general
The Return of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is coming again. Scripture gives believers the hope of His return, the resurrection of those who have died in Christ, the transformation of His people and eternal life with Him. Christian hope rests in Christ Himself and encourages faithful, holy and expectant living.
Understand
Jesus Christ will come again
Jesus’ return is part of our Christian hope. Acts records His ascension and the promise that the same Jesus will come again. We eagerly await our Lord, whose saving work is the foundation of our hope. Read Acts 1:9–11 (NKJV).
Christ will appear again
Hebrews 9:28 directs our hope toward the second appearing of Jesus Christ. Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; His return will not be another sacrifice for sin. He will appear again for salvation to those who eagerly wait for Him. We therefore look forward to His coming with hope, faith and faithful readiness. Read Hebrews 9:28 (NKJV) within 9:24–28.
The dead in Christ will rise
Paul comforts believers who are grieving for those who have died in Christ. The Lord Himself will descend with a shout, an archangel’s voice and God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first. Living believers will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and they will be with Him forever.
Paul calls believers to encourage one another with this hope. We can grieve honestly while trusting that those who have died in Christ share His promised future. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (NKJV).
Believers will be changed
Paul teaches that not every believer will die before Christ’s coming, but all will be changed. At the sounding of the trumpet, the dead will be raised with bodies no longer subject to decay, and believers will be transformed. Mortality will give way to immortality. This bodily resurrection hope rests on Christ’s own resurrection and His victory over death. Read 1 Corinthians 15:51–53 (NKJV) within the whole chapter, especially 15:20–28 and 35–58.
His coming will be glorious
Jesus describes the Son of Man coming with power and great glory, sending His angels to gather His elect. Revelation presents His coming as visible and unmistakable: every eye will see Him. Our hope is the personal, glorious return of Jesus Christ. Read Matthew 24:30–31 (NKJV) in its surrounding context and Revelation 1:7 (NKJV).
Our hope is eternal life in Christ
Jesus teaches that the dead will be raised, with a resurrection to life and a resurrection to judgment. God will judge the world in righteousness through Jesus Christ. Eternal life is God’s gift in His Son. Those who belong to Christ look forward to resurrection, the fullness of salvation and being with their Lord forever. Death does not have the final word; our hope rests in Christ and God’s final victory. Read John 5:28–29, Acts 17:30–31 and 1 John 5:11–13 in the NKJV.
Reflect
1. Am I placing my hope in Jesus Christ?
2. How does Christ’s promised return change the way I view death?
3. How can the hope of His coming encourage me during difficulty?
4. Am I living faithfully while I wait for Him?
5. How can I encourage another believer with the hope of Christ’s return?
Live
We prepare for Christ’s return by faithfully following Christ today. Trust Him, read Scripture and pray. Pursue holiness, love others, serve faithfully and share the Gospel. Encourage fellow believers, especially those who are grieving, with patience and resurrection hope. Remain hopeful and eagerly wait for Christ.
Grace teaches us to live godly lives, and Christian readiness includes faith, love and mutual encouragement. Read Titus 2:11–14, 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 and 2 Peter 3:10–14 in the NKJV.