THE RAPTURE VERSUS CHRIST'S SECOND COMING!

THE RAPTURE VERSUS CHRIST'S SECOND COMING!

1. TIME

1. RAPTURE - Before the tribulation (Rev. 3:10). The church will be kept out of that hour or time of testing which will come upon the whole world. 
2. SECOND COMING - After the tribulation (Mt. 24:29-30; Rev. 19:11-16).

2. QUICKNESS

1. RAPTURE - In a moment, in the twinkling on an eye (1 Cor. 15:52). 
2. SECOND COMING - Slow enough for people to realize and see what is happening (Mt, 24:27; Rev. 1:7; Ps. 2:2; Rev. 19:19). The second coming of Christ to the earth will be visible and obvious to all. 

3. THE DAY ON WHICH IT WILL TAKE PLACE

1. RAPTURE - UNKNOWN DAY.  Even Jesus did not 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 months, each month made up of 30 days) from the time that Antichrist confirms a covenant with Israel (Dan. 9:27) and it will occur 1260 days (3½ years) from the time of the abomination of desolation (Mt. 24:15). See also Rev. 11:2,3; 12:6, 14; 13:5).

4. PRECEDING SIGNS

1. RAPTURE - NONE (Ti. 2:13; Rev. 22:20; etc.). He may come for His Church at any time and nothing needs to be fulfilled before He comes. 
2. SECOND COMING - MANY (Mt. 24:3-28). There is much that 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 (Rev. 1:7; Mt. 24:24-27).

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 JUDGEMENT

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 (1 Th. 4:13-18; 1 Cor. 15:51-53; Jn. 14:3).
2. SECOND COMING - Unbelievers are removed; believers remain (Mt. 24:37-41; Lk. 17:34-37). 

9. PURPOSE OF THE PHASE OF CHRIST'S COMING

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

10. THE BODIES OF LIVING BELIEVERS

1. RAPTURE - church age believers who have died, are raised and those still living, are changed to immortal, resurrection 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 eventually bear children and re-populate the earth.