The return of Jesus Christ isn’t just a theological concept to debate or a distant future event to speculate about. It’s the ultimate hope that should shape how we live today. Whether His return happens in our lifetime or generations from now, Scripture calls us to live with constant readiness, as if it could happen at any moment. This isn’t about living in fearful anxiety but in joyful anticipation of seeing our Savior face to face.
The problem is that daily life has a way of dulling our sense of expectancy. We get caught up in career goals, relationship struggles, financial pressures, and a thousand other concerns that, while legitimate, can cause us to lose sight of what matters most. Jesus warned that many would be caught off guard, living as if His return were impossible or irrelevant. But those who truly understand the promise of His coming live differently. They invest in what lasts, love with urgency, and maintain hope even in the darkest circumstances because they know this story has a glorious ending.
Bible Verses That Prepare Us for Christ’s Return
1. John 14:2-3 – I Will Come Back and Take You
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
New International Version (NIV)
2. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 – The Lord Himself Will Come Down
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
English Standard Version (ESV)
3. Revelation 22:20 – Yes, I Am Coming Soon
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
New King James Version (NKJV)
4. Matthew 24:42-44 – Keep Watch, You Do Not Know
So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
New Living Translation (NLT)
5. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 – We Will All Be Changed
Listen! I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6. Acts 1:11 – This Same Jesus Will Come Back
They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7. Mark 13:32-33 – About That Day or Hour No One Knows
But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
King James Version (KJV)
8. Titus 2:13 – While We Wait for the Blessed Hope
while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
9. 1 John 3:2-3 – We Shall Be Like Him
My dear friends, we are God’s children, and what we will be hasn’t been made completely clear. But we do know that when Christ appears, we will be like him, because we will see him as he truly is. This hope makes us keep ourselves holy, just as Christ is holy.
The Message (MSG)
10. 2 Peter 3:10-12 – The Day of the Lord Will Come
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a [mighty and thunderous] roaring sound, and the [material] elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and the works that are on it will be burned up. Since all these things are [destined] to be dissolved and destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be [in the meantime] in holy behavior and godliness [displaying lives of spiritual maturity characterized by godly conduct and moral courage; lives that endure], looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the [material] elements will melt with intense heat!
Amplified Bible (AMP)
11. Luke 21:27-28 – Look Up, Your Redemption Is Drawing Near
Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.
New English Translation (NET)
12. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 – The Day of the Lord Will Come
For you know very well that the Day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. When people are saying, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains come on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in the dark, so that this day would overtake you like a thief. For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. So then, we must not sleep, like the rest, but we must stay awake and be sober.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13. Matthew 25:1-13 – The Parable of the Ten Virgins
At that time God’s kingdom will be like ten girls who took their oil lamps and went to wait for the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The five foolish girls took their lamps, but they did not take more oil with them. The wise girls took their lamps and more oil in jars. Because the bridegroom was late, they became sleepy and went to sleep.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
14. Philippians 3:20-21 – Our Citizenship Is in Heaven
We, however, are citizens of heaven, and we eagerly wait for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven. He will change our weak mortal bodies and make them like his own glorious body, using that power by which he is able to bring all things under his rule.
Good News Translation (GNT)
15. 2 Timothy 4:8 – The Crown of Righteousness
Now, a crown is waiting for me—a crown for being right with God. The Lord, the judge who judges rightly, will give the crown to me on that day—not only to me but to all those who have waited with love for him to come again.
New Century Version (NCV)
16. James 5:7-8 – Be Patient Until the Lord’s Coming
Therefore be patient, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. Notice how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient for it until it receives the early and late rains. You, too, be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the coming of the Lord is near.
International Standard Version (ISV)
17. Hebrews 9:28 – To Bring Salvation to Those Who Are Waiting
so also Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time—not to deal with sin, but to deliver those who eagerly wait for Him.
Tree of Life Version (TLV)
18. 1 Peter 1:13 – Set Your Hope on the Grace to Be Given
Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be sober-minded and set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Lexham English Bible (LEB)
19. Matthew 16:27 – The Son of Man Will Come
For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will render to everyone according to his deeds.
World English Bible (WEB)
20. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 – When the Lord Jesus Is Revealed
and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire, rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
American Standard Version (ASV)
21. 1 Corinthians 1:7-8 – As You Eagerly Wait for Our Lord
so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ; who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
22. Revelation 1:7 – Look, He Is Coming with the Clouds
Behold, he is coming amid the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. All the peoples of the earth will lament him. Yes. Amen.
New American Bible (NAB)
23. Matthew 26:64 – You Will See the Son of Man Coming
Jesus saith to him: Thou hast said it. Nevertheless I say to you, hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Douay-Rheims Bible (DRB)
24. Luke 12:40 – You Also Must Be Ready
Be ye also ready: for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.
English Revised Version (ERV)
25. Revelation 3:11 – I Am Coming Soon
Lo, I come quickly; be holding fast that which thou hast, that no one may take thy crown.
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)
26. 1 Peter 4:7 – The End of All Things Is Near
But the end of all things has drawn near: be sober therefore, and be watchful unto prayer.
Darby Translation (DARBY)
27. 2 Peter 1:16 – We Were Eyewitnesses of His Majesty
For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of His majesty.
Weymouth New Testament (WNT)
28. Daniel 7:13 – One Like a Son of Man Coming
Y was biholdynge in the visyoun of nyyt, and lo! as a sone of man cam with the cloudis of heuene; and he cam fulli til to the elde of dayes, and in the siyt of hym thei offiriden hym.
Wycliffe Bible (WYC)
29. Matthew 24:30 – They Will See the Son of Man Coming
And then shall appeare the signe of the Sonne of man in heauen: and then shall all the kinreds of the earth mourne, and they shall see the Sonne of man come in the cloudes of heauen with power and great glorie.
Geneva Bible (GNV)
30. 1 Thessalonians 3:13 – May He Strengthen Your Hearts
To the ende he may stablishe your heartes vnblameable in holynes before God, euen our father, at the commyng of our Lorde Iesus Christe with all his saynctes.
Bishop’s Bible
31. Colossians 3:4 – When Christ Appears
When Christ which ys oure lyfe shall shewe him sylfe then shall ye also appere with him in glory.
Tyndale Bible
32. Jude 1:21 – Keep Yourselves in God’s Love
Stay always within the boundaries where God’s love can reach and bless you. Wait patiently for the eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy is going to give you.
The Living Bible (TLB)
33. Revelation 19:11 – I Saw Heaven Standing Open
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and wages war.
The Passion Translation (TPT)
34. 2 Peter 3:14 – Make Every Effort to Be Found Spotless
Dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, do your best to live pure lives that are without wrong and without blame. Try to be at peace.
The Voice Bible (VOICE)
35. Mark 13:26-27 – They Will See the Son of Man Coming
At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. He will send his angels all around the earth to gather his chosen people from every part of the world.
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Preparing for Christ’s Return
Scripture presents Christ’s return not as a terrifying judgment day for believers, but as the culmination of our salvation and the fulfillment of every promise God has made. The preparation isn’t about frantic last-minute spiritual housecleaning, but about living each day with the awareness that our time here is temporary and our real home is with Jesus. This perspective transforms everything from how we handle conflict to how we spend our money to how we treat people who annoy us.
The biblical emphasis on readiness isn’t meant to create anxiety but anticipation. We’re not waiting for a cosmic surprise attack but for the return of someone who loves us desperately and has gone to prepare a place for us. The “thief in the night” language refers to the unexpectedness of timing, not the nature of His coming. For those who belong to Him, His return will be the most joyful reunion imaginable, the end of pain and the beginning of perfect fellowship with God.
What’s remarkable is how this future hope affects present living. Those who truly believe Jesus is coming back live with different priorities, deeper peace, and greater courage because they know this world’s troubles are temporary and God’s promises are eternal.
Say This Prayer
Lord Jesus, we confess that it’s easy to get so caught up in the concerns of this life that we forget You’re coming back for us. The daily pressures, the endless news cycle, and the immediate needs that demand our attention all have a way of making Your return feel distant or theoretical. Help us to live with genuine expectancy for Your coming.
Prepare our hearts to meet You face to face. Show us areas where we need to surrender more fully to Your lordship. Help us to invest our time, energy, and resources in things that will matter for eternity rather than just temporal success. Give us boldness to share the gospel with urgency, knowing that time is short and people need to hear about Your love.
Keep our hope alive when circumstances make it hard to believe that You’re really coming back. Help us to encourage one another with this blessed hope, especially when discouragement or despair tries to take root in our hearts. We want to be found faithful when You return, not ashamed or unprepared.
Until that day, help us to live as citizens of heaven while serving You faithfully on earth. Even so, come Lord Jesus! In Your precious name, Amen.