Jesus’ return will usher in a time of great upheaval and change on the earth. According to the Bible, Jesus will come back to earth again in the future, but this time it will be a whole different circumstance than his first coming over 2000 years ago. When Jesus returns, he will come in power and glory to judge the world and establish God’s kingdom on earth. Here is an overview of some of the major things the Bible says will happen when Jesus returns:
The Rapture
The rapture refers to the event where Jesus will come in the clouds and gather to himself all believers who are still living. The rapture is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, which says “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” At the rapture, Christians will receive their resurrection bodies and will go to be with Jesus while horrific tribulation unfolds on the earth.
The Tribulation
The rapture will precede a 7 year period called the tribulation, which will be a time of great suffering on earth. Daniel 9:27 prophesies that it will last for one “seven,” which is a week of years or 7 years. During this time, an Antichrist figure will rise to power and there will be terrible wars, famines, plagues, and natural disasters. Revelation 6-18 describes many of the seal, trumpet and bowl judgments that God will pour out on the earth and wicked during this time. The purpose of the tribulation is to bring the nation of Israel to repentance and prepare them to receive Jesus as their Messiah.
The Battle of Armageddon
Towards the end of the tribulation, armies will gather in northern Israel for a massive battle against Jesus and his forces. Revelation 16:16 calls this the battle of Armageddon. The Antichrist will lead the armies of the world to try to destroy Jesus, but Revelation 19:11-21 describes Jesus returning on a white horse with the armies of heaven and utterly destroying His enemies with the sword of His mouth, casting the Antichrist and False Prophet into the lake of fire. This epic battle will result in the judgment of the nations and Jesus’ total victory over evil.
The Binding of Satan and the Millennial Kingdom
When Jesus returns, Revelation 20:1-3 says that an angel will bind Satan and throw him into the Abyss for 1000 years so he can no longer deceive the nations. With Satan bound, Jesus will then establish his kingdom on earth from Jerusalem and will rule for 1000 years (called the Millennium). Isaiah 2:4 and other Old Testament passages describe this as a time of peace when nations will no longer train for war. Jesus will rule with justice and righteousness. Lifespans will be extended and prospering conditions restored to the earth (Isa 65:20-23). This Millennial Kingdom will fulfill the prophecies about the restoration of Israel, the Messianic kingdom, and God’s promises to David of an heir ruling forever on his throne.
The Final Rebellion and Satan Released
After the 1000 years are completed, Satan will be briefly released and will deceive many people into rebelling against Jesus’ rule, as described in Revelation 20:7-9. But fire from heaven will come down and devour Satan’s army. Satan will then be thrown into the lake of fire to be tormented forever (Rev. 20:10).
The Great White Throne Judgment
Next will come the final judgment of mankind, referred to as the Great White Throne Judgment. This is described in Revelation 20:11-15. At this judgment, the dead who did not take part in the first resurrection will be raised and judged before God’s throne. Anyone whose name is not found in the Book of Life will be thrown into the lake of fire. There will be different degrees of punishment in hell depending on what they did in life, as indicated in passages like Matthew 11:20-24. This judgment will determine each person’s eternal destiny.
New Heavens, New Earth, and New Jerusalem
After the Great White Throne Judgment, God will remake the heavens and earth into a perfect paradise, free from sin and the curse that came from Adam and Eve’s disobedience. 2 Peter 3:13 says that “in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.” Revelation 21-22 describes the New Jerusalem that will come down from heaven and God will dwell with mankind perfectly as He originally intended. There will be no more suffering, pain, sorrow or death on this renewed earth (Rev. 21:4). Believers will reign with God forever.
The Marriage Supper of the Lamb
The wedding imagery used in Scripture depicts Jesus as the Bridegroom and the church as his Bride. When Jesus returns, there will be a great wedding feast called the Marriage Supper of the Lamb described in Revelation 19:6-9. This celebrates the union of Christ and his Bride, the church. All believers from throughout history will gather for this incredible celebratory feast with Jesus.
Israel’s Salvation and Restoration
When Jesus returns, the Bible indicates that the Jewish people will finally recognize Jesus as their Messiah. Zechariah 12:10 prophesies, “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.” Romans 11:25-27 confirms that after the full number of Gentiles comes to salvation, then “all Israel will be saved.” God still has plans for the nation of Israel in the end times.
So in summary, Jesus’ return will be an amazing and climactic intervention into human history. While we don’t know exactly when it will happen, these are some of the major events the Bible says to anticipate when Jesus returns again in power and glory to take His rightful place as King over the earth. It will be the beginning of the eternal state when God makes all things new!