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Second Coming

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The Second Coming is a major belief in several world religions. It is the idea that Jesus Christ will return to Earth.

Second Coming of Christ window
Second Coming of Christ window

This event is often called the Second Advent or the Parousia. Christians believe this return follows the Ascension, which happened about two thousand years ago. This belief is a central part of many Christian views about the end of the world. It is based on ancient prophecies found in holy texts.

Last Judgement (Michelangelo)
Last Judgement (Michelangelo)

Different faiths describe how this return might work. In Islam, Jesus is seen as a revered prophet rather than a divine being. Muslims believe he will descend from Heaven to defeat a false messiah named al-Masih ad-Dajjal. His return is meant to restore justice and reaffirm the belief in one God. This is considered a major sign of the Day of Judgment. Some Muslims, especially in the Shia tradition, use the term Raj'a to describe this event.

T'oros Roslin Gospels, The Last Judgment, Walters Manuscript W.539, fol. 109v
T'oros Roslin Gospels, The Last Judgment, Walters Manuscript W.539, fol. 109v

Many different words are used to talk about this arrival. The Greek word parousia means "presence" or "arrival." In ancient times, this word could describe a king visiting a city to show his greatness. The New Testament uses this term many times to discuss Christ. Another Greek word, epiphany, means "appearing." Scholars also look at the word apocalypse, which means "revelation." These terms help explain the nature of the coming event.

People have many different views on when or how this will happen. Some people try to predict specific dates for the return. A 2010 survey found that 40% of Americans believed Jesus might return by 2050. Among white evangelical Christians, that number was 58%. However, only 27% of white mainline Protestants held that belief. Some scholars believe certain ancient writings were actually describing the destruction of the Jewish Temple in 70 AD. This viewpoint is known as Preterism.

Syria, Damascus, The Umayyad Mosque
Syria, Damascus, The Umayyad Mosque

The Catholic Church teaches that the Second Coming will be sudden. It will happen in a single moment that no one can predict. This event is expected to bring the full victory of God over sin and suffering. It will result in a final judgment for all people in every nation. This judgment will decide the fate of individuals based on their actions. For many, this is a moment of great importance and change for the whole universe.

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🖼️ Images & Media (6)
File:Second Coming of Christ window.jpg
Second Coming of Christ window.jpg
File:Last Judgement (Michelangelo).jpg
Last Judgement (Michelangelo).jpg
File:T'oros Roslin Gospels, The Last Judgment, Walters Manuscript W.539, fol. 109v.jpg
T'oros Roslin Gospels, The Last Judgment,...
File:Syria,_Damascus,_The_Umayyad_Mosque.jpg
Syria,_Damascus,_The_Umayyad_Mosque.jpg
File:Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (c. 1897).jpg
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (c. 1897).jpg
File:Bahá'u'lláh (Mírzá Ḥusayn-`Alí Núrí) in 1868.jpg
Bahá'u'lláh (Mírzá Ḥusayn-`Alí Núrí) in 1868.jpg
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