The second coming of Jesus is a highly anticipated event for us as Christians. This will mark the end of the world as we know it and the beginning of a new era.
The Bible has several verses that talk about this significant event, offering guidance and hope to believers. Today, we will explore a few of these verses and what they reveal about Jesus’ second coming.
Bible Verses About Jesus Second Coming
Matthew 24:30
“And then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then 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.”
This verse speaks of the second coming of Jesus, where He will appear in heaven with great power and glory. It emphasizes that His return will be a visible and undeniable event that will cause people to mourn and recognize His authority.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”
This passage describes the moment when Jesus returns, as He descends from heaven with a commanding cry, the voice of an archangel, and the sound of a trumpet. The dead believers will rise first, and then those who are alive will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air. It emphasizes the hope and reunion that we will experience when Jesus comes again, as we will forever be with the Lord.
Acts 1:11
“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.”
After Jesus ascended into heaven, the angels assured the disciples that He will return in the same manner as He departed. This verse highlights the certainty of Jesus’ second coming, affirming that He will come back in a visible and recognizable way.
Revelation 1:7
“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.”
This verse depicts the universal recognition and lamentation that will occur when Jesus returns. Every eye will see Him, including those who crucified Him, and all people on earth will mourn due to their realization of His authority and glory. It confirms that Jesus’ second coming will be a significant event that will be witnessed and acknowledged by all.
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
This verse reminds us that the delay in Jesus’ second coming does not imply His unwillingness or inability to fulfill His promise. Rather, it reflects His patience and desire for all people to have the opportunity to repent and be saved. It conveys the compassionate nature of God, who desires the salvation of every person.
Mark 13:32
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Jesus Himself acknowledged that the exact timing of His second coming is known only by the Father. This verse emphasizes the mystery surrounding the timing of this event and encourages believers to always be ready for His return, regardless of speculation or predictions.
Titus 2:13
“While we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Believers are encouraged to wait eagerly for the blessed hope of Jesus’ second coming, which is described as the glorious appearance of our great God and Savior. This verse highlights the joyful anticipation and expectation that believers should have in longing for the return of Jesus.
Revelation 22:12
““Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”
In this verse, Jesus declares that He is coming soon and will bring His reward with Him, giving each person according to their deeds. It underscores the accountability and judgment that will accompany His second coming, as He will reward individuals based on their actions and faithfulness.
1 Corinthians 15:52
“in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”
This verse describes the sudden and swift transformation that will occur at the last trumpet, signaling Jesus’ second coming. The dead will be raised in imperishable bodies, and those who are alive will also be transformed. It depicts a moment of divine intervention and ultimate victory over death.
Revelation 3:11
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
In this verse, Jesus urges us to hold firmly to our faith and convictions, as His return is imminent. By encouraging us to persevere, He emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful until the end and not allowing anything or anyone to rob us of our eternal reward.
Matthew 25:13
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
Jesus calls upon us to be watchful and prepared for His return, as the exact timing remains unknown. This verse highlights the importance of vigilance and readiness in the lives of believers, as we await the coming of the Lord.
Philippians 3:20
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
This verse reminds believers that our true citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly anticipate the Savior’s return. It emphasizes the heavenly perspective that we should have and our anticipation of being united with Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
1 John 3:2-3
“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.”
This passage emphasizes the transformative power of Jesus’ second coming. We are assured that when He appears, we will be made like Him and see Him as He is. It further emphasizes that this hope motivates us to live in purity and holiness, reflecting the character of Christ.
Hebrews 9:28
“So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”
This verse highlights the redemptive work of Jesus, who was sacrificed to take away the sins of many. It also emphasizes that His second coming will bring salvation to those who eagerly wait for Him. It reveals the dual nature of Jesus’ role, as the sacrificial Lamb and the coming Savior.
Luke 21:36
“Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”
In this verse, Jesus encourages His followers to be vigilant and prayerful, so we may escape the tribulations and challenges that will precede His second coming. He emphasizes the importance of being prepared to stand before Him when He returns, free from the chaos and destruction of the world.
2 Thessalonians 1:7
“and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.”
Paul assures the Thessalonians that when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven, He will bring relief to those who are troubled. This verse depicts the powerful and glorious manifestation of Jesus, accompanied by His mighty angels. It emphasizes the comfort and relief that we will experience when Jesus comes again.
Revelation 16:15
“Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
Jesus likens His second coming to that of a thief, underscoring the element of surprise and urgency. He encourages us to stay watchful and prepared, being clothed with faith and righteousness to avoid being identified as spiritually naked and ashamed.
2 Peter 3:10
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.”
This verse depicts the sudden and cataclysmic nature of the day of the Lord’s coming. It emphasizes the ultimate destruction of the heavens and earth, and the exposure of all things that have been hidden. It serves as a reminder of the temporary nature of the earthly realm and the certainty of Jesus’ return.
Revelation 19:11-16
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice, he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter.’ He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh, he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.”
This vivid description portrays the majestic and powerful return of Jesus on a white horse. He is identified as Faithful and True, the ultimate judge and warrior who brings justice. His appearance is glorious, accompanied by the armies of heaven. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords who will rule with righteous authority.
1 Peter 1:13
“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.”
Believers are encouraged to have focused and alert minds, free from distractions and seduction, as we set our hope on the grace that will be revealed at Jesus’ second coming. This verse emphasizes the anticipation and expectation that we should have, fixing our eyes on the future glory and redemption.
1 Thessalonians 5:2
“for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”
Paul reminds the Thessalonians of the imminent and unexpected nature of the day of the Lord’s coming. The metaphor of a thief in the night emphasizes the need for vigilance and readiness, as His coming can occur when least expected. It serves as a call to be prepared spiritually at all times.
Matthew 25:31-32
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.”
In these verses, Jesus describes His second coming in glory, accompanied by His angels. He will sit on His glorious throne, and all nations will be gathered before Him. This event will culminate in the separation of people, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. It illustrates the final judgment and the accountability that every individual will face before Christ.
Also Read: 25 Bible Verses About Self Discipline (With Commentary)
What Does the Bible Say About Jesus’ Second Coming?
In the Bible, there are several references and passages that talk about Jesus’ second coming. These passages are found throughout the New Testament, primarily in the Gospels, the Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. When we examine these scriptures, we find that they provide insights into the nature, purpose, and events surrounding Jesus’ return.
One common theme in these passages is the promise of Jesus’ return. In the Gospels, particularly in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, Jesus Himself foretells His second coming. He describes signs and events that will precede His return, such as wars, famines, earthquakes, and false prophets. These signs are often referred to as the “birth pains” or “beginning of sorrows.”
The purpose of Jesus’ second coming, as outlined in the Bible, includes judgment and the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth. In the book of Revelation, we read about Jesus returning as the conquering King to defeat evil and establish a new heaven and a new earth. This event is often associated with the final judgment, where everyone will be held accountable for their actions.
Additionally, the Bible emphasizes the unexpected nature of Jesus’ return. In passages like Matthew 24:36-44 and 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, we are warned to be watchful and ready because no one knows the exact day or hour of His coming. It is described as coming “like a thief in the night.”
The second coming of Jesus is also associated with the resurrection of the dead. In 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, we are told that when Jesus returns, the dead in Christ will rise first, and then those who are alive will be transformed and caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air.
In summary, the Bible teaches us about Jesus’ second coming as a future event that will be characterized by His glorious return, judgment, the establishment of His kingdom, and the resurrection of the dead. It is an event of great significance for believers, and we are exhorted to be watchful and prepared for His return, even though the exact timing remains unknown to us.