THE SECOND COMING IN REVELATION

EKKEHARDT MUELLER

I. The Second Coming in the Visions of Revelation

(1) In Revelation the Second Coming is described with literal and with symbolic language. The specific
imagery used to do that is at least partially unique in the NT (e.g., the two meals).

(2) The message of the Second Coming is not only found in the beginning and end of the book,
namely the letter frame, but it permeates the entire Apocalypse.

(3) The Second Coming forms the climax of the various visions of Revelation. This means also that it is
the climax of the plan of salvation ushering in the resurrection (Rev 1:7), the Millennium, and the
new Jerusalem as described in the last chapters of Revelation.

II. The Second Coming, Jesus, and God

(1) In Revelation what we call the Second Coming clearly refers to Christ’s return to the earth. The
numeral “second” is not used to describe this future coming (cf. Heb 9:28) but is assumed. Again
and again, this coming is associated with Jesus, but the term “to come” is also used with God the
Father. He is the “one who was, is, and is to come” (Rev 1:4,8; 4:8). In this threefold formula the
future tense is replaced by the verb “to come.” Most likely this is done intentionally. In Rev 11:17
and 16:5 the threefold formula is reduced to two elements. Obviously God has come at this time.
“. . . John has taken advantage of his usage to depict the future of God not as his mere future
existence, but as his coming to the world in salvation and judgment . . . This interpretation is
confirmed by the use, in 11:17 and 16:5, of the abbreviated form of the designation: ‘the one who
is and who was’. At these points in the vision the eschatological coming of God is taking place.”1
So Revelation discusses the second coming of the Son and at the same time mentions in passing
the coming of the Father. Both will be present in the new Jerusalem (Rev 21:22-23).

(2) In Revelation several texts refer to Jesus’ death and resurrection for our salvation (e.g., Rev 1:5-7).
The logical consequence of his death and resurrection is his Second Coming because without the
Second Coming salvation is not finalized and eternal life is not achieved.

(3) The divine titles Beginning and End, Alpha and Omega, First and Last appear in the context of the
Second Coming (Rev 1:8; 22:12,13). They may reflect that context to some extent. This would
mean that it is part of God’s nature to bring to an end evil and restore Paradise. Bauckham
suggests: “It is in Christ’s parousia that God who is the beginning of all things will also become the
End of all things.”2

1
Richard Error! Main Document Only.Bauckham, The Theology of the Book of Revelation, New Testament
Theology (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993), 29.
2
Bauckham, The Theology of Revelation, 58.

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(4) In Revelation the Second Coming is promised by Jesus Christ himself. However, he did not just
promise once that he would come but seven times, using the verb erchomai. Seven is an
important number in Revelation, and it may not be a coincidence that the number of completion
and perfection is used with the Second Coming. In Revelation we find several septets, some with
their elements following one another directly. Others are spread over the entire book (e.g., the
seven beatitudes). In addition, Jesus uses the term haekō to promise his coming again. These
frequent promises suggest that the Second Coming will become a reality and can be counted with.
It is not a vain promise.

III. Manner and Effects of the Second Coming

(1) The Second Coming is preceded by heavenly signs, such as a darkening of sun and moon and a
meteor shower. In addition there are a great earthquake and later the final, eschatological
earthquake (Rev 6 :12-14; 16:18,20). The Second Coming occurs in the context of the great
tribulation of God’s people (Rev 7:14) and Armageddon (Rev 16:16; 17:1-19:21). In this final
conflict a political alliance will support a religious alliance against Jesus and his true people. The
intervention of the Lord of lords and Kings of kings (Rev 16:12; 17:14; 19:16) will liberate his
people and bring down these alliances.

(2) According to John’s Apocalypse, Jesus will come visibly for all humans (Rev 1:7). He will also come
with the clouds (Rev 1:7). Other texts indicate that he will be accompanied by a heavenly army
(Rev 16:12; 19:11-14). Scripture does not teach an invisible coming of the Lord.

(3) Revelation contains a number of time prophecies. Those most frequently employed, the 1260
days, 42 months or 3½ years, bring us to the end of the 18th century AD. But in spite of such
precision the coming of the Lord cannot be calculated. He will come as a thief (Rev 3:3; 16:15).
There will always be an element of surprise which should prevent us from getting into any type of
time setting. While Christ’s coming cannot be calculated, his followers can nevertheless be awake
and prepared.

(4) Quite frequently the soon coming of Jesus (Rev 2:16; 3:11; 22:7,12,20) and the nearness of time
(Rev 1:3; 22:10; cf. 1:1; 22:6) is emphasized in Revelation. These statements have caused concerns
and questions. How can it be that almost 2000 years have passed after Christ’s ascension to
heaven, and he still has not come? Is this soon? We do not have a final answer apart from saying
that God has his schedule which is different from ours and that from the perspective of Matt 24
the next event after the destruction of Jerusalem would be the Second Coming. Witherington
discusses the term “quickly” and concludes that the intention is always to be prepared for it.3
Mounce points to the “urgent expectation that has been the hallmark of the church down through

3
Ben Witherington III, Revelation, The New Cambridge Bible Commentary (Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press, 2003), 280.

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 the centuries.”4 And Koester notes: “Readers are left with the assurance that the End will come,
but without knowing when it will come.”5 Revelation also shows that some events have still to
happen prior to the Second Coming and yet it maintains the closeness and nearness of the Second
Coming.

(5) Beginning with chapters 1 and 2 and ending with Rev 22 it is pointed out that Christ’s second
coming has a double effect. While some experience judgment others enjoy final salvation. Both
are universal in scope. The sayings about the reward point to this fact as well as the images and
statements that describe two groups (e.g., those who want the rocks to fall upon them versus the
144,000, the grape harvest and the grain harvest, the meal for the birds and the marriage supper
of the Lamb). The texts that presuppose the coming of the Father (Rev 11:17; 16:5) connect it also
to judgment.

(6) The divine word of Scripture appearing under the symbol of a sword that comes out of the mouth
of Jesus is the instrument used for judgment (Rev 19:15). Jesus as Word of God (Rev 19:13) uses
Scripture as Word of God to execute judgment. At stake are justice and truth, the relation to God
and fellow humans. Both Jesus and Scripture point to God and must be taken seriously.

(7) With the coming of Christ “the royal power of God becomes manifest in all regions of the world”6
(Rev 11:15-18). God’s kingdom will not be transitory but will last forever. “. . . the whole earth
will be whole.”7 This wonderful rule of God includes the resurrection of the righteous. Jesus as the
firstborn of the dead (Rev 1:5) guarantees the resurrection of his followers. Christians are being
persecuted and some die as martyrs just as Jesus died as a martyr. But the resurrection is
God’s terror against the terror of the evil powers. These are being robbed of the only
power they have, namely the power of death. They are unable to keep the children of God
in the realm of death and cannot hinder them to worship God instead of the satanic
trinity. The Lord will destroy death and will forever live in direct communion with his
children. This is paradise restored.

IV. The Second Coming and the People of God

(1) Because of the danger of becoming indifferent and preoccupied with things other than the Second
Coming Jesus challenges his disciples to hold fast what they have so that no one will take away
their crown of victory (Rev 3:11). He reminds them that he wants to dine with them during the
eschatological wedding banquet (Rev 3:20; 19:9). He calls them stay awake and keep their clothes

4
Robert H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation, revised edition, New International Commentary on the New
Testament (Grand Rapids: Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1998), 404.
5
Craig R. Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Company, 2001), 203.
6
Jürgen Roloff, Revelation, A Continental Commentary (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1993), 137.
7
Ibid.

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 so that they may not walk about naked (Rev 16:15). These images “depict the spiritual
watchfulness necessary to be ready for Christ’s return” as well as “spiritual commitment to
Christ.”8 Followers of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, glorify and worship the Creator and Savior (Rev 4-5;
14:7) and separate from end time Babylon. They exhibit the faith of and faith in Jesus, keep the
commandments, and have the testimony of Jesus, a love for God’s revelation in Scripture and the
true gift of prophecy (Rev 12:17; 14:12).

(2) Jesus’ followers are repeatedly charge to be overcome / conquer. This is also true when it comes
to the Second Coming (Rev 3:21; 21:7-8). How do Christ’s followers overcome? Rev 12:11
answers: “They overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their
testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.” Overcomers rely on the
cross. “’Overcomers’ are those whose lives are characterized by refusal to compromise their faith
despite the threat of persecution.“9

(3) Finally, in Revelation, the faithful people of God long for justice to be restored (Rev 6:10; 8:3-4)
and the evil age to come to a close. They long for Jesus to return and pray for his soon coming
(Rev 22:20). The Second Coming is a teaching they cannot abandon. Although they may have to
wait longer than originally expected, they practice the patience of the saints (Rev 14:12).

8
Grant R. Osborne, Revelation, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament ( Grand Rapids:
Baker Academic, 2002), 593.

9
Beale, G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text (Grand Rapids: Wm. B.
Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1999), 1057.