Second Coming

John Tokhabi, Last Judgment, around 1100. Icon, tempera. St Catherine monastery on Sinai, Egypt

Last Judgement (Michelangelo)

T'oros Roslin Gospels, The Last Judgment, Walters Manuscript W.539, fol. 109v

Second Coming of Christ window

Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad2

Shrine-of-Bahaullah

Second Coming refers to the Christian belief in the future return of Jesus Christ to Earth, following his Ascension to heaven about two thousand years ago. This event is prophesied in the New Testament of the Bible and is a central tenet of Christian eschatology. The Second Coming is anticipated as a time of judgment, the final defeat of Satan, and the establishment of the Kingdom of God on Earth. Different Christian denominations have various interpretations of the events and timing surrounding the Second Coming, but it remains a foundational aspect of Christian faith and theology.

Biblical References

The concept of the Second Coming is most prominently detailed in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospel of Matthew (24:29–31), the Gospel of Mark (13:24–27), and the Book of Revelation. These passages describe signs and events that would precede the return, including tribulations, natural disasters, and the spread of the gospel to all nations. The Apostle Paul's letters, such as 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, also discuss the Second Coming, emphasizing the resurrection of the dead and the transformation of the living to meet Christ in the air.

Theological Interpretations

Christian theology has developed various interpretations of the Second Coming, often divided into premillennial, postmillennial, and amillennial views.

• Premillennialism posits that Christ will return before a thousand-year reign of peace, the Millennium, initiating this period with the resurrection of the faithful.
• Postmillennialism suggests that Christ will return after a millennium of Christian dominance and peace, interpreting the Millennium metaphorically rather than as a literal 1000-year period.
• Amillennialism views the Millennium as symbolic of the current church age, believing that Christ's reign is spiritual rather than physical, and that the Second Coming will occur at the end of the world without a literal thousand-year reign.

Cultural Impact

The Second Coming has significantly influenced Christian culture, liturgy, and thought. It has inspired countless works of art, literature, and music, reflecting both hope and fear about the end times. The concept has also influenced societal norms and laws, with some individuals and groups attempting to predict the timing of the event, despite biblical warnings against such predictions.

Controversies and Criticisms

The Second Coming is a subject of debate and skepticism, both within Christianity and outside it. Critics argue about the interpretation of biblical texts, the lack of a clear timeline, and the failure of past predictions. Within Christianity, differing views on the Second Coming have led to the formation of various sects and denominations, each with its own understanding of eschatology.

See Also

• Christian eschatology
• Rapture
• Antichrist
• Millennialism
• Eschatology