He is the first North American pontiff to be elected leader of the Catholic Church
The Second Coming of Jesus, also known as the Second Advent or the Parousia, is the belief that Jesus will return to earth. According to the Bible, before Christ ascended to heaven, he promised his disciples that he would return. For centuries, believers have been waiting for the return of Christ, but when will Jesus come back, and why?
In this gallery, we delve deep into the Bible and bring you the answers to these and many more questions. Click on and find out what we know about the Second Coming of Jesus.
The Second Coming of Jesus is the belief that Christ will return, after he ascended to heaven following the resurrection.
According to John 14:1-3, Jesus said: “Let not your heart be troubled...In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go 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, there you may be also.”
John 14:1-3 is pretty clear about this: “He is coming because He promised He would.”
The Bible explains this in John 5:25-29: “He is coming again to complete the plan of salvation, which includes our resurrection, our presence in the sight of God, and life with Him eternally in the earth made new.”
Hebrews 9:28 also offers some insight as to why Jesus is coming back. “So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”
This is a very common question and indeed one that the disciples asked Jesus. But it appears that only God knows the answer to that question. Mark 13:32 reads: “About that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Jesus did not give a timeframe to his disciples, but he did say that he was coming back. Whether this is tomorrow or in a thousand years, no one really knows.
The Bible does, however, tell us to be ready for it, as it can happen at any time. “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is,” (Mark 13:33).
The idea of readiness is also stressed in Matthew 24:44: “This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
There is, however, a hint in Revelation 22:12 that Jesus is returning soon. It reads: “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”
James 5:7-9 tells us to “be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord.”
Our concept of time is different from that of God's. “Soon,” in God’s terms, may not be a concept we fully understand. The Bible explains this in 2 Peter 3:8-9.
“But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance,” (2 Peter 3:8-9).
Jesus’ disciples asked him about the signs of his coming. Matthew 24:3 reads: “When will these things happen, and what is the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Let’s take a look at the signs mentioned in the Bible.
Matthew 24:5 warns about this. It reads: “Many will come in my name, saying ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many."
Jesus further warned us of false messiahs in Matthew 24:24: “If anyone tells you then, ‘See, here is the Messiah!’ or ‘Over here!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”
False prophets are mentioned in Matthew 24:8: “Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.”
Jesus warned us that wars and conflicts would increase before his Second Coming. Matthew 24:6-7 reads: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.”
Natural disasters and events of mass human suffering are yet another sign mentioned in the Bible. “There will be famines and earthquakes in various places,” (Matthew 24:7).
Matthew 24:12 warns us that people will stop caring. “Because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold.”
The Bible tells us that after the events that predate the arrival of Jesus, the “sun will be darkened, and the moon will not shed its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken,” (Matthew 24:29).
The Bible says that there will be a sign in the sky. Matthew 24:30 reads: “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven.”
Will Jesus appear to everyone? Well, the Bible tells us that “all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory,” (Matthew 24:30).
Revelation 1:7 confirms how Jesus will arrive on earth. “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all peoples on earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.”
Matthew 24:27 further describes the event: “Lighting comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
According to 1 Corinthians 15:52, “the trumpet will sound,” announcing the Second Coming.
There is another mention of a trumpet sound in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, which describes the descending of Jesus from heaven “with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God.”
According to the Bible, people from all corners of the world will express their wonder and praise the arrival of Jesus. Romans 14:11 reads: “Every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will give praise to God.”
The Bible tells us that those who followed Jesus’ teachings will be saved, even if they are already dead. As for those who have done evil, they will be judged. John 5:28-29 reads: “Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.”
Sources: (Bibleinfo) (BibleGateway) (Open Bible)
What are the signs of Jesus' Second Coming?
Here's what the Bible says
LIFESTYLE Religion
The Second Coming of Jesus, also known as the Second Advent or the Parousia, is the belief that Jesus will return to earth. According to the Bible, before Christ ascended to heaven, he promised his disciples that he would return. For centuries, believers have been waiting for the return of Christ, but when will Jesus come back, and why?
In this gallery, we delve deep into the Bible and bring you the answers to these and many more questions. Click on and find out what we know about the Second Coming of Jesus.