How Will Jesus Return

⁷ Look, Jesus is coming with the clouds, and everyone will see Him, even those who stabbed (pierced) Him. And all peoples of the earth will cry loudly because of Him. Yes, this will happen! Amen. Revelation 1:7 (NCV)

The overriding theme of Revelation is the return of Jesus to defeat all evil and to establish God’s glorious Kingdom on earth (Revelation 1:7; see also Revelation 2:16; Revelation 3:11; Revelation 22:7, 12, 20). Revelation declares that Jesus will come “with the clouds of heaven” (Revelation 1:7). The event described in Revelation 1:7 will be witnessed by the whole world when all the peoples of the earth will see Jesus (the Son of Man) coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:30-31; Matthew 26:63-64; see also Daniel 7:13-14).

However, Jesus’ coming at Revelation 1:7 is not the same as His return in the air to catch away His faithful people – the Rapture (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54). When Jesus comes to catch away (Rapture) His church, He will come “as a thief” or unexpectedly (Revelation 3:3; Revelation 16:15), and only those who are born again will see Him (1 John 3:1-3).

Bible scholars have not always agreed as to the order of events leading up to the return of Jesus and the establishment of God's eternal Kingdom on earth (Revelation 21-22). NO ONE KNOWS when Jesus will return (Acts 1:6-7; see also Mark 13:32-37; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2). God sent Jesus at the right time for His first coming (Galatians 4:4), and GOD ALONE will decide Jesus’ second coming to earth (Matthew 24:36). The Holy Scriptures warned against an excessive fixation on the future (see e.g., 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2).

Until Jesus' second coming, God’s people must continue to live by faith and do good in the world (see e.g., Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 25:31-40; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 10; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, 16-24; Titus 2:14). REPENT of your sins, turn away from wickedness, and turn wholeheartedly to the living God (see e.g., Ezekiel 18:30-31; Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17; Revelation 2:5, 16, 22; Revelation 3:3, 19). All Biblical scholars agree Jesus will return and the sure promise of Jesus’ return should lead everyone to repentance, obedience, and faithfulness to God (Revelation 1:3, 7; Revelation 2:5, 25; Revelation 3:3, 11; Revelation 22:7, 12, 20; see also 1 John 1:1-3).

²⁰ Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20 (NLT)

References

New Student Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992).

Loyd, Melton, Ph.D., Senior Professor of New Testament (Due West, SC: Erskine Theological Seminary, 2016).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary –New Testament (Victor Books, 1989).