Christ’s Second Coming

Scriptures which Headline the Rapture

We will meet Christ in the air

We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have died with faith in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not be taken up before those who have died with faith in him. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven ¼ and those that have died with faith in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up† together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

­1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Two...one taken, the other left

No ones knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the son of Man. ¼ Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and the other left. –Matthew 24:36-41

In the twinkling of an eye

We will not all die, but we will all be changed­ in a moment in the twinkling of an eye¼ the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

­1 Corinthians 15:51-52

The word Rapture

†Caught up. The Latin verb is rapto, from which we get our English word rapture. It also means to snatch and to carry off. This is different than the resurrection. The res-urrection implies that there was a death.

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death.­Hebrews 11:5. Likewise when Christ comes for the resurrection of the righteous dead, saints living then will not die, but will be caught up, snatched, carried off, raptured, and with the resurrected saints meet the Lord in the air. Maranatha! [Our Lord Comes!]

Christ’s Second Coming

Phase I

The Rapture

The Book of Revelation hints about the Rapture, that phase of Christ’s 2nd coming to take the true believers to Heaven before the great tribulation.

Christ 1st Coming— not one event

It consisted of many events over a period of time. These events include his virgin birth, his baptism by John, his teaching, his miracles, his rejection by Israel, his betray-al, his trial, his crucifixion, his resurrection and his ascension.

Christ’s 2nd Coming­ not one event

It will consist of many events over a period of time. The two appearances of Christ’s 2nd coming are distinguished by the words Rapture and Revelation and are separated in time by the seven year tribulation.

Will the church be in the tribulation?

Since you have kept my command to en-dure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. ­Revelation 3:10 See 1 Thess. 1:10

As a thief in the night

I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. ­Revelation 3:5

Watch therefore

If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. ­­Matthew 24:43-44

Capsule 2nd Coming as The Rapture

•  Christ comes as a thief in the night.

•  Christ comes FOR his church- to heaven.

•  Christ’s feet do not touch the earth.

•  Christ meets the saints in the air.

•  Christ comes as the Bridegroom.

•  Christ comes alone.

•  Christ comes to reward his saints.

•  Christ’s coming denotes end- church age.

Christ’s Second Coming

Phase II

The Revelation

The Book of Revelation headlines the the Revelation of Christ, that phase of Christ’s 2nd coming to make things right that had gone wrong.

Every eye shall see Him

Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him.

So shall it be! Amen. ­Revelation 1:7

The end of death

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away ¼ He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

­Revelation 21:1-4

The end of the Devil

And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of fire, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

­Revelation 20:10

The end of the curse

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal ¼ No longer will there be any curse¼ and his servants shall serve Him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night¼ and they will reign for ever and ever.

­Revelation 22:1-5

Amen, come Lord Jesus­ Revelation 22:21

Capsule 2nd Coming as The Revelation

•  Christ comes... every eye shall see him.

•  Christ comes WITH his church- to earth.

•  Christ’s feet touch the Mt. of Olives.

•  The saints rule/reign with Christ on earth.

•  Christ comes as the King.

•  Christ comes with the armies of heaven.

•  Christ comes to judge the world.

•  Christ’s coming denotes end- Satan’s age