A Scriptural Look at the Return of Christ

Jesus promised His followers that He would return:

John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

John 14:28 You heard me say, "I am going away and I am coming back to you." If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.

Luke 12:40 You must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Angels promised Jesus' followers that He would return in the same way, to the same place from where He left (in a cloud from heaven).

Acts 1:10-11 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "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."

The Mount of Olives, a hill outside of Jerusalem that directly faces the Temple Mount, will have a central role at Christ's return. After a major cataclysm in the Holy Land, the coming King will physically appear on that very hill.

Zechariah 14:4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.

In discussing the 'Characteristics of His return, Jesus said that wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes and famines will NOT be the signs of His coming.

Matthew 24:6-8 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. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. (See also Mark 13:7-8 and Luke 21:9-11).

The signs of the Messiah's return will be that the gospel will be preached throughout the whole earth and then the anti-Christ will be revealed.

Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (See also Mark 13:10).

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshipped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

We should not believe anyone who claims to know when Jesus will return because He told His disciples that no one will know for sure.

Matthew 24:36 No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (See also Matthew 24:42; 25:13 and Mark 13:32-35).

Acts 1:6-7 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority."

Jesus will come at a time when no one expects Him.

Matthew 24:44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. (See also Luke 12:40).

The Messiah will come when all nations are gathered to make war on Jerusalem.

Zechariah 12:3 On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves.

Zechariah 14:2-3 I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle.

Many false messiahs will arise and lead many astray.

Matthew 24:5 For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. (See also Matthew 24:23-24; Mark 13:5-6, 21-22; Luke 21:8).

2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

Before Jesus' return, there will be an atmosphere of unbelief.

Luke 18:8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

2 Peter 3:3-4 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."

The expectation of Jesus' return should motivate us to godly living.

Matthew 24:45-47 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household ... ? Blessed is that servant whose master finds him faithful when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

Romans 13:11-12 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

2 Peter 3:11-12 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.

Titus 2:11-13 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope -- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

The return of Jesus is the blessed hope that comforts all believers.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.