Topical Bible: The Second Coming of Christ: Foretold by Himself

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The Second Coming of Christ is a central tenet of Christian eschatology, anticipated as the future return of Jesus to Earth. This event is distinct from His first coming, which culminated in His crucifixion and resurrection. The Second Coming is characterized by its promise of final judgment and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. Jesus Himself foretold this event, providing His followers with insights and signs to anticipate His return.

Biblical Foretelling by Jesus

1. The Olivet Discourse: One of the most comprehensive teachings on the Second Coming is found in the Olivet Discourse, recorded in the Synoptic Gospels. 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."

2. Parables and Illustrations: Jesus used parables to illustrate the nature of His return. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), He emphasizes the need for readiness and vigilance, as the timing of His return is unknown. Similarly, the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) underscores the importance of faithful stewardship in anticipation of His coming.

3. The Promise of His Return: In John 14:2-3 , Jesus comforts His disciples with the promise of His return: "In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, you may be also."

4. The Ascension and Angelic Confirmation: After His resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven, an event witnessed by His disciples. Acts 1:10-11 records the angelic confirmation of His return: "They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, '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.'"

5. The Revelation to John: The Book of Revelation, attributed to the Apostle John, provides a vivid depiction of the Second Coming. Revelation 1:7 proclaims, "Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen."

Signs and Warnings

Jesus provided His followers with signs to watch for, indicating the nearness of His return. These include natural disasters, wars, and the spread of the Gospel to all nations (Matthew 24:6-14). He warned against false prophets and false Christs who would attempt to deceive many (Matthew 24:23-24). Jesus emphasized the unpredictability of the timing, likening His return to a thief in the night (Matthew 24:42-44).

Theological Implications

The Second Coming of Christ holds significant theological implications for believers. It is a source of hope and encouragement, affirming the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death. It calls Christians to live in a state of readiness, holiness, and active service, as they anticipate the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The Second Coming also serves as a reminder of the accountability and judgment that accompany Christ's return, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 25:31
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Our Lord Himself Spoke of his Return in the Language of Imminency.
... the exact hour of His second coming the Lord's ... the inevitable postponement of the
Second Advent until ... the disciples' continual expectancy of Christ's appearing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/1 our lord himself spoke.htm

Introduction
... in weakness and humiliation, but at His second He shall ... were His people looking for
the Coming of the ... salvation by the finished work of Christ, the multitudes ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/introduction.htm

The Signs of the Redeemer's Return
... born in Bethlehem of Judea (Micah 5:2); they foretold that He ... comparatively short
interval between the two stages in the second coming of Christ, the Signs ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/chapter six the signs of.htm

The Interpretation of this Fact.
... things" look back to the previous verse where Christ had foretold ... Second, "And what
shall be the sign of Thy coming? ... shall they see the Son of Man coming in a ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/2 the interpretation of this.htm

Petilianus Said: "But that the Truth of this May be Made Manifest ...
... of the baptism of Christ was renewed a second time, or ... And even though Christ received
the others, yet are they not ... But when the coming of our Lord was as yet ...
/.../chapter 37 85 petilianus.htm

The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Typified in the Lives of ...
... there are numerous references to the Second Coming of Christ ... Surely such perfect
typification of Christ, such numerous ... our Lord's exaltation and coming glory? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/4 the fact of the.htm

Thessalonica
... The Saviour foretold in the Old Testament Scriptures was to offer Himself as a
sacrifice in ... Paul was a believer in the second coming of Christ; so clearly ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 22 thessalonica.htm

Whether the Time of the Future Judgment is Unknown?
... do not all refer to the second advent which ... judgment, for the trials that are foretold
as announcing the proximity of Christ's coming occurred even ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the time of the.htm

The Thessalonian Letters
... of Christ, important developments in the religious world, foretold in prophecy ... long
centuries of darkness and persecution before the second coming of Christ. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 25 the thessalonian letters.htm

The Holy Spirit in the Glorified Christ.
... He had thus foretold it, and the angels said: "Behold, He ... right hand of the Father,
nor with the Lord's second coming. ... If Christ dwelt in our flesh, ie, in our ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxiii the holy spirit in.htm