The Crown and the Throne: The Glorious Objective of Christ’s Return
The Return Question: Is the Goal Judgment or a Kingdom?
The final event promised in Scripture—the Second Coming of Jesus Christ—is often overshadowed by modern debates concerning the logistics of the event, namely, the timing of the Rapture. Yet, to fixate solely on the exit of the Church is to miss the magnificent, universal purpose of His final appearance. The ultimate objective of the Lord’s Return is not merely to execute judgment upon a rebellious world, but to fulfill all covenant promises and inaugurate a Glorious Earthly Kingdom ruled by Christ Himself.
This detailed examination, drawing on the King James Version (KJV), establishes the dual and inseparable purposes of that Great Day: Judgment and the Millennial Kingdom.
I. Introduction: More Than Just an Exit Strategy
While we cherish the hope of the resurrection and translation of the saints—the “catching away” described by the Apostle Paul—the greater, climactic event is the visible, decisive return of the King of Kings to this earth. The true hope is not simply escaping from the world, but reigning upon it with our Lord.
The foundational truth is the certainty of His final, physical appearance, ensuring that the work of redemption is fully and finally realized on the very ground that witnessed His crucifixion.
Acts 1:11 (KJV): “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.“
II. The Purpose of Judgment: Clearing the Ground
Before the promised peace can be established, righteousness must be upheld. The Return of the Lord is preceded by a necessary action of judgment—a divine act of war that clears the stage of all human and demonic rebellion.
The Defeat of the Adversary and the Beast
Christ’s descent from Heaven is not a quiet arrival, but a cataclysmic military action that brings an immediate and decisive end to the final human rebellion and the rule of the Antichrist (the Beast). Judgment is therefore a righteous necessity to secure the environment for the Kingdom.
Revelation 19:11, 15 (KJV): “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war… and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.“
The Binding of Satan
The arch-enemy, the source of all war and wickedness, must be removed from the equation. The binding of Satan is the prerequisite for the world to experience the true, perfect peace of the Messianic Kingdom.
Revelation 20:1–2 (KJV): “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,“
III. The Kingdom Objective: The Lord Shall Be King
The central, enduring, and glorious objective of the Second Coming is the fulfillment of all covenant promises made to Israel and the world: Christ will establish His literal, visible throne on Earth. This is the Millennial Kingdom—a thousand years of perfect, personal rule.
Establishing the Millennial Throne
The prophecies declare that following the victory, the Lord will take the position of authority over all nations. His rule will not be merely spiritual or symbolic; it will be a literal, geopolitical dominion exercised from Jerusalem.
Zechariah 14:9 (KJV): “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.”
Righteous Rule and Universal Peace
The characteristics of this Kingdom stand in stark contrast to the governments of man. It will be a time of perfect justice, universal peace, and the visible presence of the Lord. War will be utterly abolished, and creation itself will find a degree of restoration.
Isaiah 11:4–5 (KJV): “But with righteousness shall he judge the poor… And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.“
Isaiah 2:4 (KJV): “…and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.“
The Saints Reign with Him
The greatest honor awaits the redeemed: they will not simply be spectators to the Kingdom, but active participants. The resurrected and translated saints return with Christ to co-rule the world, acting as priests and administrators of His perfect government. This fulfillment solidifies the ultimate purpose of the ages—man restored to a position of dominion under the rule of the Greater Man, Jesus Christ.
Revelation 20:4, 6 (KJV): “and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years… Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.“
IV. Conclusion: A Sure and Present Hope
The Lord’s Return is not merely an event of final judgment, though that is a necessary act of His holiness. It is the culmination of human history—the great goal toward which all history bends: the personal, visible establishment of God’s sovereignty over the entire Earth, headquartered in the glorious reign of His Son.
This truth provides an anchor that moves the believer beyond speculative curiosity and into active commitment, focusing on the character and purpose of the returning King. Our calling is to hold fast to this certain hope, loving His appearing above all else.
2 Timothy 4:8 (KJV): “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.“