Second Coming Outline

Evangelize all Nations
Scripture speaks of particular events which precede the return of Christ. According to Jesus the first sign is the world-wide evangelisation of all nations. 'And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.' Matthew 24:14 Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 45:22,23; Mark 13.10; Matthew 28:19,20 Now this is not a promise that 'every person will have a chance to be saved.' Jesus is saying that the world's nations shall have the opportunity at one time or another during the course of history to hear the gospel. This also does not mean that the labours of a single missionary in each one of the nations of the world would meet all the requirements either. Its the universal proclamation of the gospel. This sign is rapidly attaining fulfilment in this present age of modern communication. 

Salvation of all Israel
Romans 11:25-27; Zechariah 12:10-14 These verses do not mean that there will be national restoration and conversion of Israel, that the Jewish nation will be re-established in the Holy Land, and that this will take place immediately preceding or during the millennial reign of Jesus Christ. Jesus states the very opposite here. He indicated everywhere that the privileges which once belonged to the ancient covenant-people would be transferred to a new nation (the Church), gathered out of Jews and Gentiles. God does not reward disobedience. Luke 19:43,44; Matthew 8:11,12; 21:32

The context of Romans 11 gives us a better understanding of the passage. Not as a nation as a whole, but as a collection of remnants throughout the ages. The reference to all Israel is the total remnant which have been converted out of Israel throughout history. This is the fulness Paul speaks about.

Paul is not saying that every Jew (individual) will be saved. But rather the total number of believing Jews. With the fulness of the Gentiles the fulness of Israel will also come in. With the number of God's elect complete, then our Lord will return. Matthew 24:31; Revelation 14:15 This does say that a remnant of Jews will be saved in the last days. 

Great Apostasy and Tribulation
Second Coming
These two events are interwoven in many New Testament passages. By apostasy is meant a falling away from Biblical teaching, preaching and morality. Now certainly every generation has had this but the difference is that immorality and heresy will be the norm rather than the exception. 

The words of Jesus have certainly found a partial fulfillment in the days preceding the destruction of Jerusalem, but will evidently have a further fulfilment in the future in a tribulation far surpassing anything that has ever been experienced. There will be a heightening of apostasy and an intensifying of tribulation even to the point where for the sake of the elect its days will be shortened. 2 Thessalonians 2:3; Luke 17:26-37; Matthew 24:4-21 

Those who have fallen away will then begin to persecute those who remain firm. It is called a number of things in scripture. 'Great Tribulation', 'Falling Away', 'Reign of Antichrist', and 'Satan's Little season' in Revelation 20:3,7,8. It does not mean that true believers will fall away from the faith. It simply means that the faith of the fathers - a faith to which the children adhere for a while in a merely formal way - will finally be abandoned altogether by many of the children. Just as a tribulation under Antiochus Epiphanes preceded Christ's first coming, so another tribulation, even worse than the first, will precede Christ's second coming

The Anti-Christ
Apostasy will already have make some progress when the lawless one comes on the scene. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 However this one puts himself in the place of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4; Daniel 11:36 ff.; Revelation 13 Absolute incarnate self-centeredness. It is interesting that only John speaks of the anti-Christ in the New Testament, although 2 Thessalonians 2:3 speaks of the man of lawlessness thought by many to be the anti-Christ. Many anti-Christs are already here in the form of anti-Christian powers and personages. 1 John 2:18; 4:3; 2 John 1:7 But there will appear 'The Anti-Christ' according to 1 John 2:22. The Devil can hardly wait until the day arrives when he can bring the final Antichrist upon the scene. When at the beginning of the great apostasy law and order, founded on justice, are finally removed, then the man of lawlessness will be make manifest. 

Signs and Wonders
There has always been wars, and rumours of wars, famines and earthquakes. Matthew 24:5,7,24,29-30; Mark 13:22-25 7000 earthquakes in the 19th. century alone. So which one will be the sure sign of Christ's return. By itself a war or an earthquake cannot be a sign but Matthew 24:33 gives us the clue to the meanings of this sign. 'So likewise ye, when ye shall see ALL THESE THINGS, know that it is near, even at the doors.' Included in these signs will be the rise of many false prophets. The natural occurrences will be accompanied with supernatural phenomena. Luke 21:25,26

The Final Sign
The Lord gave two preliminary signs of his coming. The first was the proclamation of the gospel in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations. The second was the great tribulation which would be immediately followed by Christ's glorious manifestation. The great tribulation includes the great apostasy and the climax of the reign of the Antichrist. But in Matthew 24:29-30 we read of the sign the disciples asked for, the one, final, great sign. The very appearance of the Son of man upon clouds of glory is itself the sign, the one, great, final sign from the point of view of the earth. Christ's brilliant self-manifestation will be a sign that he is about to descend in order to meet his people while they ascend to meet him in the air. The glory which will mark his appearance will be a sign, a definite proof, of God's delight in his Son and proof that He is the Messiah prophesied in Daniel 7:13,14. 

The State of Israel
The question is often raised is the establishment of the state of Israel the fulfilment of Prophecy? Many sincere Christians are convinced, that there is still another sign, a very clear and unmistakable indication that right now Christ's return must be very, very near. That sign as they see it is the establishment, May 14, 1948, of the state of Israel. Here they see the fulfilment of Deuteronomy 30:1-10. 

Now no one denies that there are many restoration prophecies; that is, many predictions of the return of the Jews to their land and their re-establishment as a nation. Deuteronomy 30:1-10; 1 Kings 8:46-52; Jeremiah 18:5-10; 29:12-14; Ezekiel 36:33; Hosea 11:10 The point is however, that insofar as these prophecies pertain to the literal restoration of the Jews as a nation, they were fulfilled (in stages) when the Jews returned from their Babylonian-Assyrian captivity, and were re-established in their own land. All this took place long, long ago, before Jesus was born. 

Second the restoration predicted by the prophets was conditional on Israel's repentance. See above referances. That this spirit of repentance was actually present at the time of the return from the Babylonian-Assyrian captivity is clear from such passages as Daniel 9:1,2,5,6; Ezra 3:5,10,11; Nehemiah 1:4-11; Haggai 1:12,13 etc. The important point to notice is the Jews who, on May 14, 1948, established the state of Israel had not repented! Whatever has happened in Israel has nothing to do with the prophecies of scripture. The prophecies of the Scriptures had their fulfillment in a repentant nation. Many are looking in the wrong direction, the error of 1st century Jews regarding His first coming.

Vocabulary
A number of Greek words are used to describe the coming of Christ. Each word contributes its own significance to the meaning of the coming of Christ.

Parousia
Literally it means a presence'. Para means 'with', ousia, is from to be and means 'an arrival' and the resulting presence. It means the presence of Christ because of his arrival. James 5:7,8; 2 Peter 3:4; 1 Corinthians 15:23; Matthew 24:3,27,37; 2 Thessalonians 2:8 

Epiphaneia
Literally it means 'a shining forth'. We get the word 'epiphany' a glorious manifestation or appearing. It was used during the Olympics. The participants would wait for the appearing of the Emperor, who would bestow on them benefits. He would come in a very visible manner, bestowing blessings. The Christians took the term and applied it to the coming of the King of kings. 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Timothy 4:1,8 It shows the shining forth of the glory of the Lord Jesus as the consequence of His unveiling. Titus 2:13 His coming will be like a flash of lightning across a stormy sky. Matthew 24:27

Apocholupsis
Literally it means 'uncover'. Apo means 'from', kalupto means 'to cover'. A revelation. An uncovering, revealing the apocalypse. Every eye will see him because he will be unveiled. 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Peter 1:7,13; 4:13 Sometimes it refers to the judgement of God closely related to his coming. 2 Thessalonians 1:7; Romans 2:5 Presently Jesus Christ is in heaven hidden from our eyes. Some day, in the providence of God, He will be revealed as King of kings and Lord of lords. At His unveiling, we shall behold Him in all the majesty and glory that belong to the Son of God. Then shall he afflict the tyrants who have afflicted His people and bring rest to the afflicted saints. 2 Thessalonians 1:6,7

Personal Coming
Who is going to come? This is answered in the person of Jesus Christ. The second coming of Jesus Christ is definitely predicted in Scripture. John 14:3; Acts 1:11; Philippians 3:20,21 But He will come in what capacity? Certainly he will come as Judge but that's not all. For the believer he comes as the Son of Man the one who through suffering attained unto glory. Matthew 24:30; 25:31 But He will also come as 'the Lord who comes to reward his servants'. Matthew 25:21,23 And He will come as the Bridegroom, in order that he may take the bride unto himself. 

Time of His Coming
To the question when will He come the answer is 'After these things'. Matthew 24:33 No one knows the exact time of His return but He will not return at just any time. It is related to the end of the world, Matthew 24:3, the resurrection, John 6:39,40,44,45, the judgment, Matthew 25:31-46, and the restoration of the universe, Acts 3:20,21. The timing will coincide with these things but we don't know the time. 'But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.' Matthew 24:36; Mk. 13:32; 1 Thessalonians 5:1,2; Acts 1:7. But He will come unexpectedly, Matthew 24:32-51; 25:1-13 and suddenly. Matthew 24:27; Luke 17:24 The reasons are practical. It stimulates the unbeliever to repentance and it stimulates the believer to obedience and diligence. Thus we must keep watch and be in constant readiness for His coming. Matthew 24:42-44

Place of His Coming
The question of where can be understood in two ways. Where will he come from and where will he come to? He has come from the last place he went to. 'beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.' Acts 1:9 passed into the heavens' Hebrews 4:14 and sat down at God's right hand, 'Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. Ephesians 1:21 But one thing is sure when Christ's human nature arrived in heaven, his body did not become defused or distributed all over heaven, neither did it become omnipresent. So when he returns he will return from the place he was last. So it would be logical to conclude that he will come from heaven. 

As to where will he come to there has been much speculation. Some say Mt. Zion and the Mt. Olivet where he went up. But I think that it is best to say he will descend to, and will be seen coming upon, the clouds, and will then go forth to meet his people, while they too will ascend from the earth 'to meet him in the air'. 
Manner of His Coming

Personal
'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 The person of Jesus was leaving them, and the person of Jesus will return. John 14:3; 21:20-23

Bodily
Jesus will return to the earth in the body. It will be a physical return. There will be no ghost, or even the spirit alone who will return but the bodily person of Christ. Acts 1:11 ; 3:20,21 ; Hebrews 9:28; Revelation 1:7 

Visible and Audible
It could be a physical, bodily return and still not be seen by the eyes of men. Matthew 24:30; 25:6,7; Revelation 1:7 The Russellites or Jehovah Witness maintain that the return of Christ and the start of the millennium took place invisibly in 1874, and that Christ came in power in 1914 for the purpose of removing the Church and overthrowing the kingdoms of the world. When the year 1914 passed by without the appearance of Christ, they sought a way of escape from the difficulty in the convenient theory that he remained in hiding, because the people do not manifest sufficient repentance. He came invisibly. But the evidence to the contrary is clear in Scripture. 'For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.' 1 Thessalonians 4:16 This has been called the noisiest verse in the Bible. There is no secret and silent rapture here.

Suddenly
It will take people by surprise. A moment ago, the sign' was not yet there. All of a sudden, there it is! 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 There will be signs of his coming but they will not be specific enough as to designate the exact time. The Bible indicates that the measure of the surprise at the second coming of Christ will be in relation to their watchfulness. Matthew 24:37-44; 25:1-12; Mark 13:33-37; 1 Thessalonians 5:2,3; Revelation 3:3; 16:15

Gloriously
He will come in exaltation in contrast to the first coming. Hebrews 9:28; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26 'He will be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels.' 2 Thessalonians 1:7 He will come as King of kings and Lord of lords, triumphant over all the forces of evil, having put all His enemies under His feet. 1 Corinthians 15:25; Revelation 19:11-16
Purpose of His Coming