There is a difference between the Second Coming of Christ and the Day of the Lord.
- The Second Coming of Christ is “for salvation”, Heb 9:28.
Heb 9:28 (RSV) so Christ, having been offered “once” (First Coming) to bear the sins of many, will appear a “second” time (Second Coming), not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Unbelievers do not eagerly wait for Jesus, so they cannot see/perceive the Kingdom of God, John 3:3.
The Second Coming of Christ is when an individual repents from unbelief and God sends Jesus to come into their heart, Acts 3:19-20.
Ac 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
- The “Day of the Lord” is for Judgement or desolation, Zeph 1:15.
Zep 1:15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,
Most Christian people believe that the “Second Coming” is a future event. This opinion is not based on the bible but is the result of not recognizing the distinction between the Second Coming and the Day of the Lord.
“The Day of the Lord” is a future event. The judgment of the “Day of the Lord” is designed by God to guide a person into righteous behavior.
Joel 1:15 (RSV) Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is near, and as destruction from the Almighty it comes.
The Day of the Lord is a time of Evaluation/Judgment, wherein the Lord allows the Devil limited access to a believer’s life in order to promote their correction, 1 Cor 11:32.
1 Thess 5:2 For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
Unbelievers do not receive Christ and allow God to lead them into righteous behavior. They are not judged according to a Covenant that they choose not to be a part of, Rm 5:13.
Ro 5:13 For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed (reckoned) when there is no law.
Recognizing these things clears up many scriptural misunderstandings.