The Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ are two separate end times events described in the Bible. Though sometimes confused, they are distinct and occur at different times.
The Rapture
The Rapture refers to the event where Jesus Christ will descend from heaven and take believers up to meet him in the air. As Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (ESV):
“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”
This event is believed to occur before the period of intense persecution and trials known as the Tribulation. Those who have put their faith in Christ will be spared from God’s coming wrath upon the earth (1 Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9).
Some key points about the Rapture:
– It is the return of Christ in the clouds, but not all the way to earth
– Those who have died in Christ will be resurrected and given glorified bodies
– Living believers will be transformed and caught up into the air to meet Christ
– It marks the removal of the church from the earth before the Tribulation
– The exact timing of the Rapture is debated among Christians
The Rapture is considered a source of hope and encouragement for believers, that they will be reunited with Christ and spared from divine judgment.
The Second Coming
The Second Coming refers to the physical, bodily return of Jesus Christ to earth at the end of the Tribulation. In contrast to the Rapture, Christ descends all the way to earth. His coming is described in Revelation 19:11-16:
“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war…From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”
At the Second Coming, Christ defeats His enemies, judges unbelievers, and establishes His literal thousand-year reign on earth. This marks the beginning of the Millennium period described in Revelation 20.
Some key points about the Second Coming:
– Christ returns bodily and physically to the earth
– He comes with power and glory on a white horse
– He comes to wage war and judge the nations
– He defeats the Antichrist and False Prophet
– Satan is bound and cast into the Abyss
– Christ rules and reigns on earth for 1,000 years
– The Second Coming culminates God’s plan for human history
While the Rapture brings deliverance for believers, the Second Coming brings judgment for unbelievers. The Rapture precedes the Tribulation, while the Second Coming concludes it.
Contrast Between the Rapture and Second Coming
Here are some key differences between the Rapture and the Second Coming:
Destination:
– Rapture: Christ gathers believers up into the clouds to meet him in the air
– Second Coming: Christ returns physically to earth
Purpose:
– Rapture: To deliver the church from wrath and judgment
– Second Coming: To defeat enemies, judge rebels, and establish Christ’s kingdom
Timing:
– Rapture: Occurs before the Tribulation
– Second Coming: Occurs at the end of the Tribulation
Impact on Believers:
– Rapture: Believers are gathered to Christ and receive glorified bodies
– Second Coming: Believers accompany Christ back to earth
Wrath:
– Rapture: Believers are spared from divine wrath
– Second Coming: Unbelievers experience divine wrath
Scripture References:
– Rapture: John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
– Second Coming: Zechariah 14:1-4, Matthew 24:29-31, Revelation 19:11-21
In summary, while both events involve Christ returning, the Rapture and Second Coming are distinct in their timing, purpose, destinations, and impact on believers versus unbelievers. The Rapture delivers the church out of the way of the Tribulation, while the Second Coming concludes God’s plan and ushers in Christ’s kingdom on earth.
Debate Over the Rapture’s Timing
There are three main views regarding when the Rapture will occur in relation to the Tribulation period:
Pretribulation – The Rapture happens before the Tribulation begins. This spares believers from undergoing divine wrath.
Midtribulation – The Rapture happens halfway through the 7-year Tribulation, protecting believers from the last 3.5 years of intense persecution.
Posttribulation – The Rapture happens at the very end of the Tribulation just before the Second Coming. Believers endure the trials but are gathered before final judgment.
Each view uses various scriptures and arguments to support its timing. The pretribulation position is the most widely held among evangelical Christians today. However, biblical scholars continue to debate over which view best interprets the complexities of end times prophecy.
Regardless of one’s view, all agree that Christ promises to deliver his church in one way or another from the coming period of judgment (Revelation 3:10, 1 Thessalonians 1:10). The exact sequence and timing awaits future fulfillment.
Events Preceding the Rapture
What signs or events will precede the Rapture? While no signs necessarily prefigure the Rapture itself, several developments will set the stage for end times events:
– The Gospel Preached Worldwide – Before the end, Christ’s Great Commission to make disciples of all nations will be fulfilled (Matthew 24:14).
– Apostasy in the Church – Many will abandon true faith in Christ and sound doctrine, instead following deceitful teachings and philosophies (1 Timothy 4:1-2, 2 Timothy 4:3-4).
– Geopolitical Chaos – Wars, violence, and commotions among nations will increase as the spirit of antichrist stirs up instability (Matthew 24:6-7).
– The Rise of the Antichrist – This charismatic world leader will gain global influence but prove to be satanically empowered and opposed to Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).
– Accelerating Immorality – As in the days of Noah and Lot, society’s wickedness will increase, evidencing mankind’s need for divine judgment (Luke 17:26-30).
– Natural Disasters – Earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places will signal the earth’s turmoil as the end approaches (Luke 21:11).
– Persecution of Believers – Hostility toward Christ’s followers will grow as the influence of lawlessness spreads (Matthew 24:9-13).
While the timing remains unknown, these prophecies foreshadow coming global chaos that will precipitate the Tribulation and subsequent Second Coming. The expectant church eagerly awaits Christ’s promised return to gather believers unto himself.
Events After the Rapture
After the Rapture removes the church from the scene, the world stage will be set for several monumental end times events leading up to the Second Coming:
– The Rise of the Antichrist – This satanically-empowered charismatic leader will promise peace but ruthlessly dominate the globe (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12).
– The Mark of the Beast – The False Prophet will force humanity to worship the Antichrist and receive his mark of allegiance, 666 (Revelation 13:16-18).
– Unprecedented World Chaos – War, famine, plagues, natural disasters, and societal breakdown will wrack the planet under Antichrist’s reign (Revelation 6-18).
– The 144,000 Evangelists – 12,000 witnesses from each of Israel’s tribes will boldly proclaim the gospel amid the chaos (Revelation 7:1-8).
– Two Witnesses – These prophets of God will warn of coming judgments until the Antichrist kills them (Revelation 11:3-13).
– Seven Seal, Trumpet, and Bowl Judgments – These progressively intensifying divine judgments will punish the unbelieving world (Revelation 6, 8-9, 15-16).
– The Vials of Wrath – These final plagues signal Christ’s Second Coming to overthrow the Antichrist’s kingdom (Revelation 16).
This 7-year period of unparalleled calamity will validate biblical prophecy and evince mankind’s need for divine intervention, paving the way for the Second Coming.
Events of the Second Coming
The climax of the Tribulation will be the glorious Second Coming of Christ. Major events include:
– The Sign of the Son of Man – The sky will go dark and Christ will appear in the heavens in power and glory (Matthew 24:29-30).
– The Gathering of God’s People – Angels will gather God’s elect, including surviving believers and newly resurrected saints (Matthew 24:31).
– The Defeat of Antichrist’s Forces – Christ will utterly destroy the assembled armies of the Antichrist and False Prophet (Revelation 19:19-21).
– The Binding of Satan – An angel will seize Satan, bind him in chains, and lock him in the Abyss for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1-3).
– The Judgment of the Nations – Christ will judge all nations based on how they treated “the least of these” (Matthew 25:31-46).
– The Millennial Kingdom – Christ will establish His literal thousand-year reign on earth, centered in Jerusalem (Revelation 20:4-6).
– The Great White Throne Judgment – After the Millennium, all the dead stand before God’s throne to be judged (Revelation 20:11-15).
– The New Heaven and Earth – God will remake creation for eternity, ushering in the perfect kingdom (Revelation 21-22).
Christ’s Second Coming thus concludes God’s plan, ushering in the eternal state. The unimaginable glory that awaits Christ’s return should inspire hope in all believers.
Practical Applications
How should these truths impact our lives as believers today?
– Have hope – Christ promised to return for us, whether at death or his coming (John 14:2-3).
– Stay sober-minded – Don’t be caught unprepared like those in Noah’s day (Matthew 24:37-39).
– Purify yourselves – Make sure your heart is right before the Lord (1 John 3:2-3).
– Look upward – Eagerly anticipate his coming, which draws nearer each day (Romans 13:11-12).
– Serve faithfully – Use your gifts to advance God’s kingdom until Christ returns (Matthew 25:14-23).
– Share the gospel – Help fulfill the Great Commission before God’s patience ends (2 Peter 3:9).
– Walk in hope – Study prophecy to see how God’s plan culminates in glory (2 Peter 1:19).
Far from being a peripheral doctrine, the Second Coming and related events are a central driver of how we live. With eternity in mind, may we actively prepare for Christ’s return, whenever it may be.
Conclusion
The Rapture and Second Coming, though sometimes confused, are distinct end times events according to Scripture. The Rapture will remove the church from earth before the Tribulation, while the Second Coming will conclude God’s wrath and establish Christ’s millennial reign.
Examining the purposes, timing, and other differences between the two illuminates God’s amazing prophetic plan. Despite ongoing debate over some details, the big picture reveals God’s faithfulness, sovereignty, and glory.
As believers, we await with joyful anticipation the day when the “trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:52). Maranatha! “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).