Will Christ Come a Second Time on Judgement Day?

It is a common belief among many Christians today that when Christ comes to the earth a second time, He will do so on the last day. This event is referred to as the Rapture. It is believed that when Christ comes a second time it will be a time of judgement against the wicked and the ascension of the saved. All those who believe in Christ will be called up into the air and ascend into the heaven together while those who reject Christ will be punished with everlasting destruction.

Although this is a widespread belief among the Christian community, does it really correspond with the prophecies in the Bible? When it comes to a matter as important as our salvation, we must always confirm whether our beliefs are based on the Word of God.

The Bible records numerous prophecies about the Second Coming of Christ. Similarly, there are numerous prophecies about the destruction of the world on the last day. What we need to determine, for the sake of our own salvation, is whether these two events are destined to occur at the same time.

If we have hope for salvation and wish to receive Christ when he comes a second time, we must do our best to understand all the prophecies concerning his appearance on the earth. Let’s examine some scriptures concerning the way in which Christ is prophesied to appear a second time and compare it with the prophecies about his coming on the last day.

What Will the World Be Like at Christ’s Second Coming?

Luke 18:8 However, when the Son of Man comes will he find faith on the Earth?

As many people believe that Christ will come a second time on Judgement day, we need to consider this verse carefully. Jesus Christ was the human incarnation of the Almighty God, who knew the destiny of all mankind from the beginning to the end. He knew very well what kind of faith people would have at the time of His Second Coming. So, what was His intention in asking a question he already knew the answer to? It was to show us that at the time of His Second Coming, there wouldn’t be anyone who had true faith. That is, a faith worthy of salvation.

Therefore, we need to consider this situation. If Christ comes a second time as a judge to a faithless world, then who on earth would be saved? No one can be saved without a faith deemed worthy of salvation by God. That’s why the prophecies concerning the Second Coming of Christ tell us that His purpose will be to bring salvation to mankind.

Hebrews 9:28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

If the purpose of Christ’s Second Coming is to bring us salvation, this suggests that at the time of His Second Coming no one will actually have salvation. If Christ comes to judge the world at the same time, then all mankind will be destroyed. However, the Bible clearly mentions there will be those who are saved in the end.

1 Corinthians 15:51-53 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.

Undoubtedly, the Scriptures show us that salvation will be given to the people of God in the end. However, the Scriptures also show us that nobody will have a faith worthy of salvation at the time of His second coming. We can conclude that Christ’s Second Coming will not occur at the same time as Judgement Day.

The Appearance of Christ on Judgement Day and His Purpose

When Christ is prophesied to appear on Judgement Day, he will have a distinct form. The Scriptures mention that he will appear with fire.

Isaiah 66:15-16 See, the Lord is coming with fire, and his chariots are like a whirlwind; He will bring down his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For with fire and with his sword the Lord will execute judgement on all people, and many will be those slain by the Lord.

On the last day, when Christ comes as the judge, it is foretold that He will appear with fire and with the purpose of executing judgement on the inhabitants of the earth. His purpose will not be to save but to destroy.

When we look at other prophecies concerning judgement day, it is described in the same way – that the Lord will come to judge the earth with fire in order to destroy the wicked.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord…

So, the Biblical description of Christ’s appearance on the last day is with fire and for the purpose of destroying the earth. However, when we look at the prophecies in the Bible concerning His Second Coming, both His appearance and purpose are described in a different way.

The Appearance of Christ at His Second Coming and His Purpose

Matthew 24:30-31 Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

The above mentioned verse is Jesus’ response when he was asked about the sign of His Second Coming, which we can see earlier in the same chapter.

Matthew 24:3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”

How did Jesus describe his own appearance at His Second Coming? He said that he will appear with the clouds. Moreover, when he described the purpose of His Second Coming, he said it will be to gather the elect.

Evidently, the description of both the appearance and purpose of Christ’s Second Coming are not the same as the description of His appearance on Judgement Day. The Bible says that when Christ comes a second time He will appear with the clouds, but when He comes on the Judgement Day, He will appear with fire. Let’s think about this matter.

Firstly, clouds and fire do not usually appear together as water and fire are opposing elements. Clouds are a form of water vapour which would counteract the effects of fire.

Secondly, Christ’s purpose at His Second Coming will be to gather his elect, which refers to gathering His people who will be saved. However, when Christ appears as the judge on the last day His purpose will be to punish and destroy the inhabitants of the earth. When Christ comes as the judge on the last day, there won’t be any time left for the people of earth to seek salvation. It will be the time of the end. So what does the Bible say about the time of Christ’s Second Coming?

Luke 21:27-28 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Jesus said that at the time of His Second Coming, we should lift up our heads because our redemption is drawing near. If we describe this phrase “drawing near” in a different way we could say something like “coming soon”, or “on the horizon”. In other words, “drawing near” does not mean “happening immediately.” It means our redemption is “happening in the near future.” However, when the Bible describes the time of Christ’s coming on Judgement Day, it is prophesied to happen quickly and without warning.

Zephaniah 1:18 Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the LORD’s wrath.” In the fire of his jealousy the whole earth will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live on the earth.

So, the idea that Christ’s Second Coming and Judgement Day are the same event which will occur at the same time simply doesn’t match with the prophecies in the Bible. It is clear through both the prophesied appearance and purpose that they are separate events which will occur at different times. Although we may believe that Christ will come a second time on Judgement Day, it is merely an assumption that can not be confirmed with the prophecies in the Bible.

The Scriptures show us that the time of Christ’s Second Coming will be the time when we should wake up and begin to prepare the oil of faith before Judgement Day. So we must discern what the correct faith is and how we should prepare it before Christ comes to judge the world.

The Second Coming Christ Will Gather His Elect in Zion

As the Bible says, the purpose of Christ’s Second Coming is to gather His people together so that they can prepare themselves for the impending judgement on the inhabitants of the earth. So, where will He gather his people, and what is the correct faith we should have in order to receive salvation in the end? The Bible prophesies that Christ will gather His people to a place called Zion in the last days.

Micah 4:1-2 In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

As the Bible prophesies, the Lord will gather His people together in Zion in the last days. There He will teach us His ways and His law, so that we may prepare the correct faith – a faith worthy of salvation. So, what kind of a place is Zion? The Bible says that Zion is the place where the feasts of God are celebrated.

Isaiah 33:20-22 Look on Zion, the city of our festivals… There the Lord will be our Mighty One… For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; it is he who will save us.

The above translation is taken from the NIV Bible. When we look at some other translations, we can clearly understand what these “festivals” refer to. The Good News translation of the Bible records the beginning of this verse as “Look at Zion, the city where we celebrate our religious festivals.” And the English Standard Version records it as “Behold Zion, the city of our appointed feasts!” Therefore, Zion indicates a place where God’s appointed feasts are celebrated.

Then, what are the appointed feasts which God’s people should celebrate? If we look at Leviticus chapter 23, the appointed feasts mentioned are the Sabbath Day, the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Day of Firstfruits, the Festival of Weeks, the Festival of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Festival of Tabernacles. These are the annual festivals God commanded his people to keep when he gave us the 10 commandments. If there is a place which observes God’s appointed festivals, that place is the prophesied Zion written about in Micah chapter 4.

God’s Commandments and True Faith

In the days of Moses, God established the Old Covenant law with its festivals and regulations. However, when Christ came the first time, He established the New Covenant law and showed us an example of observing these appointed festivals according to the regulations of the New Covenant.

Luke 22:7-8, 20 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” … In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”

Jesus declared he was establishing a New Covenant with his people on the night of the Passover. Everything Jesus Christ taught and showed as an example was a part of the New Covenant law He established at His first coming. There are many examples of this written in the Gospels. Let’s see another example concerning the weekly feast.

Luke 4:16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom…

As Jesus observed the Sabbath day as His custom, so too, did the apostles and early Church saints. Let’s see an example through the Apostle Paul.

Acts 17:2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures.

This is the kind of faith Christ taught us to have in order for us to receive salvation. We must observe the New Covenant law which was established by Christ in order to be saved.

John 13:15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Surely, Christ taught us what we need to know for our salvation at His first coming. So, why does the Bible prophesy that He must come a second time to restore true faith in the last days? Did He not already established the New Covenant law at His first coming?

The reason for Christ’s prophesied return is due to the fact that the New Covenant law Jesus established at His first coming was abolished during the Dark Ages.

When the Light of the New Covenant Gospel Was Extinguished

The Sabbath Day, which had been observed for over a thousand years by the Jews following the Old Covenant law and upheld according to the New Covenant regulations by the early Church Christians, was discarded following the Roman Emperor Constantine’s Sunday law, a decree established in AD 321. This civil decree, which made Sunday the official day of rest from all work, was accepted by the churches in Rome and became solidified as the official day of worship. Eventually, the observance of the Sabbath Day disappeared completely from every church.

The Passover, which had been observed according to a similar pattern, first by the Jews according to the Old Covenant established through Moses, then by the Christians according to the New Covenant established by Christ, was officially abolished during the council of Nicaea in AD 325. Following many controversies erupting from disputes between the Eastern churches located around Asia and the Western churches located around Rome.

An official ecumenical council was formed by Emperor Constantine which consisted of a group of religious delegates. The purpose of this council was to decide what would officially become a custom within the church and what would be declared as heresy and an unlawful religious practice. It was during this council that the observance of the Passover was declared as heretical and discarded. Afterward, all the regulations of the New Covenant law, which Jesus Christ had established, gradually disappeared from the consciousness of mankind until there was no one left observing God’s appointed festivals.

Therefore, Christ must come a second time for the purpose of restoring the truth of the early Church, the law of the New Covenant established at His first coming, in order for his people to prepare the right kind of faith before Judgement Day.

How Will Christ Appear a Second Time?

As Christ is prophesied to appear a second time before Judgement Day, in what form will He appear? Christ testified that He would come with the clouds at His Second Coming. The Biblical meaning of the clouds is that they represent flesh. This means that He will appear a second time in the flesh, as He did at His first coming. To “bring salvation to mankind,” as mentioned in the book of Hebrews chapter 9, means that the Second Coming Christ must carry out the mission of restoring the lost truth of the New Covenant.

Without observing the New Covenant established by Christ, no one can have a true faith worthy of salvation. Christ, Himself, testified that only those who follow the will of God can enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Therefore, Christ must appear a second time before Judgement Day in order to guide His people into the way of salvation.

Just as the Bible prophesied, the lost truth of the New Covenant has been restored during this age. The Sabbath Day and the Passover, which disappeared from the churches, are now being observed again. Based on this, we can conclude that the Second Coming Christ has already come.

The Bible prophesied in Micah chapter 4 that God would establish Zion, the place where the feasts of God are celebrated, in the last days. Also, this would be the place where we can learn God’s ways and walk in His paths – the path that leads to the Kingdom of Heaven.

There is a place that celebrates the lost feasts of the New Covenant today. That place is the World Mission Society Church of God. Today, the WMSCOG is the only Church that observes all the regulations of the New Covenant as taught by Christ. It is the prophesied Zion which was established by the Second Coming Christ during these last days. To learn more about Christ who has come a second time during this age, please contact the World Mission Society Church of God.