What to Expect at the Glorious Appearing of Christ

Posted on Jun 09, 2016 Topic : Prophecy

For Christians, the second coming of Christ is the most highly anticipated event in the history of the world. The “glorious appearing” (Titus 2:13) is the ultimate fulfillment of Christ’s promised return. (The return of Christ will have two phases—the rapture, in which the church is taken up to heaven before the Tribulation, and the second return or “glorious appearing,” in which Christ and the church will descend victoriously upon the earth.) When He returns for the second time, there will be no need to debate His claims or His message. The arrival of the King will end all speculation and usher in a time of unprecedented worship by His followers.

The account of this glorious appearing in Revelation 19 is among the most dramatic chapters in the Bible. It stands as an exclamation mark at the end of the redeeming work of Christ. In Revelation 19, Jesus Christ returns to earth to crush His enemies and establish His kingdom. It is at this time that the fulfillment of the many yet-future prophecies regarding His reign will finally come to pass.

To be clear, the glorious appearing is not just a single event but rather a series of events that will take place at the end of the seven-year Tribulation. The following activities appear to best represent the predictions made throughout Scripture for this time:

1. It takes place immediately after the Tribulation (Matthew 24:29).

2. Cosmic phenomena will occur in the sun, moon, and stars (Matthew 24:29).

3. The sign of the Son of Man in heaven will be seen by everyone (Matthew 24:30), and Christ will gather His elect (verse 31).

4. Heaven will open and Christ will appear on a white horse (Revelation 19:11).

5. Christ will be followed by the armies of heaven (Revelation 19:14), prepared to judge the ungodly (Jude 14-15).

6. Christ will come in power and great glory (Matthew 24:30).

7. Christ will stand on the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:3-5).

8. Unbelievers will mourn, for they are not ready (Matthew 24:30).

9. The beast (Antichrist) and his armies will confront Christ (Revelation 19:19).

10. Christ will cast the beast and false prophet into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).

11. Christ’s rejecters will be killed (Revelation 19:21).

12. Satan will be cast into the bottomless pit for 1000 years (Revelation 20:1-3).

13. The Old Testament and Tribulation saints will be resurrected (Matthew 24:31; Revelation 20:4).

14. Christ will judge the nations and establish His kingdom (Matthew 25:31-46).

The return of Jesus will mark both the total defeat of the Antichrist and the total triumph of Christ. Without Christ, there is no hope of a better future. He is the central figure of the world to come.