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    End Times

    What Does the Bible Say About the Return of Christ?

    What Does the Bible Say About the Return of Christ? The Bible promises that Jesus will return visibly, personally, and triumphantly to judge the living and the dead and establish His eternal kingdom.

    Key verse: Acts 1:11 (KJV)

    The Bible promises that Jesus will return visibly, personally, and triumphantly to judge the living and the dead and establish His eternal kingdom.

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    Quick Answer

    The Bible promises that Jesus will return visibly, personally, and triumphantly to judge the living and the dead and establish His eternal kingdom.

    "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." — Acts 1:11 (KJV)

    The Biblical Answer

    The Second Coming of Christ is one of the most frequently mentioned doctrines in the New Testament. At Jesus' ascension, two angels told the disciples, 'this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven' (Acts 1:11). Jesus Himself promised, 'I will come again, and receive you unto myself' (John 14:3). His return will be visible and unmistakable: 'every eye shall see him' (Revelation 1:7). It will be sudden: 'as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be' (Matthew 24:27). He will come in glory 'with power and great glory' (Matthew 24:30) to judge the living and the dead (2 Timothy 4:1). No one knows the day or hour (Matthew 24:36), which is why Jesus repeatedly urged readiness: 'Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come' (Matthew 24:42). The return of Christ is the 'blessed hope' of every believer (Titus 2:13).

    Topic Overview

    What Does the Bible Say About The End Times?

    What the Bible teaches about prophecy, the second coming of Christ, and the end of the world.

    Key Scripture References

    "This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."
    "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him."
    "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."

    Frequently asked questions

    Frequently asked questions

    Related Questions

    Deep Dive Commentary

    For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:

    Related Reading

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    Read it in context

    The answer above sits inside Acts. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.

    Read Acts on day 309 of the chronological Bible reading plan

    Keep the verses to hand

    Every verse quoted in “What Does the Bible Say About the Return of Christ?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    The Second Coming of Christ is one of the most frequently mentioned doctrines in the New Testament. At Jesus' ascension, two angels told the disciples, 'this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven' (Acts 1:11). Jesus Himself promised, 'I will come again, and receive you unto myself' (John 14:3). His return will be visible and unmistakable: 'every eye shall see him' (Revelation 1:7). It will be sudden: 'as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be' (Matthew 24:27). He will come in glory 'with power and great glory' (Matthew 24:30) to judge the living and the dead (2 Timothy 4:1). No one knows the day or hour (Matthew 24:36), which is why Jesus repeatedly urged readiness: 'Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come' (Matthew 24:42). The return of Christ is the 'blessed hope' of every believer (Titus 2:13).

    The rapture refers to the event when Christ returns to catch up believers — both living and dead — to meet Him in the air.

    The Day of the Lord refers to a future time when God will intervene dramatically in human history to judge the wicked and deliver the righteous.