The Manner of Christ’s Return

Jesus has several important tasks left to accomplish in order to consummate God’s earthly kingdom. So, we know he’s coming back. But how is he coming back? We’ll mention four aspects of the manner of Christ’s return. It will be personal, physical, visible, and triumphant. Let’s look first at the fact that it will be personal.

It’s necessary for Jesus to return to earth personally in order to fulfill the promises made to Abraham and David. His return isn’t a metaphor that the New Testament uses to describe the large-scale conversion of the lost, or the spread of peace to all nations, or the victory of the church throughout the world. In fact, it’s not a metaphor at all. Jesus really is coming back — in person — to finish his work.

Now, let’s explore the idea that his return will include a physical component. The apostles saw Jesus humanly ascend into heaven, and they were told that they would see him return the same way. That can only mean that he will return in his human body. Besides this, several passages compare our glorified human bodies to the glorified human body Jesus will still have when he returns. And that means that he’ll be just as physical as we will be.

Let’s address the fact that it will also be visible. It might seem obvious to say that when Jesus returns in his glorified human body, we’ll be able to see him. But there are actually some cults that deny Jesus’ visible return. Often, this denial stems from the mistaken belief that Jesus has already returned. And since no one saw this return, they argue that it was invisible. One of the most obvious problems with this error is that the New Testament explicitly says that Jesus will be seen when he returns. For example, in 1 John 3:2, John wrote, “When he appears … we shall see him as he is.” And in Revelation 1:7, “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him.”

Jesus won’t just be visible to a few people. Everyone on earth will see him. And the reason for this isn’t hard to grasp: Jesus’ return will be an earth-shattering event. The radiance of his glory will be like the sun, and his heavenly armies will fill the sky. And then every last human being will have to face him on his judgment throne.

Now let’s see how it’s also triumphant. During his first coming, Jesus appeared to be anything but triumphant. As Paul wrote in Philippians 2:7-8, “[Jesus] made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” The Greek verb in this phrase “made himself nothing” is “kenóo.” Its use here is the basis for the theological term “kenosis,” which is Jesus’ act of veiling his divine glory during his first advent.

Jesus’ glory has never been veiled again, and when he returns, it will be on full display. He will come in radiance and splendor, riding the clouds of heaven and attended by hosts of angels. Matthew 24:30 says he’ll come “with power and great glory.” First Thessalonians 4:16 tells us that he’ll be announced “with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God.” Second Thessalonians 1:7 tells us that he’ll come with blazing fire and angelic armies. And Revelation 19:11-16 tells us that he’ll be crowned with many crowns, followed by the armies of heaven, and carrying an iron scepter to rule the nations. In short, his appearance will be as a triumphant king leading his armies in victory. And everyone will bow before his power and authority.