We Believe In Jesus: The RedeemerSample

Jesus’ Return: 1 Thessalonians 4:16

Jesus’ first appearance on earth was one of great humility. He was largely unknown in most parts of the world. And even in the places he lived, secular historians said little about him. But his second coming will be very different. As Jesus said in Matthew 24:30:

They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.

And as Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 4:16:

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.

These and other passages of Scripture indicate at least four details about the manner of Jesus’ return. First, it will be a personal and physical return. Our Lord Jesus Christ will return to this same world where we now live. And Acts 1:11 adds a detail that he will return in the same way he ascended into heaven, probably meaning that he will descend from the clouds.

Second, his return will be public and visible. Everyone will see him, and he will be announced by the global trumpet call of God and the voice of the archangel.

Third, Jesus’ second coming will be triumphant. He will return as a powerful conqueror. And according to passages like Matthew 16:27, 24:31, and 25:31, he will be attended by an army of angels. 

And fourth, the Scriptures also reveal that Jesus’ return will be sudden; it won’t come when we expect it. In fact, according to Matthew 24:36, the date of the second coming is known only by the Father. So, believers should never trust those who claim either to be Christ, or to know when he is returning.