The second coming of Christ

The Bible teaches that as we await Christ's return, we must submit to those in authority over us—parents, teachers, government leaders, and church leaders. This obedience is not just about following rules; it's about recognizing that authority comes from God. When you obey your school principal's regulations or your parents' instructions, you're actually showing respect for God's order in society.

Think about how Nigerian churches organize themselves with pastors, bishops, and deacons leading congregations. Members follow these leaders' spiritual guidance, and this structure helps maintain discipline and unity as they prepare spiritually for Christ's coming. Paul's letters emphasize that obeying legitimate authority keeps society stable and allows us to live peacefully while waiting for Christ's return.

Disobedience to authority leads to chaos and sin, moving us further from God's plan. Jesus Himself submitted to authority, even unto death, showing us the example to follow.

Good citizenship means being a responsible member of your society who contributes positively to the community. As Christians, the expectation of Christ's return should motivate us to live righteously and serve others faithfully. Requirements of good citizenship include obeying laws, respecting authority, paying taxes, helping the vulnerable, and promoting justice. Think of someone like a nurse working in a public hospital in Lagos who treats every patient with dignity despite poor conditions—that's good citizenship in action. Christians believe that Christ will judge us based on how we treated others and served society. This teaching reminds us that our daily actions matter and that we should pursue peace, honesty, and selfless service to our communities. Being a good citizen isn't just about following rules; it's about living out Christian values of love and compassion in practical ways that benefit everyone around us.

The dignity of labour means that all honest work has value and deserves respect, regardless of whether the job is considered high or low status. This concept teaches us that a person who sweeps streets or works as a plumber is just as honourable as a doctor or lawyer, provided they work honestly and diligently. In Christian teaching, work is not punishment but a blessing from God that allows us to contribute meaningfully to society and develop ourselves.

Think about the traders in Alaba International Market in Lagos. Whether someone sells phone accessories, operates a shop, or manages the market, their work has dignity because they're serving customers honestly and supporting their families through their efforts. This reflects the principle that labour itself is noble.

Labour refers to work or effort, and the Bible teaches that work itself is a blessing from God, not a curse. When we labour, we experience several benefits that strengthen us spiritually and materially. First, work provides purpose and dignity, helping us develop character traits like diligence, responsibility, and perseverance. Second, labour enables us to earn income to support ourselves and our families, reducing dependency and promoting self-reliance. Third, through our work, we contribute meaningfully to society and can serve others. Think of a Nigerian trader who wakes early daily to sell goods in the market—this person gains honest income, builds community relationships, and experiences the satisfaction of productive effort. The Christian perspective views labour as honourable, reflecting how God himself worked during creation. This teaching prepares believers to work diligently while awaiting Christ's return, maintaining purpose and integrity in their daily lives.

The concept that no particular kind of work leads to salvation or readiness for Christ's second coming is crucial to Christian theology. Whether you're a doctor, lawyer, trader, or farmer in Nigeria, your profession doesn't determine your spiritual standing before God. What matters is your faith, repentance, and moral conduct.

A successful Lagos businessman might accumulate wealth but lack genuine faith, while a market woman in Ibadan with little money could possess deep spirituality. Neither their success nor their struggles prepare them for Christ's return through their work alone. Jesus emphasized that entry into God's kingdom depends on believing in Him and living righteously, not on occupational status.

This teaches us that spiritual preparation transcends earthly positions or achievements. Every believer, regardless of their career, must focus on personal relationship with God.

The Second Coming refers to Jesus Christ's prophesied return to earth at the end of time. Christian teaching emphasizes that this event will be sudden and unexpected, as warned in Matthew 24:36. Understanding this doctrine connects to how believers should treat themselves and others with respect right now, because we're accountable before God's judgment seat.

When people lose respect for personal dignity—their own or others'—they ignore that humans are made in God's image. A Nigerian example would be the growing problem of cyberbullying among secondary school students, where peers mock and demean classmates online without considering the lasting psychological damage. Belief in Christ's return should motivate Christians to protect human dignity rather than destroy it through harmful behavior.

The doctrine teaches that living morally today matters eternally. Your actions reflect your readiness for judgment.

The Second Coming refers to Jesus Christ's promised return to Earth at the end of time. Before this happens, the Bible teaches that certain signs will appear. These include wars and rumours of wars, famines, earthquakes in various places, and the spread of false prophets claiming to be Christ. You'll also see increased wickedness, love growing cold among people, and the gospel being preached to all nations. In Nigeria today, you can observe some of these signs—conflicts in various regions, natural disasters, and many self-proclaimed prophets misleading people in churches and on social media. Jesus warned His disciples to watch for these signs so they wouldn't be caught unaware. Understanding these markers helps Christians live morally and stay spiritually alert.

The Bible teaches that Christ will return, and Christians must prepare spiritually for this event. Preparation means living a holy life by obeying God's commandments, staying away from sin, and maintaining a strong relationship with Jesus through prayer and Bible study. Just like a student prepares for JAMB by studying consistently, Christians must prepare by being watchful and ready at all times.

Preparation also involves spreading the Gospel message to others so more people can be ready. In Nigeria, many churches organize crusades and revival meetings to help people prepare spiritually. Additionally, Christians are called to live morally upright lives, showing love to neighbours and serving communities faithfully.

Being prepared means having faith that Christ will return and living accordingly—not just believing in words, but demonstrating it through actions.

When Jesus returns to earth, the Bible teaches that several major events will occur. First, there will be a great resurrection where all the dead in Christ will rise from their graves. The living believers will be caught up to meet Him in the air, while unbelievers will face judgment. Like when a principal makes a surprise visit to a school and everyone must account for their actions, so too will all humanity stand before Christ to answer for their deeds. The righteous will enter eternal life in heaven, while the unrighteous face eternal separation from God. Natural disasters and cosmic signs will accompany His coming—the sun will darken and stars will fall. This event will mark the end of the current world order and the beginning of God's eternal kingdom where Christ will reign forever.