Christ’s 2nd coming is in the future.

In the past I thought that the 2nd coming of Christ was in AD70.

It was because Jesus Himself and all the Apostles predicted it to happen in their lifetime (Matt 24, Matt 10, 2 Thess 2, Matt 16, Rom 13, James 5, Rev 1, Rev 22, etc.)

But clearly the resurrection did not happen in AD70.

The world was not judged in AD70.

Israel alone was judged in AD70 because of their refusal to believe in Christ and His words.

AD70 was not the 2nd coming – because Israel did not repent.

Jesus said that He will come again only when Israel repents.

Matt 23 “37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’””

Paul also said that when Israel accepts Christ, then He will return to remove their sins.

Romans 11 “11 Again I ask: Did Israel stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!…..25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. 27 And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.””

When Israel repents/believes in Jesus, then He will return in the 2nd coming.

This will happen after the Gentile believers are saved.Did Jesus and the Apostles get it all wrong in the 1st Century? I think they expected Israel to repent but it did not happen.

The 2nd coming is the only event that Jesus said is something controlled by God the Father and not Jesus.

Matt 24 “36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. “

God delayed the 2nd coming for more than 2000 years because He wants more people to be saved.

2 Peter 3 “8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

God wants Gentiles and Jews to be saved.Israel has still not accepted Christ.

The Gentile world still needs to hear the Gospel.

Because after the 2nd coming, there is no more 2nd chance for anyone. At the 2nd coming of Christ, the new heaven and earth will be revealed. The resurrection of the dead will happen. The dead in Christ will be resurrected. Those believers who are alive will be raptured. The unbelievers will be resurrected and judged eternally.

1 Thessalonians 4-5 “13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.”

All of this is in the future. It is the great hope of the Church.

Only God knows when it will happen. He is the One who decides.

1 Timothy 6:14 ” I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.”