning. Think about what you want to achieve next, what areas you want to improve on, what new skills you want to learn, or what new experiences you want to have. Set SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals that will challenge you and motivate you to keep moving forward.
Seek feedback and support. You don’t have to do everything alone. You can benefit from the opinions and perspectives of other believers who can help you improve and grow. Seek feedback from people who know you well and can give you honest and constructive criticism. Listen to their suggestions and apply them to your actions. Seek support from people who share your vision and values and can encourage and inspire you. Join a Christian community or a network of like-minded people who can offer you guidance and resources.
Lastly, keep learning and growing. The journey of personal growth and development never ends. There is always something new to learn, something new to try, and something new to explore. Keep an open mind and a curious attitude. Study the Bible and pray, read Christian books, watch videos of men of God, listen to podcasts, attend workshops, enroll in courses, or do anything that can expand your knowledge and skills in line with God’s will for your life. Keep a growth mindset and believe that you can always improve and learn from your failures.
These are some of the tips and advice that I hope will help you continue your journey of personal growth and development after achieving a major goal or milestone as a child of God. Remember that success is not a destination but a journey. Enjoy the process and keep growing.
Biblical Insights and Practical Tips Regarding the Second Coming of Jesus
The second coming of Jesus is the hope of every Christian who longs to see him face to face and to enjoy his presence forever. However, before that glorious day arrives, we need to be prepared and faithful to his will. Here are some ways to do that:
- Watch and pray: Jesus told his disciples to watch and pray so that they would not fall into temptation (Matthew 26:41). Watching means being alert and aware of the signs of the times, the deception of the enemy, and the condition of our hearts. Praying means communicating with God, confessing our sins, asking for his help, and interceding for others. We need to watch and pray daily, especially as we see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:25).
- Repent and obey: Jesus also called people to repent and believe in the gospel (Mark 1:15). Repentance means turning away from our sins and turning to God with a sincere and humble heart. Believing means trusting in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, who died for our sins and rose again. We need to repent and obey his commands, which are summarized in loving God and loving our neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40).
- Share the gospel and serve others: Jesus commissioned his followers to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything he commanded (Matthew 28:19-20). Sharing the gospel means proclaiming the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ to those who do not know him. Serving others means following the example of Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). We need to share the gospel and serve others with compassion, courage, and wisdom.
- Endure trials and tribulations: Jesus warned his disciples that they would face persecution, tribulation, and even death for his sake (John 16:33). However, he also promised that he would be with them always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Enduring trials and tribulations means remaining faithful to Jesus, even when it costs us everything. We need to endure trials and tribulations with patience, joy, and hope, knowing that he will reward us in his kingdom (Revelation 2:10).
Conclusion
Jesus Christ will return soon and we will see Him if we are alive. If we are dead, we will face God’s judgment. Many people did not believe Noah when he warned them of the flood, but they perished (Genesis 6:9–11; 7:11–12). Likewise, neither of Lot’s sons-in-law listened to him when he warned about the impending destruction. Instead, they thought he was joking and didn’t take his warning seriously. As a result, they perished along with the rest of the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:14–15). We should not be ignorant or unprepared for His coming, but live according to His will and show His love and grace to others.
