The Second Coming of Christ is a central eschatological event in Christian theology, anticipated as the moment when Jesus Christ will return to earth in glory and power. This event is associated with the fulfillment of God's promises, the final judgment, and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. A significant aspect of the Second Coming is the promise that believers will reign with Christ.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of reigning with Christ is rooted in several passages throughout the New Testament. In the Book of Revelation, the Apostle John provides a vivid depiction of the saints' future role alongside Christ. Revelation 20:4-6 states:

"Then I saw thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image, and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were complete. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Him for a thousand years."

This passage highlights the millennial reign, a period of a thousand years during which Christ will rule on earth, and believers will share in His authority and governance.

Theological Implications

The promise of reigning with Christ is not merely a future hope but also a present calling for believers to live in a manner worthy of their future role. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, emphasizes the transformative power of this hope. In 2 Timothy 2:11-12 , Paul writes:

"This is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He will also deny us."

This passage underscores the necessity of perseverance and faithfulness in the Christian life, linking present endurance with future reign.

Participation in Christ's Reign

The reign with Christ is not limited to a select few but is extended to all who are in Christ. The Apostle Peter, in 1 Peter 2:9 , describes believers as "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." This royal priesthood signifies the believers' role in God's kingdom, both now and in the age to come.

Eschatological Hope

The anticipation of reigning with Christ provides believers with a profound sense of hope and purpose. It assures them of their ultimate victory over sin and death and their participation in the divine plan. The Apostle John, in Revelation 5:9-10 , captures this eschatological vision:

"And they sang a new song: 'Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth.'"

This vision of a redeemed and reigning people underscores the universal scope of Christ's redemptive work and the inclusive nature of His kingdom.

Conclusion

The Second Coming of Christ and the promise of reigning with Him is a profound and transformative hope for believers. It calls them to live faithfully in anticipation of their future role in God's eternal kingdom, where they will share in Christ's glory and authority.Daniel 7:27
And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Timothy 2:12
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 5:10
And have made us to our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 20:6
Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 22:5
And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God gives them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

What the Reign of the Saints with Christ for a Thousand Years Is ...
... same way, that is, of the time of His first coming. ... mortal flesh, or are dead, reign
with Christ even now ... namely, to damnation, which is called the second death ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 9 what the reign of.htm

Miller's views on the Second Coming of Christ.
... of their joint heirship with Christ, and his ... second death.' After the second
resurrection, second judgment, the ... hearts, 'My Lord delayeth his coming.' Let all ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/millers views on the second.htm

The Millennium in Relation to the Church.
... is at the first stage of Christ's second coming that the ... The Church will be with
Christ throughout the Millennium ... kings and priests: and we shall reign on (or ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/3 the millennium in relation.htm

The Millennium in Relation to Christ.
... Here the second coming of our Lord (to the earth) is termed, "The Revelation of
Jesus Christ." This is ... Instead of coming to be the Victim, He will return as ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/2 the millennium in relation.htm

Coming to Christ
... Now the first kind of faith saves nobody; but the second faith, the practical faith ...
Well, the hour of death will be to us a coming to Christ, a coming to sit ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/coming to christ.htm

The Fact of the Redeemer's Return was Typified in the Lives of ...
... there are numerous references to the Second Coming of Christ ... Scriptures bear witness
to the coming sovereignty of ... best in all Egypt; so when Christ returns to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/4 the fact of the.htm

His Future Work
... the fact that this promised Kingdom comes with the second coming of Christ. ... The Lord
Jesus Christ and His Saints will reign with Him over ... "He shall speak peace ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the work of christ/iii his future work.htm

The Character of Christ's Advent (I. 7).
... judgment; it concerns those who are "in Christ," and not ... to make up what we speak
of as "the second Coming.". ... This latter coming is connected with "the Day of ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the character of christs advent.htm

Rejoicing Over Babylon's Destruction.
... consequently, be at the epoch of Christ's second coming and of ... be destroyed by the
brightness of Christ's coming (2:Thess ... of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he ...
/.../a brief commentary on the apocalypse/rejoicing over babylons destruction.htm

Desolation of the Earth.
... After presenting the scenes of the Lord's second coming and the ... judgment as an event
that follows the second advent. ... be priests of God and of Christ, and shall ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /41 desolation of the earth.htm

What is the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming? | GotQuestions.org

What is the second death? | GotQuestions.org

Is there a second blessing subsequent to salvation? | GotQuestions.org

Second: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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