The Rapture vs. The Second Coming.

In the Old Testament, there were 2 different pictures painted of the Messiah: one suffering (Pss 22:6-8,11-18; Isa 53:2-10) and one reigning as King (Pss 2:6-12; Zech). Sometimes, a single verse is a prophesy of both: Isa 61:2, only 1/2 of which Jesus read and said was fulfilled in Luke 4:18-21. Those who denied half the scriptures, or expected only one set of verses, or expected all scriptures to be fulfilled at one singular moment in time made a grave error.

As we look back on these Scriptures, we see they predicted two separate comings of the Messiah: the first coming as a suffering Messiah and the second coming (still future) as a reigning King.

In the New Testament, we have another picture added. Again, we have two pictures painted, and they don’t look the same. These two different descriptions of Jesus’ coming point to two separate events we call "The Rapture" and "The Second Coming."

The Rapture (and resurrection) occurs before the 7 year Great Tribulation.

The second Coming occurs after the 7 year Great Tribulation, at Armageddon.

Listed below are 15 differences between the Rapture and the 2nd Coming.
This list is by no means complete and presents a brief look at the many contrasts.

Rapture Second Coming

1 Jesus coming for His Church/Bride up to Heaven, before tribulation. Luke 21:36; John 14:1-3; 1Thess 1:10, 4:14-17, 5:9; Rev 3:10 1 Jesus coming with His Church/Bride Down from Heaven, after tribulation. Zech 14:5; Col 3:4; Rev 19:7-8,14, 21:9-10; Matt 24:29-31; Jud 1:14,15; 1Thess 3:13

2 Caught up with Him in the air, in the clouds, 1Thess 4:13-18;

Appears to Believers only. Mat 5:8, John 11:40, Heb 9:28 2 Jesus' feet touch the earth Zech 14:4; Rev 19:11-21, and he brings war, then peace.

Every eye will see him, including unbelievers.[Rev 1:7, [Zech 12:10] Mat 24:30 Luke 3:6 John 19:37

3 Christians taken first, unbelievers are left behind a shut door. Mat 24:1-12; 1Thess 4:13-18 3 Wicked are taken first, Mat 13:28-30 the righteous (Tribulation saints) are left to populate the millinnium

4 Purpose: To present the Church to Himself and to the Father in Heaven, 2Cor 11:2; Rev 19:6-9 4 Purpose: To execute judgment on earth and set up His Kingdom on earth. Zech 14:3-4; Jud 1:14-15; Rev 19:11-21

5 The"Body of Christ" united with the Lamb in heaven after the Rapture, and to reveal Satan for the Tribulation 2Thess 2 5 The "uniting" of the "Body of Christ" with the Lamb is followed by war on earth at the 2nd coming, and to bind Satan after the Tribulation. Rev 20:1-7

6 Happens in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, no war, globally. 1Cor 15:52 6 Slow coming, at war, at Jerusalem. Zech 12:9-10

7 Christians are changed, and get spirit bodies, go to heaven and do not marry, and become immortal; Mat 22:30; 1Cor 15:52; 1John 3:2 7 People populate the earth during the millinnium, some people still die. Isa 65

8 Jesus descends with a shout (for resurrection) and trumpet noise. 1Thess 4:16 8 No shout mentioned Rev 19:11-21

9 A resurrection takes place of all saints to immortality, to rule as kings and priests in Heaven over Earth 1Cor 15:51-54; 1Thess 4:13-18 9 Resurrection of the tribulation saints to immortality who worship day and night in the temple of God. Rev 7:15

10 Occurs as a thief in the night, at the 'no man knows the day or hour' festival Mat 24:43; 1Thess 5:4-6; Rev 3:3 10 Occurs at end of 7 years of Tribulation; exact day predicted; 3.5 years after the abomination of desolation: Dan 9:24-27, 12:11-12; Rev 11:2, 12:6,14, 13:5

11 Is likened to the abduction of the bride during the Jewish Wedding, which occurs before the 7 day bridal week. [RaptureWedding] 11 Is likened to the marriage feast, which occurs after the 7 day bridal week, returning from the wedding. Luke 12:36; Rev 19

12 The dead in Christ rise and together with then living will be changed into their new bodies and leave Earth with Jesus 1Thess 4:14-16 12 Christians return with Jesus in already resurrected bodies riding on white horses. Rev 19:11-21

13 Jesus returns as a savior from wrath Luke 21:36; Rom 5:9; 1Thess 1:10, 5:9; Rev 3:10 13 Jesus returns on a white horse, full of wrath. Rev 19:11

14 For the Church only (those in Christ) 1Thess 4:14-17 14 For redeemed Israel & Gentiles Mat 25:31-46; Rom 11:25-27

15 A message of hope and comfort 1Thess 4:18; Titus 2:13; 1John 3:3

Like the days of Noah and Lot, saving them from his judgements. Mat 24:37-44 15 A message of judgment and woe Joel 3:12-16; Amos 5:18; Mal 4:5; Rev 19:11-21

Like the plagues of Egypt, many of which are mirrored in Revelation, pouring out his Wrath, and He comes after the judgements.

This page was copied, and expanded upon, from:

http://people.zeelandnet.nl/wjanse/rapture.htm

	Rapture		Second Coming
1	Jesus coming for His Church/Bride up to Heaven, before tribulation. Luke 21:36; John 14:1-3; 1Thess 1:10, 4:14-17, 5:9; Rev 3:10	1	Jesus coming with His Church/Bride Down from Heaven, after tribulation. Zech 14:5; Col 3:4; Rev 19:7-8,14, 21:9-10; Matt 24:29-31; Jud 1:14,15; 1Thess 3:13
2	Caught up with Him in the air, in the clouds, 1Thess 4:13-18; Appears to Believers only. Mat 5:8, John 11:40, Heb 9:28	2	Jesus' feet touch the earth Zech 14:4; Rev 19:11-21, and he brings war, then peace. Every eye will see him, including unbelievers.[Rev 1:7, [Zech 12:10] Mat 24:30 Luke 3:6 John 19:37
3	Christians taken first, unbelievers are left behind a shut door. Mat 24:1-12; 1Thess 4:13-18	3	Wicked are taken first, Mat 13:28-30 the righteous (Tribulation saints) are left to populate the millinnium
4	Purpose: To present the Church to Himself and to the Father in Heaven, 2Cor 11:2; Rev 19:6-9	4	Purpose: To execute judgment on earth and set up His Kingdom on earth. Zech 14:3-4; Jud 1:14-15; Rev 19:11-21
5	The"Body of Christ" united with the Lamb in heaven after the Rapture, and to reveal Satan for the Tribulation 2Thess 2	5	The "uniting" of the "Body of Christ" with the Lamb is followed by war on earth at the 2nd coming, and to bind Satan after the Tribulation. Rev 20:1-7
6	Happens in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, no war, globally. 1Cor 15:52	6	Slow coming, at war, at Jerusalem. Zech 12:9-10
7	Christians are changed, and get spirit bodies, go to heaven and do not marry, and become immortal; Mat 22:30; 1Cor 15:52; 1John 3:2	7	People populate the earth during the millinnium, some people still die. Isa 65
8	Jesus descends with a shout (for resurrection) and trumpet noise. 1Thess 4:16	8	No shout mentioned Rev 19:11-21
9	A resurrection takes place of all saints to immortality, to rule as kings and priests in Heaven over Earth 1Cor 15:51-54; 1Thess 4:13-18	9	Resurrection of the tribulation saints to immortality who worship day and night in the temple of God. Rev 7:15
10	Occurs as a thief in the night, at the 'no man knows the day or hour' festival Mat 24:43; 1Thess 5:4-6; Rev 3:3	10	Occurs at end of 7 years of Tribulation; exact day predicted; 3.5 years after the abomination of desolation: Dan 9:24-27, 12:11-12; Rev 11:2, 12:6,14, 13:5
11	Is likened to the abduction of the bride during the Jewish Wedding, which occurs before the 7 day bridal week. [RaptureWedding]	11	Is likened to the marriage feast, which occurs after the 7 day bridal week, returning from the wedding. Luke 12:36; Rev 19
12	The dead in Christ rise and together with then living will be changed into their new bodies and leave Earth with Jesus 1Thess 4:14-16	12	Christians return with Jesus in already resurrected bodies riding on white horses. Rev 19:11-21
13	Jesus returns as a savior from wrath Luke 21:36; Rom 5:9; 1Thess 1:10, 5:9; Rev 3:10	13	Jesus returns on a white horse, full of wrath. Rev 19:11
14	For the Church only (those in Christ) 1Thess 4:14-17	14	For redeemed Israel & Gentiles Mat 25:31-46; Rom 11:25-27
15	A message of hope and comfort 1Thess 4:18; Titus 2:13; 1John 3:3 Like the days of Noah and Lot, saving them from his judgements. Mat 24:37-44	15	A message of judgment and woe Joel 3:12-16; Amos 5:18; Mal 4:5; Rev 19:11-21 Like the plagues of Egypt, many of which are mirrored in Revelation, pouring out his Wrath, and He comes after the judgements.