How and When will Christ Return?
Jesus told the Pharisees, "I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go you cannot come." (John 8:21)
Jesus told the disciples, "I go to prepare a place for you and I will come again to receive you unto myself that where I am you will be also." (John 14:3)
Gabriel told Daniel, "In the days of these kings (the 10 toes) shall the Lord set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed. The kingdom shall not be left to other people but will consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever." (Dan 2:44)
Luke tells us that Jesus Christ walked among the apostles for 40 days after his resurrection and spoke of many things about the kingdom of God. When they asked if he was going to now restore the kingdom to Israel, he said not yet. First they must be his witnesses to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth. (Acts 1:3-7)
Then they watched him being taken up into the sky until a cloud received him out of their sight.
And while they gazed into the sky two men in white apparel stood beside them, and told them Jesus would return in the same manner. (Acts 1:9-11)
Jesus told his disciples, "Immediately after the tribulation" the wrath will be poured out. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds in great power and glory. He will send his angels and gather his elect from the farthest parts of the earth (Mat 24:29-31),(Mark 13:24-27), (Luke 21:25-28).
The Revelation gives us two more pictures of his return.
1) Behold, a white cloud and the one sitting on it is like the Son of Man (but totally glorified). He has a golden crown and a sharp sickle (a curved blade attached to a pole that is used to harvest grain and chop down weeds). It is time to reap the harvest, so he reaps the good. Then another angel chops down the rest and the wine press is trodden. There will be blood up to a horses bridle for 200 square miles (Rev 14:14-20).
2) Heaven opened and behold a white horse and sitting on it is one called Faithful and True, the Word of God, King of Kings. In righteousness he will judge and make war. His command is a sharp sword that will smite nations. He will tread the wine press of the fierceness and wrath of Jehovah. The birds gather for the great supper that is being prepared...to eat kings and captains, mighty men, their horses, and all the armies. The beast and the false prophet are thrown into the Lake of Fire. (Rev 19:11-21).
The is the marriage supper of the Lamb. His new kingdom bride is ready.
The voice of a great multitude, "Be glad and rejoice and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready...clothed in the righteousness of the saints." (Rev 19:7-8)
A small remnant of Judah will be saved. The ones who were harvested will return to earth in everlasting bodies and will be joined by the resurrected saints from the past to govern the nations for 1000 years. The marriage is not yet.
After 1000 years Satan will be let loose from the bottomless pit. Satan will gather a world army to destroy Jerusalem and the saints. The saints and believers on earth will be raptured to a sea of glass.
All people from the beginning of time will stand on the sea of glass before the throne of Jesus Christ to be judged.
This earth will disappear.
John tells us, "I saw a new heaven and earth...and a new Jerusalem coming down out of the sky prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And he showed me the bride, the Lambs wife, the new Jerusalem descending in sparkling glory, and the nations of the saved will walk in the light of it, and it shall never be defiled by anything or anyone (Rev 21).
Welcome to Paradise. Where the mystery is finally revealed...HE BECAME LIKE US.