This term is used to refer to the future time Christ will return to judge people and establish God’s kingdom. The term, “second coming,” is not found in the New Testament, but Jesus says he will “come back” to take his disciples with him after preparing a place for them in heaven (John 14:1-3), and the author of Hebrews says that Christ will come again “to save everyone who is waiting for him” (Heb 9:28). A number of passages use the Greek word parousia, meaning “arrival” or “coming,” to describe this future event (for example, 1 Cor 15:23; 1 Thes 3:13). In the Roman Empire of the first century A.D. the term parousia was used to describe the public appearance of an emperor or king, whose visit would be greeted by loyal crowds.

Acts reports that Jesus was taken up into heaven while his disciples watched, and heavenly messengers told them that Jesus would “come back in the same way that you have seen him go” (Acts 1:9-11). A number of passages in the Gospels refer to a second coming of the Son of Man, a term these writers used for Jesus Christ. The appearance of the Son of Man will follow a time of suffering and distress (Matt 24:29-31; Mark 13:3-27). Though Jesus describes a number of signs that will happen before his return, the exact time is not known by the angels in heaven or the Son himself (Matt 24:36-44; Mark 13:32-37). The second coming of the Son of Man is often connected with a time of judgment when those who have done wrong will be punished and those who have done right will be rewarded (Matt 13:41-43; 16:27,28; 25:31-46; Luke 18:1-8; 21:34-36). The author of 2 Peter states that the Lord’s return is linked to a day of judgment when the ungodly people will be destroyed and the present universe melted, and replaced with a new heaven and earth (2 Pet 3:7-13; see also Rev 20:11—21:4).

In Paul’s letters, the apostle describes the return of Christ as a time when Christ’s people will be raised to life (1 Cor 15:23; 1 Thes 4:14-18) and Christ will destroy all powers and forces that oppose God who will rule forever (1 Cor 15:24-28). In the meantime, Paul prayed that the followers of Christ would live in peace and holiness until Christ returns (1 Thes 5:23). The writer of James probably echoed a belief common among many of the earliest Christians when he encouraged Jesus’ followers to be patient, because the “Lord will soon be here” (Jas 5:7,8; see also 1 John 2:18; Rev 22:6-10,20). When Christ did not return as soon as the first Christians expected, some writers offered reasons why (John 21:20-23; 2 Pet 3:3-9).