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Jesus' Second Coming And Final Judgment

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ refers to his return to earth at the end of the age, an event distinct from his first advent "in the fulness of the time" [2]. This future coming is a central doctrine of the gospel [5] and is often associated with the final judgment [9]. Biblical texts use various terms to describe this event, including "the appearing of Jesus Christ," "revelation of Jesus Christ," and "the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour" [1]. Greek terms like apokalupsis, parousia, and epiphaneia are used by the apostles to express this second advent [7].

The timing of Christ's Second Coming is unknown, as Jesus himself stated (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32) [1]. However, it is foretold by prophets, by Jesus himself, by angels, and by the apostles [1]. Some passages, such as those in Zechariah, blend prophecies of the destruction of Jerusalem, spiritual redemption, and the final judgment, indicating a broader scope of God's dealings [14]. While some biblical language describing the Lord's coming in terrible national judgments (e.g., the destruction of Jerusalem) can be grand, its ultimate reference is to Christ's final coming [13]. Augustine clarified that Christ's second coming, when he shall come from heaven to judge the living and the dead, is a future event at the end of the world and does not pertain to his earthly life [12].

The Second Coming is understood to be accompanied by several key events, including the general resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, the "end of the world," and the consummation of Christ's kingdom [9].

The Final Judgment is the sentence passed on human actions at the last day (Matthew 25; Romans 14:10-11; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10) [3]. This judgment is a first principle of the gospel and is predicted in the Old Testament (1 Chronicles 16:33; Psalm 9:7; 96:13; Ecclesiastes 3:17) [8]. The judge is Jesus Christ, acting as mediator, to whom all judgment has been committed (Acts 17:31; John 5:22, 27; Revelation 1:7) [3]. Charles Hodge explains that Christ is qualified to judge because he is omniscient and infinite in justice and mercy. It is particularly fitting that "the man Christ Jesus, God manifest in the flesh," should be the judge of all humanity, having this authority committed to him because he is the Son of Man [10]. The New Testament emphasizes that humanity is accountable to Christ and will stand before his judgment-seat [10].

All of Adam's descendants, without exception, will be judged (Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52) [3]. The apostle Paul states that Christ "will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom" (2 Timothy 4:1) [4, 6]. This judgment will publicly manifest the salvation of his people and the overthrow of his enemies, demonstrating the righteousness of his work [3]. The day of judgment is also referred to as the "Day of wrath," "Revelation of the righteous judgment of God," and "Day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men" [8].

The order of events at the Second Coming and Final Judgment is sometimes discussed. One interpretation suggests that Christ will come, then the godly who die in Christ will rise, followed by "the end," which is the resurrection of the rest of the dead. Christian churches, ministers, and individuals may be judged first "at His coming" [11].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Second Coming of Christ, The — Time of, unknown -- Mt 24:36; Mr 13:32. Called the Times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. -- Ac 3:19. Times of restitution of all things. -- Ac 3:21; Ro 8:21. Last time. -- 1Pe 1:5. Appearing of Jesus Christ. -- 1Pe 1:7. Revelation of Jesus Christ. -- 1Pe 1:13. Glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour. -- Tit 2:13. Coming of the day of God. -- 2Pe 3:12. Day of our Lord Jesus Christ. -- 1Co 1:8. Foretold by Prophets. -- Da 7:13; Jude 1:14. Himself. -- Mt 25:31; Joh 14:3. Apostles. -- Ac 3:20; 1Ti 6:14. Angels. -- A”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Coming of Christ — (1) with reference to his first advent "in the fulness of the time" (1 John 5:20; 2 John 1:7), or (2) with reference to his coming again the second time at the last day (Acts 1:11; 3:20, 21; 1 Thess. 4:15; 2 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 9:28). The expression is used metaphorically of the introduction of the gospel into any place (John 15:22; Eph. 2:17), the visible establishment of his kingdom in the world (Matt. 16:28), the conferring on his people of the peculiar tokens of his love (John 14:18, 23, 28), and his executing judgment on the wicked (2 Thess. 2:8).”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Judgment, The final — The sentence that will be passed on our actions at the last day (Matt. 25; Rom. 14:10, 11; 2 Cor. 5:10; 2 Thess. 1:7-10). The judge is Jesus Christ, as mediator. All judgment is committed to him (Acts 17:31; John 5:22, 27; Rev. 1:7). "It pertains to him as mediator to complete and publicly manifest the salvation of his people and the overthrow of his enemies, together with the glorious righteousness of his work in both respects." The persons to be judged are, (1) the whole race of Adam without a single exception (Matt. 25:31-46; 1 Cor. 15:51, 52”
  4. 2 Timothy “I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom: -- 2 Timothy 4:1”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Resurrection of Christ — One of the cardinal facts and doctrines of the gospel. If Christ be not risen, our faith is vain (1 Cor. 15:14). The whole of the New Testament revelation rests on this as an historical fact. On the day of Pentecost Peter argued the necessity of Christ's resurrection from the prediction in Ps. 16 (Acts 2:24-28). In his own discourses, also, our Lord clearly intimates his resurrection (Matt. 20:19; Mark 9:9; 14:28; Luke 18:33; John 2:19-22). The evangelists give circumstantial accounts of the facts connected with that event, and the apostles, ”
  6. II Timothy “II Timothy 4:1 (Rotherham) — I adjure [thee] before God, and Christ Jesus—Who is about to be judging living and dead,—both as to his forthshining and his kingdom,”
  7. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation of Christ — The second advent of Christ. Three different Greek words are used by the apostles to express this, (1) apokalupsis (1 Cor. 1;7; 2 Thess. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:7, 13); (2) parousia (Matt. 24:3, 27; 1 Thess. 2:19; James 5:7, 8); (3) epiphaneia (1 Tim. 6:14; 2 Tim. 1:10; 4:1-8; Titus 2:13). There existed among Christians a wide expectation, founded on Matt. 24:29, 30, 34, of the speedy return of Christ. (See [533]MILLENNIUM.)”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Judgment, The — Predicted in the Old Testament -- 1Ch 16:33; Ps 9:7; 96:13; Ec 3:17. A first principle of the gospel -- Heb 6:2. A day appointed for -- Ac 17:31; Ro 2:16. Time of, unknown to us -- Mr 13:32. Called the Day of wrath. -- Ro 2:5; Re 6:17. Revelation of the righteous judgment of God. -- Ro 2:5. Day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. -- 2Pe 3:7. Day of destruction. -- Job 21:30. Judgment of the great day. -- Jude 1:6. Shall be administered by Christ -- Joh 5:22,27; Ac 10:42; Ro 14:10; 2Co 5:10. Saints shall sit with Christ in -- 1Co 6:2; Re 20:4. Sh”
  9. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 90: CHAPTER IV. THE CONCOMITANTS OF THE SECOND ADVENT. THE events which according to the common doctrine of the Church are to attend the second coming of Christ, are first, the general resurrection of the dead; second, the final judgment; third, “the end of the world;” and fourth, the consummation of the kingdom of Christ.”
  10. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 92: the New Testament, our responsibility is said to be to Him. We are to stand before his judgment-seat. He will say, “Depart from me, ye cursed.” It is He, who is to bring every secret thing into judgment. (2.) He is qualified thus to sit in judgment on men and angels; because He is omniscient, and infinite in justice and mercy. (3.) It is especially appropriate that the man Christ Jesus, God manifest in the flesh, should be the judge of all men. He has this authority committed to Him because He is the Son of man; because, although in the f”
  11. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 15:23: But every man in his own order--rather, "rank": the Greek is not in the abstract, but concrete: image from troops, "each in his own regiment." Though all shall rise again, let not any think all shall be saved; nay, each shall have his proper place, Christ first (Col 1:18), and after Him the godly who die in Christ (Th1 4:16), in a separate band from the ungodly, and then "the end," that is, the resurrection of the rest of the dead. Christian churches, ministers, and individuals seem about to be judged first "at His coming" (Mat. 25:1-30); then ”
  12. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — CHAP. 54.--CHRIST'S SECOND COMING DOES NOT BELONG TO THE PAST, BUT WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE END OF THE WORLD.: But what we believe as to Christ's action in the future, when He shall come from heaven to judge the quick and the dead, has no bearing upon the life which we now lead here; for it forms no part of what He did upon earth, but is part of what He shall do at the end of the world. And it is to this that the apostle refers in what immediately follows the passage quoted above: "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appea”
  13. Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 21:25: signs, &c.--Though the grandeur of this language carries the mind over the head of all periods but that of Christ's second coming, nearly every expression will be found used of the Lord's coming in terrible national judgments, as of Babylon, &c.; and from Luk 21:28, Luk 21:32, it seems undeniable that its immediate reference was to the destruction of Jerusalem, though its ultimate reference beyond doubt is to Christ's final coming.”
  14. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 86: as to answer both to the redemption of the Jews from their captivity in Babylon, and to the greater redemption by the Messiah. It was in fact and equally a prediction of both events. The former was the type, and the first step toward the accomplishment of the other. So also in the fourteenth chapter of Zechariah, the prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem, the spiritual redemption, and the final judgment, are blended together. As, therefore, in the Old Testament the Messianic prophecies took in the whole scope of God’s dealings with his”
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