A few days ago my family and I were traveling and we saw a billboard that said “Jesus Christ…Coming Soon.” While the intent behind the message was likely to elicit fear in order to encourage people to “make a decision for Jesus” the statement is, nonetheless, true. As the Nicene Creed states, “He [Jesus] will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.” Moments after Jesus ascended into heaven the angels told the disciples “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11, ESV). Since that moment we have been living in, what the Bible calls, the “last days”. The theology surrounding Jesus’ return is known as eschatology. Christians strongly disagree on many aspects of his return, and many often try to predict when it will occur. One thing most all Christians agree on is that Jesus will return and establish his kingdom forever in the new heavens and the new earth. As we pray in the Te Deum “We believe that you will come to be our judge.”
Much ink has been spilled debating the nature of the end times. Particularly, Christians have disagreement regarding the rapture, or the “catching up” in the air of the Christians as depicted in 1 Thessalonians 4:17. Some make the argument that the rapture will occur before the thousand year reign of Christ depicted in the book of Revelation (premillennial), while others argue that it will happen afterward (postmillennial). On the other hand, some make the argument that we are living in the millennial reign of Jesus (amillennial). I’ve always been a panmillennial myself, one who holds the belief that “it will all pan out in the end”. All joking aside, the main point that the Nicene creed makes regarding eschatology is the fact that Jesus will return, he will judge all people, and he will establish his kingdom forever.
For the sake of time, we will not discuss the depths of eschatology ad nauseam. Readers interested in going deeper on this topic can refer to the “suggested reading” section below. In an effort to stay true to the discussion, let us look at the phrases of this section of the Creed in turn.
He Will Come Again in Glory
The New Testament is filled with references to the second coming of Jesus. According to the gospel accounts, Jesus makes reference to his return on several occasions. Two of the most famous passages are found in John 14 and Matthew 24. The passage found in the gospel of John records, the reassuring words of Jesus, “I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself that where I am, you may be also” (John 14:2-3, ESV). These comforting words from Jesus, provide us with the hope of salvation and eternity with him forever.
The second example of Matthew 24 is given in what is known as the Olivet Discourse, and Jesus’ tone is much different from the comforting words found in John 14. In this sermon, we get some of the most harrowing words from Jesus regarding the end times. This passage contains some of the most difficult material to interpret in the entire Bible. In it, Jesus talks about the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, and the Abomination of Desolation. Then Jesus describes the coming of the Son of Man, speaking of his return. This description is not one of comfort and peace, but of wrath and judgment. For those who belong to God, they will have comfort and peace. Yet those who do not belong to God will face judgment and wrath. The reader is left to discern whose side they are on. Jesus’ sermon serves as a warning against complacency. Those who have ears let them hear. This then leads to the second aspect of Jesus’ second coming as found in the Creed, namely his judgment.
He Will Judge the Living and the Dead
This is not an aspect of Jesus‘s second coming that we often think about. We often think that only those who did not trust in Jesus will be judged. Yet the Bible and the creed make it plainly clear that all people will face judgment upon the return of Jesus. This is a reality that we would do well to ponder more in our spiritual formation.
For a brief discussion on this aspect of Jesus’s second coming, let’s go back to the Olivet Discourse for a moment, this time in Matthew 25. Towards the end of that section of the sermon, Jesus depicts the last judgment. He says, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left” (Matthew 25:31-33, ESV). Upon his return, Jesus will judge all people according to their deeds. Jesus tells his listeners again in the sermon those on his right hand on judgment day, the sheep, he will judge them according to how they treated “the least of these.” Because they fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, welcomed the stranger, clothed the naked, and visited those who are sick and in prison, they will “inherit the kingdom prepared before the foundation of the world” (Matt 25:34).
On the other hand, those on his left will “go away with eternal punishment prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt 25:41). Why? Because they neglected the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and imprisoned. They neglected “the least of these” and they will be judged for it. These are hard words from Jesus. They should give us pause and cause us to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith (see 2 Corinthians 13:5). We would do well to think more about judgment day.
And His Kingdom Will Have No End
One of the most famous passages of scripture that speak to the eternal kingdom of God is found in Isaiah 9. I’m sure that you are familiar with Isaiah’s words, for it is often read during Advent. Isaiah prophecies, “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore” (Isaiah 9:6-7, ESV). As the rightful heir to the Davidic throne, Jesus Christ will reign as King of the Universe forever! The fulfillment of this prophecy is seen in the book of Revelation. St. John records, “the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in [the New Jerusalem] and his servants will worship him…the Lord will be their light and they will reign forever and ever” (Rev 22 3-5, ESV). Truly in that day “every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11, ESV).
As we conclude our discussion, we need to bring this topic closer to home. When it comes to thinking about the end times and Jesus’ return we can fall into two traps. First, we can overemphasize the topic and focus so much on the details of his return that we neglect to live into our calling here and now. Secondly, we can push thoughts of the end times (and even our own death) to the side and live as though it will not happen at all. To remedy this we should heed the words of Jesus as found in the Parable of the Ten Virgins, which is again found in the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 25). The purpose of the parable is to exhort the listener to always be ready for the return of the master. Live diligently and live faithfully.
This message is echoed in St. Paul’s letter to Titus when he says, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ…” (Titus 2:11-13, ESV). While we await Jesus’ return, we go about our business with hope bearing in mind that how we live our life matters for eternity. We have nothing to fear.
Oftentimes the second coming of Jesus has a negative connotation, and it may elicit fear for some, a fear of the unknown. We would do well to ponder these things more often with great reverence and awe. For those who trust in Christ and do his will, the second coming of Jesus is a day to anticipate with great joy. Yet for those who do not trust him and do his will, there is much to fear about the return of Jesus. The question then must be asked: which one are you?
At the end of the book of Revelation Jesus promises “Surely I am coming soon” (Rev 22:20). And we, like St. John, cry out “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev 22:20).
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