Jesus spoke clearly and often about His Second Coming, emphasizing that He will return, but no one knows exactly when. He warned that it’ll be sudden, unmistakable, and unexpected—like lightning in the sky or the flood in Noah’s day. Jesus also made it clear that His return won’t just be a spiritual event; it’ll involve real judgment and the full establishment of God’s Kingdom. He gave signs to watch for but urged His followers to stay ready at all times rather than obsess over dates.
Understanding what Jesus said about His return isn’t just about theology—it shapes how you live today. It offers hope, creates urgency, and calls for spiritual alertness. If you want a clearer picture of what to expect, how to prepare, and why it matters, keep reading for a deeper dive into the Bible verses and teachings that bring it all into focus.
If you’ve ever read the New Testament or sat through a sermon about the end times, you’ve probably heard about Jesus’ “Second Coming.” But what did Jesus actually say about it? There’s a lot of talk, speculation, and even movies, but the most reliable place to get answers is the Bible itself—especially the words of Jesus.
Let’s walk through what Jesus said about His return, what it means, and why it matters to you today.
What Is the Second Coming?
The Second Coming refers to the promised return of Jesus Christ to Earth after His ascension into Heaven. This event is distinct from His first coming—His birth, life, death, and resurrection.
At the Second Coming:
- Jesus will return visibly and powerfully.
- He’ll judge the living and the dead.
- He’ll establish His Kingdom in full.
Christians believe this future event will fulfill God’s final plan for the world.
1. Jesus Promised He’d Return
Key Verse:
John 14:2–3 (NIV)
“My Father’s house has many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me.”
In this moment, Jesus is comforting His disciples before His crucifixion. He’s clear: His departure is temporary. He will return. This is one of the most straightforward promises of the Second Coming.
2. No One Knows the Day or Hour
Key Verse:
Matthew 24:36 (ESV)
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.”
Jesus makes it clear: You won’t get a calendar invite. No one—not pastors, not theologians, not even Jesus in His earthly ministry—knows exactly when He’ll return. Predictions will come and go, but the timing remains a mystery.
What You Should Know:
- Don’t trust anyone who claims they’ve figured out the exact date.
- The focus isn’t on guessing when—it’s on staying ready.
3. It’ll Be Sudden and Obvious
Key Verses:
Matthew 24:27 (NIV)
“For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”
Luke 17:24 (NIV)
“For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other.”
Jesus says His return won’t be secret or hidden. You won’t miss it. It’ll be sudden, global, and impossible to ignore—like a lightning bolt ripping across the sky.
4. He’ll Come Back the Same Way He Left
Key Verse:
Acts 1:11 (NIV)
“This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
This was said by angels just after Jesus ascended into heaven. It confirms that Jesus’ return will be visible, physical, and literal—just like His departure.
5. The World Will Be Unprepared
Key Verses:
Matthew 24:37–39 (NIV)
“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man… they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away.”
Jesus compares His return to the days of Noah—when people were eating, drinking, and living life like nothing was wrong, right up until the flood hit. The point: most people won’t be ready.
6. There Will Be Signs, But Not a Schedule
Jesus did give signs that would precede His return—but He still didn’t give a timeline.
Signs Jesus Mentioned in Matthew 24:
- False messiahs and prophets (v. 5, 11, 24)
- Wars and rumors of wars (v. 6)
- Famines and earthquakes (v. 7)
- Persecution of believers (v. 9)
- Increase of wickedness and loss of love (v. 12)
- Gospel preached to all nations (v. 14)
These aren’t just warnings—they’re reminders to stay alert.
7. He Expects You to Stay Ready
Key Verse:
Matthew 24:42–44 (NIV)
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come… So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
Jesus wasn’t just giving information—He was giving a call to action.
Here’s how to live ready:
- Stay faithful to Him, even when it’s hard.
- Watch your spiritual life—prayer, Scripture, love for others.
- Avoid spiritual complacency—don’t drift or assume you’ve got time to “get serious later.”
8. He Will Judge Everyone
Key Verse:
Matthew 25:31–32 (NIV)
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory… he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another…”
In the Parable of the Sheep and Goats, Jesus describes the final judgment. His return isn’t just a reunion—it’s also a reckoning.
Everyone will be accountable. Your life, your faith, your actions—they’ll all be seen and weighed.
What Does This Mean for You?
You can’t ignore what Jesus said about His return. It wasn’t a side note—it was central to His teaching.
Here’s what it means for you:
1. Hope
If you’re a believer, the Second Coming is a source of hope. No matter how broken the world feels, Jesus will return and set things right.
2. Urgency
If you’re still on the fence about faith, Jesus’ return brings urgency. He’s not coming back to negotiate—He’s coming to reign.
3. Preparation
The goal isn’t panic or endless debate about end times charts. It’s this: Be ready.
Quick Summary
| Key Teaching | What Jesus Said | Reference |
| He will return | “I will come back.” | John 14:3 |
| No one knows when | “No one knows the day or hour.” | Matthew 24:36 |
| It’ll be obvious | “Like lightning across the sky.” | Matthew 24:27 |
| Stay ready | “You must be ready.” | Matthew 24:44 |
| Final judgment | “He will separate people.” | Matthew 25:32 |
Final Thoughts
Jesus didn’t leave His return vague or symbolic. He was direct. He will come back, and the world won’t be the same. You don’t need to guess when—just live like it could be any day.
So here’s the big question: if Jesus came back today, would you be ready?
It’s not too late to start.
FAQs: What Did Jesus Say About His Second Coming? Bible Verses Explained
- What did Jesus say about His Second Coming?
Jesus said He would return to Earth visibly, powerfully, and unexpectedly. He promised in John 14:3 that He would “come back” for His followers, and in Matthew 24:27, He described His return as being as obvious as lightning flashing across the sky. - Did Jesus give a specific time for His Second Coming?
No. In Matthew 24:36, Jesus said no one knows the day or hour—not even the angels or Himself, but only the Father. He warned His followers not to set dates or be misled by false claims. - Will Jesus’ return be visible to everyone?
Yes. Jesus said His return would be like lightning—visible from one end of the sky to the other (Luke 17:24). It won’t be secret or hidden; everyone will see it. - What signs did Jesus mention before His return?
In Matthew 24, Jesus spoke of signs like false messiahs, wars, famines, earthquakes, persecution, and the gospel being preached to all nations. These signs are meant to keep believers alert, not to pinpoint an exact date. - Why does Jesus compare His return to the days of Noah?
In Matthew 24:37–39, Jesus said that just like in Noah’s time, people will be living life normally—eating, drinking, marrying—right up until judgment comes. His point: many will be unprepared. - What did Jesus mean by “keep watch” and “be ready”?
In Matthew 24:42–44, Jesus said to “keep watch” because no one knows when He’ll return. Being ready means living in faith, obedience, and constant spiritual awareness—not assuming you have time to get right later. - How will Jesus return according to Acts 1:11?
Acts 1:11 says Jesus will return “in the same way” He ascended—physically, visibly, and in the clouds. It won’t be symbolic or spiritual-only. It will be a real, world-changing event. - What will Jesus do when He returns?
Jesus will judge the world and establish His Kingdom. In Matthew 25:31–32, He said He’ll separate people like a shepherd separates sheep from goats—based on how they lived and whether they truly followed Him. - Should Christians focus on end-times predictions?
No. Jesus warned against that. The focus should be on faithfulness and readiness—not obsessing over timelines or conspiracy theories. What matters most is how you live now. - What’s the takeaway from what Jesus said about His Second Coming?
Jesus will return. You won’t know when, but you can be ready. His words bring hope, urgency, and a call to live with purpose and expectation. The Second Coming is meant to shape your daily life, not just your theology.
