Bible Study: What Does the Bible Say About the Second Coming of Christ?
- Boundless Team
- Aug 3
- 6 min read
The Second Coming of Christ is the triumphant, physical return of Jesus to earth to judge the world, complete God’s redemptive plan, and reign in everlasting glory. Far from a cause for fear, Scripture presents our Lord's return as the "blessed hope" that anchors the Christian life with unwavering joy, peace, and purpose.
Understanding the Foundation: What Is Eschatology in the Assemblies of God?
Within Assemblies of God theology, the return of Jesus Christ is one of our 16 Fundamental Truths. It is not an abstract puzzle or a gloomy calendar of doom; rather, it is the magnificent culmination of human history. The New Testament speaks of Christ’s return with profound expectancy, urging believers to live holy, active lives while eagerly awaiting the skies to part.
When we study what the Bible teaches about the future, we discover a message designed to steady our hearts amidst modern anxieties. Whether you are walking through personal trials in Memphis, raising a family in the 901, or connecting from across the globe through Boundless Online Church, the promise of Jesus' return offers unshakable stability.
Definition Block: Key Theological Terms
Second Coming: The literal, bodily, and visible return of Jesus Christ to earth at the end of the age to consummate His Kingdom, defeat evil, and establish His righteous rule. Rapture: The event where living and resurrected believers are caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, transforming our mortal bodies into immortal glory (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Millennial Reign: Christ's thousand-year physical reign of peace and justice on earth following His visible return, fulfilling ancient prophetic promises to Israel and the nations (Revelation 20:4).
1. Jesus Promised to Return (John 14:1–3, Acts 1:9–11)
On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus comforted His grieving disciples with words that have echoed through centuries of church history: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms... 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 14:1–3).
Jesus did not leave His followers without a promise. Following His resurrection and forty days of earthly ministry, Jesus ascended into heaven before the eyes of the apostles. As they stood gazing upward, two angels appeared with a direct message: "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" (Acts 1:11).
The certainty of His return rests on the unchanging character of God and the absolute reliability of His Word.
2. The Premillennial and Imminent Return of Christ
As an Assemblies of God fellowship, we hold firmly to a premillennial view of end times. This means we believe Jesus will return before the literal thousand-year millennial reign on earth. Furthermore, Scripture emphasizes the imminence of Christ’s return, meaning it could happen at any moment. There are no unfulfilled prophetic prerequisites required before the rapture of the Church can take place.
This imminence was never meant to foster obsessive date-setting or fear; instead, it is designed to keep the Church spiritually awake, morally pure, and urgently engaged in the Great Commission. When we live with the constant awareness that our Savior could return today, petty arguments lose their grip, and eternal priorities take center stage.
3. The Rapture of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17)
One of the most comforting truths in Scripture is the promise of the rapture. The Apostle Paul writes with pastoral tenderness to believers grieving the loss of loved ones: "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" (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).
This is not a message of division or secret escape; it is the grand reunion of God's family across time and space. Whether believers pass away naturally or are alive when Christ returns, all will be transformed in the twinkling of an eye, receiving incorruptible, glorified bodies designed for eternity in God's presence.
4. Christ’s Visible, Literal Return to Earth (Revelation 19:11–16)
While the rapture involves believers meeting Christ in the air, the Second Coming culminates in Christ’s visible and triumphant descent to the earth. The Book of Revelation depicts this breathtaking moment: "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True... His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns... Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations" (Revelation 19:11–15).
Unlike His first coming as a humble servant born in a Bethlehem stable, Jesus will return in undeniable power and majesty. Every eye will see Him. Injustice will be dismantled, suffering will be eradicated, and righteousness will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.
5. The Millennial Reign and Final Judgment
Following His victorious return, Christ will establish His millennial reign, fulfilling countless Old Testament prophecies regarding peace, restoration, and the renewal of creation. During this era, Satan will be bound, and justice and mercy will characterize global governance.
Following the millennium and the final judgment before the Great White Throne, where every wrong will be righted and all human history will be evaluated with perfect divine equity, God will create a new heaven and a new earth: "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4).
Summary of End-Times Events
Event | Key Scripture | What It Means |
The Promise & Ascension | John 14:1–3, Acts 1:9–11 | Jesus promised to return personally and bodily, exactly as He ascended into heaven. |
The Rapture of the Church | 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 | Christ gathers His living and resurrected saints to meet Him in the air in glorious transformation. |
The Visible Return | Revelation 19:11–16 | Christ returns physically to earth with His saints to defeat evil and establish His kingdom. |
The Millennial Reign | Revelation 20:4, Isaiah 11 | A literal thousand-year period of peace, justice, and restored creation under Christ's rule. |
The New Heaven and Earth | Revelation 21:1–5 | The eternal state of perfect fellowship between God and His redeemed humanity, free of pain and sorrow. |
6. Practical Hope: How This Truth Changes How We Live Today
If Bible prophecy only makes us argumentative, fearful, or speculative, we have missed its entire purpose. The Apostle Peter asks a piercing question after describing the return of Christ: "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" (2 Peter 3:11–12).
The doctrine of the Second Coming is the ultimate motivator for:
Holiness: Knowing that we will soon stand before our Savior inspires us to throw off sin and cultivate righteousness.
Perseverance: When we face hardships, economic uncertainty, or personal grief, looking to our eternal home gives us endurance.
Evangelism: Because time is short and eternity is real, we are driven to share the love of Christ with our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends.
Life Takeaway
You do not need to walk through life gripped by anxiety about tomorrow. Your future is secure in the hands of the One who holds the keys to history. Let the promise of His return fill your heart with courageous joy today.
Closing Question
As you reflect on the promise of Christ’s return, what is one relationship or daily habit in your life that you can surrender to Him right now in light of eternity?
We'd love to connect with you. Visit www.boundlessonlinechurch.org to join our community from anywhere, or if you're in the Memphis area, find us at www.famemphis.org.
Need Prayer or Support?
Phone / Text: (901) 213-7341
Online & Local Invitation:www.famemphis.org | www.boundlessonlinechurch.org
Prayer Line: Need prayers? Text us day or night at 1-901-213-7341. (Note: This line is for prayer and pastoral support, not emergency services. If you are in immediate danger or need urgent help, please call 911.)
Comments