When Will Jesus Return?

Jesus said that no one knows “the day or the hour” that He will return. But Jesus also said that “when you see all these things, know that it is near”! (Matthew 24:36, 33)

What are the signs that will happen before Jesus returns? What does the Bible say?

Jesus Gave Signs of His Return

Jesus’s followers asked Him, “what is the sign of your arrival, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3)

When Jesus answered, He gave five signs that would happen before the Great Tribulation and His return. These five signs are explained in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, and Revelation 6.

Sign 1: A European Leader Promotes a False Christianity

And Jesus answered, saying to them, “Watch out so that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying I am the Christ, and they will lead many astray.” (Matthew 24:4-5)

Jesus warned that many people would come in His name. They will use the name of Jesus Christ to mislead people. These false ministers will say that Jesus is the Christ. They will claim to be “Christians.” But they will mislead people with false teachings that don’t match the Bible.

This first sign of the end is a recognizable turning point for religion. A false “Christianity” will suddenly become a powerful and influential force in the world and will mislead many people. This is not something that will happen slowly over the course of hundreds of years.

How do we know?

1. This is a sign that the return of Christ and the end of the age is near. A sign is something that can be seen and recognized.
2. Jesus said that all the events described in Matthew 24:3-31 would happen in a short period of time.

Notice Matthew 24:32-34:

“Now learn this riddle from the fig tree. When its branch has already become tender, and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near. In this way you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things happen.”

Jesus said “when you see all these things”—which includes the first sign that He gave, then the end and His return is “near—at the doors.” He also said that the generation that will be alive when these things begin will be the same generation that will see Him return (Matthew 24:34). Once you see a false version of Christianity suddenly rise in power and influence, the remaining events will happen quickly.

It is important for you to recognize the first sign when it happens. When this turning point occurs, many will be led astray. You must be on guard, so you won’t be deceived. You need to be familiar with the Bible, so you can recognize the difference between real Christianity and a Christianity that looks real, but isn’t.

The Rise of the Antichrist

Now look at this first sign of the end of the age in the book of Revelation. Remember, Revelation also gives a sequence of events that will happen at the end of the age. The events in Revelation match up with the sequence of events that Jesus described in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21.

Revelation 6:1-2:

And I saw that the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying, as with a voice of thunder, “Come!” And I looked and look! A white horse! And he who sat on it had a bow. And a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.”

Who is the rider on this white horse?

At the end of the book of Revelation we read how Jesus Christ will come down from heaven, riding a white horse, coming to conquer the nations that will fight against Him (Revelation 19:11, 15).

Is the rider on the white horse in Revelation 6:1-2 also Jesus Christ?

No! It is a false Christ!

Remember that in Revelation 6 Jesus is explaining the same end-time sequence of events that He described in Matthew 24. The first sign in Matthew 24 was religious deception by a false Christianity. This first rider is not Jesus Christ—it is the Antichrist.

1 John 2:18 says “…the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen…”

One meaning of the word “antichrist” is someone who is against Christ. There have been many antichrists, and there will be many more. But the Bible also mentions a specific person called the Antichrist who is coming. The Bible does not give many details about this person, but another meaning of the word antichrist is someone who is in place of Christ.

Remember that in Matthew 24:5 Jesus warned about many who would come in the name of Christ and deceive many. Here, in Revelation 6:2, we see a description of one specific person who will eventually claim to be the Christ.

Here are the symbols used to describe this Antichrist in Revelation 6:2:

1. He will sit on “a white horse.” As Jesus Christ will come on a white horse to save the world, people will think this person has come from God to save the world.

2. “And he who sat on it had a bow.” This person will have the power to fight wars.

3. “And a crown was given to him.” This person will become the leader of nation or nations.

4. “and he came out conquering, and to conquer.” This person will use his military to conquer.

In Revelation 13 we learn that this political leader, who is called “the Beast,” will work together with the leader of false Christianity, who is called “the false prophet.” The Beast will use his military to expand the influence of false Christianity. In return, the false prophet will eventually teach people to worship this man as a god (Revelation 13:4, 15; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Ezekiel 28:2; Daniel 11:36-39).

This Antichrist has many names in the Bible. He is called “the Beast” (Revelation 13:4-8, etc.), “the man of sin” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4), “the king of the North” (Daniel 11:40), a little horn (Daniel 7:8, 24-25), “the prince who is to come” (Daniel 9:26), “the prince of Tyre” (Ezekiel 28:2-10), “the king of Babylon” (Isaiah 14:3-11), and “Nebuchadnezzar” (Jeremiah 50:17-18).

Watch for a European leader who partners with an influential Church, who goes out to conquer and “save” the world. This is the first sign Jesus gave that the end of the age is near.

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