The Second Coming of Jesus

THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT AS JESUS was ascending into heaven after his death and resurrection, two angels appeared and said to the disciples, "This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). Ever since, the second coming of Jesus has been eagerly anticipated by his followers in every age.

As early as the first century, however, questions began to emerge. Some people thought that the second coming had already occurred and that they had been left behind. Others thought that it would never happen and they mocked Christians who were still waiting. Still others used the confusion over the second coming to teach their own kooky views of the end of the world. What's ironic is that all those things are still happening today.

That's why our next five readings are so useful; they'll help us clarify what the Bible says about this important topic. We'll begin by examining the ascension of Jesus; it's a preview of what his second coming will be like. Then we'll dig into the teachings of two key leaders in the early church–Paul and Peter–to find out how they answered the questions that were being raised. And finally, we'll take a look at Revelation 21–22, the last two chapters of the Bible, to get a picture of what the end times will be like. And the encouraging thing is that the end is only the beginning of a new world with God at its center.

But if the Bible is so clear about the second coming, why do so many still seem confused about it today? The answer, I believe, is that people take the information in the Bible to one of two extremes. Some make too much of the second coming; their whole worldview is built around the most obscure details of the end times. Others make too little of the second coming; for them, it might happen, it might not, but who cares?

That's why our goal in this section will be to form a balanced, biblical view of the second coming. Because the one thing that is beyond question is that some day Jesus will come back in the same way that he went up into heaven. What a joyous day that will be!

The Greatest Sequel of All Time

PRAY: Lord, I ask that you would send the Holy Spirit to "guide me into all truth" about your death, resurrection, ascension and second coming.

READ: Acts 1:1-11

REFLECT: Have you ever watched a movie that leaves you feeling that a sequel is coming? Perhaps the bad guy has been defeated but is still lurking out there somewhere. Or maybe the good guy has overcome his present struggles and is now ready for a new adventure. In a sense, that's exactly what's happening in this passage. Luke, the writer of Acts, is setting up the greatest sequel of all time; he's preparing us for the second coming of Jesus Christ.

He does that by describing the dramatic conclusion to Jesus' life on earth. Luke had finished his Gospel account with a reference to the ascension of Jesus (Luke 24:50-53), but here he gives a fuller description of that unforgettable event. Note that he makes a point of reviewing the growing body of evidence for Jesus' resurrection (v. 3). There were many eyewitnesses.

But for some, seeing is not always believing. Even after all the "convincing proofs" (v. 3) the disciples had witnessed, they still hadn't grasped the truth about Jesus. They couldn't get over their assumption that he was Israel's national hero (v. 6). All of us bring assumptions to our consideration of Jesus, some accurate and some not. One of the best ways to get a true picture of the essential Jesus today is to prayerfully read what the Bible says about him.

Another way is to rely on the Holy Spirit. Earlier Jesus taught that the Holy Spirit would help his disciples understand the truth of the gospel after his death, resurrection and ascension (John 16:13). Now Jesus says the Holy Spirit will give his followers power for sharing that truth with a needy world (Acts 1:8). Through the Holy Spirit, we can be effective witnesses both by our words and by our actions.

But as Jesus disappears into the clouds, it is the two angels who have the privilege of announcing the great sequel. Jesus "will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven" (v. 11). Just imagine what that would be like if it happened today!

APPLY: If you knew Jesus was returning within the next thirty days, what difference would it make for your plans and priorities?

PRAY: Lord, I can hardly imagine what it will be like when you return. All I know is that I'm so thankful that you've made a way for me to be with you forever.