As history is moving forward and events of today are unfolding before our very eyes, there have been A LOT of conversations going on, in Christian and non-Christian circles, about the world coming to an end, the Rapture of the Church, and the Second Coming of Christ. Needless to say, there is some real confusion when it comes to the chronological order of these events. There are some who would argue that the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ are the exact same event. I do not believe that is true and Scripture doesn't support that belief.
“Is the Rapture a distinct event from the Second Coming of Christ? Aren’t they really two phases of one event? These often asked questions are important and need to be discussed. There are some similarities between Rapture passages and Second Coming passages. This, of course, would be expected because in both groups of Scripture passages, it is the same Lord Jesus who comes, sometime in the future, from heaven to have dealings with people. He comes in the clouds of His glory and is accompanied by holy angels. But such similarities do not require that they are the same event, or that they take place at the same time. When observing the main passages dealing with the Rapture (1 Thess. 4:13-17; 1 Cor. 15:51-53; John 14:1-3) and those dealing with the Second Coming (such as Joel 3:12-16; Revelation 19:11-21; Zech. 14:1-5; Matt. 24:29-31), certain differences are seen.” (Perhaps Today: Christ Could Come Again Today, Mal Couch, Th.D. and Paul Benware, Th.D., p.43.)
It would be good for us, as believers, to have a better understanding of the order of these two events: the Rapture (catching away) of the Church (all true believers who are alive when the Rapture occurs), and the Second Coming of Jesus to the earth, that is, when He actually walks on the earth again.
Below are some of the key differences that need to be understood so that we, as true believers, can better understand these two events.
Differences between the Rapture and the Second Coming (Ibid., p.44-45):
1. At the Rapture, believers in Christ meet the Lord Jesus in the air, whereas at the Second Coming, the Lord comes to the earth, specifically to the Mount of Olives. No Second Coming Scripture refers to a meeting in the air.
2. Closely connected with the above observation is that after the meeting in the air, the Lord returns to the Father’s house in heaven with His saints. At the Second Coming, Jesus goes to the earth and remains there.
3. Rapture Scriptures stress the fact that the Lord comes to bless His people with the final aspect of their salvation. Believers will be given new bodies and experience their long awaited glorification (Romans 8:30). Judgment of the earth or of unbelievers is not found. In clear contrast, the Second Coming places great emphasis on the terrible judgments that will fall on unbelievers. Such judgment is not associated with the Rapture, but it is certainly a key part of the Second Coming.
4. At the Second Coming the kingdom of Messiah is established. That is, in fact, the reason why Jesus the Messiah will come to the earth. In the Rapture passages, there is no mention of the Messianic (Millennial) kingdom being set up. This would be expected because Jesus, at that time, has returned to the Father’s house [with His Church] and has not come to take back the planet from the evil one and bring in the long awaited reign of Messiah.
5. The Second Coming event has numerous clear and unmistakable signs that will precede it. Jesus spelled them out with great clarity in Matthew 24. There are no signs that are given to signal the approach of the Rapture. Rather, the Rapture is again and again seen as an imminent (at any moment) event.
6. The Rapture occurs prior to the pouring out of the wrath of God on the earth, while the Second Coming takes place after the wrath of God has been concluded. The Church of Jesus Christ has been promised exemption from the end times wrath of God. But the Second Coming is actually part of God’s wrath, in that it brings to an end the final aspects of God’s wrath on the earth.
7. At the Rapture, all believers are removed from the earth leaving only unbelievers on the planet. In contrast, at the Second Coming, all unbelievers are removed from the planet and only believers are left (to enter into the Millennial Kingdom of Messiah Jesus).
8. At the Rapture, believers are coming from the earth in order to meet Christ in the air. At the Second Coming, believers are seen coming from heaven with Jesus as He heads for the battle of Armageddon.
As believers, we are to keep our eyes firmly fixed upon our Savior, the author and finisher of our faith, especially as we start to see our society, culture and values continue to shift further and further away from God’s principles for living.
As we approach the time for celebration of our Lord’s triumphant resurrection from the dead, try to keep in mind that He, and He alone is in control. The events happening around the world, and even in our individual lives, have been, and still are, under the Sovereign, Providential rule and plan of the Almighty.
As hard as it might be, remember He’s got us in the palm of His hand. Jesus said that no one will ever snatch us out of the Father’s hand, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30).
As Dr. Mal Couch used to remind his students about the Rapture, “Perhaps today.”
May the Lord bless you and keep you; may He make His light to shine upon you.
By His Grace,
Gary T. Dromi, Ph.D., D.Min.
