When we talk about the return of Jesus, we must distinguish between the following:
- The Rapture when Jesus comes in the air for the Body of Christ,
probably during the Great Tribulation. - The second coming when Jesus comes down to Earth with the
Body of Christ, to fight for Israel at the end of the Great Tribulation.
This means that Jesus comes twice, but it's only the second time that he comes down to Earth. Jesus will then return in the same way as he went to Heaven
(Acts 1:6–11). He then returns fully visible, from Heaven, through the clouds,
in physical bodily form (Mat 24:27–31, Mark 13:24–27, Luk 21:25–28).
All will then see him when he comes down to Earth (Rev 1:7).
(Acts 1:6–11). He then returns fully visible, from Heaven, through the clouds,
in physical bodily form (Mat 24:27–31, Mark 13:24–27, Luk 21:25–28).
All will then see him when he comes down to Earth (Rev 1:7).
The time of Jesus' return is considered unknown, as Jesus said that his return
is like a thief in the night (Mat 24:36–44, Mark 13:32–37, Luk 21:34–36,
Rev 3:1–6). But these verses are most likely about The Rapture.
Paul's writing in 1 Thess 4:13–5:8 can be interpreted as the time of his return at
The Rapture is unknown even to believers, but when The Rapture occurs it won't come as a surprise to believers, see time 13:48–17:07 in Revelation 3 (Rev 3:3).
However, as we approach The Rapture, we can express the signs of the time when Jesus comes (Mat 24:32–33, Mark 13:28–29, Luk 21:29–31). See also Sardis in
The Seven Churches in the Book of Revelation and The Day of the Lord.When Jesus returns to Earth he will also come as a thief (Ref 16:15), see time 37:14–38:06 in September 2024 Bible Q&A. Here it means that it will be a surprise for the unbelievers and for those who aren't ready for his coming. But at least when we reach the seven-year Tribulation period it's possible to calculate the date when he returns by knowing when the Tribulation period begins, see more about this in
Before this happen, the gospel will be proclaimed among
all nations (Mat 24:14,
Mark 13:10). This is done through, among other things, the internet and YouTube.
Mark 13:10). This is done through, among other things, the internet and YouTube.
There will be a great apostasy (falling away) at the end of time (Mat 24:11–13,
Mark 13:5–6, Luke 21:8, 18:8b, 2 Thess 2:3, 2 Tim 3:1–5). Such is life in our time, see also time 3:21–11:50 in Are We Living In The Great Apostasy?
Mark 13:5–6, Luke 21:8, 18:8b, 2 Thess 2:3, 2 Tim 3:1–5). Such is life in our time, see also time 3:21–11:50 in Are We Living In The Great Apostasy?
Gog from Magog will attack Israel, probably some time before the seven-year Tribulation period, but will be defeated by God himself. This and the apostasy open up to Antichrist who people
will follow, and who will be defeated by Jesus when he returns to Earth (2 Thess 2:1–12), see Who is the End Time Antichrist?
The Two Witnesses will appear during the Tribulation period. The Christians will be persecuted during this time (Mat 24:9–10, Mark 13:9, 12–13, Luke 21:12, 16–17). There will be a great distress (Mat 24:15–22, Mark 13:14–20, Luke 21:21–24).
The last verses speak about the destruction of the temple (Mat 24:1–2,
Mark 13:1–2, Luk 21:5–6) and the fall of Jerusalem (Luk 19:41–44) in 70 AD,
but also about the coming period of trouble during the Great Tribulation.
The last verses speak about the destruction of the temple (Mat 24:1–2,
Mark 13:1–2, Luk 21:5–6) and the fall of Jerusalem (Luk 19:41–44) in 70 AD,
but also about the coming period of trouble during the Great Tribulation.
The destruction of the temple and the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD is a foreshadowing of the Great Tribulation. This prophetic principle is called "The law of double reference", and is described in Visions and Dreams by Prophet Daniel. It will be the greatest distress that has ever come upon the Earth (Mat 24:21, Mark 13:19).
It's during the Great Tribulation that Antichrist shows who he really is and will reign the entire world for 3.5 Prophetic Years (Rev 13:5). Most likely, Antichrist is seen as a peacekeeper who has brought peace to nations, although Antichrist sees Israel as a final disturbance.
It's during the Great Tribulation that Antichrist shows who he really is and will reign the entire world for 3.5 Prophetic Years (Rev 13:5). Most likely, Antichrist is seen as a peacekeeper who has brought peace to nations, although Antichrist sees Israel as a final disturbance.
Six seals are first broken with start at the beginning of the Tribulation period, see
The Horses in the Book of Revelation. When the seventh seal is broken, seven angels will blow their seven trumpets one at a time, see The Seventh Seal and the Seven Trumpets in the Book of Revelation. When the seventh trumpet blows, seven bowls of wrath in Rev 16 will be poured out. In conjunction with the seventh trumpet
before the seven bowls of wrath are poured out (Psalm 91:5–10), I believe that
The Rapture occurs. But those who choose to follow Antichrist, have received his mark (Rev 16:2), and worship his image, will suffer these seven bowls of wrath.
All Christians have probably left the Earth at The Rapture before it happens.
It's still possible to become a Christian afterwards, see The Sheep and the Goats.
It's still possible to become a Christian afterwards, see The Sheep and the Goats.
For the sake of believers, the time between the start of the Great Tribulation and
The Rapture will be shortened (Mat 24:15–22, Mark 13:14–20).
The Rapture will be shortened (Mat 24:15–22, Mark 13:14–20).
At The Rapture, Christians are raised up, meet Jesus in the sky, and are taken to Heaven (1 Thess 4:17). It's called the first resurrection (Rev 20:6). It's when there is a strong trumpet call that the Christian believers are raised. At the sound of
the last trumpet call Christians will raise up (1 Cor 15:51–53, 1 Thess 4:15–17).
The last trumpet call is probably the seventh trumpet call (Rev 11:15), see The Seventh Seal and the Seven Trumpets in the Book of Revelation.
The dead Christians will receive new resurrection bodies, raise up and meet Jesus
in the clouds. Then the same thing happens to the Christians who are still alive.
the last trumpet call Christians will raise up (1 Cor 15:51–53, 1 Thess 4:15–17).
The last trumpet call is probably the seventh trumpet call (Rev 11:15), see The Seventh Seal and the Seven Trumpets in the Book of Revelation.
The dead Christians will receive new resurrection bodies, raise up and meet Jesus
in the clouds. Then the same thing happens to the Christians who are still alive.
Afterwards, Babylon is destroyed, see What is Babylon in the Book of Revelation?
The last thing Antichrist does is to attack Jerusalem, but is defeated by Jesus when he returns (Zechariah 12:3, 8–9, 14:2–3, Rev 17:14, 19:15–16), see more about this in Explanation of Satan's Attack on the Woman in the Book of Revelation.
Jesus then returns to Earth fully visible at the end of the Great Tribulation
(Mat 24:27–31, Mark 13:24–27, Luk 21:25–28), see
Prophecies of Jesus' Second Coming.
The last thing Antichrist does is to attack Jerusalem, but is defeated by Jesus when he returns (Zechariah 12:3, 8–9, 14:2–3, Rev 17:14, 19:15–16), see more about this in Explanation of Satan's Attack on the Woman in the Book of Revelation.
Jesus then returns to Earth fully visible at the end of the Great Tribulation
(Mat 24:27–31, Mark 13:24–27, Luk 21:25–28), see
Prophecies of Jesus' Second Coming.
For more detailed information, see The End Time and
End of Time at the end of When Did Jesus Die and when Was He Born?
End of Time at the end of When Did Jesus Die and when Was He Born?
When Jesus returns, there will be judgement on the nations, see the story of
The Sheep and the Goats. Then he establishes the millennial kingdom (Rev 11:15,
20:4–5) followed by the Great White Throne judgement (Rev 20:11–15).
The Sheep and the Goats. Then he establishes the millennial kingdom (Rev 11:15,
20:4–5) followed by the Great White Throne judgement (Rev 20:11–15).
Jesus will be subordinate to God the Father forever (1 Cor 15:24–28),
see The Order between Jesus and the Father in the Trinity.
see The Order between Jesus and the Father in the Trinity.
After the Great White Throne judgement, Earth and heaven will pass away,
and there will be a new heaven and a new Earth, where the born again Christians
will live forever (Rev 21:1–4). The new Jerusalem will come down from Heaven,
and God himself will live on this new Earth. See A New Heaven and a New Earth.
and there will be a new heaven and a new Earth, where the born again Christians
will live forever (Rev 21:1–4). The new Jerusalem will come down from Heaven,
and God himself will live on this new Earth. See A New Heaven and a New Earth.
See also Some stories in the gospels at the end of The Four Gospels.
