THE TWO STAGES OF CHRIST'S RETURN

WHEN?

RAPTURE--before the tribulation (1 Th. 1:10; 5:9; Rev. 3:10).

SECOND COMING--after the tribulation (Mt. 24:29-30; Rev. 19:11-16).

DURATION? 

RAPTURE--at the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor. 15:52).

SECOND ADVENT--slow enough for the world to see (Mt. 24:30). 

ON WHAT DATE?

RAPTURE--Even the Lord Jesus did not know (Mk. 13:32).

SECOND ADVENT--The date of the Second Coming can be calculated to the very day. It will occur 2520 days (7 years, or 84 months of 30 days) from the time that Antichrist confirms a covenant with Israel (Dan. 9:27).  

PRECEDING SIGNS?

RAPTURE--NONE (Ti. 2:13; Rev. 4:1).

SECOND ADVENT--MANY (Mt. 24:3-28; Rev. Ch. 6-18).

WILL IT BE VISIBLE?

RAPTURE--Christ seen only by the church (1 Th. 4:17; 1 Jn. 3:2).

SECOND ADVENT--Christ seen by every eye (Rev. 1:7; Mt. 24:24-27).

LOCATION?

RAPTURE--in the air (1 Th. 4:17).

SECOND ADVENT--on the earth (Zech. 14:4; Acts 1:11).

ASSOCIATED WITH WHICH JUDGMENT?

RAPTURE--the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Tim. 4:1, 8; 1 Pet. 1:7).

SECOND ADVENT-- the Judgment of the Living Nations (Mt. 25:31-46).

IDENTITY OF THOSE REMOVED AND THOSE REMAINING?

RAPTURE--Believers removed; unbelievers remain (1 Th. 4:13-18; Jn. 14:1-3).

SECOND ADVENT--Unbelievers removed; believers remain (Mt. 24:37-41; Lk. 17:34-37). 

PURPOSE OF CHRIST'S COMING?

RAPTURE--to receive His bride (Jn.14:3; 1 Th. 4:17; Rev. 19:7-9). 

SECOND ADVENT--to receive His kingdom (Lk.19:22; Rev. Ch. 19-20).

THE BODIES OF LIVING BELIEVERS? 

RAPTURE--Church Age believers living and dead, are raised (1 Th. 4:16-7).

SECOND ADVENT--surviving Tribulation believers enter the kingdom in natural bodies (Mt. 25:23), and these believers will eventually bear children and re-populate the earth.