THE RAPTURE VERSUS THE SECOND COMING!

THE RAPTURE VERSUS THE SECOND COMING!

1. TIME

1. RAPTURE--before the tribulation (1 Th. 1:9-10; 5:9-10; Rev. 3:10). 
2. SECOND COMING--after the tribulation (Mt. 24:29-30; Rev. 19:11-16).

2. QUICKNESS

1. RAPTURE--in a "moment"--Greek--"atom"-- a split-second; literally time indivisible (1 Cor. 15:52). 
2. SECOND COMING--slow enough for people to realize what is happening (Mt. 24:27; Ps. 2:2; Rev. 1:7; 19:19). The second coming of Christ to the earth will be visible and obvious to all. No one will miss it.

3. DATE (THE DAY ON WHICH IT WILL TAKE PLACE)

1. RAPTURE--UNKNOWN DAY. The Lord Jesus didn't even know (Mk. 13:32). 
2. SECOND COMING--KNOWN DAY. The date of the second coming can be calculated to the very day. It will occur 2520 days (7 years, or 84 - 30 day months) from the time that Antichrist confirms a covenant with Israel (Dan. 9:27).

4. PRECEDING SIGNS

1. RAPTURE--NONE (Ti. 2:13; Rev. 22:20). He may come for His Church at any time.
2. SECOND COMING--MANY (Mt. 24:3-28). Much must be fulfilled before Christ returns to the earth, such as all the events in Rev. ch. 6-18).

5. VISIBILITY

1. RAPTURE--Christ seen only by the church (1 Th. 4:17; 1 Jn. 3:2).
2. SECOND COMING--Christ seen by every eye (Mt. 24:24-27; Rev. 1:7).

6. LOCATION

1. RAPTURE--in the air (1 Th. 4:17).
2. SECOND COMING--on the earth (Zech. 14:4; Acts 1:11).

7. ASSOCIATED JUDGMENT

1. RAPTURE--the judgment seat of Christ (2 Tim. 4:1,8; 1 Pet. 1:7).
2. SECOND COMING--destruction of the wicked armies (Rev. 19:17-19) and the judgment of living nations (Mt. 25:31-46).

8. IDENTITY OF THOSE REMOVED AND THOSE REMAINING 

1. RAPTURE--Believers are removed; unbelievers remain (Jn. 14:3; 1 Cor. 15:50-54; 1 Th. 4:13-18).
2. SECOND COMING--Unbelievers are removed; believers remain (Mt. 24:37-4; Lk. 17:34-37). 

9. PURPOSE OF CHRIST'S COMING

1. RAPTURE--to receive His Church (Jn. 14:3; 1 Th. 4:17).
2. SECOND COMING--to establish His kingdom (Lk. 19:22; Rev. ch. 19-20)

10. THE BODIES OF LIVING BELIEVERS

1. RAPTURE--Church Age believers are raised in immortal bodies (1 Cor. 15:52-53; 1 Th. 4:17).
2. SECOND COMING--believers who survive the tribulation enter the kingdom in natural bodies (Mt. 25:23), and they will bear children and re-populate the earth. 

BELIEVERS LONG FOR THE RAPTURE!

UNBELIEVERS WILL HATE
THE SECOND COMING!