I assume you’re referring to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Who is “God manifest in the flesh”…see 1st Timothy 3:16). The answer to your question is a definite NO, Jesus has not yet returned, for if He had everyone would know it. We will now show from Scripture that the Second Coming of Christ has TWO PHASES, and that with each phase there will be dramatic events that occur when He does come. The “two phases” are often referred to as 1) the Rapture; and 2) the Revelation.

1) The RAPTURE was first announced by the Lord Jesus Himself in John 14:2-3, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN AND RECEIVE YOU TO MYSELF; that where I am, there you may be also” (NKJV). Jesus was speaking to His eleven disciples that believed on Him yet these words apply to all believers. The day is coming when Jesus will “come again and receive all believers to Himself!” He will then take them home to the “Father’s house” in heaven to be with Him forever. The Apostle Paul wrote of this same event in more detail in 1st Thessalonians 4:16-17, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” Words simply can’t describe what this will mean for everyone who has trusted in Jesus Christ as their Savior! The Lord will descend to the atmosphere right above us and with a shout He will call all who have died believing on Him and all who are still alive that believe on Him. As stated above, the world will know that something dramatic has occurred, for millions of people will disappear from earth in a split second (see 1st Corinthians 15:51-52). I’m sure you will agree that nothing like this has ever happened and thus we know that the Coming of Christ to take believers home to glory is still future.

2) The REVELATION of Jesus Christ is described in many portions of Scripture. We believe the Bible teaches that approximately SEVEN YEARS after the Rapture, Jesus will “come again and be REVEALED to the whole world.” Unlike the Rapture, where only believers will hear His shout and be summoned to glory, the REVELATION will involve Jesus coming in great power and glory TO THE EARTH to set up His glorious kingdom. Here are a few scriptures that speak of this grand event.

In Matthew 24:29-30 we read, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” Let’s also read Revelation 1:7, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and EVERY EYE WILL SEE HIM, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.” It is clear that this “phase” of the Second Coming of Christ is very different than His first phase (the Rapture). His Coming here will literally be SEEN BY ALL and it will strike terror into many hearts and cause others to mourn. Why will it cause many to be terrified? Our next passages of Scripture give us the answer.

In 2nd Thessalonians 1:6-9 we read, “Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is REVEALED FROM HEAVEN WITH HIS MIGHTY ANGELS, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.” When Jesus Christ returns to earth He will JUDGE UNBELIEVERS! All of His enemies will be subdued, as we see in Revelation 19:11 & 15, “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He JUDGES AND MAKES WAR…Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of almighty God.” These words should be taken literally, for Jesus Christ will return as the “warrior King” (the King of kings, and Lord of lords, as we see in verses 16-17) to destroy all who have rejected Him as their Savior and Lord. It will indeed “strike terror” in their hearts as He “strikes the nations!”

We all know that nothing like this has ever happened before so once again we can say with certainty that “the Second Coming of Christ is still future.” We could fill many pages to describe what this event will mean for the world, for not only will unbelievers be judged, but there will be believers on the earth who will enter Christ’s 1,000 year kingdom and they will be blessed beyond measure. I would encourage you to read the following scriptures on this grand subject (Psalm 2:1-10; 72:1-19; Isaiah 2:1-4; 11:1-13; 42:1-4; 60:1-1-61:6; 65:18-25; Jeremiah 23:3-8; Zechariah 14:1-9; Matthew 19:28; 25:31-34; Ephesians 1:10; Revelation 20:1-6).  (383.5)  (DO)