Topical Bible: Jesus Returning

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The return of Jesus Christ, often referred to as the Second Coming, is a central tenet of Christian eschatology, anticipated by believers as the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. This event is characterized by the visible and triumphant return of Jesus to earth, bringing to completion the divine plan of salvation and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom.

Biblical Prophecies and Descriptions

The New Testament provides numerous references to the Second Coming of Christ. In the Gospels, Jesus Himself speaks of His return. In Matthew 24:30-31 , Jesus declares, "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And He will send out 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."

The Book of Acts also affirms this promise. As Jesus ascends into heaven, two angels assure the disciples in Acts 1:11 , "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."

The Apostle Paul provides further insight into the nature of Christ's return. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 , he writes, "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord."

Theological Significance

The Second Coming is not only a future event but also a source of hope and encouragement for Christians. It signifies the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death, the final judgment, and the restoration of creation. The anticipation of Jesus' return calls believers to live in a state of readiness and holiness, as emphasized in 2 Peter 3:11-12 : "Since everything will be dissolved in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God."

Signs and Timing

While the exact timing of Jesus' return is unknown, Scripture provides signs that will precede this event. Jesus outlines these signs in Matthew 24, including wars, famines, earthquakes, and the spread of the gospel to all nations. However, He cautions in Matthew 24:36 , "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

Implications for Believers

The expectation of Jesus' return has profound implications for Christian life and practice. It serves as a call to vigilance, moral integrity, and evangelistic zeal. Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in faith, as stated in Hebrews 10:23-25 : "Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

In summary, the return of Jesus is a pivotal event in Christian doctrine, promising the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. It is a source of hope, a call to readiness, and a motivation for holy living among believers.

Topical Bible Verses

Matthew 24:1-51
And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to show him the buildings of the temple.
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Revelation 1:7
Behold, he comes 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.
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Matthew 24:36
But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
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Revelation 13:8
And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
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Revelation 20:7
And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
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Library

The Same Jesus Here Now.
... the meaning, a fishing picture and a breakfast picture in action; then in words,
a love-service-suffering picture, and a picture of Jesus returning in person ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the same jesus here now.htm

Praying, Returning Thanks, Worshipping in the Holy Spirit.
... PRAYING, RETURNING THANKS, WORSHIPPING IN THE HOLY SPIRIT. ... The disciples did not
know how to pray as they ought so they came to Jesus and said, "Lord, teach us ...
/.../chapter xvii praying returning thanks.htm

Then Returning to the Words of Peter, "God Made Him Lord and ...
... Section 4. Then returning to the words of Peter, "God made Him Lord and Christ,"
he ... the words of Peter, "He made Him Lord and Christ, this Jesus Whom ye ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 4 then returning to.htm

Jesus Conquers Death
... Then they remembered Jesus' words, and returning from the tomb they told these things
to the eleven disciples and to all the others; but to them, the story ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/jesus conquers death.htm

G. The Boy Jesus at Jerusalem. Ch. 2:41-52
... was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast; 43 and when they
had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/g the boy jesus at.htm

Satan Returning. Mt 12:43-45
... Mt 12:43-45. John Newton 8,6,8,6. Satan returning. Mt 12:43-45. When Jesus claims
the sinner's heart,. Where Satan ruled before; The evil spirit must depart,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 84 satan returning mt.htm

Jesus Sends Out the First Missionaries
... They also cast out many evil spirits and cured many sick by pouring oil upon them.
Then returning to Jesus they told him what they had done and taught. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus sends out the first.htm

The Foolish virgins.
... In this parable the bridegroom means Jesus returning to earth, on the Day
of Judgment. The ten virgins are the people of this world ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the new testament/the foolish virgins.htm

The Boy Jesus Asks Questions
... usual. After they had stayed the full number of days and were returning,
the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. His parents ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/the boy jesus asks questions.htm

The Battle of Armageddon.
... The last desperate movement of the Beast will be a determined effort to
prevent the Lord Jesus returning to the earth itself. It ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/6 the battle of armageddon.htm