Even the most casual reader of the Old and New Testaments must conclude that God, through his Messiah (Anointed One), intends to one day judge the universe—men, angels, and demons—and fulfill his plan of the ages by implementing an eternal Theocracy.  The Old Testament is full of references to this future event, and the Apostle Paul consistently reaffirmed this and called it the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ [Titus 2.13].  The prophet Daniel predicted:

Daniel 7:13,14…I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven.  He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.  He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him.  His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Another Old Testament prophet added:

Isaiah 9:6,7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.  He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.  The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. 

The prophet Zechariah elaborated further:

Zechariah 12:8-10  On that day the Lord will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the Angel of the Lord going before them.  On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.  And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and supplication.  They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. 

Comparing just these three examples with David’s prophecy of the Messiah’s death in Psalm 22, and it’s fulfillment in John 19 and Revelation 1:7 proves with little doubt that the coming, reigning, and judging Messiah is none other than Jesus of Nazareth!

Jesus, himself, spoke of his return and the end of the age extensively in Matthew 24 & 25.  After considerable tribulation, Christ would establish world order, punish the unrighteous, and reward his righteous.  Paul devoted a portion of several letters to the discussion of Jesus’ return. 

1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:3 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.  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.  Therefore encourage each other with these words.

Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly….

Apostle Peter told it this way:

2 Peter 1:16-21; 3:1-13 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  …and we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.  Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation.  For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 

…Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you.  I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.  I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.  First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.  They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised?  Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”  But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water.  By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.  By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

But do not forget this one thing… the Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.  But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.  The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? 

There has been continued debates and speculation when Christ’s return will be, and where it will fall within other anticipated End Times events.  There's considerable disagreement over other particular aspects of what and how things will happen.  What is far more important is the fact that it will happen some time in our future. 

The Blessed Hope is more than just the appearance of the Messiah, it is the restitution of all things as they should be.  It’s the ultimate triumph of sovereign grace over human works, the eventual vindication of good over the struggle with evil.  It's the termination of all disease and our ultimate enemy—death.  All wrongs will be repaid; all the rights will be rewarded.  Full and unrestricted access to the Father will finally be restored.