The New Testament Church had knowledge about the second coming of Jesus and in fact it was their major anticipation. The manifestation of a Christian life is to acknowledge the fact that the coming of the Lord is near and to prepare and await for it eagerly. Through the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed we as a church confess the second coming of our Lord. There are prophesies of second coming not only in the New Testament but also in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, one in every twenty five verses deal with the second coming of Jesus, numbering up to around three hundred and twenty times. Though the church believes in the coming of the Lord literally, the Bible does not give any clue regarding the time (Matthew 24: 36; 1 Thessalonians 5: 2). Therefore the church is advised to be ready.

1. The Lord is Coming: Israel’s Hope (Deuteronomy 18: 15 -22)
Moses’ ministry ends with the promise of another prophet like him. The Israelites awaited the Messiah that is yet to come through this promise. It was later interpreted that a prophet like Moses is the Christ of the New Testament.

2. The Lord is Coming: The Church’s Hope (1 Corinthians 16: 13-24)
The second coming of Jesus is depicted in the New Testament in many places. Jesus himself has testified about this (Matthew 24, 25; Mark 13; Luke 21; John 14: 1-3; 16: 1-5). The angels’ testimony (Acts 1: 11) and the apostles’ testimony [Peter (1 Peter 5:4; 2 Peter 3: 10-13)Paul (I Thessalonians 4: 16, 17; 5:2) Jude (14, 15) James (James 5: 7, 8) John (I John 2: 28)] affirms this. The testimony of the Lord’s Supper is also this (I Corinthians 11: 26). ‘O Lord Come’ is seen in the Church’s prayer also ( Revelation 22: 20).

3. The Lord is Coming (John 1: 1- 14)
John explains that even before the world was created, God designated Jesus as the way for salvation (John 1:1-14). Jesus (light) is coming to the world (John 1:9; Hebrews 1: 1,2).

Collect: God of compassion, who promised us your coming in glory to judge the living and the dead, help us to recognize your voice among us; animate within us the grace that you have given to us from your fullness; fill us with your truth, and instill your hope in us so that we may stand firm in our faith, do everything in love and await your coming vigilantly. This we ask in the name of our Lord Jesus, in whom the word became human and dwelt among us and promised to come again in glory to reign with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Translation : Neena Kishor, Ph.D Scholar, Department of English, University of Kerala