In A Course in Miracles (ACIM), the concept of the Second Coming is reinterpreted and spiritualized compared to traditional Christian beliefs. The Second Coming is not understood as a future event in which Jesus will return to Earth, but rather as a collective, inner awakening to the Christ within.
According to ACIM, the Second Coming is the collective shift in perception from fear to love, from the ego’s separation and conflict to the recognition of oneness and unity with all creation. It represents a universal acceptance of the Atonement, the correction of errors and the healing of the mind.
The Second Coming is seen as a process rather than a singular event. It’s something that happens within each individual as we relinquish the ego’s illusions, forgive, and awaken to our true nature as the Christ. As more of us undergo this transformation, the collective consciousness shifts, and the Second Coming unfolds.
In this understanding, Jesus is seen as an elder brother who has accomplished this shift and is a symbol and a guide for others on the path. He is not coming again in form but is present in the minds and hearts of those who seek to awaken to their true identity.
So, in ACIM’s teachings, the Second Coming is a metaphor for the inner transformation and awakening that leads to the realization of our divine nature. It’s a process that is ongoing and available to all, transcending traditional interpretations of a physical return of Jesus.
The following Workbook lessons may help you deepen your understanding of this concept:
- Lesson 75: “The light has come.”
- Lesson 100: “My part is essential to God’s plan for salvation.”
- Lesson 135: “If I defend myself, I am attacked.”
- Lesson 137: “When I am healed, I am not healed alone.”
- Lesson 139: “I will accept Atonement for myself.”
- Lesson 182: “I will be still an instant and go home.”
- Lesson 241: “This holy instant is salvation come.”
- Lesson 300: “Only an instant does this world endure.”
These lessons emphasize themes such as healing, forgiveness, our role in salvation, and the recognition of our true identity in God, which are integral to understanding the Second Coming as taught in ACIM.
The Manual for Teachers in ACIM also contains a section titled “The Second Coming,” which elaborates on this concept. Combining the study of these lessons with the Manual’s section and engaging with them through meditation and practical application will enhance your understanding.