Set Your Mind on the Grace to Come and Be Free: Dr. Douglas Groothuis on Christ’s Return
What reason do Christians have to believe that Jesus Christ is coming again — and how should that certainty change the way they live today?
During Cornerstone University’s Community Chapel, students, faculty and staff explored those questions with Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D., distinguished university research professor of apologetics and Christian worldview. His message continued Cornerstone’s 2026–27 Theme of the Year, “Jesus Is Coming Again!” He began with hope, grace, obedience, and holiness:
“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” — 1 Peter 1:13–15
From this passage, Dr. Groothuis established what Scripture teaches about Christ’s return: The same Jesus who came to earth, died, rose from the dead and ascended to heaven will return physically and visibly. His return will be unmistakable and decisive, although no one knows when it will occur.
“The second coming is Christ coming in the same way that he left visibly and physically and everyone is going to know it. Let’s get the doctrine straight and defend it Biblically against counterfeits,” he said.
But why should anyone believe that a man who lived 2,000 years ago, died, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven will one day return?
Dr. Groothuis believes Christians can provide reasons based on evidence for their hope. He pointed to the New Testament as reliable historical testimony grounded in eyewitness accounts, Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in Christ, His miracles and predictions that came to pass. Most importantly, Christ rose from the dead — the event Dr. Groothuis described as foundational to Christianity itself.
“He’s got the credentials to back up the claim,” Dr. Groothuis said. “You should believe it and you should act on it by following him.”
Students were urged to set their hope on the grace and freedom to come when Jesus Christ returns.
“You’re free to deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow Christ into the adventure of the kingdom of God. That’s freedom. Holiness is freedom, not bondage.”
Dr. Groothuis will continue the conversation as a featured speaker at the Cornerstone University Christian Apologetics Conference, Deconstructing Doubt: Faith and Truth in Today’s World, November 13–14, 2026. Open to everyone, the conference will help you explain why Christianity is true, respond to its challenges and critics, and faithfully share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in today’s culture.
About Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D.
Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D., is distinguished university research professor of apologetics and Christian worldview at Cornerstone University and an internationally recognized Christian philosopher and apologist. Through Cornerstone Theological Seminary, he also prepares seminary students to defend Biblically grounded truth, live out their faith daily and point the culture to Jesus Christ and His Gospel.
