by R. L. Morrison

It is doubtful if there is one Bible subject more widely discussed today than the return of Christ. It is also doubtful if there is one any more abused and perverted from Bible truth. His return is mentioned many times in the New Testament, for every writer therein referred to it. Jesus himself spoke of his return (Matt. 25:31-32). The angels who appeared to the apostle at Jesus' ascension spoke of it (Acts 1:11). Paul wrote of it so we would not be ignorant of it, but could know it will occur (1 Thess. 4:13-17). Yet many today do not understand, and teach contrary doctrines concerning the return of Christ.

If we turn to the New Testament and consider the things found there, we will have learned all we can know or need to know on this important subject. No other source can provide us with God's inspired words on this or any other subject. In this short study we shall consider only a few of the many passages that are concerned with the subject, but will find answers to many questions people ask.

One question asked by many is "What signs will foretell the return of Christ?" The New Testament answers: Nothing; no sign will be given. Hear Jesus: "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and they knew not until the flood came, and took them all away, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be" (Matt. 24:37-39). He also said, "Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord shall come", and, "Therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh" (Matt. 24:42-44). Jesus said he would come as a thief, giving no warning of his coming. The Bible teaches us always to be ready, for we cannot know the time of His return.

Peter spoke of some who asked: "Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation" (2 Peter 3:4). Peter's reply should be of interest to all. He referred first to the destruction of the world by the flood. Then he wrote, "But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men" (vs. 7). The Lord, he adds, "is not slack concerning his promise. The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (vs. 10). The day of the Lord is the day or time of the return of Christ. Jesus spoke of it in Matthew 24:37-44. Paul, preaching in Athens, spoke of it. "He (God) hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead" (Acts 17:31). The return of Christ is as certain as is His resurrection from the dead.

Consider now the purpose of his coming. Some believe Christ is coming again to give unbelievers a "second chance" to believe and obey the gospel. But God answered this idea long ago: "... and as it is appointed unto men once to die but after this the judgment, so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many, and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation" (Hebrews 9:27-28). When Jesus came the first time, He died for the sins of all, and because of this, salvation is now offered to all. When He returns, it will be to reward those who look for him. No new sacrifice or offering of another opportunity to obtain salvation will be made.

Some expect Jesus to come back to Jerusalem, set up an earthly kingdom, and rule on earth for 1000 years. But Christ is ruling in His kingdom NOW! Peter, directed by the Holy Spirit, said God had raised Christ up to sit on David's throne (Acts 2:29-31). Paul told the Colossians they had been translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son (Col. 1:13). Hebrews 12:28 speaks of a kingdom received by men which cannot be moved. Paul speaks of a resurrection at the coming of Christ, then adds, "Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father" (1 Cor. 15:23-24). So when Jesus returns, it will not be to establish a kingdom, but rather to deliver his present kingdom to the Father.

Then why will He come again? First, He will come again to raise all who have lived from the dead: "For the hour is coming in the which all that are in the grave shall hear his voice, and shall come forth ..." (John 5:28-29). Paul also taught this: "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Cor. 15:22). The dead will arise at the time of the return of Christ - all of them.

When Christ comes again it will be to judge the world, all people. Jesus himself spoke of this in Matthew 25:31-32: "When the Son of man shall come in His glory and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory, and before Him shall be gathered all nations, and He shall separate them one from another." Paul also speaks of this: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2 Cor. 5:10). This is another reason for Christ coming again.

Jesus spoke several parables which illustrated his return and the reason for it. One of them we call the parable of the tares. It is found in Matthew 13.

"The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. His enemy came at night and sowed weed seed in the same field. All the seed came up. The servants of the man who owned the field asked him about the tares (weeds) in the field. He knew what had happened and told them an enemy had sown the weed seed. Then they asked: "Shall we pull out the tares?" He replied, "Leave them until the harvest. Then the tares shall be separated from the grain and burned." The disciples did not understand and asked Jesus to explain the parable. He replied: "He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man. The field is the world. The good seed are the children of the kingdom. The tares are the children of the wicked one, Satan. The harvest is the end of the world. The reapers are the angels. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of the kingdom all those that offend and do iniquity. They shall cast them into a furnace of fire, there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth."

This parable not only pictures a future event, it also tells WHY Jesus is coming again and what will happen when he does return.

Many indeed are the objections made to these things just mentioned. Consider one of them. In Matthew 24, we find Jesus talking to his disciples regarding the destruction of Jerusalem. He describes certain events which would come to pass and the great tribulation which would occur at that time. He spoke of false prophets and men who would claim to be Christ. Then in verse 34, he said, "This generation shall not pass till all these be fulfilled." But many religious people today do not believe these things have been fulfilled. They base this on verse 30, where Jesus said: "They shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory." This, they say, refers to his second coming. But some of those who were living when he spoke saw the fulfillment of this prophecy. This is NOT to say that he appeared to men at that time, but they saw the fulfillment of the prophecy. Beginning with verse 35, he spoke of his second coming in person. He told them to watch for they knew not what hour he would return. In verse 36, he told them (and us) that not even the angels of heaven knew the day and hour of his return. That knowledge is known to the Father only! However, Paul refers to this day, as he preached the gospel in the city of Athens. "Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained, whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead" (Acts 17:31).

Now, since the Bible declares that Jesus will come again, and that no signs or warnings will be given of that coming, this warns men of the necessity of being ready at all times. What kind of persons should we be? Christ is now a King, ruling over the church, His kingdom, inviting all who will to enter it and obtain salvation. The church is the body of which he is the Savior (Eph. 5:23). At a time when he is NOT expected, He will return to raise the dead, to call all into judgment. He will then reward according to deeds done in this life, or the manner of life we live day by day.

Jesus invites you through His word to become a member of His church by obedience to the gospel. This requires you to believe in Him as the Son of God. You must repent of your sin, confess your faith and be baptized for the remission of your sins. Then live your life in harmony with his instructions. This life is the ONLY time you can accept that invitation, for after death comes the judgment!

Jesus WILL RETURN! Are you prepared to meet him in that hour?