When is the second coming of Jesus Christ?

Prophecies
of the return of Christ

We have seen in the modern-day
how prophets of God have made announcements and declarations towards the coming
of Christ. This is not new as even in the Old Testament, some prophets spoke about
Jesus. But what is often confusing is that these prophets spoke concerning one
man, but two different events. The first event is the birth of Jesus Christ,
while the second is his second coming. A major indicator of the second coming
in the Old Testament is from Prophet Zechariah who said, “It will be a unique day-a-day
known only to the Lord- with no distinction between day and night. When
evening comes, there will be light” (Zechariah 14:7).

The words of the
Prophets came to pass concerning the birth and death of Jesus. He died over two
thousand years ago so that we may have eternal life. His death followed lots of
sorrow to his disciples. They were also met with shock and disbelief as he
resurrected, and ascended into heaven. 
His disciples continued the work of the Lord, as Jesus advised, and
preached the word of God. Apostle Paul also spoke about the return of Christ. “Men
of Galilee, 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). Paul elaborated on the events that happened on the day of the
ascension of Christ.

When
will Jesus come?

The world has never
failed to remind us that the time of the second coming of Christ is not for
anybody to know God. “But about the day or hour no one knows, not even the
angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36). The Lord
also declared that the son of man will come like a thief in the night.

The return of Jesus
will come as a surprise that catches everybody off guard-both believers and
unbelievers. This is why we should always be alert and prepared because the
Lord could return anytime. Jesus explains this by telling the parable of the
ten virgins in Matthew 25.

 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be
like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and
five were wise” (Matthew 25:1-2). This parable represents preparation
and readiness.

The ten virgins
symbolize the members of the church. The oil represents the Holy Spirit and it
is apparent that the wise virgins had the spirit and truth, they were not
deceived. The foolish virgins represent those who were not in faith and
spirit. Jesus Christ was represented by the bridegroom. Christ reminds us to
always be prepared, and not be like the foolish virgins. When the time comes,
the door will be shut as Jesus describes, and those who are not prepared will
beg and scream for the Lord to let them in. Jesus also made mention of his
second coming to his disciples in John 14:2-3.

The second coming of Jesus Christ signs

While still with his disciples, Jesus announced the signs
of the end times.

1)     
First Sign – He emphasized false prophets and false Messiahs as that was the
first thing he made mention of when asked about the signs of the end time.
“Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming,
‘I am the Messiah,’ and deceive many” (Matthew 24:4-5). He also warned about them in (Matthew 24:11, Matthew 24:23-26).

2)     
Second Sign  – Greed is another sign as described in (2 Timothy 3:1-5). The Lord also
talked about betrayal among parents, brothers, sisters, and families (Luke 21:16)
as well as wars and rumors of war
between nations (Matthew 24:6, Luke 21:9-10).

3)     
Third Sign – There will be signs in the sky and the heavenly
bodies. “There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On Earth, nations
will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People
will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming of the world, for the
heavenly bodies will be shaken” (Luke 21:25-26).

We were also warned
about the scoffers- the people who would mock the return of Christ and make jokes
about it. “Above all, you must understand that in the last day’s scoffers will
come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, ‘where is this coming he promised?
Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning
of creation” (2 Peter 3:3-4). In times like this, we have to stay strong in the
Lord as this could also be a test of faith.

The signs and
happenings of the end times can seem very daunting as believers. There will be
many more challenges that we will have to face and pull through. Regardless, we
need to stay strong in the Lord and not depart from him. Jesus talked about
this in Luke 21:28.

What happens when Jesus comes back?

Before the second
coming, an event called ‘rapture’ will occur. This
event refers to Jesus taking the believers away from Earth before the great
tribulation. This is to protect them from the wrath of God. “For God did not
appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus
Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:9). Then, the Church which was raptured will face
judgment. Based on the works that a believer has done for Christ, they will be
rewarded during this process.

The rapture will be followed by the
great tribulation. The great tribulation will occur in
the end times where humankind will face troubles. The events of the great
tribulation include Armageddon, persecution of believers, judgment, among
others.

After the great tribulation, the second coming of
Jesus will take place. The Messiah will come with the angels and the Church
which he had taken with him beforehand. A new Earth will then be created which
will last for a thousand years. Satan and the Antichrist will be punished by
being cast into a lake of fire for one thousand years. Blessings will be
bestowed on the new Earth where Christ will reign.

Rapture vs. The second coming

1. Rapture centers more
on deliverance and a way of removing believers from the Earth to escape God’s
wrath (1 Thessalonians 4:17). However, the
second coming deals with God’s judgment to unbelievers. (Matthew 24:40-41).

2. Rapture and the
second coming takes place in two different places. Just as Christ ascended, he
will come to us in the same manner and the living believers in Christ will meet
him in the air. This will happen after the dead in Christ rise up and meet him.
(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). In the case of the second coming, Christ will come
with his angels and land on Mount Olives after which there will be a battle
which will take place at a valley called ‘Armageddon’ Here, he battles the
opposing armies with his angels. (Revelation 16:16).

3. Unlike the second coming, the rapture would be
more discrete with no hinting events preceding it. The second coming, however,
will be visible enough for everyone to know the event that is taking place.
Also, some things have to be fulfilled before the second coming. The Antichrist
will first be revealed (2 Thessalonians
2:3-8).
The things that Jesus declared in Matthew 24:4-30 will come to pass and only
then will Christ return?

4. Rapture will occur after the great tribulation
(Revelation 3:10). However, the second coming will only happen after the great
tribulation has occurred (Revelation 6-19).

As we equip ourselves with the knowledge of the word
of God, we must remember to stand firm in the Lord and
keep our faith strong. The events leading to the second coming of Christ will
lead to confusion, disbelief, and strife. In times like that, you have to be
aware of the people around you and the words you listen to as things could get
very deceptive. Thankfully, we will not suffer the Lord’s wrath as the Church
of Jesus Christ will be taken home before he strikes.