The Second Coming of Christ Explained for Today’s Believers

For eight years, John Grisham’s legal thrillers outsold every other fiction novel in the United States. His monopoly would have persisted… were it not for Desecration.

The ninth book in the Left Behind series, Desecration stole Grisham’s spot in 2001. Why? Many suspect the book, which follows a group of new Christians battling the antichrist after the rapture, owes its success to a resurgent fascination with the end of the world. If the start of a new millennium had ruffled Americans’ feathers, the September 11 attacks had plucked them clean off. People were scared and confused, wondering, “What happens next?” 

They still are.

To combat this apocalyptic fear, some Christians teach the Secret Rapture, a 200-year-old idea that God’s people will one day disappear as they are invisibly caught up to heaven. Wars, political strife, and media like Left Behind have only boosted the rapture craze. Just last year, in 2025, South African Pastor Joshua Mhlakela announced that the rapture would occur on September 23 and 24, spurring people to sell their possessions, quit their jobs, and flood social media with rapture-related videos—“RaptureTok.”

Thankfully, we don’t have to live on edge, waiting to be instantaneously “beamed up” to heaven. We don’t have to be afraid or uncertain of our future at all.

Using powerful language, the Bible clearly explains the Second Coming of Christ. Jesus’ return will be literal, visible, global, and triumphant. Every eye will see him. Every tongue will profess He is God. He will end tribulation, reunite loved ones, and take the redeemed home—all in one fell swoop.

The Second Coming of Christ Explained

Since the birth of the Christian church, the Second Coming of Jesus has shaped the foundation of believers’ hope and served as an essential piece of the Gospel message.

Jesus first came to Earth to save humanity from the “wages of sin,” which is death (Romans 6:23), by dying on the cross. Yet, Jesus also promised to return to Earth to permanently save all of the redeemed—both the dead and the living—from the clutches of darkness and bring us to our true home.

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20)

“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. (John 14:1–3)

Jesus’s return is what we prepare for, what we preach, and what we cling to when the world’s sorrows seem too suffocating to bear. The Messiah’s soon coming will culminate God’s plan of salvation! 

What the Bible Teaches About Jesus’ Second Coming

The Bible explains both what the Second Coming of Christ will look like and what it will accomplish.

Scripture says this about Jesus’ return:

• Just before Jesus’ Second Coming, the condition of the world will be characterized by widespread persecution, injustice, deception, and worldly absorption.

For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.”  (Matthew 24:21)

“And as it was in the days of Noah . . . even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.” (Luke 17:26–30)

“ . . . For that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4)

But there is no reason to fear, for God will cut those days short (Matthew 24:22), and “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

• No one but God knows the exact time of Jesus’ return, which is why we must always be ready for it.

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” (Matthew 24:36)

“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)

“Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” (Revelation 14:12)

• Jesus is returning to resurrect dead believers, reward His servants, and destroy the wicked.

“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.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16)

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” (Revelation 22:12)

“And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.” (2 Thessalonians 2:8)

But this destruction won’t be permanent. Learn more about the final judgment and permanent death of the wicked—and why this order of events reveals God’s justice and transparency.

• At Jesus’ Second Coming, the righteous will be transformed, taken to heaven, and granted immortality.

“We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:51b–53)

Note that “the last trumpet” refers to the epic Second Coming of Jesus (see Isaiah 27:13, Matthew 24:31, and 1 Thessalonians 4:16). Only then will the saved step into immortality and enter God’s physical kingdom of glory.

“ . . . I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:3)

• Accompanied by angels, Jesus will return in a literal, visible, and triumphant manner. Every living person will see Him descend from the clouds.

“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Matthew 24:30–31)

“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him . . . ” (Revelation 1:7)

The Difference Between Secret Rapture Teaching and Scripture

Where Did the Rapture Theory Come From?

If Scripture clearly explains that the redeemed will be caught up to heaven at the Second Coming of Christ, where did the Secret Rapture theory come from? And how did it gain any traction?

Belief in the Secret Rapture arose with dispensationalism, a method for interpreting the Bible that requires dividing history into specific periods and assigning each of those periods a unique way in which God dealt with His people. This theological approach took root in the 1800s, largely due to the influence of John Nelson Darby, a former Anglican Priest who joined the Plymouth Brethren.

During this century, there was a “great awakening” among Christians in the United States as they began to focus more on studying Bible prophecy and spreading the word of Jesus’ Second Coming. Darby’s views, including his teaching on a pretribulation rapture of believers, spread rapidly during this time (as did the Adventist movement, now a worldwide Christian denomination that proclaims the news of Jesus’ Second Coming but never subscribed to the rapture theory). 

The 1909 Scofield Reference Bible pushed dispensationalism into the “scholastic period,” a piece of the rapture theory’s evolution that “cannot be overemphasized,” writes Sang-Hoon Jee for the Biblical Research Institute. Over the past century, rapture-centric media like The Late Great Planet Earth book, the film A Thief in the Night, and the recent Left Behind book series and film adaptations have only fanned the flames of deception.

The rapture theory suggests a quiet disappearance of the righteous, but the Word of God describes a majestic and world-shaking event.

Secret Rapture Teaching vs. the Bible

Will the redeemed experience end-time tribulation?

• The rapture theory: Teachings on this point differ, but many who believe in the rapture preach that the redeemed will be caught up to heaven before tribulation.

• The Bible: Yes. In the last days, the devil and his polluted kingdom will “make war with the saints” (Revelation 13:7), but the saints will “come out of the great tribulation” (Revelation 7:14). God will deliver them!

When will the redeemed be caught up to heaven?

• The rapture theory: The redeemed will suddenly vanish one day—typically taught as happening before tribulation—without the world seeing Christ.
• The Bible: The redeemed will go to heaven at the glorious Second Coming of Jesus—witnessed by everyone around the world.

Will the day of salvation be invisible and silent?

• The rapture theory: Yes. On that day, only the redeemed will see Jesus and hear His call to come home.

• The Bible: No. Jesus will descend from the sky “with a shout, with the voice of an archangel” (1 Thessalonians 4:16), and He will send His angels with the “great sound of a trumpet” to gather His elect (Matthew 24:31). “Every eye will see him” (Revelation 1:7), “all the tribes of the earth” (Matthew 24:30).

Will Jesus set up His earthly kingdom at the Second Coming?

• The rapture theory: Yes, following both the rapture and the end-time tribulation, Jesus will return to Earth and reign there for 1,000 years.
• The Bible: No. At Jesus’s Second Coming, He will take the righteous to live in heaven for 1,000 years. Then, He will institute a new heaven and New Earth—the pinnacle of His plan of restoration!

Why It’s So Important That Jesus’ Return Will Be Visible, Literal, and Global

• Truth vs. deception is a central end-time issue.

Scripture emphasizes that the last days will involve widespread deception (Matthew 24:23–27). An invisible rapture of the redeemed would make it easier for false claims about Jesus’ return to spread. This is why the Bible clearly explains that the Second Coming of Christ will be impossible to counterfeit, like lightning across the sky (verse 27). Remember, “God is not the author of confusion but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33).

• In the Great Controversy between God and Satan, God works openly, not secretly.

The cosmic struggle between Christ and Satan requires a visible and transparent conclusion to vindicate God’s character and justice before the universe. God’s people must stand as witnesses, proving that through Christ’s strength, humanity can remain faithful even when government protection is withdrawn. And the wicked, those who have abused and rejected Christ, must acknowledge His deity and power.

• Satan must confront Jesus’ victory.

In an attempt to wound God, Satan strove to doom His beloved children, us. But the whole world, including Satan, will see Jesus coming to take home those who believe in Him. In the midst of total falsehood, the redeemed will stay on the path of righteousness—because Jesus is stronger than Satan.

How the Second Coming Shaped the Early Church

The books of Acts, which tells the story of the early Christian church, begins with Jesus’ ascension. Immediately afterwards, two men in white apparel (angels) tell His followers: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).

So began the blessed hope and mission of the Christian church: Jesus’ followers were not to wait in agony for Him to “restore the kingdom to Israel” (Acts 1:6); they were to prepare for the joyful Second Coming of Jesus and tell others about it, to do what Jesus commanded them in Matthew 28:19: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . . ”

Because they believed in Jesus’ soon return, early church members spread the Gospel with urgency and zeal, and they prioritized obedience to God’s will. Although they lived under the constant threat of oppression, their focus on the Second Coming gave them patience and divine hope, knowing that they had “a better and an enduring possession” awaiting them in heaven (Hebrews 10:34).

The vitality of the early church was directly tied to its view of Jesus’ Second Coming—in many ways, the Seventh-day Adventist church is the same.

The Adventist View of the Second Coming of Jesus

Born amid the grief caused by the Great Disappointment, the Seventh-day Adventist movement has always centered around the Second Coming of Jesus. That’s what “Advent” means: the coming of Christ.

Having learnt from William Miller’s mistake of trying to predict the time of the Advent, the Seventh-day Adventist movement dug deep into the pages of Scripture and developed these core views on the Second Coming:

• The 2,300-day prophecy described in Daniel ended in 1844, when Jesus entered the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary to begin the investigative judgment, which determines who will be written in the Book of Life and taken to heaven at His Second Coming.
• No one but God knows when Jesus will return, but the Bible reveals that it will be preceded by a time of great tribulation.
• During this time of tribulation, God’s loyal followers will be characterized by two key qualities: they will keep the commands of God, including the seventh-day Sabbath, and hold the “testimony of Jesus Christ,” which is the “spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 12:17; 19:10).
• Jesus’ return will be literal, visible, and triumphant beyond what we’re capable of imagining. Everyone in the world will see Him. He will resurrect dead believers, grant all of the redeemed immortality, take them to heaven, and destroy the wicked.
• Jesus is calling His followers to preach the everlasting Gospel to everyone before the end comes.
  

These views on the Second Coming of Jesus shape the Seventh-day Adventist movement’s identity and mission, and they embody the most wonderful hope available to all mankind: an end to suffering and an eternal future with Christ.

If you want to experience the joy of Jesus’ soon return, accept God’s free gift of salvation today.

“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17)

Related Articles:

• Waiting for Christ’s Return: Faith, Vigilance & Readiness
• Questions About the Second Coming: 3 Vital Truths to Consider
• Christ’s Return Is Near: Prepare for the Final Earth-Shaking Event

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Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.