The return of Jesus Christ is a central doctrine in Christianity, but there are reasons—both theological and scriptural—that suggest His second coming may never happen. Below are several key arguments based on biblical texts and reasoning.
1. Jesus’ Own Words Indicate Fulfillment, Not a Future Return
Many Christians believe in the second coming because of Jesus’ words in passages like Matthew 24. However, a careful reading suggests that Jesus was referring to events that would happen within the lifetime of His disciples.
🔹 Matthew 24:34 – “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.”
This verse suggests that everything Jesus prophesied—including His “coming on the clouds”—was meant to happen within the first century, not thousands of years later.
🔹 Matthew 16:28 – “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
If Jesus was speaking literally, then His return should have happened while some of His followers were still alive. Since they all died, one could argue that the prophecy was either fulfilled differently than expected or never intended to mean a future second coming.
2. The Kingdom of God is Already Here
Some passages suggest that Jesus’ return isn’t necessary because His kingdom is already established.
🔹 Luke 17:20-21 – “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
If Jesus meant that His kingdom was a spiritual reality rather than a physical event, then His return to establish a kingdom would be unnecessary.
🔹 Colossians 1:13 – “For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves.”
Paul writes as if the kingdom is already present, implying that believers do not need to wait for Jesus’ return to enter it.
3. The End of the World Language Was Symbolic
Many predictions about Jesus’ return are tied to apocalyptic imagery, but such language was often symbolic.
🔹 Isaiah 13:10 – “The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light.”
This passage describes the fall of Babylon, not the literal destruction of the universe. Similarly, Jesus’ apocalyptic statements may have referred to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD rather than a future return.
🔹 Matthew 24:29-30 – “Immediately after the distress of those days ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky.'”
If Jesus was using prophetic imagery similar to Isaiah, then this passage may not refer to a literal, visible return but rather to a judgment event (like the fall of Jerusalem).
4. The Apostles Expected Him in Their Lifetime
If Jesus intended to return physically, His disciples clearly expected it to happen soon.
🔹 1 Thessalonians 4:17 – “Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds.”
Paul includes himself in “we who are alive,” indicating that he expected to witness Jesus’ return.
🔹 Hebrews 10:37 – “For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not delay.”
A “little while” implies something imminent, not an event thousands of years later.
If Jesus and His followers expected His coming to be soon, but it never happened, then it raises the question: Was the second coming meant to be understood differently?
5. Jesus’ Mission Was Already Completed
Some argue that Jesus had no need to return because His mission was already fulfilled.
🔹 John 19:30 – “It is finished.”
If Jesus’ work was completed on the cross, then a return trip might not be necessary.
🔹 Hebrews 9:26 – “But now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.”
This suggests that Jesus’ first coming was sufficient for salvation, making a second appearance unnecessary.
Conclusion: A Different Understanding of Jesus’ “Return”
Rather than expecting a future physical return, some believe Jesus “came” metaphorically through the establishment of His kingdom, the destruction of Jerusalem (70 AD), or His presence in believers.
🔹 John 14:23 – “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”
This implies a spiritual coming rather than a visible return.
Many scriptures, when analyzed carefully, suggest that Jesus’ “coming” may have already occurred in a way different from traditional Christian expectations. If so, waiting for Him to return may be unnecessary, and His presence might already be here in a different form.
