The Second Coming and Eternal Judgment in Christian Eschatology
Christian eschatology anticipates a future event known as the Second Coming of Christ, which will inaugurate the final judgment and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. This "coming again" of Christ is distinct from his first advent and is a central tenet of Christian belief [2].
The Second Coming is referred to by various terms in Scripture, including "the appearing of Jesus Christ," "the revelation of Jesus Christ," and "the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour" [1]. Greek terms used by the apostles to describe this event include apokalupsis, parousia, and epiphaneia [5]. Prophets in the Old Testament, such as Daniel, foretold this event, as did Jesus himself, his apostles, and angels [1]. While the certainty of Christ's return is emphasized, the precise time remains unknown, as indicated in Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32 [1].
At his Second Coming, Jesus Christ will serve as the judge [4]. This judgment is described as "the day of God" or "the day of the Lord," and it is a proof of Christ's deity, as he will display omniscience and omnipotence [7]. The judgment will be universal, encompassing the entire human race without exception [4]. It will be a time of accountability, salvation, vindication, and reward for believers [10]. The apostle Paul speaks of a specific order to the resurrection, with Christ being the "firstfruits," followed by those who belong to Christ at his coming, and then "the end," which some interpret as the resurrection of the rest of the dead [8, 11]. This judgment is understood to be "according to truth" [9].
The concept of eternal judgment is a fundamental doctrine [6]. This judgment will result in eternal life for the righteous and eternal death for the wicked [3]. The Scriptures teach that the duration of the penal sufferings of the lost is unending, just as the life of the righteous is everlasting [3]. The same Greek words (aion, aionios, aidios) used to describe the eternal existence of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit are also employed to express the eternal duration of the sufferings of the lost [3]. Passages such as Matthew 25:46, Mark 3:29, and 2 Thessalonians 1:9 are cited as evidence for the eternal nature of this judgment [3]. The Second Coming will bring about a shaking of the heavens and the earth, a final judgment that the New Testament relates to the return of Jesus Christ [12].
Sources
- 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”
- 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).”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Eternal death — The miserable fate of the wicked in hell (Matt. 25:46; Mark 3:29; Heb. 6:2; 2 Thess. 1:9; Matt. 18:8; 25:41; Jude 1:7). The Scripture as clearly teaches the unending duration of the penal sufferings of the lost as the "everlasting life," the "eternal life" of the righteous. The same Greek words in the New Testament (aion, aionios, aidios) are used to express (1) the eternal existence of God (1 Tim. 1:17; Rom. 1:20; 16:26); (2) of Christ (Rev. 1:18); (3) of the Holy Ghost (Heb. 9:14); and (4) the eternal duration of the sufferings of the lost (Matt. 25”
- 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”
- 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.)”
- King James Version “[KJV] Hebrews 6:2 — Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.”
- 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 3:12: Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God,.... The same with the day of the Lord, Pe2 3:10, and so the Vulgate Latin and Arabic versions here read; and it intends the day of Christ's second coming to judgment, and so is a proof of the deity of Christ; and is called "the day of God", in distinction from man's day, or human judgment, Co1 4:3, which is often fallacious; whereas the judgment of God is according to truth; and because in that day Christ will appear most clearly to be truly and properly God, by the manifest display of his omniscience, omnipo”
- 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 ”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 2:2: But we are sure that the judgment of God,.... By "the judgment of God", is not meant what is exercised on and towards men in this life, but what will follow after death; which is called judgment to come, is represented as certain, will be universal as to persons and things, and is here called "the judgment of God", in opposition to the judgment of men; and because it will be carried on by God only, who is omniscient and omnipotent, and will be definitive: this is and will be, according to truth, against them which commit such things; in opposition to all hypocrisy an”
- 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 4:1: 4:1-8 Timothy stood in the presence of God and was to work in view of Jesus’ coming to judge and set up his Kingdom (see 1 Tim 5:21; 6:13-14). Christ’s appearing will bring cleansing (2 Tim 2:19), accountability (3:8-9), salvation, vindication, and reward (4:8, 18). See also 1 Cor 3:10-15; 4:4-5; 2 Cor 5:10. 4:1 judge the living and the dead: See Matt 25:31-46; Acts 10:42; Rom 14:7-12; Rev 20:11-15. • when he comes (literally his epiphany): See study note on 1 Tim 6:14; see also 2 Tim 1:10; 4:8; Titus 2:11-13; 3:4.”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 15:23: Then cometh the end,.... Or "after that the end", the end of all things; either at the close of the thousand years, when the wicked dead will be raised last, and the final state of all men will openly take place; the end of the righteous will be peace and everlasting joy, and an uninterrupted communion with Christ, and enjoyment of life eternal, of the ultimate glory, and consummate happiness in soul and body; and the end of the wicked will be destruction and death, everlasting punishment in hell, where will be weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth for everm”
- Haggai (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Haggai 2:6: 2:6-7 God will again shake the heavens and the earth at the coming day of judgment (see Isa 2:19-21; 30:28). The previous shaking was the judgment on Egypt at the time of the Exodus (Hag 2:21-22; Exod 14:31). The New Testament relates in just a little while to the return of Jesus Christ (Heb 12:26-27). Haggai probably saw God’s ultimate judgment foreshadowed in events to take place after his time (e.g., the fall of Persia to Greece, the fall of Greece to Rome; see Dan 2:39-45).”