What part of the Bible talks about Jesus coming back? This is a question that has intrigued Christians for centuries. The Bible contains numerous passages that discuss the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, His return to earth to judge the living and the dead and establish His eternal kingdom. This article will explore some of the key passages that address this topic.
The most comprehensive and detailed discussion of Jesus’ Second Coming can be found in the New Testament. The book of Revelation, written by the apostle John, is often referred to as the “Apocalypse” and is filled with symbolism and imagery related to Jesus’ return. However, the concept of Jesus’ Second Coming is also mentioned in other New Testament books, such as Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the letters of Paul.
Matthew 24:27-31
One of the most famous passages discussing Jesus’ Second Coming is found in the Gospel of Matthew. In chapter 24, Jesus is asked by His disciples about the end of the world and the signs that will precede His return. In verses 27-31, Jesus describes the events that will occur before He comes back:
“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. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.”
This passage describes the signs that will precede Jesus’ return, including the appearance of a sign in the heavens, the gathering of His elect, and the destruction of the current heaven and earth.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
In the letter to the Thessalonians, Paul discusses the Second Coming of Jesus in relation to the resurrection of believers. In chapter 4, verses 16-17, Paul writes:
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
This passage describes the event of the resurrection of believers, followed by their being caught up to meet the Lord in the air. It emphasizes the hope and assurance that believers have in the promise of Jesus’ return.
Revelation 20:11-15
The book of Revelation, as mentioned earlier, is filled with symbolism and imagery related to Jesus’ Second Coming. In chapter 20, verses 11-15, John describes the final judgment and the eternal destiny of both believers and unbelievers:
“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death was cast into the lake of fire. And if any man was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.”
This passage describes the final judgment, where the dead are judged according to their works, and the eternal destinies of believers and unbelievers are determined.
In conclusion, the Bible contains numerous passages that discuss Jesus’ Second Coming. These passages provide hope, assurance, and a clear understanding of the events that will occur before and during His return. As believers, we are called to remain faithful and vigilant, anticipating the day when Jesus will come again to establish His eternal kingdom.
