The Lord Jesus Christ promised He would return. He will keep His Word. Are you ready? Consider these powerful verses about the imminent return of Christ and the second coming.
The New Testament is consistent in its anticipation of the return of Christ. The Bible clearly teaches that we should be ready for His imminent return. It could happen at any moment!
The knowledge of Christ’s upcoming return was taught to me as a young believer. I was saved at the Blessed Hope Baptist Church in Jasonville, IN. Pastor Ross spoke often of the glorious return of our Lord. This impactful truth has become one of the pillars of my ministry as it was his.
The comings of Jesus Christ can be observed in three stages. Share on X- Jesus Christ came TO His own. They did not receive Him. He died on the Cross to pay for the sins of the world. (John 1:1-13)
- Jesus Christ will come FOR His own. He will come to the clouds and rapture the church before the Tribulation. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)
- Jesus Christ will come WITH His own. We will be with Him as He rides His white steed and conquers His enemies at the battle of Armageddon. (Revelation 19:11-21)
But why hasn’t Jesus Christ returned yet? It’s been over 2,000 years since He said He was coming quickly. The Bible explains this seeming contradiction.
Unbelievers and scoffers rush to point out that Jesus has not kept His word in returning to Earth. These verses explain the mind of the Lord.
2 Peter 3:3–9
“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,”“And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”
“For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:”
“Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:”
“But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”
“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
These verses remind us that scoffers make several mistakes:
- They deny God’s power in Creation.
- They reject the worldwide flood and its consequences.
- They dismiss the coming judgment.
- They fail to see that God’s timing is different than ours.
- They are blind to the fact that God is withholding His judgment so more people can be saved.
The Bible uses words like “quickly,” “shortly,” and “at hand” to describe the timing of His return.
2,000 years is a long time for us, but it is only like a few days to our Lord.
God does not experience time as we do. We cannot expect Him to work on our schedule.
Our Lord Jesus Christ has not renigged on His promise, but is waiting so more people (scoffers and unbelievers) can be saved! Even in His imminent return, we see the mercy and grace of our Lord.
Some Christians have forgotten the powerful truth of Christ’s approaching return. Too many live intoxicated by the love of the world and the things in the world. A great number of Christians are asleep spiritually. It’s time to wake up!
Romans 13:11–14
“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.”“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.”
“Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.”
“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
The potent impact of this truth on God’s people is unmistakable. It creates a sense of urgency to reach the world. It purifies our daily lives. It challenges our motivations, actions, and intentions.
Jesus is coming again! What compelling Truth for the people of God!
25 Bible Verses About the Second Coming of Jesus Christ
Matthew 24:44
“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
Matthew 25:13
“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”
Mark 13:35
“Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: ”
Philippians 3:20–21
“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: ”“Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”
1 Corinthians 15:51–52
“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,”“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16–18
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:”“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. ”
“Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
2 Thessalonians 3:5
“And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.”
Titus 2:13
“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”
Hebrews 10:25
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:37
“For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.”
1 Peter 4:7
“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.”
1 John 2:28
“And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”
1 John 3:2–3
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. ”“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
Revelation 1:1
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:”
Revelation 1:3
“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”
Revelation 3:11
“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”
Revelation 22:7
“Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.”
Revelation 22:10
“And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.”
Revelation 22:12
“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
Revelation 22:20
“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
Conclusion
Four times in the last chapter of the Bible, we are reminded that our Lord is coming back quickly.
May we be ready for His return always looking for that blessed hope!
What verses spoke to you? Leave a comment below.
AMEN and AMEN… no one knows the time or day but we all look forward to being in His presence. Wouldn’t it be great if we were the generation that was caught up in the cloud and everything changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye?
Amen!