There has been so much confusion over the two future comings of Christ, that I have decided to make a comparitive list of them side by side. It is my hopes that this will sweep aside all doubts to the Biblical distinctions between the two.
Rapture Coming |
2nd Coming |
Reason for Jesus' Coming
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To get His bride "the Church" to marry her in heaven before His 2nd coming to earth. And for the Church to escape the Tribulations to come.
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To save the nation of Israel, destroy His enemies (esp the AntiChrist, Beast, and False Prophet), and set up his 1000yr kingdom at Jerusalem.
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How far down will Jesus come.
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Come down to the clouds in the atmosphere.
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All the way down to the ground, the Mt. of Olives across from the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
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When will His coming be.
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No one knows day or hour. We are told no information of what must happen before rapture can take place.
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The 1st seal is the AntiChrist and we know the AntiChrist sets up a 7 yr covenant with Israel, breaks it 1/2 thru and will sit in Temple as God.
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Things preceding
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A falling away "apostasy" from God's truth, false teachers of the "law", false teachings of the resurrection (rapture)
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The AntiChrist confirming a covenant with Israel, the False Prophet doing miracles, The 7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 bowls all precede the 2nd coming. Also before, will be 2 witnesses who have power to call down fire from heaven, turn water to blood, and prevent rain. Their deaths and bodies on display will be seen around the world and their rapture will be followed by a city splitting earthquake.
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Where will the Church be.
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The Church is caught up into the air and taken to His Father's house (Heaven) to be with Jesus. From then on the Church is in Heaven where she is married to Jesus, just before the 2nd coming.
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The Church comes down with Jesus.
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Who will see Him come.
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Just the Church as no one else is looking for Him.
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Everyone on the whole earth.
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The Bible says clearly that we, as believers in Christ, will be grabbed from the earth to meet Jesus in the air and then head off to where Jesus is which is Heaven. We will not be doing yo-yo of going into the air and then coming back down to earth. Here is the verses that prove this.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (KJV)
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
You'll notice there is no mention of the 1000yr reign of Christ here nor any mention of us coming back down to earth. We will be with the Lord and the Lord is where? In Heaven.
Also Jesus himself indicates He is building homes for us in Heaven and that He, like a bridegroom will come and take us to live with Him. The mansions are in His Father's house which is IN HEAVEN.
John 14:2-3 (KJV)
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Lastly if you think this is escapism, it is. After all Jesus called it ESCAPE from the tribulations he described.
Luke 21:36 (KJV)
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to ESCAPE ALL THESE THINGS that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (KJV)
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
You'll notice there is no mention of the 1000yr reign of Christ here nor any mention of us coming back down to earth. We will be with the Lord and the Lord is where? In Heaven.
Also Jesus himself indicates He is building homes for us in Heaven and that He, like a bridegroom will come and take us to live with Him. The mansions are in His Father's house which is IN HEAVEN.
John 14:2-3 (KJV)
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Lastly if you think this is escapism, it is. After all Jesus called it ESCAPE from the tribulations he described.
Luke 21:36 (KJV)
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to ESCAPE ALL THESE THINGS that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
As you can see Jesus coming for the Church is complete different in all respects to Jesus coming in the so called 2nd coming as described in Revelation. People recently are insisting that to be ready for the rapture one has to be busy for the Lord. This is unBiblical and mirrors many cults like the Jehovah's Witnesses who go as far to say when Jesus returns, any who are caught not prostilizing at that moment will be left behind and can end up in losing your salvation, ending up in Hell.
Rather the Bible states clearly that all believers in Jesus will be caught up in the Rapture. Beware those who try to make it works dependent because salvation is a free gift from God. You can't do anything to make yourself more saved and you can't do anything to make yourself unsaved. God says He does not change His mind from moment to moment like humans do.
How to be truly be ready for the Rapture.
The only way to be TRULY ready for Jesus return for His return for His bride, the Church, is to believe in Jesus for your salvation. For Jesus is coming back to catch up those who are his.
Rather the Bible states clearly that all believers in Jesus will be caught up in the Rapture. Beware those who try to make it works dependent because salvation is a free gift from God. You can't do anything to make yourself more saved and you can't do anything to make yourself unsaved. God says He does not change His mind from moment to moment like humans do.
How to be truly be ready for the Rapture.
The only way to be TRULY ready for Jesus return for His return for His bride, the Church, is to believe in Jesus for your salvation. For Jesus is coming back to catch up those who are his.
Mark 16:16 [Jesus speaking the Great Commission]
He that BELIEVETH and is baptized SHALL BE SAVED; but he that BELIEVETH NOT SHALL BE DAMNED. Acts 16:31 And they said, BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Romans 10:13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. |
Yes is really just that simple. Pray this prayer and accept the Lord Jesus by believing in him today.
Dear Lord God. I know I am a sinner and need your gift of salvation from my sins. I BELIEVE IN JESUS, the Son of God, as my personal Savior. I believe that His death on the cross and resurrection provides forgiveness for ALL my sins past, present, & future. Please forgive all my sins and come into my heart and life. I hereby trust in Jesus FINISHED WORK alone, and NOT upon me & my "good works", as sufficient to make me right with you and fit for Heaven. Please forgive ALL my sins and come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Seal me with your Holy Spirit until the day you come to take me home. In your Son Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Christians aren't called to suffer the same .
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Ancient Jewish Wedding info
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Jewish Feast of Trumpets info
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Who is the Restrainer of the AntiChrist
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Additional Links:
- http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Believer's%20Corner/Doctrines/rapture.htm
- http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Believer's%20Corner/pretribulation_rapture.htm