What will happen when Jesus returns?
Question 10012
The return of Jesus is not a quiet, unnoticed event. It is the most dramatic, world-changing moment in all of history. Everything changes when Jesus comes back. The question is not whether He will return, for Scripture is abundantly clear on that point, but what happens when He does. The answer unfolds in two phases, each with staggering implications.
The Rapture: Jesus Comes for His Church
The first phase of Christ’s return is the Rapture. This is not the final, visible coming to earth but a coming in the air to gather His people to Himself. Paul describes it in detail: “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17)
Several things happen at the Rapture. First, the dead in Christ are raised. Every believer who has died throughout history receives a glorified resurrection body. Their bodies rise from the grave to be reunited with their spirits. Second, living believers are transformed. “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51–52) Our mortal bodies become immortal; our perishable bodies become imperishable. Third, we are caught up together to meet the Lord in the air. The Greek word for “caught up” is ἁρπάζω (harpazō), meaning to seize, to snatch away. From this comes the Latin word “raptura,” from which we get “Rapture.”
Following the Rapture, believers stand before the Judgement Seat of Christ. This is not a judgement of condemnation, for “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) Rather, it is a judgement of works, where rewards are given or lost based on how we served the Lord. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Corinthians 5:10) Works of lasting value, built with gold, silver, and precious stones, will be rewarded. Works of no lasting value, built with wood, hay, and stubble, will be burned up. (1 Corinthians 3:12–15)
The Tribulation on Earth
While the Church is with Christ in heaven, the earth enters the seven-year Tribulation. This period is described in detail in Revelation 6–19 and corresponds to Daniel’s seventieth week. (Daniel 9:27) It is a time of unparalleled suffering, when God’s wrath is poured out on a Christ-rejecting world. The seal judgements, trumpet judgements, and bowl judgements bring devastation upon the earth. The Antichrist rises to power, demanding worship and persecuting those who turn to Christ during this period. At the midpoint, he desecrates the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, setting up the abomination of desolation and triggering the Great Tribulation. (Matthew 24:15–21)
The Second Coming: Jesus Returns to Earth
At the end of the Tribulation, Jesus returns visibly to earth. “Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Matthew 24:30) This is not a secret event. Every eye will see Him. (Revelation 1:7)
Revelation 19 describes this moment in vivid detail. Heaven opens, and Jesus appears on a white horse, called Faithful and True. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven follow Him, clothed in white linen. From His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh is written: “King of kings and Lord of lords.” (Revelation 19:11–16)
At His coming, the Antichrist and the false prophet are captured and thrown alive into the lake of fire. (Revelation 19:20) Satan is bound and cast into the bottomless pit for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:1–3) The armies gathered at Armageddon are destroyed. (Revelation 19:21)
The Millennial Kingdom
With His enemies defeated, Jesus establishes His millennial kingdom on earth. This is the thousand-year reign spoken of in Revelation 20. Jesus sits on the throne of David in Jerusalem, fulfilling the promises made to Israel. (Luke 1:32–33) The Old Testament prophets spoke extensively of this time. Swords are beaten into ploughshares. (Isaiah 2:4) The wolf lies down with the lamb. (Isaiah 11:6) The knowledge of the Lord covers the earth as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:9) Israel is restored to her land in blessing, and the nations stream to Jerusalem to worship the King. (Zechariah 14:16)
Believers who died during the Tribulation are raised to reign with Christ. (Revelation 20:4) Those who survive the Tribulation and enter the kingdom in their natural bodies repopulate the earth. It is a time of unprecedented peace, righteousness, and blessing, with Jesus personally ruling as King.
The Final Judgement and Eternal State
At the end of the millennium, Satan is released for a short time and leads one final rebellion, which is quickly crushed. (Revelation 20:7–10) Then comes the Great White Throne judgement, where all unbelievers from all of history are judged according to their works and cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:11–15) Death and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Finally, God creates a new heaven and a new earth. The New Jerusalem descends from heaven, and God dwells with His people forever. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
Conclusion
What happens when Jesus returns? Everything. The dead are raised, the living are transformed, the Church is rewarded, the world is judged, evil is defeated, Satan is bound, the kingdom is established, and ultimately all things are made new. The return of Christ is the hinge point of history, the moment towards which all creation groans. (Romans 8:22) We should long for that day, live in readiness for it, and say with the apostle John, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)
“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” Revelation 22:12