There is much world-wide speculation and apprehension regarding the approach of the new Millennium, which begins with the year 2000 AD. However, this is merely a date on the calendar, and does not mean that the thousand year reign of Christ on the earth begins on that date. Many world leaders, in government, economics, as well as in religious circles have spoken of changes to take place at the end of this century. But the year 2000 will not see the prophesied return of Jesus Christ to the earth. Many have set dates for the return of Christ but their claims have proved to be false--He did not come as they predicted. His second coming is clearly foretold in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Jesus Himself promised that He would come again (John 14:3) and when He ascended 40 days after His resurrection, the Apostles were told, "This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). But, when asked when He would return, He said, "And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many" (Matthew 24:11), and, "of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the father alone" (Matt 24:36).
There are two phases of His second coming.
The first will be to meet His church "in the air"(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This is called "the rapture" which means "a catching up" of all New Testament believers. It will include those who have died and will be raised from the dead along with those living at that time, all with new bodies like His glorified body (Philippians 3:20-21, and 1 Corinthians 15:51-57). Jesus will not come to the earth at this time, but "In the clouds" where the raptured church will meet Him, go with Him to the place He has gone to prepare (John 14:1-3), and then "always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
The second phase of His return will be to the earth with the armies of heaven, defeating those of the nations in the final battle of the Armageddon Campaign (Revelation 16:16; 19:19-21).
Following this will be the beginning of the millennial [thousand year] kingdom of Christ on earth. It will also be the time when "His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east" (Zechariah 14:4). This is the spot on earth from which He ascended to heaven after His resurrection (Acts 1:9-12). The 7 year period just preceding Christ's return is known as " the tribulation" foretold by Jesus in Matthew Chs. 24-25, and graphically described in Chs. 6-19 of the Revelation. It is the 70th "week" [of 7years] of Daniel's prophecy (Daniel 9:27). It is called "the time of Jacob's distress" (Jeremiah 30:7), and "The Day of the Lord" (Isaiah 13:6). During this time, the antichrist will rule over the earth, and God's judgment will fall upon the Christ rejecting world. Since the rapture takes place before the tribulation begins, the return of Jesus to the earth will be at least 7 years later.
The rapture is imminent [could happen at any time], therefore it is impossible for anyone today to set a date for Jesus' return to the earth. References to conditions in the "last days" such as those in 2 Timothy 3:1-9, apply to any time in church history, but they intensify toward the end of this period, and they certainly fit today's picture, suggesting that the time of the rapture is coming nearer. In the words of Jesus, ". . . When these things begin to come to pass, then look up . . . for your redemption draweth near" (Luke 21:28 KJV). Chaotic world conditions such as natural disasters, wars and rumors of wars, economic failures, famines, disease, etc. lead one to think of the judgments of God described in The Book of the Revelation. No doubt they are foreshadowings of them, and may be considered signs that point to Christ's eventual return.
To be ready for the rapture, one must be saved from sin through faith in Jesus Christ, "who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us out of this present evil age" (Galatians 1:4). The Christian's life is one of glad anticipation, "Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus" (Titus 2:13).