Difference Between the Rapture and the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ
In this lesson we will look at 4 passages (1 Corinthians 15:51-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ; Revelation 1:5-7 ; Revelation 19:11-16). These passages may seem similar or even discuss events that are similar but as we will see they are talking about two different events. The first two passages discuss the Rapture of the Church which takes place before the Tribulation starts. The last two passages deal with the 2nd Advent of Jesus Christ, which takes place at the end of the Tribulation.
What is going on in these passages?
1) 1 Corinthians 15:51-57
- Paul says that some will not die but be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye.
- This is said to happen at the last trump.
- The dead are raised incorruptible, and the living are changed.
- This will be done through the Lord Jesus Christ.
2) 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
- The Lord descends from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God.
- Dead in Christ rise first then those in Christ are caught up to meet the Lord in the air. Note they meet in the clouds.
3) Revelations 1:5-7
- Jesus comes with clouds.
- Every eye shall see him, and all the earth shall wail because of him.
4) Revelation 19:11-16
- Heaven is opened and one comes forth riding a white horse.
- The rider in righteousness judges and makes war.
- The rider is wearing many crowns on his head.
- The rider is clothed with a garment dipped in blood and his name is called the word of God.
- Armies in Heaven followed the rider on white horses.
- The rider treads the winepress of the wrath of God and smites the nations with a sharp sword that comes out of his mouth.
Similarities in the passages:
1) The Lord descends or comes from heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16 ; Revelation 1:7 ; Revelation 19:11-16.
2) Clouds are mentioned (1 Thessalonians 4:16 ; Revelation 1:7)
3) Trumps or trumpets are mentioned (1 Corinthians 15:51 ; 1 Thessalonians 4:16)
Differences in the passages:
The first major difference is that in 1 Corinthians 15: 51 the event is said to happen in a moment in the twinkling of an eye. The event in Revelation 1:5 or 19:11-16 does not happen that fast and all eyes see this event.
In 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4 Jesus is resurrecting dead people that are in him (the body of Christ which is saved people from the Church Age). In Revelation he is judging and making war.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:16 the Lord only comes in the air he does not come to the earth as he does in the passages from Revelation.
Now many will try and say that the last trump in 1 Corinthians is the 7th trumpet from Revelation 11:15-19. But if you compare these passages, these are plainly not the same events. The trump is the sound the trumpet makes not the trumpet itself.
Conclusion:
From the differences it is plain to see that the last two passages are describing a different event than the first two passage in this lesson. The first two passages are the rapture of the Church. Jesus does not come to the earth; he comes in the air and resurrects those who died during the Church Age and changes those alive and in the body of Christ from the Church Age taking them to heaven for the Judgment Seat of Christ.
The passages in Revelation are the 2nd Advent of Jesus Christ where he comes to the earth, destroys the Anti-christ along with his army, and becomes King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Difference Between the Rapture and the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ
Handout
1) What are the 4 passages we will study in this lesson?
2) List some facts from these 4 passages.
3) What are some similarities between these two events?
4) What are the differences between these two events?
5) What can we conclude from this study?