The Resurrection Of The Body Series

Fourth, the Antichrist must come. The spirit of Antichrist was already in evidence in the apostolic age (1 John 4:3), and many antichrists (or deceivers) had made their appearance (1 John 2:18). But the Bible leads us to expect that at the end of the age a single individual will stand out as the incarnation of all wickedness. We see this in 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 worshipped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”

Fifth, there will be signs and wonders. The Bible also teaches that several signs will mark the beginning of the end. Scripture speaks of wars, famines and earthquakes as the beginning of the end and of the new universe (Matthew 24:6-8). It also speaks of the heavens shaking. Luke 21:25-26 says: “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. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.”

B. The Second Coming Itself

After these signs the Lord Jesus will return to earth. Notice the following points regarding the second coming itself.

First, the time of the second coming of Christ. No one, except the Father, knows the exact time of the Lord’s return. In fact, Jesus himself did not know the time of his return. Jesus said in Matthew 24:36, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” The events mentioned above must precede the return of Christ, and yet from God’s perspective the return of Christ is always near. Peter says that “the end of all things is near” (1 Peter 4:7).

Second, the manner of the second coming of Christ. The Lord Jesus will return bodily in exactly the same way he left this world (Acts 1:11). Though several signs must precede his coming, yet his coming will be unexpected and take people by surprise (Matthew 24:37-44). Moreover, it will be a glorious and triumphant coming. The clouds of heaven will be his chariot (Matthew 24:30), the angels his bodyguard (2 Thessalonians 1:7), the archangels his herald (1 Thessalonians 4:16), and the saints his retinue (1 Thessalonians 3:13).

Third, the purpose of the second coming of Christ. Christ will return at the end of the world for the purpose of introducing the future age, the eternal state of things, and he will do this by inaugurating and completing two mighty events, namely, the resurrection of the dead and the final judgment (cf. John 5:25-29; Acts 17:31; Romans 2:3-16; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 20:11-15; 22:12).

These, then, are the events that surround the second coming of Christ. But now we must answer the question of what happens to our bodies at the return of Christ.