Most Christians misunderstand Jesus’ second coming in the bible, insisting that His second coming and last judgment are different occurrences. However, what do the scriptures say about this? What did Jesus say about this?
Contradiction Between Men’s Thoughts and Bible Testimony
Luke 18:8 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 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?”
At His first coming, Jesus rhetorically asked if He would find faith on the earth when He comes to bring justice or “avenge” (NKJV). The answer to this question is ‘no’. Jesus asked the question to emphasize that He would not find faith when he comes on the day of Judgment. In these last days, there are over 45 000 Christian denominations globally (Center for the Study of Global Christianity), however, Jesus said He will not find anyone with the correct faith for salvation when He returns. This implies that nobody will be saved at the Last Judgment.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-16 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 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.
The Apostle Paul wrote that God’s children will definitely be saved in the last days. There is a clear contradiction between the thought, “Jesus’ second coming means the Last Judgment” and the Bible’s Testimony. Therefore, it is undoubtedly wrong to insist that Jesus’ second coming in the bible and Last Judgment are one and the same event.
Prophecy of Jesus’ Second Coming in the Bible and the Last Judgment
The Last Judgment
2 Thessalonians 1: 7-8 This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus…
When Jesus comes as the Judge at the last day, His appearance is with fire and His purpose is to punish, simply put, to execute judgment (Isaiah 66: 15-16).
Jesus’ Second Coming
Matthew 24: 30-31 …Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
In the prophecy of Jesus’ second coming, does Jesus come with fire to execute judgment? No! Second Coming Christ is prophesied to come on the clouds, to gather His elect. His appearance and purpose is completely different from when He comes at the last judgment. Hence, Jesus’ second coming in the Bible, and the last judgment are two different events.
When is Jesus’ Second Coming, in the Bible?
Luke 21: 27-28 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
This is an additional prophecy of Jesus’ second coming. It does not say that God’s people will enter Heaven as soon as Jesus comes a second time. The words, “stand up and lift up your heads”, mean to prepare to enter Heaven, because “your redemption is drawing near”. This means that the time to enter Heaven is imminent. Therefore, the time for Jesus’ second coming is not the time of “your redemption” – the last judgment. Rather, Jesus comes a second time before the last judgment.
Salvation and Judgment after Jesus’ Second Coming in the Bible
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.
When Jesus comes a second time, He brings salvation for those who are waiting for Him. However, the prerequisite to wait for Second Coming Christ is to know by which prophesies He is to come. Let us be the ones who wait for the Second Coming Christ and receive salvation by understanding His coming in accordance with Bible prophecies.