A segunda vinda de Cristo: sinais e como esperar por Ele

A promessa de que Jesus voltará

Jesus prometeu que voltará de forma visível e gloriosa para reunir o seu povo, julgar o mal e renovar todas as coisas. A história não caminha para o acaso nem para a destruição, mas para o cumprimento definitivo da palavra de Deus.

Antes de ir para a cruz, Jesus consolou os discípulos garantindo que prepararia um lugar e voltaria para buscá-los. Na sua ascensão ao céu, anjos confirmaram aos apóstolos que o retorno aconteceria da mesma maneira visível como Ele partiu.

1 "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.2 In My Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so,I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you.3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will take you to Myself, so that where I am, there you also will be.(John 14:1-3)

10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, then behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them, 11 and they said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven."(Acts 1:10,11)

12 "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to reward each one as his work deserves.(Revelation 22:12)

20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.(Revelation 22:20)

Os sinais que antecedem o retorno

A Bíblia não fornece datas para a volta de Cristo, mas aponta sinais que marcam a história até aquele momento. Jesus alertou sobre o surgimento de falsos líderes, conflitos entre nações, catástrofes naturais e perseguições.

Esses avisos não servem para alimentar pânico, mas para ensinar discernimento. No meio das dificuldades, a pregação do Evangelho por todo o mundo segue como a prioridade da Igreja até o fim.

3 And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"

4 And Jesus answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you.5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many people.6 And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.(Matthew 24:3-6)

9 "Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.10 And at that time many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another.11 And many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people.(Matthew 24:9-11)

12 And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold.13 But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved.(Matthew 24:12,13)

14 This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.(Matthew 24:14)

23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ,’ or ‘He is over here,’ do not believe him.24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and will provide great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.25 Behold, I have told you in advance.26 So if they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them.(Matthew 24:23-26)

11 and there will be massive earthquakes, and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven.(Luke 21:11)

Como será a vinda de Cristo

O primeiro advento de Cristo em Belém foi humilde e reservado, mas o seu retorno será público, inconfundível e pleno de autoridade divina. Ninguém precisará perguntar se aconteceu: todos verão a sua glória manifestada.

O apóstolo Paulo explicou que o Senhor descerá dos céus ao som da trombeta de Deus. Os que morreram em Cristo ressuscitarão primeiro, e os que estiverem vivos serão reunidos a Ele para viver para sempre na sua presença.

29 "But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.30 And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.31 And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet blast, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.(Matthew 24:29-31)

27 For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every person according to hisdeeds.(Matthew 16:27)

25 "There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,26 people fainting from fear and the expectation of the things that are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.28 But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."(Luke 21:25-28)

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore, comfort one another with these words.(1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

Como viver enquanto esse dia não chega

Como ninguém sabe o dia nem a hora da volta de Jesus, a resposta bíblica não é a especulação, mas a vigilância diária. Vigiar significa viver de forma sóbria, praticando a justiça, o amor e a oração no cotidiano.

A rotina corrida, o peso das contas e as distrações da vida podem entorpecer a fé. Por isso, a Escritura orienta a manter o coração firme e atento, trabalhando com fidelidade enquanto o Senhor não vem.

42 "Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.(Matthew 24:42)

44 For this reason you must be ready as well; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.(Matthew 24:44)

34 "But be on your guard, so that your hearts will not be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that this day will not come on you suddenly, like a trap;35 for it will come upon all those who live on the face of all the earth.36 But stay alert at all times, praying that you will have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."(Luke 21:34-36)

7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.(1 Peter 4:7)

23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.(1 Thessalonians 5:23)

7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you eagerly await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.(1 Corinthians 1:7,8)

A bendita esperança de quem crê

Para o cristão, a segunda vinda não desperta terror, mas consolo. É a garantia de que a dor, o luto e as injustiças deste mundo têm prazo de validade. Aquele que começou a boa obra na vida do crente é quem virá para completá-la.

Saber que Jesus voltará traz descanso para enfrentar os dias difíceis: a última palavra sobre a vida humana pertence a Deus, e a promessa da redenção eterna é certa.

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and in a godly manner in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, eager for good deeds.(Titus 2:11-14)

28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.(Hebrews 9:28)

6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.(Philippians 1:6)

8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.(2 Peter 3:8)

28 Now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not draw back from Him in shame at His coming.(1 John 2:28)

11 I am coming quickly; hold firmly to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.(Revelation 3:11)