THE RAPTURE AND THE SECOND COMING

At Christ's First Coming, He came to teach His disciples the Gospel, and to be Crucified for the sins of man according to the Scriptures, to be buried, and to be raised from the grave, also according to the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:3-4).  He ascended into heaven and awaits the timing of His two-phased Second Coming (To Rapture His Church, and to assume His role as the Resurrected King of kings and Lord of lords)!  Here are ten factors that show the difference between the two phases:


The time of the Rapture:  before the tribulation (Rev. 3:10).
The time of the Second Coming:  after the tribulation (Mt. 24:29-30; Rev. 19:11-16).


The quickness of the Rapture:  in the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor. 15:52).
The quickness of the Second Coming:  all have time to see it (Mt. 24:27; Rev. 19:19).


The date of the Rapture:  unknown to even Jesus (Mk. 13:32).
The date of the Second Coming:  7 yrs. after the covenant (Dan. 9:24-27; Rev. 11:1-3).


The preceding signs of the Rapture:  none (Titus 2:13; Rev. 22:20; etc.).
The preceding signs of the Second Coming:  many (Mt. 24:3-28; Rev. Ch. 6-18).


The visibility of the Rapture:  by the church only (1 Th. 4:17; 1 Jn 3:2).
The visibility of the Second Coming:  every eye shall see Him (Rev. 1:7; Mt. 24:24-27).


The location of the Rapture:  in the air (1 Th. 4:17).
The location of the Second Coming:  on the earth (Zech. 14:4; Acts 1:11).


Those removed at the Rapture:  only believers (1 Th. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-53; Jn. 14:3).
Those removed at the Second Coming:  only unbelievers (Mt. 24:37-41; Lk. 17:34-37).


The purpose of the Rapture:  to receive His bride (Jn. 14:3; 1 Th. 4:17).
The purpose of the Second Coming:  to receive His kingdom (Lk. 19:22; Rev. Ch. 19-20).


The believers at the Rapture:  we shall be changed (1 Cor. 15:52-53; 1 Th. 4:17; 1 Jn. 3:2).
The believers at the Second Coming:  will enter the kingdom in natural bodies (Mt. 25:31-40).


The judgment following the Rapture:  The Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Cor. 3:10-15).
The judgment following Christ's earthly kingdom:  The Great White Throne  (Rev. 20:11-15).