Second Coming Christ and the Judgment

Is Christ’s second coming the same as Judgment Day?

The Bible prophesies that Jesus Christ will return on a cloud to lead God’s people to salvation. The World Mission Society Church of God believes Ahnsahnghong is Christ who came in the “clouds” according to biblical prophecies.

Coming in a Cloud

Today, millions of Christians around the world are awaiting Christ’s return, looking at the sky for the Savior to arrive in accordance to the prophecy.

Luke 21:27-28 “At the time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

It is written that everyone will see Jesus Christ coming down to the earth on a cloud. However, will Christ literally return from heaven on a cloud? As Christians, it’s important to clearly understand the meaning of Christ coming on a cloud.

Christians commonly believe and teach that when Jesus Christ comes on a cloud, the earth will be immediately destroyed, Judgment Day will come and God’s children will enter the kingdom of heaven. But if we take a close look at the Scriptures, Jesus coming on a cloud and Judgment Day are two separate occurrences.

Jesus Came in the Clouds

The Bible says Second Coming Christ will come on a cloud. This was also the same prophecy about First Coming Christ. Today, it is known that He came as a man.

Daniel 7:13-14 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”

Jesus is the Son of Man who, as Daniel saw in his vision, came in the clouds. In other words, Jesus came as a human being. He was born as a child, through Mary. Matthew, John and Luke wrote in their books that Jesus was given all authority(Matthew 28:18), glory (John 17:10) and a kingdom (Luke 22:29).

Two thousand years ago, in fulfillment of the Old Testament’s prophesy, Jesus came as a man—not on a literal cloud. The Bible described Jesus coming on a cloud because biblically the word “cloud” can be used to represent people.

Clouds Mean Flesh

Some words in the Bible have multiple meanings. Besides representing actual clouds, the Bible uses the term “cloud” in another way.

Jude 1:12 These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead.

The Bible compares people to clouds, showing that clouds symbolize flesh, the human body. This is seen not only in the New Testament, but also in the Old Testament.

Proverbs 25:14 (NCV) People who brag about gifts they never give are like clouds and wind that give no rain.

The Old Testament too compares “clouds” to “people.” Though there are many more instances, just through these two verses, one can see the Bible uses clouds to refer to people.

Jesus’ Second Coming and the Last Judgment

Although many believe Jesus’ coming in the clouds is the last judgment, these are separate events. At the last judgment, the Bible says Jesus will come with fire, not with clouds.

Isaiah 66:15-16 See, the LORD is coming with fire, and his chariots are like a whirlwind; he will bring down his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. For with fire and his sword the LORD will execute judgment upon all men and many will be those slain by the LORD.

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction…

In both the Old and New testaments, Jesus is said to come with fire on Judgment Day. With Christ’s second coming and the last judgment being separate events, Christ must first come as a man to bring redemption near (Luke 21:28) by preaching the gospel so God’s people may be prepared for the time of the last judgment.

The World Mission Society Church of God believes Second Coming Christ came as a man, according to Bible prophecy.