Jesus will return literally and bodily for the final resurrection and judgment
Churches of Christ affirm the literal, bodily, visible return of Jesus Christ as the event that will bring human history to its consummation. At his return, the dead will be raised, the living transformed, and all will stand before God in judgment. The return of Christ is certain, though its timing is unknown.
Churches of Christ have generally been non-speculative about the timing and sequence of end-time events. The fellowship's Restoration-movement roots generated skepticism toward dispensationalist systems and their elaborate prophetic timelines. The focus is on faithfulness in the present rather than on prophetic charts. The core affirmation — that Christ will return to judge the living and the dead — is non-negotiable.
Key Distinctions
- Return expectation:
- literal, visible return of Christ preceded by signs
- Tribulation view:
- preceded by tribulation; no separate pre-trib rapture
- Parousia nature:
- bodily, visible, glorious return of Christ to earth for judgment
Scripture References
Sources
- Alexander Campbell, The Christian System (1839)
- Gospel Advocate (official publication)