16/10/2025
The question of what must happen before the return of Jesus, according to Christian scripture, primarily draws from the New Testament, especially the Gospels, the Book of Revelation, and certain epistles like 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Different Christian denominations interpret these passages variably, but I’ll outline key events and themes commonly cited in scripture, focusing on a straightforward reading of the texts without leaning into any specific theological lens. I’ll aim to be concise yet comprehensive, sticking to what the Bible explicitly or implicitly suggests.
Key Events Preceding Jesus’ Return According to Scripture:
1. The Gospel Preached to All Nations
Scripture: Matthew 24:14 – “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
Explanation: Jesus indicates that the global spread of the gospel is a prerequisite for His return. The term “all nations” suggests a widespread proclamation, though interpretations vary on whether this means every individual or a representative spread across people groups.
2. The Great Tribulation
Scripture: Matthew 24:21-22; Mark 13:19-20; Revelation 7:14 – “For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.”
-Explanation: A period of intense suffering and persecution, often called the “Great Tribulation,” is described as preceding Christ’s return. This includes wars, famines, earthquakes, and persecution of believers (Matthew 24:6-9). Some interpret this as a specific seven-year period tied to Daniel 9:27, while others see it as a general time of hardship.
3. The Rise of False Messiahs and Prophets
Scripture: Matthew 24:4-5, 11, 24 – “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many… and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.”
Explanation: Jesus warns of widespread deception through false messiahs and prophets performing signs and wonders, leading many astray before His return.
4. The Antichrist and Lawlessness
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 8-9 – “Let no one deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed… He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God.”
Explanation: The “man of lawlessness” (often identified as the Antichrist) must appear, leading a rebellion against God. He is associated with blasphemous acts, such as setting himself up in God’s temple (possibly literal or figurative). This figure is defeated at Christ’s return (Revelation 19:20).
5. The Abomination of Desolation**
Scripture: Matthew 24:15; Mark 13:14; Daniel 9:27 – “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand…”
Explanation: This event, linked to the Antichrist, involves a desecration of a holy place, often tied to the temple in Jerusalem. Interpretations vary—some see it as a future rebuilt temple, others as a symbolic act of idolatry or defilement.
6. Signs in the Heavens and Earth**
Scripture: Matthew 24:29-30; Luke 21:25-26; Revelation 6:12-17 – “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, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’”
Explanation: Cosmic disturbances, such as darkened skies, falling stars, and other celestial signs, are described as heralding Christ’s return. These may be literal astronomical events or symbolic of divine judgment.
7. The Apostasy (Falling Away)
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:3 – “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs…”
Explanation: A significant falling away from faith (apostasy) is expected before Christ’s return. This could refer to widespread rejection of Christian teachings or a broader spiritual rebellion.
8. The Gathering of Israel
Scripture: Romans 11:25-26; Matthew 24:31 – “And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The deliverer will come from Zion…’”
Explanation: Some passages suggest a spiritual or physical restoration of Israel, with many Jews coming to faith in Christ before His return. This is debated, with some seeing “Israel” as the church, while others view it as the Jewish people.
9. The Mark of the Beast and Global Control
Scripture: Revelation 13:16-17 – “It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark…”
Explanation: The rise of a system, often tied to the Antichrist, where people are required to receive a “mark” to participate in society is described. This is seen as a sign of allegiance to the Antichrist, occurring before Christ’s return.
10. The Battle of Armageddon and Final Conflict
Scripture: Revelation 16:16; 19:19-21 – “Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.”
Explanation: A climactic battle involving the nations of the world, gathered at Armageddon, is depicted as occurring just before or at the moment of Christ’s return, when He defeats His enemies.
11. The Resurrection of the Dead and the Rapture
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 – “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven… and the dead in Christ will rise first. 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.”
Explanation: The return of Jesus is accompanied by the resurrection of deceased believers and the “catching up” (rapture) of living believers. The timing of this event (pre-, mid-, or post-tribulation) is heavily debated, but it’s tied to His return.
Notes and Context:
Order and Timing: Scripture does not always specify a clear sequence or timeline for these events. Some, like the gospel reaching all nations or the rise of false prophets, may already be in progress, while others (e.g., cosmic signs, Armageddon) are future-oriented in most interpretations.
Interpretive Variations: Different Christian traditions (e.g., premillennial, amillennial, postmillennial) interpret these events differently. For example, dispensationalists often see a literal seven-year tribulation and a rebuilt temple, while others view these as symbolic or fulfilled historically (e.g., in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD).
Figurative vs. Literal: Some passages may be symbolic (e.g., “stars falling” as a metaphor for political upheaval), while others are taken literally by many believers.
Imminence: Jesus emphasizes that no one knows the exact time of His return (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32), urging readiness and vigilance.
Summary:
Before Jesus’ return, scripture describes a combination of global evangelization, widespread deception, the rise of the Antichrist, a great tribulation, cosmic signs, apostasy, the restoration of Israel, and a final conflict. These events culminate in the resurrection of the dead and the rapture of believers, with Christ returning in glory (Matthew 24:30; Revelation 19:11-16). The exact nature and order of these events depend on interpretive frameworks, but these are the primary elements highlighted in the Bible.
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