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The rapture compared with the appearing of Christ
Much confusion arises from misunderstanding the elements of the rapture and the appearing of Christ. The only commonality is that Christ is the centre of the action – coming in both instances.
| The Rapture | The appearing of Christ |
|---|---|
| Comes for His saints: John 14:2-2 | Comes with His saints: Jude 1:14, Zec 14:5 |
| Takes place at any moment and is imminent: Matt 24:36 | Proceeded by the tribulation and thus will not be imminent for those that understand the prophecies of Daniel chapter 9: Revelation 4-19 |
| The tribulation begins after the rapture, when the Antichrist dupes the world and makes a covenant with the nation of Israel: Dan 9:27 | The second coming commences the Messianic Kingdom that lasts a 1000 years (The Millennial Kingdom: Luke 1:32-33 |
| Is a mystery: 1 Cor 15:51 | Prophetic and well known: e.g. Numbers 24:17, 1 Chron. 5:2 |
| Takes place secretly, in the twinkling of an eye: 1 Cor 15:52 | Is public – every eye shall see Him: Rev 1:7 |
| Concerns the Church only: 1 Thes 1:10 | Concerns Israel, although the consequence concerns all nations: Ps 6:1-4 |
| Comes in the air – the saints rise up to meet Him – the Messiah does not reach the earth: 1 Thes 4:16-17 | Places His feet on Mt Zion at the Mount of Olives: Zech 14:4-5 |
| Preluded by the archangel sounding a trumpet: 1 Thes 4:16 | Christ as Messiah will come in glory and with all his angels: Matt 25:31. |
| The saints are gathered to himself: 1 Thes 4:17,18, 2 Thes 2:1 |
Angels are sent to gather the elect of Israel: Matt 24:30-31, 25:41 |
| Believers taken out of the world: John 14:2,3 | The wicked are taken out of this world: Matt 13:41-43 |
| He comes to deliver the Church from the wrath to come: 1 Thes 1:10 | He comes to deliver His wrath: Rev 19:11-16 |
| No divine judgement occurs with this event | Ends divine judgement of Israel, the nations and Satan, who is tied up for 1000 years (Rev: 6-19) |
| Comes for his bride – the Church: John 14:1-2, 1 Thess 4:16-17 | Comes with his saints: Rev 19:14 |
| He comes as the Bridegroom, to receive His bride, the Church: Matt 25:6, 10 | Comes as the Son of Man in judgement upon those that reject Him: Matt 24:27-28 |
| Comes pre tribulation | Comes at the end of the tribulation: Rev 19:11-16 |
| Comes as the “Morning Star”: Rev 22:16 | Comes as the “Sun of Righteousness”: Malachi 4:2 |
| Comes without signs – believers do not need signs: John 6:30-35, 2 Cor 5:7 | Comes in signs and wonders: Luke 21:10,11,25-27 |
| Is not the thief in the night – believers are watching and waiting: 1 Thes 5:2, 2 Pet 3:10, Matt 24:43, Rev 16:15, Rev 3:3 | Comes as a thief in the night – no-one is watching and waiting: 1 Thes 5:2, 2 Pet 3:10, Matt 24:43, Rev 16:15 |
| Is not mentioned in the Old Testament as the Church was not revealed until New Testament times: Eph 3:3 | Is mentioned in both Testaments: e.g. Jude 14 |
| Church believers will be evaluated, rewarded and married to the Bridegroom, the Christ, following the rapture: 1 Cor 3:11-15, Rev 19:7-9 | The nations are judged following the tribulation and 1000 year reign of Christ: Ezek 20:34, Matt 25:32. The judgement at the great white throne takes places – people whose name are not in Book of Life are cast into hell, Satan is cast hell: Rev 20:11-15 |
