15) The Second Coming of Christ
The blessed hope: Jesus will return!
The second coming of Jesus is called the “blessed hope” of the Christian church. In this lesson, we will study the promises and signs of Christ’s glorious return.
The Promise of His Return
Did Jesus promise to return?
Show answer
Answer: Yes: 'I will come again and take you to myself'
John 14:1-3: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
What did the angels say after Jesus' ascension?
Show answer
Answer: That Jesus will return in the same manner as He went into heaven
Acts 1:11: "Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."
“The coming of the Lord has been in all ages the hope of His true followers.” — Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, GC 303.3
How Jesus Will Return
Will Jesus' return be visible?
Show answer
Answer: Yes, every eye will see Him
Revelation 1:7: "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen."
How will Jesus' return be?
Show answer
Answer: With power, great glory, and the sound of the trumpet
Matthew 24:30-31: "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."
Will Jesus come alone?
Show answer
Answer: He will come with all the holy angels
Matthew 25:31: "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:"
Signs of His Return
Did Jesus give signs of His return?
Show answer
Answer: Yes: wars, famines, earthquakes, pestilences
Matthew 24:3-7: "And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places."
What sign immediately precedes Jesus' return?
Show answer
Answer: The gospel preached to all nations
Matthew 24:14: "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
“Prophecy not only foretells the manner and object of Christ’s coming, but presents tokens by which men are to know when it is near.” — Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, GC 304.1
Preparation for His Return
Does anyone know the day and hour of Jesus' return?
Show answer
Answer: No one knows, only the Father
Matthew 24:36: "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."
How should we await Jesus' return?
Show answer
Answer: Watching and being prepared, for we know not the hour
Matthew 24:42-44: "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."
How will the saved receive Jesus when He returns?
Show answer
Answer: They will say: 'This is our God; we have waited for Him!'
Isaiah 25:9: "And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation."
Now What?
Jesus’ return is certain:
- Jesus promised: He will come again
- It will be visible: Every eye will see Him
- There will be signs: We can discern the times
- We must be prepared: No one knows the day
My Decision
I believe in Jesus’ promise that He will return. I desire to be prepared for His coming, living in faithfulness to Him each day. I await with joy the blessed hope of His glorious appearing.