The Second Coming and Eternity

The Christian hope of bodily resurrection is grounded in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Just as Christ was raised from the dead, believers anticipate a bodily resurrection at the second coming. The Apostle Paul eloquently affirms this hope in 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, stating that Christ's resurrection is the first fruit, guaranteeing the resurrection of those who belong to him.

The Scriptures affirm that at the Second Coming, those who have put their faith in Christ will experience bodily resurrection. Their mortal bodies will be transformed into incorruptible, glorified bodies (1 Cor. 15:42-44). This transformation will free believers from the limitations and sufferings of their current bodies, leading to eternal life with Christ.

The Bible also speaks of the bodily resurrection of the unrighteous, those who have rejected God’s grace. In John 5:28-29, Jesus declares that all who are in the graves will hear his voice and come forth—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of condemnation. This underscores the reality of eternal consequences for one’s choices in this life.

Although many Christians think of heaven as our eternal destination, the Bible itself (and Christian tradition as well) looks more to the kingdom of God being on a renewed and transformed earth. Revelation 21:2 pictures the new Jerusalem coming down to earth from heaven when there is finally a new heaven and a new earth. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 is often taken to refer to a “rapture” where those in Christ on the earth are snatched away to heaven, but it is far more likely that battle lines are being drawn for the final judgment. We meet Jesus in the air and then return to the earth with him for the full commencement of the kingdom on earth, like a city going out to the edge of town to escort a dignitary back into the city.

In the kingdom of God, every tear will be wiped away, and there will be no more pain, sorrow, or death (Rev. 21:4). Believers will partake fully in the life of God, experiencing joy, peace, and love beyond human comprehension.

While God is present everywhere, hell is a place where individuals live in complete alienation and estrangement from him, a state of conscious despair for those who have rejected God's grace and salvation. The imagery of hell varies somewhat from place to place in the Scriptures. Revelation calls it a “lake of fire” (Rev. 20:10), and Matthew calls it an eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels (Matt. 25:41). Matthew also calls it “outer darkness” where there will be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth (13:42). While the imagery may vary, it is clearly an existence devoid of God's presence and redemption.

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the promise of bodily resurrection offer believers the hope of participating fully in the life of God in the kingdom of God. This hope is grounded in the transformative power of Christ’s resurrection and his victory over sin and death. In the kingdom of God, believers will experience the fullness of God's presence and glory. Revelation 22:4 describes how we will see God's face and have his name on our “foreheads,” symbolizing our intimate relationship with him. This communion with God will satisfy the deepest longings of the human soul.

In the kingdom, believers will not only enjoy fellowship with God but also with other believers. The unity and love experienced in the Christian community on earth will find its ultimate expression in eternity. Believers will be part of a diverse yet unified body, worshiping and serving God together in perfect harmony. Revelation 7:9 pictures people of every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before the throne of God.

The kingdom of God on the new earth will be a place of complete restoration and transformation. The Bible speaks of the renewal of all things (Rev. 21:5), where the effects of sin and brokenness will be no more. This restoration extends to both believers and the entire created order, bringing about a new heaven and a new earth (2 Peter 3:13).