So what is Jesus coming back to do?

One of my respondents has asked me to answer this question.

It would take a very long article to really explain it, but here are a few brief points.

First, let’s note that the ancient creeds associate his coming primarily with judgement:

“From thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead” (Apostles’ Creed)

“And he shall come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end” (Nicene Creed)

I believe they are right but incomplete (Matt.25:31-46; Acts 17:31; 2 Thess.1:7-10).

So what else is he coming to do?

1. to raise the dead, particularly believers (1 Thess.4:16; 1 Cor.15:23,52) and to transform the saints alive at his coming (1 Thess.4:17;  2 Thess.2:1; Phil.3;20-21; 1 Cor.15:51-52), bringing the final stage of salvation (Heb.9:28; 1 John 3;2)

2. to destroy the lawless one (2 Thess.2:8; Rev.20:9-10)

3. to settle accounts with his servants (Matt.24:45-25:30; 1 Cor.3:13-15; Rom.14:10)

4. to restore creation to perfection (Rom.8:19-21; 2 Pet.3:10-13; Rev.21-22)

5. to complete his rule and hand over the kingdom to the Father (1 Cor.15:24-28)

6. to be with us forever (1 Thess.4:17), seeing him “face to face” (1 John 3:2; 1 Cor.13:12; Rev.22:3-4)

7. and more than we know!! (I had to have a 7th point!)