What will happen at the second coming?

The second coming of Christ is one of the central themes of Scripture. It marks the end of sin, the resurrection of the righteous, the beginning of the millennium, the final judgment, and ultimately the recreation of the earth. The Bible presents a clear prophetic sequence outlining these events in detail. When studied together, prophecies from both the Old and New Testaments reveal a coherent and hopeful picture of God’s final plan of redemption.

This study brings together key passages to explain what will happen when Jesus returns, what takes place during the 1,000 years, and how God will bring sin to an end forever.

Christ Returns in Power and Glory

The second coming of Christ will be a literal, visible, global event. Jesus Himself described His return with great majesty and glory. Matthew 25:31 states, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.” His return will bring judgment to all the earth (Matthew 25:31-46).

Christ’s coming will not be secret, symbolic, or hidden. Revelation describes it as an event accompanied by the voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God, visible to every person (Revelation 1:7).

The Resurrection of the Righteous

At the second coming, the first great event is the resurrection of the saints. First Thessalonians 4:16-17 explains, “The Lord Himself will descend from heaven… and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds.”

The righteous dead, sleeping in their graves, will hear the voice of the Life-Giver and rise with immortal bodies. Paul writes, “We shall all be changed… and the dead will be raised incorruptible… this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:51-53). This miraculous transformation equips the saints for eternal life with Christ.

Revelation 20:4-6 calls this “the first resurrection,” declaring, “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection.” These risen saints live and reign with Christ for 1,000 years.

The Fate of the Wicked at Christ’s Coming

In stark contrast to the resurrection of the righteous, the wicked face immediate destruction at Christ’s return. Jeremiah 4:25 describes the earth after the Lord’s coming: “I beheld, and lo, there was no man.” The wicked who are alive when Christ appears are slain by the brightness of His glory, and the wicked dead remain in their graves.

Revelation 20:5 confirms, “The rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished.” This shows that there are two separate resurrections:

1. The resurrection of the righteous at the beginning of the millennium
2. The resurrection of the wicked at its conclusion

The 1,000-year period begins with the second coming.

The Millennium: What Happens During the 1,000 Years?

The word “millennium” comes from the Latin words mille (thousand) and annum (year). The millennium begins with the return of Christ and the first resurrection.

Revelation 20:4 states that the redeemed “lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” During this time, they are in heaven, participating in a work of judgment. This judgment is not to decide who is saved or lost-that decision is made before Christ returns-but to reveal God’s justice and fairness in dealing with sin.

The Earth During the Millennium

While the saints reign with Christ in heaven, the earth remains in a desolate condition. Revelation 16:18-21 describes the plagues that ravage the planet before Christ’s coming. Jeremiah 4:23 describes the earth as “without form, and void,” echoing Genesis 1:2. The earth becomes a “bottomless pit” (Revelation 20:1-3), a prison for Satan, who is bound by circumstances because there are no living people to deceive.

Isaiah 24:1-3 also describes the earth as empty and ruined. Every soul who has ever lived will be in one of two places during the millennium:
• Dead on the devastated earth (the wicked)
• Alive in heaven with Christ (the righteous)

The Descent of the New Jerusalem

At the close of the 1,000 years, the New Jerusalem descends from heaven to earth. Revelation 21:2-3 says, “I saw the holy city… coming down out of heaven from God.” Zechariah 14:4-5 describes Christ’s feet touching the Mount of Olives, which splits and forms a vast plain. The New Jerusalem settles upon this renewed landscape.

God will dwell with His people, fulfilling the promise, “The tabernacle of God is with men” (Revelation 21:3). This is the moment when heaven moves to earth.

The Resurrection of the Wicked and Satan’s Final Deception

Revelation 20:5 states that “the rest of the dead”-the wicked-are raised after the 1,000 years. This is the second resurrection. At that moment, Satan is “loosed” because he now has millions of resurrected people to deceive.

Revelation 20:7-9 describes Satan going out “to deceive the nations” and gather them for a final assault on “the camp of the saints and the beloved city.” Despite their vast number-“as the sand of the sea”-they are powerless against God.

This climactic moment reveals the true character of sin. Even after seeing God’s judgments and the results of rebellion, the wicked still choose to fight against God.

The Destruction of the Wicked in the Lake of Fire

As the wicked surround the New Jerusalem, God executes the final judgment. Revelation 20:9-10 says, “Fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.” This is the biblical fire of hell-the lake of fire-which destroys sin, Satan, and all who cling to rebellion.

Revelation 21:8 identifies this event as “the second death.” The wicked do not burn forever; they are destroyed forever. Malachi 4:1 describes them as becoming “ashes under the soles of your feet.”

This final judgment ensures that sin will never rise again (Nahum 1:9).

The Creation of the New Heavens and New Earth

After sin and death are permanently destroyed, God recreates the earth. Isaiah 65:17 declares, “Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth.” Revelation 21:5 echoes this promise: “Behold, I make all things new.”

The redeemed will inherit the earth made new (Matthew 5:5). This restored planet will be free from pain, sorrow, death, and sin. God Himself will dwell among His people (Revelation 21:3). The plan of salvation will be complete.

Everything lost through sin is restored through Christ. Every prophecy pointing to the end of sin, the triumph of righteousness, and the eternal kingdom of God finds fulfillment.

Conclusion

The Bible outlines a clear sequence of end-time events:
• Christ returns in glory
• The righteous dead are resurrected
• The wicked are destroyed
• The millennium begins
• The saints reign with Christ in heaven
• The earth becomes desolate
• After 1,000 years, the New Jerusalem descends
• The wicked are resurrected and judged
• God destroys sin forever in the lake of fire
• God creates a new heaven and earth
• He dwells with humanity for eternity

This prophetic timeline reveals the wisdom, justice, and love of God. The final deliverance of the saints, the cleansing of the universe from sin, and the creation of the new earth fulfill every promise God has made through His prophets.

The future God has prepared is glorious and certain. Every believer can look forward to that day with confidence and hope.

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