The Second Coming of Christ: Is there a Contradiction?

 

 Introduction

One of the “Hot Button Topics” in religion involves the second coming of Jesus Christ. So much speculation surrounds this event. The scripture states what will happen during this event but, even then, there are those who say that the bible contradicts itself. This article will unravel this issue.

 

The “So-called” Contradiction

There are two verses in scripture, among others, that discuss the Second Coming. These are the ones we’ll focus on in this article.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:16 the apostle Paul writes, For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. (NKJV)

In 2 Peter 3:10 the apostle Peter writes, But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. (NKJV)

People ask, “How can Jesus come both with a shout and silent like a thief?" When the question is asked like this, you can tell that they are intentionally looking for a contradiction.

 

The Premillennial View

The Premillennial response to this “so-called” contradiction is that it’s actually two different returns. To them, 2 Pet. 3:10 is an invisible return AKA, The Rapture. And 1 Thess. 4:16 is the “official” return of Jesus. The problem with this view is that the word, Rapture isn’t found anywhere in scripture. For more information on the rapture, read this article. In short, this view is NOT scriptural and is an invention of man (2 John 9-11).

 

What Does the Bible Really Say?

If the bible contradicts itself with this event, then it is easy to conclude that it contradicts itself in many other aspects and, therefore, it cannot be trusted. In his first letter to the saints in Corinth Paul wrote, For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. This verse is two-fold. One, it means that every church (congregation) got the exact same instructions. Two, it means that the bible harmonizes with itself so there are no contradictions at all. If it didn’t harmonize, that God is an author of confusion.

Going back to 2 Pet. 3:10, the question asked, “How can Jesus be silent?” is an intentional error. ‘Coming like a thief’ means, “unannounced”. How often have people had their houses robbed and not know when it took place? It’s not like the robber is going to call and inquire when you’ll be out of the house.

Jesus discusses this in Matthew 24:43, “But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.”

 

Conclusion

As you can see, the books of the bible harmonize and there aren’t any contradictions. The Second Coming of Jesus Christ is real and will happen all at once. Jesus said in John 5:28-29, “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth--those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” Do not believe the doctrines of Men (Mt. 15:7-9).