What Scripture says
The New Testament repeatedly promises that Jesus will return personally and visibly:
- At his ascension, angels told the disciples: “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11, ESV).
- “The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command… And the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
- “They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matthew 24:30).
- “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him” (Revelation 1:7).
- Christ “will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:28).
- “We await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:20–21).
The New Testament closes with the prayer, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20). Early Aramaic-speaking Christians prayed Maranatha, “Our Lord, come!” (1 Corinthians 16:22).
What the evidence says
Interpretation
What it means
The return of Christ is described as:
- Personal: “This Jesus” (Acts 1:11), not merely a spiritual presence or an idea.
- Visible and public: “every eye will see him” (Revelation 1:7). Jesus warned against claims that he had come secretly: “If they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out… For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:26–27).
- Bodily: he ascended bodily and will return “in the same way”.
- Decisive: bringing resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:22–23), judgment (Matthew 25:31–46) and the renewal of creation (Revelation 21:1–5).
Connection to the resurrection
The return is tied to Jesus’ resurrection. Paul calls Christ “the firstfruits”, then “at his coming those who belong to Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:23). If Jesus rose bodily (see 7.9), his bodily return completes the pattern.
History
The historic creeds
The return of Christ is affirmed by every major branch of Christianity:
| Creed | Statement |
|---|---|
| Apostles’ Creed | “He will come again to judge the living and the dead.” |
| Nicene Creed (381) | “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.” |
| Athanasian Creed | “He will come to judge the living and the dead. At his coming all people will rise bodily.” |
Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Christians all affirm it.
Different views on details
Christians disagree about details, such as the millennium (see 10.9), the rapture (see 10.8) and the order of events. But they agree on the central fact that Jesus will return.
Alternative readings
Some, notably full preterists, argue Jesus’ return happened spiritually in AD 70 (see 10.6). Most Christians, including most partial preterists, reject this, since the resurrection of the dead and the final judgment haven’t happened, and the creeds affirm a future return.
Where they meet
Yes. Jesus’ physical return is affirmed across the New Testament (Acts 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:16) and in all the historic creeds.
What’s still open
The details and order of end-time events (see 10.8, 10.9).
Bottom line
Yes. It’s affirmed across the New Testament (Acts 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:16) and in all historic creeds. This is rated Settled.