When Is Christ Coming Back?

Christians have been asking for two thousand years, “When is Christ coming back?” Some have tried to decode timelines and world events. Others have simply waited and watched, generation after generation. That faithful vigil of God's people stands as a testimony of the enduring nature of following Jesus.

The question remains. Is this really as important as everyone seems to think? I mean, Jesus has been gone for two millennia. He's waited so long!

Is Christ coming back to take His people away with Him like He promised? Does Jesus care about His people anymore?

Here's the answer. Jesus does care. He is coming back for His people like He promised (Revelation 22:7; Revelation 22:12; Revelation 22:20).

That means that our original question remains as important as ever. "When is Christ coming back?" The return of Christ still stands at the center of God’s plan for history (Hebrews 9:28).

Just a quick note: Don't forget to take the quiz at the end. It will help you remember the lesson better.

There's also a chart of the major views of Christ's coming.

Let's answer this question.

When Is Christ Coming Back? An Answer All Christians Can Affirm

Let's begin with another very important question. What does the Bible say about Christ's coming? This is very important if we want to accurately answer the question "When is Christ coming back?"

I mean, we can squabble all day about the way certain passages are interpreted. But what does it actually say about the return of Jesus? That's important, isn't it?

It's pretty clear, actually. Something all true believers can agree on.

Christ will return personally, visibly, and gloriously. His coming will not be a private spiritual experience but a public appearing that every eye will see.

How do we know this? The Bible clearly describes that Christ will return the same way He left (Acts 1:9–11; Revelation 1:7).

At His return, He will judge the living and the dead. This is very different from His first return.

In the moment of His return, He will vindicate His people whom He has bought with His own blood. In that moment of clarity, He will bring a fullness of His kingdom never seen in human history (2 Timothy 4:1; Matthew 25:31–34).

The New Testament joins Christ’s return with the resurrection of the dead. During this time, Christ will complete the final renewal of all creation. Those who belong to Christ will be raised in glory. Death itself will finally die (1 Corinthians 15:20–26, 50–57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18).

Historic Christian confessions have summarized this hope with simple words. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will have no end (Matthew 25:31–46; John 5:28–29; Revelation 21:4).

Known And Unknown: Time, Day, And “End Of The Age”

Puzzled Man Wondering Is Jesus the Only Way

Jesus said two things that we need to pay close attention to:

First, He told His disciples that no one knows the exact timing of His return. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only” (Matthew 24:36; see also Mark 13:32–37).

No code, calculation, or calendar can turn Christ’s promise into a date we can circle. Don't even try because you'll surely get it wrong (Acts 1:6–7; 1 Thessalonians 5:1–3).

Second, Jesus spoke about “the end of the age.” He promised to be with His people “even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). He tied His coming, the final harvest, and the final judgment to that same “end of the age” in His parables (Matthew 13:39–43).

Scripture locates His return at the close of this present age, when God brings this era to its appointed conclusion and fully reveals Christ’s kingdom (Matthew 24:3; 1 Corinthians 15:23–26). When will that be exactly? We don't know. For more on that, look at the previous point!

So what can we learn from this? Both principles are true according to God's Word. Because of this, we should cling to both truths at the same time. It makes answering the question "When is Christ coming back?" so much simpler.

A Footnote on Why Date‑Setting Is A Problem

So what about all those people who claim they know when Jesus will return? What about them? Do they have a special privilege to be able to say that?

Here's the simple answer. No.

No matter how sincere someone may be, claiming special knowledge of the exact timing of Christ’s return is simply arrogant because it steps beyond the limits Jesus Himself set (Acts 1:6–7). Faithful obedience takes both parts of His teaching seriously. True followers of Christ rest in the certainty of His return and respect the mystery of its timing (Deuteronomy 29:29; 2 Peter 3:8–10).

A Brief Look At Major Views

Faithful, Bible‑loving Christians haven't all agreed on the details of how the end unfolds. Some understand Christ’s return as followed by a literal thousand‑year reign on earth. This view is often called premillennialism (Revelation 20:1–6).

Others see the “thousand years” as a symbolic way of describing the present age between Christ’s first and second comings. This is often called amillennialism. It means "no millennium" in a literal sense (Revelation 20:1–6; Colossians 1:13).

Still others believe the gospel will spread widely and lead to a long era of blessing in history before Christ returns. This is often called postmillennialism (Psalm 72:8–19; Matthew 13:31–33).

There are also differences over how to relate Christ’s return, the “rapture,” and tribulation. In this view, some place a catching‑up of believers before a time of great distress. This is pretribulation viewpoint is often associated with dispensationalism. Others understand one climactic coming at the end (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1–4).

Did you notice something about all these views? They all share the same common hope. Jesus will truly come again, fulfilling God’s promises.

End‑Times Views — Summary Chart

A high‑level look at several major Christian views of Christ’s return. This chart summarizes, it doesn’t settle debates.

View	Basic Summary	What This View Emphasizes
Premillennialism	Christ returns before a future “thousand‑year” period on earth, often understood as a literal millennial reign (Revelation 20:1–6).	Highlights Christ’s visible rule, the defeat of His enemies, and clear separation between this age and a future era of peace.
Amillennialism	The “thousand years” pictures the present age between Christ’s first and second comings; His reign is real now, but not yet fully seen (Revelation 20:1–6; Colossians 1:13).	Stresses Christ’s present kingship, the church’s life under His rule now, and one climactic return, resurrection, and judgment at the end of the age.
Postmillennialism	The gospel spreads and transforms cultures so that history experiences a long season of blessing before Christ returns (Psalm 72:8–19; Matthew 13:31–33).	Emphasizes the power of the gospel to bear fruit in nations, long‑term optimism about Christ’s work in history, and the eventual triumph of His kingdom.
Pretribulation Rapture View	Christ gathers His people to Himself (“rapture”) before a time of great tribulation, followed by His visible return and final victory (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1–4).	Stresses Christ’s care in rescuing His people, the seriousness of coming tribulation, and the need to be ready for His sudden appearing.

So When Is Christ Coming Back Then? Who Is Right?

What can we know for sure at this point? We can know that we don't know a lot of the details. We can know that the exact date of Christ’s return is hidden from us. In other words, we don't know when Christ will return.

In contrast, here's what we can know for sure. The certainty and character of His coming are made very clear. God's intent is that His Son return.

Christ will appear once more in glory, raise His people, judge in perfect righteousness, and make all things new (2 Thessalonians 1:7–10; Revelation 21:1–5). However strongly a particular timeline is held, it must remain subject to the plain teaching that “no one knows” the day or the hour (Matthew 24:36).

We don't have to say when. We don't have to say how. We just read the biblical promise as stated. The conclusion is sure.

Christ is coming back.

Some would consider this a "vanilla view" of Christ's coming. This may be true. What can be said for certain is that this view embraces what the Bible actually says without tainting it with speculation.

After all, throughout Church History, different believers believed different ways about the end. Many of them loved Jesus as much as we do!

If there were historical consistency, that would be one thing. There's less consistency than many would like to claim.

In other words, why live or die with a dogmatic interpretation? There are more important issues than the timing of Christ's return. Let's not be that adulterous generation that looks for a sign (Matthew 12:39). The most important fact is that He will return.

This perspective also does something very important. It gladly acknowledges that godly believers differ over the order and symbolism of end‑times events. In other words, no matter what the era or tradition, we can all agree on one important fact:

Christ is coming back.

The unity of the church in this matter is pivotal. Our unity rests on Christ Himself and on the clear promises of His return, not on complete agreement about every detail (Romans 14:1–9; Ephesians 4:1–6).

What matters most is that we receive what God has plainly revealed. Being faithful followers means we handle these kinds of questions with humility, grace, love and patience (1 Corinthians 13:9–13).

How We Should Live While We Wait

So here's the more important question. Instead of asking, "When is Christ coming back?", we should ask, "How can we glorify God while we're waiting?"

After all, that was the message the angels gave the disciples as they were gawking heavenward. They needed a wakeup call. What was it?

I'll paraphrase: "Go do what Jesus told you!" (Acts 1:11). The biblical mandate is clear. An obedient life prepares for Christ better than speculation and argumentation.

The New Testament consistently turns teaching about Christ’s return into a call to godly living and sharing the good news. In other words, the fact that Jesus will come at a time when we will least expect it should motivate us.

What does this call us to? Here are a couple parting shots:

Commitment

We are called to watchfulness, sobriety, and faithfulness in everyday obedience (Matthew 24:42–51; Luke 12:35–40). The right response to His promised coming is not fear or speculation. That's what unbelievers do.

Looking for His coming is all about steady service, like servants who want to be found doing their Master’s will when He returns (Matthew 25:14–30). That's what every one of us should commit ourselves to.

Anticipation

Christ’s return also fuels hope and endurance. Believers who suffer for His sake can know that their labor is not in vain and that justice will be done when He appears (2 Thessalonians 1:4–7; 1 Corinthians 15:58).

The promise of His coming comforts grieving hearts, strengthens holiness, and stirs urgency for the gospel. It motivates us with anticipation as we wait for “the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11–14; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18).

A Final Thought

When is Christ coming back to get us? Simple answer? When God wants to.

Until then, let's do less arguing and more obeying. After all, that's what He asked us to do. So let's listen and obey.

God bless.

When Is Christ Coming Back? – Quiz

Quiz

When Is Christ Coming Back?

Test your understanding of Christ’s promised return, what we can know, and how we should live while we wait.