The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is one of the most central and cherished beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It’s not only a key doctrine but also the culmination of our faith and hope. As Adventists, we believe that Jesus will return literally, visibly, and gloriously to redeem His faithful followers and establish His eternal kingdom.
This belief shapes our worldview, our daily choices, and how we live our lives. In this post, we’ll explore what the Bible says about Jesus’ Second Coming and why it’s such a crucial hope for all who follow Him.
1. A Promise We Can Trust
The belief in the Second Coming is rooted in Jesus’ own words. In John 14:1-3, Jesus comforted His disciples with a powerful promise:
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
This promise is at the heart of our faith. Jesus’ departure to heaven was not the end of the story—He is coming back to take us home. This is what we call the “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13), the joyful anticipation of His glorious return.
2. A Visible and Glorious Return
Seventh-day Adventists believe that the Second Coming of Christ will not be a secret or spiritual event but a literal, visible, and worldwide occurrence. As the Bible describes in Revelation 1:7:
“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him.”
When Jesus returns, it will be a majestic and awe-inspiring event. His glory will fill the sky, and every person on Earth will witness it. Unlike His first coming in humility, as a baby in Bethlehem, His second coming will be filled with power and majesty as He returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
3. The Resurrection and the Righteous
One of the most beautiful aspects of Jesus’ return is the promise of the resurrection. When Christ comes, He will raise those who have died in Him, reuniting them with the living faithful. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 describes this moment:
“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. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
At Jesus’ Second Coming, those who have died trusting in Him will be resurrected to eternal life. Along with the living righteous, they will be “caught up” to meet Jesus in the air, to live with Him forever. This is the ultimate hope for all believers—that death is not the end, but the beginning of eternal life with Christ.
4. Signs of the Times: Preparing for His Return
Jesus told His disciples that there would be signs pointing to the nearness of His return. In Matthew 24, He spoke of wars, famines, earthquakes, and an increase in wickedness as indications that His coming is near. These signs remind us that we are living in the final days of Earth’s history.
Seventh-day Adventists understand that while we do not know the exact day or hour of Jesus’ return (Matthew 24:36), we are called to be watchful and prepared. The Three Angels’ Messages in Revelation 14 call us to proclaim the everlasting gospel, the judgment hour, and the need to worship God as Creator. These messages are part of our mission as we await Christ’s return, preparing the world for that great event.
5. A Call to Live Ready
While we look forward to Jesus’ return with excitement, it is also a call to live lives of readiness and faithfulness. Matthew 24:44 reminds us:
“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
Living in readiness means maintaining a close relationship with Jesus, living out our faith daily, and sharing the good news of His soon return. It’s not just about waiting—it’s about active faith, where our lives reflect the hope and joy of His coming.
This anticipation should inspire us to live holy and loving lives, seeking to help others and reflect Christ’s character. It should also motivate us to share this hope with those who do not yet know Him.
6. The Fate of the Wicked
While the Second Coming brings hope and joy to believers, it is also a solemn event for those who have rejected Christ. The Bible teaches that when Jesus returns, the wicked will be destroyed by the brightness of His coming (2 Thessalonians 2:8). Those who have refused God’s offer of salvation will face eternal separation from Him. This is a sobering reality that drives us to share the gospel with urgency.
7. A New Heaven and a New Earth
After the Second Coming, God’s people will live with Him for eternity. The Bible describes a future where sin, suffering, and death no longer exist. In Revelation 21:4, we are given this beautiful promise:
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Jesus will create a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13). This is the ultimate hope we hold on to—a future where we will be in the presence of God forever, free from the pain and brokenness of this world.
Conclusion: Are You Ready?
The Second Coming of Jesus is not just a distant event to be casually awaited—it is a living hope that shapes how we live today. As Seventh-day Adventists, we look forward to the day when our Savior returns to take us home. Until then, we live in anticipation, preparing our hearts, sharing the gospel, and helping others see the beauty and hope of this glorious event.
Are you ready for Jesus’ return? If not, today is the day to give your heart to Him, to embrace the hope of eternal life, and to join in the mission of preparing the world for His soon return.
As we wait, let us encourage one another with the words of 1 Thessalonians 4:18:
“Therefore comfort one another with these words.”