THE Second Coming refers to Jesus’ return to earth itself, conquering Satan (Revelation 16:15-17 and 17:14) and reclaiming God’s Kingdom with His saints (1 Thessalonians 3:13; Zechariah 14:5; Jude 1:14). Jesus himself foretold of His return in Matthew 24 and 25. In these two chapters, He goes into great detail about the events leading up to the time of His return.

Jesus, speaking of Himself, said in Matthew 25: 31-33, Matthew 25:31-33, “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.”

Here, He is saying that God will separate His obedient followers from the pretenders and unbelievers.
In John 14:3, Jesus states, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. “

Then in verse 28-29, He speaks more on this promise saying that He is telling this ahead of time so that when it does happen, we will know He is true.

John 14:28-29 “Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.”

We may not be able to find an answer that is acceptable to all on the chronological relationship between the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ. While Rapture and Second .Coming may be subjects of theological debate, the Parousia, however, is certain.

May we then turn to the question - When?

This is another issue that has been plagued by many conflicting (and often false) teachings. Prediction books have even been written picking the exact day of Jesus’ return. These books may sell many copies, but they mislead their readers. Jesus told His disciples:

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. “ “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with the hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.” “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:36, 40 & 42)

According to the Word of God, only God knows the answer to “When is Jesus coming.” It is not a sphere that is left open to human speculation or determination. It is an exclusively divine prerogative. That position is further corroborated by the following verses of Scripture:

“For you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matthew 24:44).

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:13).
“Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3).

(To be continued)

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