“For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.” — Acts 17:31 (BSB)
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command… and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them… to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (BSB)
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth… ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people… and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…’” — Revelation 21:1–4 (BSB)
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom…” — 2 Timothy 4:1 (BSB)
The Nicene Creed affirms: “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.”
Jesus will judge the world in righteousness. All people will stand before His throne. Those who are in Christ will be welcomed into eternal life; those who rejected Him will face everlasting separation (Matthew 25:46). There will be no hiding or appeal—the Judge is also the Savior who once bore our judgment Himself.
The Thirty-Nine Articles, in Article IV and Article VII, teach that Christ will return “to judge all men at the last day,” and that His return is tied to “everlasting life” for those who are His.
Bishop J.C. Ryle wrote: “The second advent of Christ shall be as literal and personal as the first. He shall come, not in weakness but in power—not to suffer, but to reign—not to be judged, but to judge.”
To draw from a variety of conservative contemporary Anglicans: Archbishop Ben Kwashi (Nigeria) says: “Jesus is coming again—not in humility, but in glory. We must live every day in light of that day, when justice and mercy will meet and all things will be made new.” Rev. Dr. Esau McCaulley (Anglican Church in North America) writes: “The return of Christ is not an escape from the world, but the renewal of it. His coming again is the restoration of justice, the lifting of the humble, and the end of all sorrow.” Canon Dr. Chris Sugden (UK, Anglican Mainstream) notes: “Jesus’ return is the vindication of the Church’s hope. It assures us that truth will be revealed, wrongs will be righted, and the Lordship of Christ will be seen by all.”
At His return, the dead will be raised—the righteous to resurrection life, the wicked to judgment (John 5:28–29). He will usher in the new heavens and the new earth, where sin and suffering will be no more. God’s dwelling will be with His people, and the curse of the Fall will be reversed.
This truth calls us to watchfulness, holiness, and hope. Anglican liturgy often prays: “Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.” The return of Christ is not merely future theology—it is present motivation for faithful living.
Cyril urged Christians to live with readiness and joyful expectation.
St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD): “He who came in humility to be judged will come again in glory to judge. Let every soul consider how it stands before His tribunal.” — Sermon 18
Augustine emphasized the reality and gravity of Christ’s return in judgment.
St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–202 AD): “When He comes again, the righteous will rise incorruptible, and creation itself will be restored to its original beauty.” — Against Heresies, V.36.1
Irenaeus taught the restoration of creation through Christ’s glorious return.
St. Justin Martyr (c. 100–165 AD): “The Lord shall come from heaven with glory, and those who believe in Him shall rise and reign with Him, while the ungodly face judgment.” — Dialogue with Trypho, 52
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.
An Ancient Worship Movement invites readers into the rich, historic worship of the early Church rediscovered through the Anglican tradition. This book calls believers into a deeper, Spirit-filled encounter with Christ through timeless practices.
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