How long until the second coming of christ?

and in what sense does he return? literally? or is it some thing like 'when we all accept his teachings'. i mean ive read things saying that it should be very soon and one book went as far as saying something along the lines of that if the second coming doesnt occur within a few years then all of christianity is wrong but im still confused... and what do you think will happen when christ returns... and what happens after hes returned? will it be like in the left behind series or something else? and what does the bible say about that antichrist does it leave any clues?