The Last Day: The Second Coming of Jesus Christ

“The coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” Malachi 4:5 KJV

The heavens will split open, the earth will tremble, and every eye will see Him—Jesus Christ, the King of kings, returning in blazing glory. The New Testament resounds with a singular, unshakable truth: the "last day," the "Day of our Lord Jesus Christ," the "Revelation of Jesus Christ," is coming. It is not a myth, not a metaphor, but a cataclysmic reality that will mark the end of time as we know it. This is the day when the Son of Man will be revealed, when the righteous will rise, and the unrepentant will face the fire of divine judgment. From the Gospels to Revelation, Scripture proclaims this dreadful and glorious day with urgency, calling every soul to prepare. Will you be ready?

A Day Foretold: The Promise of His Coming

The New Testament pulses with anticipation of Christ’s return, a moment so momentous it is called by many names: the "Day of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:8), the "Revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:7), the "day of Christ" (Philippians 1:10), and, in the Gospel of John, the "last day" (John 6:39). Each term unveils a facet of this climactic event—when Jesus, who ascended in humility, will return in power, unveiled in glory, to judge the living and the dead.

In Matthew 24:30, Jesus Himself declares, "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." No one will miss it. No corner of the earth will be untouched. The skies will proclaim His arrival, and the nations will tremble. Luke 17:30 echoes this, stating, "Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed." The Greek word apokalypsis—revelation—captures the unveiling of Christ’s majesty, a moment when every veil of doubt is torn away, and His sovereignty is undeniable.

The Apostle Paul, writing to the Thessalonians, describes this day with vivid intensity: "When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8). This is no gentle return but a reckoning, a day of fire and glory, where justice will roll like a river and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

The Last Day: Resurrection and Judgment

In the Gospel of John, the "last day" is the hinge of eternity, the moment when the graves will open, and the destiny of every soul will be sealed. Jesus proclaims, "This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day" (John 6:39). Again and again, He reiterates this promise: believers will be raised to eternal life on the "last day" (John 6:40, 6:44, 6:54). Martha, grieving for Lazarus, clings to this hope, saying, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day" (John 11:24). Yet, Jesus Himself is the resurrection (John 11:25), and His return will fulfill this promise.

But the "last day" is not only a day of hope—it is a day of dread for the unrepentant. Jesus warns, "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day" (John 12:48). The same Christ who offers mercy today will stand as Judge tomorrow, His words a blazing standard by which every heart is measured. Revelation 6:17 captures the terror of this moment: "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

The epistles reinforce this dual reality. Paul writes that believers are to be "blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:8), preserved through faith until Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Yet, for the wicked, the "day of the Lord" will come "as a thief in the night," sudden and inescapable (1 Thessalonians 5:2). Peter amplifies this, declaring, "The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat" (2 Peter 3:10). The cosmos itself will dissolve before the majesty of the returning King.

The Last Days: A World in Rebellion

Scripture also speaks of the "last days," the turbulent period leading to the final day. This is not a distant future but an era that began with Christ’s first coming and continues until His return. In Acts 2:17, Peter quotes Joel, proclaiming, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh." The outpouring at Pentecost marked the dawn of this eschatological age, where God’s Spirit empowers His people amid a darkening world.

Yet, the "last days" are marked by rebellion and apostasy. Paul warns, "Know this, that in the last days perilous times will come" (2 Timothy 3:1), describing a society consumed by selfishness, pride, and godlessness. James condemns the rich who hoard wealth in the "last days," their treasures a witness against them (James 5:3). Peter and Jude foresee scoffers in the "last days," mocking the promise of Christ’s return, saying, "Where is the promise of His coming?" (2 Peter 3:3-4; Jude 1:18). These are not mere predictions but a mirror to our age, where faith wanes, and the world grows bold in its defiance.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ: Glory and Terror

The book of Revelation, aptly titled "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 1:1), paints the most vivid picture of this climactic moment. John beholds Christ returning: "Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True… He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS" (Revelation 19:11, 16). This is the ultimate apokalypsis, the unveiling of Christ’s dominion, where every knee bows, and every tongue confesses His lordship.

Yet, this revelation is not only glory but terror for the unprepared. Revelation 1:7 declares, "Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him." The same Jesus who wept over Jerusalem will return as a warrior, His eyes like a flame of fire, His voice like the roar of many waters. The "great day of His wrath" (Revelation 6:17) will leave no refuge for those who reject Him.

A Call to Readiness: Will You Stand?

The New Testament’s relentless focus on the "last day" is not meant to paralyze us with fear but to awaken us to action. Jesus urges, "But of that day and hour no one knows… therefore you also be ready" (Matthew 24:36, 44). Paul exhorts believers to live blamelessly, "holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ" (Philippians 2:16). Peter calls us to holiness, "looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God" (2 Peter 3:12). The message is clear: the Day is coming, and it demands a response.

For believers, the "last day" is a day of hope, when Christ will "raise up" the faithful to eternal life (John 6:40) and present them "blameless" before God (1 Thessalonians 3:13). Paul’s confidence rings true: "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6). Yet, this hope is not passive—it calls for vigilance, obedience, and perseverance. As John writes, "Abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming" (1 John 2:28).

For the unrepentant, the "last day" is a dreadful reckoning. The fire of Christ’s judgment will test every work (1 Corinthians 3:13), and His word will judge every heart (John 12:48). The scoffers of the "last days" will find no escape when the heavens dissolve and the King appears (2 Peter 3:10). The question is stark: will you stand in that day, or will you mourn with the tribes of the earth?

The Urgency of Now

The "last day" is not a distant specter but a looming reality. The "last days" are upon us, marked by the Holy Spirit’s outpouring and the world’s rebellion. Every reference to this day—from Jesus’ warnings in the Gospels to John’s visions in Revelation—carries an urgent plea: prepare now. Repent today because today is the day for salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Believe in the One who is coming quickly, Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God, whose reward is with Him (Revelation 22:12).

The New Testament closes with a prayer that should be on every believer’s lips: "He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20). The "Day of our Lord Jesus Christ," the "Revelation of Jesus Christ," the "last day," is the culmination of God’s redemptive plan—a day of glory for the redeemed and dread for the rebellious. It is the end of all things and the beginning of eternity.

Will you be ready when the heavens open and the King returns? The time to decide is now.