Jesus Christ’s Second Coming: Biblical Prophecies and What to Expect
Introduction
Throughout Christian history, believers have looked forward to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ with both hope and anticipation. Pastor Dirko Wasbrook of God’s World Church International provides a comprehensive biblical exploration of this pivotal event, drawing from Matthew 24, 1 Thessalonians 4, and the Book of Revelation. Understanding what will happen when Jesus returns and the signs preceding His arrival is essential for modern Christians living in what many believe to be the end times.
The Nature of Jesus’ Second Coming
A Sudden, Powerful, and Glorious Event
Jesus’ Second Coming will not be a quiet or subtle event. According to Scripture, His return will be characterized by unmistakable signs and manifestations. The Bible describes it as involving a loud command, the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet of God. This is not a hidden or secret event but rather a glorious and visible return that all people will witness.
Matthew 24:30 states: “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 description emphasizes the power, glory, and universal visibility of Christ’s return.
Signs Preceding the Second Coming
Wars and Rumors of Wars
One of the primary signs Jesus mentioned in Matthew 24:6 is that people will “hear of wars and rumors of wars.” This doesn’t mean the end is immediately near, but rather that these are the “beginning of birth pains”—a period of increasing turmoil leading to the end times.
Persecution and Persecution of Believers
Matthew 24:9 warns that believers “will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death” and “will be hated by all nations because of” Jesus. This persecution serves as another indicator of the end times, affecting those who proclaim the Gospel.
Famine, Earthquakes, and Natural Disasters
Matthew 24:7 prophesies: “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” These natural calamities, combined with societal collapse, characterize the birth pains preceding Christ’s return.
False Messiahs and False Prophets
Jesus warned extensively about deception in the end times. Matthew 24:4-5 states: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.” Additionally, Matthew 24:11 warns: “Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.”
Decline of Faith and Love Growing Cold
Matthew 24:12 provides a sobering warning: “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” This spiritual cooling among believers indicates the deepening corruption of the end times.
The Timing and Process of the Resurrection
What Happens When Jesus Returns
When Jesus returns, two incredible events occur simultaneously:
1. The Resurrection of the Dead: Those who have died in Christ will be raised first
2. The Transformation of Living Believers: Those still alive will be instantly changed and caught up to meet the Lord
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 provides the clearest description: “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.”
The Trumpet Call and the Seventh Angel
A critical aspect of the Second Coming involves the trumpet call. Revelation 10:7 states: “But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished.” This seventh trumpet represents the last and most significant trumpet call, marking the culmination of God’s plan.
Revelation 11:15 specifies when this occurs: “The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will reign forever and ever.'”
Spiritual Transformation vs. Physical Resurrection
Understanding the Nature of Resurrection
A common misconception is that Christians will be raised in their physical bodies. Scripture, however, reveals a different truth. Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 that our earthly bodies—perishable, weak, and natural—will be transformed into imperishable, powerful, and spiritual bodies.
This transformation is compared to a seed: “When you plant a seed, what grows is not what you buried.” Similarly, our earthly bodies will be transformed, not resurrected in their current form.
Flesh and Blood Cannot Inherit the Kingdom
1 Corinthians 15:50 clarifies: “I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.” This verse emphasizes that our existence in God’s kingdom will be entirely spiritual.
The Nature of Spiritual Bodies
When believers are transformed, they will possess spiritual bodies. These bodies retain identity and appearance but are no longer bound by physical limitations. As Paul describes it: “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” (1 Corinthians 15:52).
The Timing of the Second Coming
During the Tribulation Period
One crucial understanding is that believers will experience the tribulation period before the Second Coming. Jesus Himself stated that believers would face great distress: “For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now and never to be equaled again” (Matthew 24:21).
However, God’s mercy extends even during this period. Matthew 24:22 indicates: “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.” This means God will limit the duration of the worst tribulation to protect His chosen ones.
The Gospel Must Be Preached to All Nations
Matthew 24:14 provides another important condition: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” The completion of global Gospel proclamation is a prerequisite for the Second Coming.
Preparation for the Second Coming
The Importance of Spiritual Readiness
Matthew 24:13 offers encouragement: “But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” This emphasizes the need for spiritual perseverance and readiness.
Believers must prepare themselves for the trumpet call. This preparation involves:
– Maintaining Faith: Not turning away from belief despite persecution and false teachings
– Watchfulness: Staying alert to the signs and not being deceived
– Spiritual Growth: Developing a deep relationship with Jesus Christ
– Living Righteously: Conducting oneself in accordance with biblical principles
Understanding Your Identity in Christ
1 John 3:2-3 emphasizes the transformation awaiting believers: “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 will see Him as He is.”
This promise assures believers that they will be transformed into the image of Christ and will be able to perceive Him directly.
Conclusion: Preparing for the Trumpet Call
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is not merely a distant theological concept but a pivotal event that shapes Christian faith and practice. Understanding the signs, the nature of the event, and the transformation that will occur is essential for all believers.
The current generation is living in what many theologians consider the end times. Wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, persecution of Christians, false prophets, and the decline of faith are all visible in today’s world. These are the birth pains Jesus spoke of—indicators that His return is drawing near.
But more important than understanding the timeline is preparing spiritually. Believers must:
– Believe in Jesus Christ and His redemptive work on the cross
– Stand firm in faith despite persecution and deception
– Maintain vigilance by studying Scripture and recognizing signs
– Cultivate righteousness through spiritual disciplines and Holy Spirit dependence
– Prepare themselves for the trumpet call by living in conscious readiness
When the seventh angel sounds his trumpet, Jesus will return with power and great glory. Those who have died in Christ will be raised in spiritual bodies, and those still alive will be transformed in the twinkling of an eye. This is not a event to fear for believers but to anticipate with hope and joy.
As Dirco Haasbroek emphasizes, your Bible is your most precious possession, and your most precious time is spent with the Lord Jesus. Study the Scriptures, understand the prophecies, and prepare your heart. The trumpet call may sound sooner than we expect, and when it does, believers will be transformed and meet the Lord in the air—forever with the Lord.
The question is not whether the Second Coming will happen, but whether you are prepared for it.
