“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” — 2 Corinthians 5:10 (BSB)
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him…” — Matthew 25:31–32 (BSB)
“Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done.” — Revelation 22:12 (BSB)
“Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.” — John 5:28–29 (BSB)
His second coming will bring final justice to the world. In Matthew 25, Jesus describes the nations being gathered before His throne, and each person receiving according to their deeds. As 2 Corinthians 5:10 confirms, we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. This judgment will be righteous, impartial, and inescapable. John Stott once wrote, “The return of Christ will reveal the final and public outcome of every person’s response to the Gospel.” For those in Christ, it will be a day of vindication and reward; for those who rejected Him, it will be a day of reckoning.
The Thirty-Nine Articles affirm this truth in Article IV: “Christ… ascended into heaven, and there sitteth… until He return to judge all men at the last day.” Anglican worship reflects this anticipation in the Book of Common Prayer, especially in the creeds, which regularly affirm His return in judgment and glory. The liturgy prepares us to live in readiness, often praying, “That at the last day we may rise with Him and be made like unto Him in His eternal glory.”
Bishop J.C. Ryle emphasized the importance of this doctrine: “The second coming of Christ ought to be the grand object of hope, joy, patience, and desire to all true believers.” Likewise, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali has written, “To confess that Christ will judge the living and the dead is to affirm that this world is not random or meaningless—justice will be done, and righteousness will reign.” This belief calls Christians to holy living, courageous witness, and enduring hope.
Therefore, we await His return with awe and expectation. He will raise the dead, gather His Church, separate the righteous from the wicked, and usher in the new creation. To confess this is to take comfort that evil will not have the last word and that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. As Revelation 22:12 says, “Behold, I am coming soon.” Until then, we live by faith, serve in hope, and look for the blessed appearing of our great God and Savior.
Irenaeus stressed the physical return of Christ and the final judgment of all humanity.
Tertullian (c. 155–220 AD) stated: “We believe that Christ will come again, and we believe it because He has promised it… to judge the righteous and the wicked with justice.” — Apologeticus, 3
Tertullian affirmed the universal scope of Christ’s judgment and the certainty of His return.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 313–386 AD) taught: “We preach not one coming of Christ, but a second also… He shall come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end.” — Catechetical Lectures, 15.1
Cyril emphasized the two comings of Christ—first in humility, second in majesty.
St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD) wrote: “He who came to be judged will come to judge. He who stood before a human court will return with angelic hosts and divine authority.” — Sermon 18.4
Augustine contrasted Christ’s first and second comings to highlight His future glory and justice.
St. Gregory the Great (c. 540–604 AD) said: “Let us not dread His coming as judge, if we long for Him as Redeemer. The day of judgment is terror to the reprobate, but joy to the faithful.” — Homilies on the Gospels, 29
Gregory urged believers to prepare for Christ’s return with repentance and joyful hope.
An Anglican Catechism (Expanded) offers over 350+ Scripture-based answers to the core truths of the Christian faith. Each entry includes biblical texts, theological insight, and reflections from historic and contemporary Anglican voices. Rooted in the classical tradition, it is designed for teaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation.
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