Why Will Jesus Return?
Jesus Will Return Because the Bible Says So
One reason Jesus will return is because the Bible says so. This answer is formally correct. The Bible indeed says that Jesus will return. When Jesus tells his disciples that one day the nations will see “ ‘the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven’ with power and great glory” (Matt. 24:30), he speaks about himself, announcing his return. At the end of the Gospel of John, Jesus charges his disciples to follow him “until I return” (John 21:22–23 NIV).
When the angels tell the disciples, “this Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11), they announce Jesus’ return. When Paul asserts that “the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven” (1 Thess. 4:16), he speaks of Jesus’ return to earth. Paul speaks of “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” that will happen after the Lawless One has been revealed (2 Thess. 2:1, 3; see question 18). Paul speaks of Jesus’ return when he emphasizes that “at his coming those who belong to Christ” will be bodily raised from the dead (1 Cor. 15:23).
Peter responds to scoffers who make fun of Christians who believe in “the promise of his coming” (2 Peter 3:4). He argues that the delay of Jesus’ coming is not surprising given God’s supremacy over time, his patience in granting people time to repent, and the unexpectedness (“like a thief”) of the day of the Lord (2 Peter 3:8–10). In the introduction to the book of Revelation, John writes, “Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen” (Rev. 1:7). At the end of the book, Jesus announced repeatedly, “See, I am coming soon” (Rev. 22:7, 11).
The answer “the Bible says so” is correct: Jesus comes back because the Bible says that he will come back. The reason for Jesus’ return is much deeper, however. The question at the end of the day is not only whether the Bible is true but whether God will fully and finally achieve his purposes. The assertion that Jesus must return so that God’s promises will be fulfilled is an answer that is formally correct but one that does not give us much understanding beyond that. The biblical authors are not content to make formal claims or give formal directions. They explain the connection with God and his purposes in history. We must therefore look for theological answers.
Schnabel, E. J. (2011). 40 Questions about the End Times. (B. L. Merkle, Ed.) (pp. 247–248). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic & Professional.
The answer “the Bible says so” is correct: Jesus comes back because the Bible says that he will come back. The reason for Jesus’ return is much deeper, however. The question at the end of the day is not only whether the Bible is true but whether God will fully and finally achieve his purposes. The assertion that Jesus must return so that God’s promises will be fulfilled is an answer that is formally correct but one that does not give us much understanding beyond that. The biblical authors are not content to make formal claims or give formal directions. They explain the connection with God and his purposes in history. We must therefore look for theological answers.
Schnabel, E. J. (2011). 40 Questions about the End Times. (B. L. Merkle, Ed.) (pp. 247–248). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic & Professional.
