No one really knows when Jesus’s Second Coming will be. What we do know is that He will come again. Angels declared to His Apostles, “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). In Matthew 24, we learn of some of the events and signs that will precede the Savior’s Second Coming.

The scriptures contain many prophecies of the signs that will precede the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Some of these signs are taking place now, and some are yet to be fulfilled. No one knows the exact time of the Second Coming, but if you live each day as if Jesus were coming tomorrow, the “when” isn’t as important. You will be prepared and excited to meet Him. The signs of the Second Coming can give you hope, even if some of them seem a bit scary.

Wars and natural disasters

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

—Matthew 24:6–7

The Restoration of the gospel

The Apostle Paul prophesied that Jesus would not come again “except there come a falling away first” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Jesus’s original Church splintered as the Apostles were killed and people turned from the truth (see 2 Timothy 4:3–4). But the Bible also speaks of “restitution of all things” (Acts 3:21) before the Second Coming.

The book of Revelation states, “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth” (Revelation 14:6). Latter-day Saints believe this prophecy was fulfilled by the angel Moroni and other heavenly messengers, who appeared to Joseph Smith and bestowed upon Him the authority necessary to restore the Church of Jesus Christ.

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The gospel preached to all the world

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

—Matthew 24:14

Jesus sent forth His Apostles “by two and two” (Mark 6:7) to preach the gospel to the Jews. After Jesus’s Resurrection and Ascension into heaven, Peter was commanded by the Lord in a vision to take the gospel to all people (see Acts 10). The epistles of Paul document some of these missionary journeys throughout Asia and Greece.

Today, missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints continue the work of preaching to all the world. There are around 411 missions established around the world, from Angola to Zimbabwe. Missionaries collectively speak over 50 languages.

Learn even more signs of the Second Coming

Although the term “the Rapture” is never specifically used in the Bible, many Christians use the term to refer to the verses in the New Testament that describe the righteous being swept up to meet Jesus when He returns during the Second Coming. In modern times, some have used the term to describe the belief that the righteous followers of Christ will be removed from the earth prior to the tribulations that the Bible teaches will precede the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the term “rapture” is not generally used, nor do we believe that the righteous will be removed from the earth prior to the period of tribulation that will precede Jesus Christ’s return. Instead, we teach that those who have faith and follow God’s commandments need not fear these tribulations, as they will have the power of the Holy Ghost to comfort and guide them through the challenging times that will lead up to Jesus Christ’s joyous Second Coming.

Church service times vary from congregation to congregation. However, you can always count on one main worship service for everyone, followed by classes for children, youth, and adults.

The service for everyone is called “sacrament meeting.” This meeting consists of songs, prayers, and sermons (or “talks”) given by different members of the congregation every week. But the most important part of the meeting is when we take the sacrament (which is similar to Communion) to remember the Savior.