Jesus is returning soon. Or is he not returning soon? It has been over 2000 years after all. This was a challenge I was recently given by and Atheist looking to discredit the Bible and Christians in general. I think this is a great challenge and in order to respond we need to take a look at what the Bible says about the return of Jesus and notable mistakes that Christians have made regarding this topic.
Jesus the First Trip
When Jesus came the first time he came as a baby, grew to adulthood, died on a cross, defeated death, and then rose from the grave. This Jesus who is the image of the invisible God is God in the flesh. He is the head of his church and is the priest who intercedes for those who are the body of his Church before the Father in heaven. That is where we are right now. A moment of grace and mercy for all who cast themselves upon him.
The Return Trip
But this is not the end of the story. The Bible is clear that Jesus is coming back. The return of Jesus in the flesh is described as a time of tribulation. The existing order of humanity will be overturned. Jesus will not return as a priest but as a King. He will return as Lord of lords and King of kings. Every knee will bow before him.
We are Waiting
The only real question, biblically speaking, is the question of when does he return? The challenge some might have is that the Bible says soon. If Jesus returns soon then where is he? Every generation for thousands of years has been waiting and praying for Jesus to return and be King of all things as well as Priest.
Predictions Failed
Many people in the past and in modern times have claimed to know when Jesus will return. Yet none of those proclamations have come true because Jesus has not returned yet. One might even wonder where is this soon that was promised.
| Year Predicted | Predicted By | Notes |
| 1844 | William Miller | Miller’s calculations drew 50,000+ followers; the “Great Disappointment” on October 22, 1844, made national headlines in U.S. newspapers like the New York Herald. |
| 1914 | Charles Russell / Jehovah’s Witnesses | Russell’s biblical timeline predicted Armageddon; widely discussed in religious press and later critiqued in mainstream media like The Atlantic as a doctrinal pivot point. |
| 1975 | Herbert W. Armstrong / The Worldwide Church of God | Armstrong’s prophecy tied to biblical cycles attracted thousands; covered in Time magazine and U.S. news as a looming “doomsday” for his 100,000+ followers. |
| 1981 | Hal Lindsey | n his bestselling The Late Great Planet Earth (over 28 million copies sold), Lindsey calculated based on Israel’s 1948 founding; sparked 1970s evangelical media frenzy, including ABC News specials. |
| 1988 | Edgar C. Whisenant | Former NASA engineer self-published 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988, selling 4.5 million copies; featured on Trinity Broadcasting Network and in The Washington Post. |
| 1994 | Harold Camping | The radio host’s initial calculation via Family Radio reached millions; aired on 1,500+ stations and reported by CNN as a growing cult-like phenomenon. |
| 2011 | Harold Camping | Predicted the Rapture on May 21 and Jesus’ return by October 21; billboards and global coverage by BBC, The New York Times, and AP reported follower upheaval. |
| 2025 | Joshua Mhlakela, a South African preacher | In a June 2025 YouTube (viewed nearly 500,000 times), Mhlakela claimed a divine vision where Jesus, seated on his throne, told him: “The Rapture is upon us… On the 23rd and 24th of September 2025, I will come back to the Earth.” He tied it to Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish Feast of Trumpets), sparking the #RaptureTok trend on TikTok. |
He is Not Here Yet
These predictions all failed. I have a personal internal joke that if someone predicts the return of Jesus on a certain date you can be assured that Jesus will not return on that date and the person making the prediction is not hearing from God. Anyone who claims to know the date clearly has ignored the plain text of the Bible. Jesus told the disciples that no one knows the day nor the hour. It is that simple. When Jesus comes back it will be like a thief in the night. His return will be unexpected.
What the Bible Tells Us
We know that Jesus is coming back. But we don’t know when so how did we end up with the idea that he is coming soon? How is 2000+ years and counting considered soon? To answer this question, I want to look at what the key authors of the Bible had to say on the topic.
We will start with the apostles, then the disciples and finally Jesus himself in this survey.
James
James an apostle half brother of Jesus
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5:7-9 ESV
The Apostle James writes to the church that they need to be patient for the return of Jesus. Like a farmer waiting for the fruit to ripen so we as Christians must be patient. The season will arrive and it is on the way. He does not give us any timeframe but the implication is that the church must be ready for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
Paul
Paul an apostle and author of most of the New Testament
Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 ESV
The Apostle Paul warns the church to not be alarmed when people who claim to be Christians tell us that Jesus has returned. Do not be deceived he writes because when Jesus comes it will be obvious and there are signs like the anti-christ, the lawless one, that point to his return. Paul does not put a timeline on the return of Jesus but the church must have been anticipating it would be soon that Paul would tell them to not be alarmed by predications news that Jesus had returned. Paul is in effect saying when Jesus comes back everyone will know.
John
John one of the 12 disciples of Jesus
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20 ESV
The Disciple John in his book about the end of days quotes the future King Jesus from his vision “I am coming soon.” Jesus himself said that he is coming soon in this vision and every generation since John captured these prophetic vision has been praying and putting hope in the return of Jesus. It could be at any moment. Come, Lord Jesus!
Peter
Peter one of the 12 disciples of Jesus
They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” … But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:4;8-9 ESV
The Disciple Peter wrote this letter to the Christians of his day. Those within the generation when Jesus came back to life who were scoffing “Where is he?” This is hilarious to me like kids in the back of the car are asking are we there yet but the car has not even left the neighborhood. Imagine Peter writing this to the Christians of his day but these words mean even more to the Atheist who through his challenge prompted this post. “Where is the promise of his coming?” Everything continues as it always has and I don’t see any signs of this Jesus. Peter under inspiration of the Holy Spirit tells us that God is not slow to fulfill the promise return of Jesus but he waits on the repentance of everyone who will be saved. Thank you God for your mercy.
Jesus
Jesus the man himself who is God in the flesh
For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. … Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matthew 24:37-39;44
Echoing the same as we read from Peter Jesus tells the disciples that just like in the days of Noah tribulation will come quickly. The return of the King will be swift. It will be terrible for those who have rejected him. And the return of the King will be at an hour we do not expect.
Are you Read for His Return?
When does Jesus return? Dear reader Jesus is returning soon. Ready yourself now while there is today because tomorrow is not promised.
