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The second coming of Christ was compared by a prophet of God to a slowly developing sunrise: "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings..." (Malachi 4:2, King James Version).

How the second coming of Christ will begin:

Scriptural statements about the second coming of Christ are fragmentary and scattered. I believe the best point to gather the various statements around is the proclamation of two angels at the Ascension of Jesus Christ 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" (Acts 1:11). There are three accounts of the ascension, Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51, and Acts 1:9. By reading these in context, we are able to piece together what happened just prior to, during, and just after the Ascension. This is important since "in like manner" would take related happenings into account. Therefore, our study of the Ascension must be expanded to Mark 16:14-20, Luke 24:33-53, and Acts 1:1-14, at least. There is no discrepancy between the "as far as to Bethany" of Luke 24:50 and "returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet" of Acts 1:12, since Bethany was on the eastern slope of the Mount ofOlives.

There was a sequence of events leading up to the Ascension. There was a meeting in Jerusalem of church members including the eleven apostles at which Jesus appeared, rebuked them, ate a meal with them, and taught them. Then a portion of them, apparently the eleven apostles, were led by Jesus toward Bethany, apparently teaching them along the way. Then while the Ascension was happening, we have the statement by two angels that "in like manner" Jesus would return. Then those witnessing the Ascension returned to the gathering of church members in Jerusalem. Since certain phrases in translations are vague on details, it is good to read the accounts in several different translations, perhaps even looking at some of the Greek words involved.

Now obviously "in like manner" could not be a repeat of the sequence, but must be reversed in order to have Jesus returning. When we reverse the sequence, I get this result. Among Christian believers will be those expecting Christ's return. "And at midnight there was a cry made [I would guess by angels], Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him" (Matthew 25:6). Those able to quickly respond to this summons (Hebrews 9:28) may witness Jesus descending from a cloud. I would imagine that He will teach them. They would then carry their witness and tidings to larger groups of Christians, who would meet to discuss what is being claimed. Then confrontations would take place between Christ and those supposed to be doing his work on Earth (Malachi 3:1-5; Luke 12:35-48). The net result would be that the church would be cleansed and inspired to accomplish its final tasks before the thousand year reign of Christ begins.

I would also group Isaiah 52:10 with these events. "The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of God." I interpret "the eyes of the nations" as referring to those guided by the Holy Spirit, and who can thereby see the kingdom of God (see John 3:3).

Here are some scriptures concerning the earlier stages of our Lord's return:

Isaiah 59:19-20, King James Version:
"When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord."

Malachi 3:1-5, King James Version:
"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me; and the Lord whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in; behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap; and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years. And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts."

Luke 12:35-48, Helen Montgomery's translation:
"Let your loins be girded about and your lamps burning; and be yourselves like men who are looking for their lord, on his return from a wedding-banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they may at once open the door for him. Happy are those slaves whom their master shall find watching when he comes. I tell you truly that he will gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and come and serve them. And whether it be in the second watch, or in the third, that he comes, and so finds them, happy are those slaves. However, you know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Do you also be ready, for in an hour that you think not the Son of man is coming." "Master," said Peter, "are you speaking this parable to us or to all alike?" The Lord answered: "Who then is that faithful steward, the wise man whom his lord will put in charge of his household to give out their rations in due time? Blessed is that slave whom his master on his coming shall find so doing. Of a truth I tell you that he will put him in charge of his possessions. But if that slave should say to himself, 'My master delays his coming,' and should begin to beat the men and the maids, and to eat and drink and to get drunk, that slave's master will arrive on a day when he is not expecting him, and at an hour when he knows not, and will surely scourge him, and appoint him his portion with the unfaithful. The slave who knew his Lord's will, and made not ready, nor did according to his will, will be beaten with many lashes, but he who did not know, but did things worthy of a beating, will receive few lashes. To whom much has been given, from him much will be required, and to whom much is entrusted, of him they will ask the more."