When is Jesus coming back?

from the old testament

• When Jesus is coming back is not mentioned in the Old Testament.

from the new testament

• In Acts 1:6, the disciples asked Jesus, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" He responded, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority" (Acts 1:7). Jesus said we would not know the time or even the season of His return.
• In another place, Jesus taught, "But concerning that day and hour no one knows" (Matthew 24:36).
• Instead of predicting the time of Jesus' return, the Bible teaches that we are to live our lives as though any day could be the day (2 Peter 3:10-12).
• The holy life Peter spoke of includes loving God and others (Matthew 22:37-40). This love should also compel us to share Christ with others so they can be with Him in heaven as well (Matthew 28:18-20).
• No one knows the day or season when Jesus will return, but we know His return is imminent (1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). When we live godly lives, share Him with others, and look forward to our eternity with the Lord, we can live with joy without worrying about the exact time of Christ's coming.

implications for today

Although Jesus told us we won’t know when He returns, many have attempted to predict the time of Jesus' return or the particular period of time during which He will return. For example, Harold Camping predicted that Jesus would return on May 21, 2011. He based his conclusion on the date of the biblical Flood as 4990 BC, added 7,000 years (based on 2 Peter 3:8), and determined this date. When it did not take place, his prediction quickly became mocked in news headlines.

Instead of focusing on the day of His return, we should focus on living in a way that shows we are prepared for His return. That means living faithfully and sharing the gospel as we await His return. It means growing in our relationship with God, living in obedience to His Word, and encouraging one another to remain steadfast in faith (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Peter tells us we should look forward to Christ's return. Why? As believers, we will be with Him for eternity. There will be a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21—22) where God's people will dwell with Him forever. In Revelation 21:5 the Lord promises, "Behold, I am making all things new." In the new heavens and new earth, there will no longer be any curse of sin. Revelation 22:3 notes, "No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him." Revelation 21:4 says, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." This is truly worth waiting for! Rather than being consumed by speculation, we should focus on fulfilling the Great Commission and walking in holiness, knowing that His return is certain, even if the timing is unknown.