WHEN IS DIVISION GOOD?: PART FIVE

During His First Advent, Jesus used the phrase, "I am come" nine times (Matt. 5:17; 10:34-35; Lk. 12:49, 51; Jn. 5:43; 9:39; 10:10; 12:46). He also told His disciples that He would "come again" six times (Jn. 14:3, 18; Rev. 2:5, 16; 3:3, 20). Christ's Second Advent was also foretold by the Prophets (Dan. 7:13; Jude 1:14); by the Apostles (Acts 3:20; 1 Tim. 6:14); and by the Angels (Acts 1:10-11). As I stated yesterday, all of the Old Testament prophecies concerning Christ's First Advent were fulfilled literally. The remaining unfulfilled prophecies concerning Him, in both Old and New Testaments, will be fulfilled literally.

The verses concerning Christ's Second Coming also need to be divided to be understood. Some verses describe Christ's return to remove His Church prior to the Tribulation; these are said to refer to the Rapture of the Church (Jn. 14:1-6; 1 Cor. 15:51-54; 1 Thes. 4:13-18; etc.). and others refer to His return following the seven-year Tribulation, to establish His Millennial Kingdom (Matt. 24:29 - 25:1-46; Rev. 19:11 - 20:6; etc.).

Here are some of the differences between the two phases of His Second Coming:

RAPTURE--Only the Father knows when (Mk. 13:32).
SECOND ADVENT--It will occur seven years later (Dan. 9:27).

RAPTURE--There are no preceding signs (Titus 2:13; Rev. 22:20).
SECOND ADVENT--There are many preceding signs (Matt. 24:3-28; Rev. 6-18).

RAPTURE--Christ will only be seen by the church (1 Thes. 4:17; 1 Jn. 3:2;).
SECOND ADVENT--Every eye will see Christ's return (Rev. 1:7; Matt. 24:24-27).

RAPTURE--Christians will meet Christ in the air (1 Thes. 4:17).
SECOND ADVENT--Christ will set foot upon the earth (Zech. 14:4; Acts 1:11).

RAPTURE--Believers are removed (1 Thes. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-53; John 14:3).
SECOND ADVENT--Unbelievers are removed (Matt. 24:37-41; Lk. 17:34-37).

RAPTURE--Christ is coming to receive His Bride (Jn. 14:3; 1 Thes. 4:17).
SECOND ADVENT--He is coming to receive His Kingdom (Lk.19:22; Rev. ch. 19-20).

RAPTURE--Church Age believers are given glorified bodies (1 Cor. 15:52-53; 1 Thes. 4:17).
SECOND ADVENT--Survivors of the Tribulation enter the kingdom in their natural bodies (Matt. 25:23).

To be continued, Lord willing.