Return of Christ

Premillennialism advocates Christ's Second Coming occurring before the Millennium. It is cited by two heavenly representatives saying, "'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven'" (Ac 1:11). Jesus himself had promised, "'I will come again, and receive you to Myself'" (Jn 14:3). He reiterated, "'You heard that I said to you, 'I go away, and I will come to you''" (:28). This is not just mentioned in passing. He said, "'Now I have told you before it comes to pass, that when it comes to pass you may believe'" (:29). "'I am coming quickly'" (Rev 22:7,12,20) is reinforced three times. In fact, the Second Coming is specifically mentioned in twenty-four books of the New Testament. I read where one author had counted over 300 references and another approximately 450 occurrences.

Redemption Near

Jesus knew his disciples would feel left out once he departed. So to encourage them he advised, '"Let not our heart be troubled; . . . in My Father's house are many dwelling places . . . for I go to prepare a place for you'" (Jn 14:1-2). This constituted continuity and a goal they could focus on. It provided a connection when he said, "'I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also'" (:3). He confirmed it saying, "'If it were not so, I would have told you'" (:2). Consequently "you were sealed for the day of redemption" (Eph 4:30). So "straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" (Lk 21:28). "Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him" (Heb 9:28). You "are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1Pe 1:5). "We through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness" (Gal 5:5).

Second Coming

We are to anticipate the return of Christ with expectancy. "For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah" (Mt 24:37). "They were eating and drinking . . . until the day Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away" (:38-39). "When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory" (Col 3:4). "As to this salvation, the prophets [testified] of the grace that would come to you . . . [and were] seeking to know . . . the glories to follow" (1Pe 1:10-11) the sufferings of Christ. "In Christ all shall be made alive but each in his own order" (1Co 15:22-23).