Christ will return to judge the living and dead; watchfulness and readiness required
The New Apostolic Church affirms the second coming (Parousia) of Jesus Christ as a central Christian doctrine. Christ will return at the end of time in power and glory to judge all people, both the living and the dead. This return will be real, visible, and glorious, not merely spiritual or invisible.
The church emphasizes the imminence of Christ's return and calls believers to constant watchfulness and readiness. While the precise timing is unknown and unknowable, believers are urged to live in a state of continual expectation that Christ could return at any moment. This eschatological awareness shapes the ethical and spiritual life of the believer.
At Christ's return, He will perfect all things and establish His eternal kingdom. All believers will be judged according to their deeds and their response to God's grace. The faithful will be vindicated and enter eternal life, while those who have rejected God will face eternal judgment. The second coming thus provides both a note of hope for believers and a serious warning to those who persist in rejecting God's offer of salvation.
Scripture References
Sources
- NAC Catechism on Christ's return
- Christian eschatological tradition