6 characteristics of Christ's Return

Read Acts 1.

For the forty days between the feasts of Passover and Pentecost, Jesus proved His resurrection from the dead.  Through touch, speech, walking and eating in various places with over 520 different people, the evidence of His bodily resurrection is undeniable.

In His last teaching with the eleven disciples, Jesus reviewed with them again the subject of His coming kingdom on earth.  The way we know that the subject was earthly, not the heavenly one, was due to the question in verse 6 and the use of the word "so".  It had been centuries since  a descendant of David had occupied the throne and Israel had enjoyed control over its own nation.  Matthew 1 establishes that Jesus has such a royal right.  But the timing was not right.  There was much to do and much that needed to take place first.

Jesus gave them two charges.  First, to return to Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the predicted baptism of the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit would empower them to accomplish the second charge; that is, to spread the good news of Jesus throughout the world.  As Jesus promised in John 16:7, the Spirit will not come to indwell believers until His departure.

But what about His return?  "This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." (1:11)

1. He will return visibly.
This will be no secret second coming.  Luke 21:27-"And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory."  Revelation 1:7 repeats this claim-"Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him..."

2. He will return bodily.
This will not be a spiritual return.  "This same Jesus" who ate and was touched will come again.

3. He will return powerfully.
Revelation 19:11-16 describes the scene of Christ's return when with a spoken word from His mouth, all His enemies will be destroyed.

4. He will return geographically.
The ascension took place from the Mount of Olives, about a half a mile from Jerusalem (v.12).  He will return to that same spot.  Zechariah 14:4 is clear, "On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west..."

5. He will return royally.
At that time, all the unfulfilled prophecies concerning His earthly kingdom will take place.  "...and the government shall be upon his shoulder...on the throne of David and over his kingdom..." (Isaiah 9:6-7)  "And the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David..." (Luke 1:32)  "...and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth." (Revelation 5:10)  "...but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years." (Revelation 20:6)

6. He will return suddenly.
"Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." (Matthew 24:44)