8/16/2022 • Desk of Dennis Piller
Rapture VS Return II of II
Our curriculum for our Courageous Men's Group this semester is "Going Deeper"
utilizing many live speakers.
We begin our next season on Aug. 25th on our new night –
THURSDAY. 7PM
I hope if you are in the area, you can join us.
Yesterday we discussed in part one that one of the major critiques of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture is that it teaches two Second Comings of Christ—a Rapture before the Tribulation and a Return at the end of the Tribulation.
We believe there are two aspects of the Lord’s Second Coming: the Rapture, which takes place in the air, and the Return, which begins in the air but ends up with a return to earth.
I would strongly suggest you read yesterday's devotional
to see the foundation of this thinking scripturally.
Certainly, there are similarities between the Rapture and the Return. Both events mention a “coming,” and both mention clouds, symbolizing a heavenly role in both. Yet other differences demonstrate that these are two distinct stages of the coming. Here are ten of the most significant differences between the Rapture and the Return as they are described in Scripture.
One: A difference in the SIGNS given for each stage
Rapture: There are no signs that must take place before the Rapture. It can happen at any moment. It’s a sign-less event. None of the Rapture passages contain any mention of preceding signs. Believers are enjoined to be constantly looking for the rapture and “waiting up” for it (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
Return: But detailed signs must take place before the Return of Christ to earth (Matthew 24:4-28). Logically, the same event cannot be both sign less and yet portended by numerous signs. This is clearly contradictory. The simplest harmonization of these two different events supports a Pre-Tribulation Rapture (which is signless and could happen at any moment), while the many events taking place during the Tribulation are best understood as signs leading up to the Return.
Two: A difference in the PLACE Christ will meet believers
Rapture: Christians meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Jesus never sets foot on the earth in any of the Rapture texts.
Return: Christ descends to earth with His saints, to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:2-4; Revelation 19:14).
Three: A difference in WHO removes people from the earth
Rapture: Christ Himself comes and takes believers out of the world. He comes for His saints (John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Return: Christ sends His angels to gather His elect on earth (Matthew 24:31).
Four: A difference in WHO gets taken from the earth
and who is left
Rapture: Believers are taken from the earth, while unbelievers are left behind (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
Return: Living believers on earth are left to enter the messianic kingdom on earth while unbelievers are taken away to judgment (Matthew 13:41-42; 49-50).
Five: A difference of WHEN Jesus comes in relationship
to the Tribulation
Rapture: Jesus comes to rescue Christians before the time of Tribulation and wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10; Revelation 3:10).
Return: Jesus comes after the Tribulation to conquer His enemies, punish the wicked and rule the world (Matthew 24:29-30).
Six: A difference as to WHEN judgment takes place
Rapture: No mention is made of God’s judgment or any distress taking place. Only promises of blessing and salvation are referenced.
Return: Tribulation, distress, apocalypse and judgment are everywhere (Zechariah 14:2-4; Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 19:11-21).
Seven: A difference in the TIMING
of the Resurrection of the dead
Rapture: The resurrection of the dead occurs during Christ’s descent from heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Return: A resurrection of believers who died during the Tribulation takes place after Christ has descended to earth. Note the order of events in Revelation 19:11-20:5.
The descent of Christ.
Christ slays His enemies.
The Antichrist (the Beast) and the False Prophet are cast alive into the lake of fire.
Satan is bound and thrown into the pit.
After all these events, there is a resurrection of the saints.
Eight: There is a difference in the PEOPLE involved
Rapture: Only believers see Christ and are involved (John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Return: All people see Jesus coming and are involved. Everyone on earth will be impacted (Revelation 1:7; 19:11-21).
Nine: There is a difference in the MENTION of the Rapture of living believers
Rapture: All Rapture passages focus on the snatching away of living believers on earth to meet Jesus in the air.
Return: No Second Coming passage contains a clear, indisputable reference to the Rapture. In none of the Second Advent passages—even the most detailed ones in Matthew 24 and Revelation 19—are there clear mentions of a catching up of living believers to meet Jesus in the air. This omission is inexplicable if the Rapture and Return happen simultaneously.
Ten: There is a difference in the CHANGES on earth associated with these events
Rapture: All the relevant passages are silent about any topographical changes to the earth.
Return: Massive changes in and on the earth result from Christ’s coming (Zechariah 14:1-11).
The dramatic differences between the Rapture and the Return indicate they describe two very unique events at two separate times. The dissimilarities are too substantial to merge them into event.
Conclusion: The Two-Phase Second Coming
Because of these conspicuous differences in various passages dealing with the Lord’s coming, I believe the Second Coming will occur in two phases. These two stages are harmonized well by the Pre-Tribulation view, while other views of the timing of the Rapture are unable to accommodate the differences as smoothly.
In his book, The Second Coming, the prominent pastor, and theologian
John MacArthur supports this view:
Scripture suggests that the Second Coming occurs in two stages—
First, the Rapture, when He comes for His saints and they are caught up to meet Him in the air (1 Thess. 4:14-17),
Second, His return to earth, when He comes with His saints (Jude 14) to execute judgment on His enemies. Daniel’s seventieth week must fall between those two events. That is the only scenario that reconciles the imminency of Christ’s coming for His saints with the yet unfulfilled signs that signal His final glorious return with the saints.
Bottom line and either way…Jesus is coming.
He can come at any moment.
Live Looking Up
Chris McClarney Speak to the Mountains
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5zP14_8meo
