People say Jesus will come again, but will He really? How can we know for sure? What does the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. say conditions will be like when He comes?
If you ask people about the return of Christ or try to research that topic, you will quickly find there is almost no end to the opinions about it. Some deny that Christ will return to the earth, while others say He has already returned and is working through the Church to set up the Kingdom of God.
Still others say He will return secretly sometime in the future to gather the true believers to Him. One group even teaches that a man in Persia in the 1840s had a revelation that he was the "promised one" and that Christ had therefore returned in human form. It can be pretty confusing, so is there a way to know the truth on this subject?
The place to begin is with proof that Jesus Christ will return, so let's go to the source. You can't get much closer to the source than His own words, so what did He say? During His earthly ministry Jesus repeatedly spoke about His return to establish the Kingdom of God. A direct and clear statement about His promise to return is found in John 14:2-3 where He said He was going to prepare a place for His followers. He promised that if He went, He would also "come again."
No wonder every writer in the New TestamentThe 27 authoritative books of the apostolic writings: the four Gospels of Christ, Acts (a history), 21 apostolic letters and the book of Revelation. spoke about His coming. His return as king over all the earth is a vital part of the gospel message found in the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. and anticipated by saints since the first century. So we have the direct word of God, who we're told cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18), promising Christ's return. You can't get any greater guarantee than that about something happening. So the question to address in the rest of this article is not will He return, but how will He return?
Olivet ProphecyA prediction of events to come. "A discourse emanating from divine inspiration and declaring the purposes of God, whether by reproving and admonishing the wicked, or comforting the afflicted, or revealing things hidden; esp[ecially] by foretelling future events" (Revised Thayer's Greek English Lexicon, "Propheteia"). and RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25).
The question of when and how Jesus Christ will return has been on the minds of Christians throughout the centuries--beginning with the apostles themselves. Before Jesus was crucified they came to Him asking what those events would be like. Three of the gospel writers recorded that exchange in what is called the Olivet ProphecyA prediction of events to come. "A discourse emanating from divine inspiration and declaring the purposes of God, whether by reproving and admonishing the wicked, or comforting the afflicted, or revealing things hidden; esp[ecially] by foretelling future events" (Revised Thayer's Greek English Lexicon, "Propheteia"). (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21).
When we compare the events spoken of in this prophecy to the general outline of end-time events described in the book of RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). (recorded at the end of the first century) there are many striking parallels as shown in the following chart. For simplicity's sake, only Matthew's account will be shown.
Scipture in Matthew Christ's Description of Events ScriptureThe divinely inspired writings of both the Old and New Testaments. The term Scripture is used in the New Testament to refer to both the Hebrew Bible (Luke 24:44-45) and the new apostolic writings accepted as inspired (2 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 5:18). in RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). Events Described in RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25).
24:3 Apostles ask for signs of Christ's returen 1:1, 19 John is shown things about the future
5:1-9 The Lamb of God is deembed worthly to remove the seals on the book John sees
24:4-5,11,24 Jesus says don't be deceived because many will come in His name and deceive many people 6:2 The white horseman of the Apocalypse has a bow and a crown (trying to impersonate the righteous ruler Christ)
24:6-7a There will be wars and rumor or wars between nations (or ethnic group) and kingdoms 6:3-4 The rider of the red horse has a sword and takes away peace (many wars have been fought in the name of religion)
24:7b There will be famines 6:5-6 The black horseman carefully weighs out food items (famine also goes along with war)
24:7c There will be pestilence 6:7-8 The pale horseman is called death (disease and pestilence often follow famine)
24:9-12, 21-22 The saints will be persecuted and many will turn away from the truth in a great tribulation 6:9-11; 12:14 The fifth seal is persecution of the saints/ a woman (the Church as a whole) is protected from Satan 3 1/2 years
24:23-27 Don't believe those who say Christ has come secretly
24:29 Immediately after the tribulation the sun and moon will be darkened and other great heavenly signs will occur 6:12-17 The sixth seal involves tremendous signs in the skies
24:30 All people on earth will see Christ coming with power and great glory 19:6-21 Christ returns on a white horse coming out of heaven with an army of angels and risen saints to fight and defeat the army of the beast and false prophet
This simple chart leaves out many aspects of prophecy from RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). about the end-time beast and false prophet who will dominate a world-ruling empire. If you want to learn more about those events, request a free copy of our booklets, The Book of RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). Unveiled and You Can Understand BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. ProphecyA prediction of events to come. "A discourse emanating from divine inspiration and declaring the purposes of God, whether by reproving and admonishing the wicked, or comforting the afflicted, or revealing things hidden; esp[ecially] by foretelling future events" (Revised Thayer's Greek English Lexicon, "Propheteia").. However, putting the similar passages in Matthew and RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). together does make a number of things very obvious about what the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. says concerning the actual return of Jesus Christ.
Visible events
Jesus' coming is yet in the future because it is associated with a huge battle against the armies of this earth prior to the establishment of God's rule on earth. The prophet Daniel was given the understanding that in the days of the final revival of a fourth world-ruling government, God will set up a kingdom (Daniel 2:44-45). The saints will rule in this kingdom forever (Daniel 7:18) when the Ancient of Days comes (verse 22) and all people will serve and obey Him (verse 27).
Jesus' return will not be a secret event that only a few will recognize. Just like lightning is quite visible all across the sky (Matthew 24:27), so everyone on earth will see Him as He returns. His return will be accompanied by a great shout and a loud trumpet blast, at which time the dead saints will rise from their graves all over the earth and the saints who are alive will be changed from mortal to spirit (1 Corinthians 15:52-54)!
But before this, as we saw on the chart, there will be a great tribulation and incredible miraculous signs in the heavens preceding the return of Christ. That tribulation is described as the worst there has ever been or ever will be (Matthew 24:21). The early Church faced some terrible persecutions at the hands of the Roman government in the early centuries after the death and resurrection of Christ. In the last century, two world wars had devastating effects. Anything that reaches a magnitude greater than those events will be impossible to hide from public view.
Some saints will indeed be called on to give their physical lives for their convictions (RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 6:11 and Luke 21:12-16), but the Church, as a whole, will be protected (RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 3:10 and 12:14). Christ said we are to pray that we might be part of those counted worthy to escape those things (Luke 21:36).
Those who teach about a secret coming contradict the plain words of the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ.. This includes the "Left Behind" series of books, which has become immensely popular in recent years among those professing Christianity. Many things in that series contradict the plain BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. teaching we've just seen, so the books are based on wrong premises. Anyone who wishes to remain faithful to the teaching of the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ. would do well to avoid those books and others like them, which add confusion.
Truth is available
God has not left us to our own speculations and conclusions about the return of His Son. He not only clearly prophesied it from the mouth of Jesus Christ and all the authors of the New TestamentThe 27 authoritative books of the apostolic writings: the four Gospels of Christ, Acts (a history), 21 apostolic letters and the book of Revelation., He also provided many detailed signs that will identify Christ's second coming. Paul calls those who are aware of and soberly looking for these signs "children of light" who will not be caught by surprise at the return of Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6).
RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 13, 17 and 18 tell us of a great power that will exist just before the return of Christ. These chapters show the false prophet will be the spiritual representative of that government and he will be able to perform surprising miracles by the power of the god of this world, Satan the devil. Satan is actively preparing the world to accept those miracles by increasing interest in the spirit world. Many books and movies are being written about angels and even witchcraft, such as the Harry Potter series (see the first question in this issue's Questions and Answers section).
You have knowledge that can keep you from being taken in by forces contrary to the truth of God, as revealed in the pages of the BibleThe books (Greek, "biblia" ) that are acknowledged as canonical (authoritative) by the early Christian Church. It includes both the books of the ancient Hebrew prophets and those of the apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ.. We hope you will be helped by this knowledge as the events of the future begin to unfold.
