I Believe in Christ’s Return
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I Believe in Christ's Return
1. How Will Jesus Return?
Personal
Jesus will return personally. This is not a metaphor or symbol, not a spiritual force or ideological movement. The same Jesus who came to earth, died, rose again, and ascended into heaven will return Himself. Scripture is clear: "The Lord himself will come down from heaven."
Bodily
Jesus will return in the same physical form in which He ascended. He was crucified in a real body, rose in a real body, and ascended bodily. He will return the same way. The angels at His ascension affirmed this when they said He would return in the same manner as He was taken.
Glorious
This return will be filled with His glory. Unlike His first coming in humility, born in a stable, His second coming will be marked by brilliance, majesty, and divine splendor. It will be unmistakable and awe-inspiring, with trumpet blasts and power on full display.
2. When Will Jesus Return?
While we don't know the exact time, different theological frameworks try to understand the timeline related to Jesus' return. These are connected to interpretations of Revelation 20 and the concept of the "millennium."
Premillennialism
Jesus returns before the millennium:
Dispensational Premillennialism: History is divided into dispensations. Jesus returns before the tribulation to rapture believers, then returns again after the tribulation to establish His kingdom.
Historic Premillennialism: Jesus returns after believers go through the tribulation. He comes once at the end of the tribulation, believers meet Him, and they all return to reign during the millennium.
Postmillennialism
Jesus returns after the millennium:
The world progressively becomes better through the spread of the gospel.
The millennium is a golden age of righteousness before Jesus returns.
Not a widely held view today due to the evident decline in moral and spiritual culture.
Amillennialism
There is no literal earthly millennium:
The millennium is symbolic and refers to the church age happening right now.
Jesus returns once, bringing final judgment and the new heaven and earth.
3. Tribulation Views
These relate to when the rapture occurs in relation to a future period of intense suffering and judgment:
Pre-Tribulation: Believers are raptured before the tribulation.
Mid-Tribulation: Believers are raptured halfway through the tribulation.
Post-Tribulation: Believers go through the tribulation and are raptured at the end.
4. What Do All Believers Agree On?
Despite differences in timing and order, all faithful Christians affirm:
Jesus will return personally, bodily, and gloriously.
He will judge sin.
He will establish a new heaven and new earth.
There will be eternal separation from God for those who do not believe.
5. One Certainty: Only God Knows the Day
"About that day or hour no one knows... not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
Despite this, history is full of failed predictions. From Charles Russell (Jehovah’s Witnesses) to the author of 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988, the lesson is clear: no one knows.
If someone sets a date, you can be sure that is not the day. We must not set dates. Instead, we are called to live ready, because Jesus will return.
6. So What? How Does Belief Behave?
Maintain Constant Expectancy
Jesus may return at any time. That should drive us to be spiritually alert and active, not passive. Be ready today by living faithfully today. We don’t prepare by procrastinating.
Let the Future Motivate Your Present
Our belief in Jesus' return must lead to:
Godly Living
The King of Kings is returning. That should motivate us to live in a way that honors Him and prepares us to meet Him.
Sacrificial Service
Jesus modeled this in His first coming. His followers are to imitate Him through lives of self-giving love and service.
Energetic Mission
Jesus' return will bring judgment and eternal separation for those who do not believe. This gives urgency to our mission. We must share the gospel, reach the lost, and live on task.
Who is it that God is calling you to speak to?
Final Challenge
You don’t really believe in Jesus’ return until it changes the way you live. Don’t leave this moment unchanged. Make a commitment now to godly living, sacrificial service, and energetic mission. Let your heart be softened and stirred. Jesus is returning. Be ready.
SERMON DETAILS
Speaker: Jeff McNicol
Series: I Believe
Sermon Title: I Believe in Christ’s Return
Date: Jun 22, 2025
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
1 Thessalonians 4:16
Acts 1:11
Revelation 20:1-2,4
Matthew 24:36, 42
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