Throughout the centuries, few topics in Christian theology have generated as much hope, speculation, and confusion as the Second Coming of Jesus.
What did Jesus actually declare about his return?
And how do the revelations of The Urantia Book expand upon the Gospel narratives to clarify the nature, timing, and ultimate purpose of his reappearing?
When we examine the New Testament alongside the broader insights of Paper 176, a remarkably harmonious picture emerges—one that shifts our focus away from apocalyptic fear and toward the spiritual transformation of humanity.
The New Testament Foundation:
Watchfulness and Unknown Timing!
In the Gospel accounts of the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21), Jesus addresses his disciples’ questions regarding the end of the age and his return. His core message rests on two primary principles:
The Hour Is Unrevealed: Jesus explicitly stated that no human, angel, nor even the Son in his earthly state knew the exact date ("about that day or hour no one knows... but only the Father," Matthew 24:36).
Preceding Conditions and Signs: He pointed to widespread spiritual deception, global turmoil, and—most importantly—the proclamation of the gospel to all nations (Matthew 24:14) before the culmination of the age.
A Globally Visible Reality: He emphasized that his return would not be a secret, localized event, but as obvious and universal as lightning flashing across the sky (Matthew 24:27).
Clarifications from The Urantia Book: Resolving the Early Misconceptions
In The Urantia Book (specifically Paper 176: "Tuesday Evening on Mount Olivet"), the revelation directly mirrors these New Testament truths while shedding light on why early believers struggled to understand them.
According to Paper 176, the early apostles inadvertently merged three distinct events into a single apocalyptic expectation:
--The immediate physical destruction of Jerusalem (which occurred in A.D. 70).
--The end of the Jewish dispensation and the transition into the gospel age.
--The ultimate termination of the age and the personal return of the Son.
Because these concepts were blended, early Christians expected a cataclysmic, immediate return within their own lifetimes. The Urantia Book clarifies that Jesus fulfilled his promise of an immediate spiritual presence through the bestowal of the Spirit of Truth at Pentecost (Paper 194), allowing him to abide within every open heart.
At the same time, his promise to return personally remains an absolute certainty. Section 4 of Paper 176 confirms that Michael (Jesus) will indeed visit Urantia again—not in judgment or physical destruction, but as the supreme, undisputed Sovereign of his local universe. Furthermore, as the planet progresses into future epochs, he may visit his bestowal world repeatedly across the unfolding eras of Light and Life.
The Real Purpose: The Universal Father and the Gospel of Love
This brings us to the core purpose underlying all true missionary endeavor and spiritual work.
The true gospel that Jesus proclaimed is simple, profound, and transformative: the direct, loving Fatherhood of God and the resulting spiritual sonship and brotherhood of all humanity.
The fundamental goal of sharing this truth is not institutional expansion or the imposition of rigid dogmas. It is to enable every person on Earth to know the Universal Father and to understand the nature of His Universe Government—a system built entirely on divine love, mercy, and mutual, selfless service.
Jesus indicated that when this revelation of divine love has been proclaimed across the globe, and when humanity matures into the "fullness of the age," the planet will be prepared for its next higher spiritual dispensation. When he returns in his full glory as the Creator Son and Spirit Head of our universe, he will find a world awakened to its place in the divine family.
Living in Constant Readiness
Ultimately, both the New Testament and The Urantia Book lead us to the exact same practical conclusion: we are not called to calculate dates, decode timelines, or live in fear of cataclysmic doom.
We are called to live in active spiritual watchfulness—translating the reality of God’s love into daily service, sharing the good news of our divine sonship, and preparing our world for the continual unfolding of the Father’s kingdom.
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