Jesus’ return, also called the Second Coming of Jesus is one of the most momentous events that will ever take place.
The Second Coming of Jesus regards the future return of Jesus to Earth, following His ascension, when He will defeat the Enemy, destroy evil and establish His millennial kingdom. We are told that many prophecies will be fulfilled before Jesus returns. While the earth will be filled with darkness, Jesus will return as a light that overcomes the darkness. The Second Coming of Jesus marks a momentous turning point from the days of Satan’s influence right from the days of Adam and Eve.
So how do we know Jesus is really returning? We can trust in these biblical promises. Here are five reasons we know Jesus is truly returning.
Jesus Previously Returned
Instead of ascending immediately into Heaven, Jesus stayed on Earth for 40 days after his resurrection. Many believe this was done to demonstrate to his followers that He truly was alive. Also, 40 is a number of God’s significance, appearing more than 140 times in the Bible related to various significant situations. First Corinthians 15:6 also reveals that on one occasion he appeared to more than 500 people at one time. If Jesus was able to return after His resurrection, why would He not fulfill the Bible’s promise of Jesus’ second coming?
The Prophets Foretold it in Zechariah
In order to better understand Jesus’ return and all that it entails, the best place to turn to is Scripture. One of those places is Zechariah 14.
Zechariah 14 predicts, “On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split into two from the east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the Mount moving north and half moving south.” “That day” is a reference to the Day of the Lord, and the One who stands on the mountain is the Lord Himself. This passage predicts the Second Coming of Christ. The opening of Zechariah 14 speaks of the future day when Jerusalem will be plundered by its enemies. Verse 2 prophesies that all nations will gather against Jerusalem and capture and ransack the city. Half of the citizens of Jerusalem will flee the devastation, but the other half will remain. This will be one half of the one third of the Jewish population still alive in Jerusalem after the Tribulation (Zechariah 13:8).
Revelation Speaks on the Return Extensively
The Second Coming is also described in Revelation 19:11-21: “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 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 the name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”
Revelation 16:18-21 predicts horrible events at the end of the Tribulation when the seventh bowls is poured out. The Bible tells us, “Then there came flashes of lightening, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since man has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed…Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. From the sky huge hailstones of about a hundred pounds fell upon men. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible."
The earthquake in Revelation could very well speak to the event described in Zechariah when the Mount of Olives splits in two. Jesus the Messiah will cause an earthquake at His Second Coming that will serve as part of the destruction of God’s enemies.
Jesus Frequently Mentioned His Return
Jesus actively spoke of this during His earthly ministry. According to Jesus, the purpose of his ascent to heaven was for the purpose of receiving a kingdom from his Father, while also returning with authority to rule throughout the earth. Matthew 25:31 also tells us that Jesus will not return alone. “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on his throne in Heavenly glory.” We’re not just talking a few angels either, but “thousands upon thousands of angels” that will accompany Jesus when He returns.
The Bible Says So
We are told in Scripture that Jesus’ return will be “with power and great glory.” During Jesus’ first coming, he humbled himself, being born in a stable in Bethlehem and living a life on earth with great humility. However, upon his return, the will come back as pronounced King of Kings and Lord or Lords. On this day, in a triumphant return, the whole world will see and know who Jesus really was. Humility stands out in Jesus’ first coming. Glory stands out in his second. His return will be triumphant, marked with the powerful accompaniment of angels and saints.
Many people have attempted to pinpoint the time of Christ’s return and each has failed. Jesus told his disciples on the Mount of Olives, referenced in Matthew 24:36 that “No one know about the day or the hour,” so it is impossible to pinpoint the exact day or time of Jesus’ return. However, we are told by Jesus that we will know when His return is near. “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.” These signs will point to His return. If we believe in the Bible, God’s truth, we ultimately believe in Jesus' final return.
