We often hear in churches and gospel meetings about Christ’s return as imminent. Yet, as time passes and generations age, some begin to doubt the reality of the Second coming and living their lives as though it may never happen. However, the promise remains firm: Our Lord is “Maranatha.”
The term “Maranatha” comes from two Aramaic words: “Mara” (Lord) and “natha” (come or has come). It is both a declaration that Jesus Christ is Lord and a heartfelt plea for His return, expressing the Christian hope of eternal unity with Him.
The Bible confirms this promise of his return with certainty. As Revelation 22:20 says “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” This assurance inspires believers to remain steadfast, trusting in His promise to return.
We look at When / Why and How this Second coming will happen.
When will Jesus Second coming happen ?
Many people claim to know the exact time of the Lord’s return, often citing specific dates or prophecies. However, we are instructed not to believe such predictions. If someone says so, it’s a lie. Do not believe that.
The Bible is clear that the timing of Christ’s Second Coming will be unknown to anyone but only to the Father God.
Matthew 24:36: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
1 Thessalonians 5:2: “For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”
The comparison to a “thief” is a metaphor emphasizing the sudden and unexpected nature of Christ’s return. It will happen when life seems to continue as usual, catching many off guard.
Similarly, Jesus compares this event to the days of Noah. In Matthew 24:37-39 “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.”
Just as the people of Noah’s time ignored warnings and carried on with their lives, many today live without considering the reality of Christ’s return. The call is to remain watchful and prepared, as His coming will be both sudden and undeniable.
Why is this Promise of Second coming not full-filed yet ?
From our human perspective, it may feel like the Second Coming has been delayed. However, there is no concept of delay in God’s plan. Certain events must unfold before Christ’s return, as outlined in Scripture.
Jesus’ Words in Matthew 24:34 'Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. ‘
This statement (in Matthew 24:34) refers to specific signs and events that must take place before the Lord’s return:
Events Leading to the Second Coming
Global Signs
Wars and Conflicts have to happen Matthew 24:6 'You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. '
Natural Disasters / Famines / Earth Quake - Matthew 24:7 'Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. '
New Plagues and New widespread Disease - Some of these bring fear of God - Luke 21:11 ‘There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. '
Increase in Sin / Wickedness
Love for Self and Materialisic things of World and Pleasure - 2 Timothy 3:1-4 'But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— '
Love growing cold due to mans wickedness - Matthew 24:12 'Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, '
Days of Current be More like Noah Days - Genesis 6:5,11-12 'The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. '
Persecution of Believers
Believers will face hatred and persecution for their faith. Those who are Christ will be persecuted and put to death if we hold the name of Jesus Matthew 24:9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. '
Many will become like Judas to betray believers Matthew 24:10 'At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, '
False Prophets and Deception
False prophets will arise. There will be many who come in the name of Christ, really they are not from Christ, they are false prophets, will be imitators of Christ, they will deceive people and make them follow them Matthew 24:5 'For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. '
False teachings will lead people astray as they will fall to deception and lead to believe the works of Antichrist - 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 'Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. '
Antichrist’s Rise
Antichrist will rule and imitate God, People will fall to these deception and its teaching to drift from the word of God to Antichrist - 1 John 2:18 'Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. '
Antichrist is a liar he tells everything false
Denying that Jesus is the Christ - 1 John 2:22-24 'Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. '
Teachings thats counterfeit - 1 John 2:26-27 'I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him. '
Antichrist will imitate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Revelation 13:3 'One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. ' The Antichrist is going to imitate Christ in every possible way. This will not be an actual resurrection - because no-one can raise the dead other than God.
Satan will give his power to all those who want it, if they are willing to sacrifice their conscience and bow down to him, he will even give kingdoms to rule the nation as well.
The Gospel Preached Worldwide
There will be Open Doors for Gospel - While these things are happening the Word of God will be preached to every look and corner, there will be open doors Matthew 24:14 'And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. '
Israel and Jerusalem Role
Prophecies concerning Israel and Jerusalem will be fulfilled. Luke 21:24 'They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. '
Jerusalem will play a key role in end days - Zechariah 12:2-3 '“I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem. On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves. '
Cosmic changes
Extraordinary signs in the heavens will cause fear and astonishment. There will be cosmic changes which will be a terror to us - Luke 21:25-26 ' “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. '
These events remind us that Christ’s return is not delayed but is unfolding according to God’s perfect plan.
Take a moment to reflect on what is happening around us—the ongoing wars, the global pandemic we recently faced, and the increasing impacts of climate change.
These events are not random or accidental; they align with the signs prophesied in Scripture that must occur before Christ’s return.
How will his Second coming be ?
When the second coming of Jesus Christ happens, it will happen in with a loud voice of trumpet that will sound every where and it will not be a secret.
A Loud Voice: Everyone Will Know (Godly and Ungodly)
Revelation 1:10 'On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, '
Matthew 24:31 'And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. '
Recognizing God’s Voice:: It is only through the Spirit that we can truly understand and discern God’s revelations. When we are in tune with the Spirit, His voice becomes as unmistakable and commanding as a trumpet.
Spiritual Sensitivity: Without the Spirit, we are deafened by the distractions of the world—false teachings, deceptive religions, and worldly noise.
Clear Conscience: Like tuning a radio to receive a signal, our hearts must be aligned with God, free of sin, and in right standing with both God and others to hear His voice clearly. This will not surprise the faithful on his second coming, as they are waiting like a bride for the groom to be united with Christ.
His Coming Is Not a Secret
Many theology and theses that he we will have secret coming of Christ, its not true, its a lie. Christ’s return will be a visible and undeniable event:
Matthew 24:27 'For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. ‘
Visible to All: Every eye will see His coming. There will be no secrecy or ambiguity; no one can overlook or escape the reality of this event.
Terrifying for the Unsaved: For those who are not saved, Christ’s return will be a moment of unimaginable terror and judgment: Revelation 6:16-17 'They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”’
We are called to remain watchful and faithful in Jesus Christ, seeking Him as our refuge and strength. By abiding in Him, we can discern the signs of His promises while trusting in their fulfilment.
The Bible reminds us that everyone belongs to God, whether saved or unsaved:
Ezekiel 18:4: “For everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child—both alike belong to me. The one who sins is the one who will die.”
In His mercy, God desires that no one perishes:
Ezekiel 18:32: “For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!”
God is patiently waiting for all to turn to Him and be saved through the blood of Jesus Christ, shed for our sins. The invitation is clear: repent, accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and live a life of faith. By doing so, you can look forward to His Second Coming and the joy of eternal life with Him.
Revelation 2:11 ' Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. '
Amen