Jesus was placed on this earth for a profound purpose, to save all of mankind as a ransom for Adam.

1 Corinthians 15:22, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 

Because of Adam’s sin, all his posterity were born under a death sentence. Adam was created a perfect human being and could eat from the Tree of Life. If Adam had continued to eat its fruit, he could have lived forever (see Genesis 3:22.) However, because Adam sinned and could no longer eat the life-giving fruit, his body slowly degenerated into death. We are all imperfect and destined to die.

Jesus came to this world to lift mankind back to perfection. How?

1 Timothy 2:5-6, “…the man Christ Jesus who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”

“Ransom” means what is given in exchange for another as the price of redemption, a corresponding price to something of equal value. Jesus freely gave up his perfect human life as payment – a corresponding price – to ransom Adam’s life out of death. Once the ransom is applied, Adam and all his descendants will be raised from the dead in God’s future kingdom.

To whom does this ransom apply? “A ransom for all” – not just believers or who God chooses here and there, but ALL. All of Adam’s descendants (Jew and Gentile, Christian and non-Christian, etc…) will be a part of the general resurrection.

Jesus returns a second time to restore mankind back to perfection during his millennial reign. This opportunity to regain perfect life is also called the times of restitution (restoration).

Acts 3:19-21 (KJV), “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;  and He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” 

During Christ’s reign, the powers of earth’s sinful governments, church organizations and social orders will be destroyed. But the literal earth and heaven will not be destroyed. Christ will replace the current corrupt systems and will rule in righteousness. Earth will be brought back to perfection. 

2 Peter 3:8-10 (KJV), “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, …but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens (symbolic of corrupt religious institutions) shall pass away with a great noise, and the (social and political) elements shall melt with fervent heat (great trouble, Daniel 12:1), the earth also and the (corrupt) works that are therein shall be burned up (the fire of God’s jealousy, Zephaniah 3:8). Isaiah 4:4 (KJV), “When the Lord shall have washed away the filth…by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.”

Soon Matthew 6:10 will be fulfilled, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

Additional Resources:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1185: “What Are the True Reasons for Jesus’ Return to Earth?”
Uncovering the remarkable and inspiring mission of Jesus’ return
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

Episode #1194: “Could Jesus Return Without You Knowing?”
Revealing the three scripturally progressive phases of Jesus’ return
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

PDF Booklet: Our Lord’s Return