Three Pillars of the Lord’s Return
The glorious and certain return of our Lord is founded upon immutable doctrines that stand against all speculation and doubt. These tenets, drawn from the King James Version (KJV) of Holy Writ, form the defensive bulwark of the prophetic truth, guaranteeing the ultimate triumph of the righteous.
The First Pillar: The Literal and Visible Return
The first foundational truth is that the Lord’s Second Coming will not be a secret event, a gradual spiritualization, or a movement of human reform. It will be a literal, physical, and universally visible manifestation of divine power. This is the explicit testimony of scripture, leaving no room for subjective interpretation.
When the Lord descends, the entire world will bear witness, and His arrival will be accompanied by overwhelming glory. This truth ensures that all who are anticipating His return will see Him, and all who have rejected Him will be confronted by His majesty.
“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
— Matthew 24:30 (KJV)
The Second Pillar: The Order of the Resurrection
The second essential doctrine pertains to the sequence of the faithful at Christ’s return, often referred to as the First Resurrection. This doctrine teaches that the dead in Christ will be called forth from the grave before the living saints are changed. This event is not chaotic, but a precise, divinely orchestrated calling that initiates the final transformation.
This sequence is a promise of hope and comfort, confirming that those who have died in faith have not been forgotten, but will be the first to inherit immortality at the sound of the archangel’s voice.
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:16 (KJV)
The Third Pillar: The Change to Immortality
The third pillar of this truth addresses the transformation of the righteous who are alive when the Lord returns. Immediately following the resurrection of the dead, the living saints will undergo an instantaneous, miraculous change from mortality to immortality. This transformation is necessary because human flesh and blood, being corruptible, cannot inherit the incorruptible Kingdom of God.
This change happens in the briefest imaginable moment, fulfilling the mystery promised through the prophets. It marks the culmination of salvation for the saints and their preparation to meet the Lord in the air.
“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 (KJV)
Conclusion
These three pillars—the Literal Visibility, the Resurrection Order, and the Instantaneous Change—form the unshakeable foundation for understanding the Lord’s Return. They define a singular, climactic event that is both physical and spiritual, confirming the detailed presentations found in Defence of the Truth.