When will Christ return? Evangelical pastor John Piper answers

Revelation 22:12 "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done." Pexels

Christians all believe that Jesus Christ will return to this world to rule and set all things right as what the Bible says. There is no debate about that.

But the question that has befuddled many Christians is the time of the Second Coming of Christ.

To an average Christian reader, biblical passages related to this can be difficult to understand and interpret. One such believer asked renowned theologian and Evangelical pastor John Piper, the founder of the Desiring God ministry, about his view on this matter.

In his Feb. 22 podcast, Piper said the answer to this question is found in Revelation 20:1–6, which explicitly speaks of the 1,000 years in relation to the second coming of Christ.

"Now, the question that divides Bible-believing Christians is how this one thousand-year reign of Christ on the earth followed by a complete revolution of things in the new heavens and the new earth, how that relates to the second coming of Christ," Piper said.

Specifically, the question boils down to this: Will the 1,000 years come before or after Jesus comes again?

Piper said there are three views on this matter. The first is that the "one thousand years, the millennium, is a reference to the period of time where we are right now as Christ reigns in heaven today till he puts all of his enemies under his feet."

The second is that the "one thousand years is a real period of lengthy glory in this age. We are not in it yet. It will come just before Christ comes so that the gospel triumphs in the world: the world is Christianized, by and large, peace and righteousness hold sway in the world, and then, after that, post that, Christ returns — this is Postmillennial."

The third view is that "the one thousand years happens after Christ comes again, or he comes pre, before the millennium — and that is why it is called Premillennialism. Then, after Christ comes to a very rebellious earth and establishes his reign, there is a long, long period of glorious rule of Christ on the earth."

Piper said he believes in the third view, even though he has "really good friends who hold all three of these positions."

"Christ could come very, very quickly. I pray he does," he said.

"It could happen very, very soon. He (Jesus) doesn't have to wait one thousand years," he added.

The same question was asked world renowned evangelist Billy Graham much earlier.

Unlike Piper, Graham declined to go into specifics, saying Christians should avoid trying to predict an exact date for the return of Jesus.

Instead, Graham suggested that Christians should make sure they are prepared for His return.

"Jesus warned us against making precise predictions about His return; only God knows exactly when Christ will come again to bring an end to the present world system. Jesus did, however, say that the world would grow increasingly confused and dangerous before He returns," he said.

related articles
\'Jacob Sheep\' Return to Israel: \'Precursor\' to Third Temple and Second Coming of Christ?
'Jacob Sheep' Return to Israel: 'Precursor' to Third Temple and Second Coming of Christ?

'Jacob Sheep' Return to Israel: 'Precursor' to Third Temple and Second Coming of Christ?

Christian Scientist Predicts Jesus Will Return This New Year\'s Eve Based on Daniel\'s 70 \'Sevens\' Prophecy
Christian Scientist Predicts Jesus Will Return This New Year's Eve Based on Daniel's 70 'Sevens' Prophecy

Christian Scientist Predicts Jesus Will Return This New Year's Eve Based on Daniel's 70 'Sevens' Prophecy

Should We Be Talking About the End Times More? Or Less?
Should We Be Talking About the End Times More? Or Less?

Should We Be Talking About the End Times More? Or Less?

Billy Graham Cautions Against Christians Trying To Predict The Specific Date Of Jesus\' Return
Billy Graham Cautions Against Christians Trying To Predict The Specific Date Of Jesus' Return

Billy Graham Cautions Against Christians Trying To Predict The Specific Date Of Jesus' Return

2-Year-Old Girl Wakes Up Her Mom to Tell Her Jesus Is Coming Back

2-Year-Old Girl Wakes Up Her Mom to Tell Her Jesus Is Coming Back

Christians Think New Supernatural Phenomenon Might Lead to World\'s End
Christians Think New Supernatural Phenomenon Might Lead to World's End

Christians Think New Supernatural Phenomenon Might Lead to World's End

The World Will End In 2017, Declares Fundamentalist Christian Website
The World Will End In 2017, Declares Fundamentalist Christian Website

The World Will End In 2017, Declares Fundamentalist Christian Website

News
Relief for Kristie Higgs as Supreme Court denies school's appeal in Facebook post case
Relief for Kristie Higgs as Supreme Court denies school's appeal in Facebook post case

The decision ends a years-long legal battle over religious free speech for the Christian teacher.

NHS England bosses side with female nurses in trans changing rooms row
NHS England bosses side with female nurses in trans changing rooms row

"Rose" offered to help educate the women as to why they should be willing to get undressed in front of him.

Ann Widdecombe: Gen Z’s return to faith is no surprise
Ann Widdecombe: Gen Z’s return to faith is no surprise

Ann Widdecombe, former MP and long-standing Christian voice in public life, believes the apparent resurgence of interest in Christianity among Britain’s youth is not as unexpected as it seems.

Despite frustrations, few pastors leave pulpit annually - study
Despite frustrations, few pastors leave pulpit annually - study

Though record levels of pastors, including more than half in mainline Protestant churches, seriously considered leaving full-time ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic, only about 1% of them have been leaving ministry work annually in the last decade, a new Lifeway Research study finds.