The Second Coming of Christ
Mark 13: 21-27
As we continue to examine the conversation Jesus had with the disciples regarding the end times, we come to His description of the second coming. Jesus has already revealed the horrors of the Great Tribulation and the extreme difficulty it will present to those who dwell upon the earth during that time. Immediately following the Tribulation, Jesus will return in power and glory.
While Jesus does provide specific details regarding His second coming, this event remains shrouded in mystery. John records much for our benefit in the Revelation, and yet we lack the ability to fully comprehend all that will transpire during that time. Many Baptists hold a pre-tribulation doctrine which teaches that the church will be raptured, taken out of this world prior to the beginning of the Great Tribulation. Some hold to a mid-tribulation doctrine, teaching the rapture will happen mid-way through the Tribulation. Each of these believe the Lord will return for the church in the clouds, as Paul described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, without actually returning physically to the earth. The second coming deals with the physical, literal return of Christ to the earth, when He will establish His kingdom to rule and reign for a thousand years during the Millennial Reign. Jesus spoke of His second coming in this passage, not the rapture of the church.
Let’s take a few moments to consider the details Jesus provided as we think on: The Second Coming of Christ. We find He spoke of:
I. An Abundance of Deception (21-23) – This culture of deception will not be reserved for the period following the Tribulation; it will also be present during the Tribulation. Consider:
A. The Warning (21) – And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not. During the Tribulation, there will be many who claim to be Christ and those who believe they have found the Messiah. Jesus warned of such deception as He began to describe the events that will transpire in the end times. Mark 13:5-6 – And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: [6] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Many have made such claims since Jesus walked upon the earth, with some claiming to be Christ in recent years. These deceptive claims will continue until Jesus Christ Himself returns to establish His kingdom.
B. The Wonders (22) – For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. The false prophets and those empowered by anti-Christ will have unusual power to perform great signs and wonders. This will be much of the appeal that leads many to follow anti-Christ. Jesus declared these will be so convincing, that if it were possible, they would deceive those who had received salvation. We cannot imagine or comprehend the power that Satan and those who follow him will possess and reveal during that time. Those who are not saved by grace and settled in the faith will be taken in by the deception of these false prophets.
C. The Wisdom (23) – But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things. Jesus challenged the disciples, and all who would follow Him by faith, to be wary of these false prophets. He has given us enough in the Scripture to know the times and events that would transpire. We know Jesus Christ has already come, living a perfect, sinless life, bearing our sin as He died in our place on the cross, rising triumphantly over death, hell, and the grave, and ascending back to the Father, where He is seated awaiting His return in power. Regardless of the power and influence some may possess, we know our Lord already came the first time, and we must not be deceived by those who claim to be the Christ, sent from God. We are witnessing the stage being set for the Lord’s return. We must be wise in the Scripture, settling our hearts and minds to defend against the deception that will permeate our world as we approach the second coming.
II. The Sequence of Devastation (24-25) – Jesus now begins to describe the sequence of events that will immediately follow the Tribulation. Consider:
A. The Darkness (24) – But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light. Immediately following the conclusion of the Tribulation, the world will experience an ominous sign. The sun will become dark and the moon will refuse to shine. Joel 2:31 – The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. Can you imagine the horror that will grip humanity as these events begin upon the earth? For as long as men have lived upon the earth, the sun has shown forth her light. Without fail, each morning the sun has risen, bringing light and hope to the world. In that day the sun will be darkened, and mankind will be left to ponder the reason for such calamity. Even the night will be enveloped in a menacing darkness. Without the light of the sun, the moon will have no light to reflect. The darkness will continue day and night, leaving men alone with their thoughts and fears.
B. The Destruction (25) – And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. The sun becoming dark will not be the only sign of the Lord’s imminent return. Following the darkness of the sun and moon, the stars will begin to fall from the heavens. In His omnipotent power, the Lord will shake the heavens and the stars will fall from their places. No doubt some of them will impact the earth, creating devastation throughout the world. For many it will be too late, but the sovereign of the ages will display His power before sinful men. The Lord created the universe and upholds it today by the word of His power. In that day He will cause the heavenly bodies to fall from the sky, revealing His power to the earth. We cannot imagine the horror and dismay this will bring upon the earth. Luke 21:25-26 – And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; [26] Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
III. The Appearance of Deity (26-27) – Following all of these signs in the heavens, Jesus Himself will appear. Consider:
A. The Recognition (26) – And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. Jesus will visibly return to the earth following the Tribulation. Matthew records Jesus saying – And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. This will be a glorious sight for those who have believed in Christ by faith, but it will strike horror in the hearts of those who have denied and rejected His grace. The nations of the earth will mourn as they see Him coming in the clouds. Again, there will be no doubt as to His identity. Every eye will see Him and immediately recognize who He is! Rev.1:7 – Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. Phil.2:10-11 – That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; [11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. He is the gracious Savior and Redeemer, but He is also the righteous Judge.
B. The Demonstration (26) – And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. The second advent will much different from the first. When Jesus came the first time, He came as a humble babe with shepherds declaring His birth. He was rejected of His own, sentenced to death, humiliated, beaten, and crucified. The crowds mocked and sneered as He died on the cross. The second advent will not be like the first. When Jesus returns in the clouds, He will come with power and glory. There will be no mistaking His identity when He returns. The world will see and know the King of kings and Lord of lords has returned in power! Rev.19:11-16 – And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. [12] His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. [13] And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. [14] And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. [15] And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. [16] And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
C. The Restoration (27) – And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. Those who have believed in Christ during the Tribulation will have been relentlessly persecuted and scattered throughout the world. As Jesus comes again, He will send forth the angels to gather every believer from every corner of the earth, bringing them to Jerusalem in preparation for the Millennial Reign. Their season of despair and suffering will be over as the righteous King establishes His kingdom here upon the earth. Their faithfulness will be rewarded as they are ushered into the presence of the King of kings and Lord of lords. The horrors of the Tribulation will have ended as Christ comes, bringing peace to the earth.
Conclusion: I will admit these verses are difficult to fully comprehend. No one has the ability to fully grasp the enormity they reveal. It is undeniable that the world is destined for a time of suffering and devastation unmatched by previous events. The Tribulation will usher in the time of anti-Christ and culminate with the return of Christ in power and glory.
Christ came to earth the first time as the sacrificial Lamb, atoning for our sin and providing salvation for all who come to Him by faith. He will come the second time as the Lion of Judah, judging Satan and those who have rejected Him. While I do not fully understand every aspect of His second coming, I do not live in fear of that day. I have placed my faith and trust in Him, being placed in the body of Christ. I am promised eternity with Christ. What about you? Where do you stand today? Are you prepared to meet the Lord when He comes? Now is the time to make preparation for that meeting. Come to Him in repentance and faith if you are yet unsaved!
