What is the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming?

[Aeliana]

The rapture and the second coming of Christ are often confused. Sometimes it is difficult to determine whether a scripture verse is referring to the rapture or the second coming. However, in studying end-times Bible prophecy, it is very important to differentiate between the two.

The rapture is when Jesus Christ returns to remove the church (all believers in Christ) from the earth. The rapture is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-54. Believers who have died will have their bodies resurrected and, along with believers who are still living, will meet the Lord in the air. This will all occur in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye. The second coming is when Jesus returns to defeat the Antichrist, destroy evil, and establish His millennial kingdom. The second coming is described in Revelation 19:11-16.

The important differences between the rapture and second coming are as follows:

1) At the rapture, believers meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). At the second coming, believers return with the Lord to the earth (Revelation 19:14).

2) The second coming occurs after the great and terrible tribulation (Revelation chapters 6–19). The rapture occurs before the tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10).

3) The rapture is the removal of believers from the earth as an act of deliverance (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, 5:9). The second coming includes the removal of unbelievers as an act of judgment (Matthew 24:40-41).

4) The rapture will be secret and instant (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). The second coming will be visible to all (Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:29-30).

5) The second coming of Christ will not occur until after certain other end-times events take place (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Matthew 24:15-30; Revelation chapters 6–18). The rapture is imminent; it could take place at any moment (Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54).

Why is it important to keep the rapture and the second coming distinct?

1) If the rapture and the second coming are the same event, believers will have to go through the tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10).

2) If the rapture and the second coming are the same event, the return of Christ is not imminent—there are many things which must occur before He can return (Matthew 24:4-30).

3) In describing the tribulation period, Revelation chapters 6–19 nowhere mentions the church. During the tribulation—also called “the time of trouble for Jacob” (Jeremiah 30:7)—God will again turn His primary attention to Israel (Romans 11:17-31).

The rapture and second coming are similar but separate events. Both involve Jesus returning. Both are end-times events. However, it is crucially important to recognize the differences. In summary, the rapture is the return of Christ in the clouds to remove all believers from the earth before the time of God’s wrath. The second coming is the return of Christ to the earth to bring the tribulation to an end and to defeat the Antichrist and his evil world empire.

From Got?

 

[Azriel]

The Rapture—the sudden catching away of all believers in Jesus to heaven—is the initial event of the end times. The Rapture, the prophetic is like the trigger being pulled. That there’s no stopping the series of end-time events that will come next.

In case you haven't noticed the world is on the precipice of a plunge into a time of unparalleled trouble. Jesus spoke of this terminal generation two millennia ago when He said, “Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened” Matthew 24:33–34

So no matter how bad things may look, God is still in control and holds the future in His hands. God is the director and producer of the final drama.

 

[The Rogue Tomato]

The Rapture—the sudden catching away of all believers in Jesus to heaven—is the initial event of the end times. The Rapture, the prophetic is like the trigger being pulled. That there’s no stopping the series of end-time events that will come next.

If by that you mean the rapture precedes any type of tribulation, you are incorrect. The Bible says we will have tribulation. It says we are not appointed to wrath. So the rapture will gather us before the Day of the Lord's wrath, which comes after the great tribulation is cut short.

 

[DavP]

The rapture and the second coming of Christ are often confused. Sometimes it is difficult to determine whether a scripture verse is referring to the rapture or the second coming. However, in studying end-times Bible prophecy, it is very important to differentiate between the two.

The rapture is when Jesus Christ returns to remove the church (all believers in Christ) from the earth. The rapture is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-54. Believers who have died will have their bodies resurrected and, along with believers who are still living, will meet the Lord in the air. This will all occur in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye. The second coming is when Jesus returns to defeat the Antichrist, destroy evil, and establish His millennial kingdom. The second coming is described in Revelation 19:11-16.

The important differences between the rapture and second coming are as follows:

1) At the rapture, believers meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). At the second coming, believers return with the Lord to the earth (Revelation 19:14).

2) The second coming occurs after the great and terrible tribulation (Revelation chapters 6–19). The rapture occurs before the tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10).

3) The rapture is the removal of believers from the earth as an act of deliverance (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, 5:9). The second coming includes the removal of unbelievers as an act of judgment (Matthew 24:40-41).

4) The rapture will be secret and instant (1 Corinthians 15:50-54). The second coming will be visible to all (Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:29-30).

5) The second coming of Christ will not occur until after certain other end-times events take place (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Matthew 24:15-30; Revelation chapters 6–18). The rapture is imminent; it could take place at any moment (Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54).

Why is it important to keep the rapture and the second coming distinct?

1) If the rapture and the second coming are the same event, believers will have to go through the tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 3:10).

2) If the rapture and the second coming are the same event, the return of Christ is not imminent—there are many things which must occur before He can return (Matthew 24:4-30).

3) In describing the tribulation period, Revelation chapters 6–19 nowhere mentions the church. During the tribulation—also called “the time of trouble for Jacob” (Jeremiah 30:7)—God will again turn His primary attention to Israel (Romans 11:17-31).

The rapture and second coming are similar but separate events. Both involve Jesus returning. Both are end-times events. However, it is crucially important to recognize the differences. In summary, the rapture is the return of Christ in the clouds to remove all believers from the earth before the time of God’s wrath. The second coming is the return of Christ to the earth to bring the tribulation to an end and to defeat the Antichrist and his evil world empire.

From Got?

That is simply a doctrine you 'picked up' from the false Pre-trib Rapture theory preachers. It is NOT Bible Scripture at all.

Edit by Adim

Just when... is the future resurrection to happen per God's Word? On the LAST DAY of this world, according to Lord Jesus (John 6:40).

The 2nd coming when Jesus comes to defeat the Antichrist is also on the LAST DAY. So somebody is telling a big fat LIE.

Edit by Admin

God's Word does not support any such idea as a pre-trib rapture.

Lord Jesus returns ONCE, and that will be on the very LAST DAY of this present world, ending this world, ending the reign by Antichrist, and burning man's works off this earth. That will be Christ's 1st day of His "thousand years" reign with His elect over all... nations and peoples. Also, per Zechariah 14, Lord Jesus will return to the Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem, on earth, where He ascended to Heaven from per Acts 1. And He will bring all His faithful Church with Him there, BOTH the asleep saints that are resurrected on that day, and the saints still alive on earth that day.

 

[Azriel]

The rapture is an amazing fulfillment of biblical prophecy. It will take the world completely by surprise, it has been anticipated and expected by Bible-believing Christians ever since Jesus returned to heaven after His death and resurrection. Make no mistake: this is the beginning of the end.

 

[Maurice]

According to my online dictionary, the word rapture means “an expression or manifestation of ecstasy or passion” and “being carried away by overwhelming emotion.” But according to the Bible, the Rapture is the event in which all who have put their trust in Jesus Christ are suddenly caught up from the earth and taken into heaven by Him. The English word rapture is a translation of the Greek word harpazo. It occurs fourteen times in the New Testament, and it means “to carry off by force,” “to seize,” or “to carry away.”

This may help get your bearings concerning the Rapture, here are two key biblical texts that explain its major movements. Please read these words thoughtfully and carefully.

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1 Corinthians 15:51–53

I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

By putting these passages together a stunning sequence of events becomes clear. But remember that everything described in these verses took place “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.” Sound familiar? It all happened in a split second.

I hope this thread helps us to see it more clearly.

 

[e v e]

unfortunately many believers will be left behind
and go through tribulation
before returning home to Him

for they follow esau
and believe in this earth and body..

 

[e v e]

https://berean-apologetics.community.forum/threads/religion-of-peace.357/page-3#post-27714

 

[Azriel]

unfortunately many believers will be left behind
and go through tribulation
before returning home to Him

for they follow esau
and believe in this earth and body..

You know more about Esau than I do. That's above my pay grade.

 

[e v e]

You know more about Esau than I do. That's above my pay grade.

esau are the bodily incarnated entities of the satan realm

whereas jacob are the souls of God
that came to be here in this prison
and are of Eve our mother

 

[e v e]

^^ esau being the chaff
and of a different father
literally

indeed He knew us because He is our Literally actual father.

 

[e v e]

after the fall happened -

attributes of Him
were stolen - taken hostage.
Adam gave us over to satan

attributes = us.
the girls, babies, youths, boys
of eden paradise

now here imprisoned, on this hellhole planet He did not create.

So please understand
the satanic ritual going on now...
of Herod killing newborns
and esau trying to prevent
Christ from bringing us
home

 

[e v e]

You know more about Esau than I do. That's above my pay grade.

it is incredible to see how many
think esau is part of God's Souls
and confuse him with jacob,
blending in, a wolf among the sheep

that in itself is a trickery

 

[dwight92070]

According to my online dictionary, the word rapture means “an expression or manifestation of ecstasy or passion” and “being carried away by overwhelming emotion.” But according to the Bible, the Rapture is the event in which all who have put their trust in Jesus Christ are suddenly caught up from the earth and taken into heaven by Him. The English word rapture is a translation of the Greek word harpazo. It occurs fourteen times in the New Testament, and it means “to carry off by force,” “to seize,” or “to carry away.”

This may help get your bearings concerning the Rapture, here are two key biblical texts that explain its major movements. Please read these words thoughtfully and carefully.

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1 Corinthians 15:51–53

I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

By putting these passages together a stunning sequence of events becomes clear. But remember that everything described in these verses took place “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.” Sound familiar? It all happened in a split second.

I hope this thread helps us to see it more clearly.

You're not reading it right. The ONLY thing that the Corinthians verses say will happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, is that "we shall all be changed". Everything else mentioned also happens on that Last Day, but NOT in a moment.

I hope this helps us to read these verses more carefully.

 

[dwight92070]

unfortunately many believers will be left behind
and go through tribulation
before returning home to Him

for they follow esau
and believe in this earth and body..

Esau is not mentioned in regard to the 2nd coming or the rapture, so it does not help to bring up his name, since the Bible authors didn't.

 

[e v e]

Esau is not mentioned in regard to the 2nd coming or the rapture, so it does not help to bring up his name, since the Bible authors didn't.

esau He hates.

 

[e v e]

Esau is not mentioned in regard to the 2nd coming or the rapture, so it does not help to bring up his name, since the Bible authors didn't.

esau has everything to do with trying to prevent Him from returning for us upon the clouds...

 

[dwight92070]

esau has everything to do with trying to prevent Him from returning for us upon the clouds...

You're not talking sense. Maybe somebody else on the forum can interpret your meaning.

 

[dwight92070]

The dispensationalists (dps) say that they interpret the Bible literally. But they violate that claim with the letters to the 7 churches in Revelation 2 and 3. The dps say that the 7 churches represents the whole church age - that the 7 letters are not meant just for those 7 churches. So they don't take those 2 chapters literally, but symbolically.

However there is nothing in those 2 chapters telling us that they represent anything other than what we see - 7 letters written to 7 actual churches.
To assign a particular letter to a particular time in church history is too sweeping. Not all churches in a particular time period were the same, so one set of instructions would not "fit" all of them, given their particular circumstances. However, this is not to say that all churches cannot learn from the instructions given to those 7 specific churches.

Also, dps say that Revelation 4:1 represents the rapture of the church, when John is caught up into heaven. There are problems with that view as well. First, the 7 churches do not represent the whole church age. If they did, then one could say, "See, the rapture follows immediately after the church age."

Also, even though John is taken up into heaven in Revelation 4:1, he is brought back down to earth in Revelation 11 to measure the temple. Then in Revelation 14 and 15, he is back up in heaven again. Then in Revelation 17, he is on earth again.

So if Revelation 4:1 represents the rapture of the church, then the church has to go back down to earth again, then taken back to heaven again, and then brought back to earth again. Of course that's ridiculous.

But some dps say, "But John heard a voice like the sound of a trumpet in Rev.4:1, Isn't that what happens at the rapture?" Yes, but look at Revelation 1:10: "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet." Does this mean that John was also raptured in Revelation 1:10? Of course not. So hearing a sound like a trumpet does not always mean a rapture occurs.

Finally, John does not represent the whole church. He is just one believer (although a very special one) and he alone was taken up to heaven in Rev. 4:1, not the whole church. Once again, the dps take this symbolically, saying that John symbolizes the whole church, rather than literally, contrary to their claim that they take all of scripture literally.

 

[DavP]

That is simply a doctrine you 'picked up' from the false Pre-trib Rapture theory preachers. It is NOT Bible Scripture at all.

Edit by Adim

Just when... is the future resurrection to happen per God's Word? On the LAST DAY of this world, according to Lord Jesus (John 6:40).

The 2nd coming when Jesus comes to defeat the Antichrist is also on the LAST DAY. So somebody is telling a big fat LIE.

Edit by Admin

God's Word does not support any such idea as a pre-trib rapture.

Lord Jesus returns ONCE, and that will be on the very LAST DAY of this present world, ending this world, ending the reign by Antichrist, and burning man's works off this earth. That will be Christ's 1st day of His "thousand years" reign with His elect over all... nations and peoples. Also, per Zechariah 14, Lord Jesus will return to the Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem, on earth, where He ascended to Heaven from per Acts 1. And He will bring all His faithful Church with Him there, BOTH the asleep saints that are resurrected on that day, and the saints still alive on earth that day.

I did not authorize the editing of my post. Your authorization is not needed Edit by admin

And I will continue to prove that God's Word is strongly... against men's theory of a Pre-tribulation Rapture.

Actually, all I have to do to prove that is to quote what Jesus Himself said in Matthew 24:29-31 and Mark 13:24-27 where He showed His coming to gather His saints is AFTER... the tribulation.

If that Scripture from Jesus Himself is TOO SENSITIVE for some here to listen to, then I should not have been invited to this forum, so the deceived here who refuse to heed what Jesus said there can go about their desired delusions.