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The Rapture and the Second Coming of Jesus Compared
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Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site.
Consider and believe the following scriptures which differentiate between the Rapture, or "harpadzo," (Greek), of the waiting bride and the Second Coming of Jesus to establish His Millennial Reign from Jerusalem following the seven years of tribulation on the earth.
The first list of scriptures refers to the Rapture, while the second list refers to the Second Coming of Jesus when He rules and reigns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords for a thousand years, and on through eternity in the New Jerusalem after the devil, the anti-christ, and the false prophet in scripture have been put away forever.
Scriptures on the Rapture
Genesis 19:1-29; John 14:1-3; Romans 8:19; 1 Corinthians 15: 1-53; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:19; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 1 Thess. 5:9; 1 Thess. 5:23; 2 Thess. 2:1,3; 1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Tim. 4:1; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 9:28; James 5:7-9; 1 Peter 1:7,13; 1 John 2:28-3:2; Jude 21; Revelation 2:25; Revelation 3:10 Revelation 4
Scriptures on the Second Coming of Jesus following the Tribulation
Daniel 2:44-45; Daniel 7:9-14; Daniel 12:1-3; Zechariah 14:1-15; Isaiah 66; Matthew 13:41; Matthew 24:15-31; Mark 13:14-27; Luke 21:25-28; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thess. 3:13; 2 Thess. 1:6-10; 2 Thess. 2:8; 2 Peter 3:1-14; Jude 14-15; Revelation 1:7; Revelation 19:11-20:6; Revelation 22:7, 12, 20
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Word shall not pass away."
As you can see from the scriptures, the Rapture is the first part or phase of the Second Coming of Jesus. This has been taught by scholars of endtimes prophecy for many years. I personally read this truth of the endtimes from respected Bible scholars on eschatology as long ago as the 1970's, in books published prior to that decade.
Jesus catches the bride away to keep her from the temptation and wrath that is coming on the whole world. Would you pour out your wrath on your bride, for whom you gave your life? Scripture is plain that we will meet him in the air with the dead in Christ who have been raised just prior to our being caught away. If you will study the scriptures in depth, prayerfully, you will see the two parts or phases of the Second Coming. Jesus will not set His feet on the earth, until He comes seven years later after the tribulation, when He will walk physically on the earth for a thousand years? How would you explain this without two phases or parts of His Second Coming, the Rapture being the first one, in which His feet do not touch the earth?
During the seven years of tribulation on earth, the Battle of Armageddon will be the final conflict against Israel, and Jesus will return with His Blood-washed bride, following Him on white horses, Rev. 19, to stop this last battle, giving Israel resounding victory. In the Rapture, He doesn't come on a white horse, but descends from heaven with a shout, feet not touching. At His return to set up His Millennial Reign, He comes on a white horse, followed by the saints. How would you explain the absence of His entrance into the earth on a horse at the Rapture?
In all of the teachings concerning the rapture, the element of surprise and being ready for Jesus' imminent return in the Rapture, runs like a river throughout Jesus' and all other writer's teachings. With no pre-tribulation rapture, there would be no surprise involved. You could count the days given in scripture for the anti-christ's rule, and know exactly when Jesus will return. This is another proof of the rapture preceding the tribulation. Jesus said, "No man knows the day nor the hour, only the Father."
The reason this is such an important area for truth to prevail is that Christians who do not believe in the coming of the Lord before the tribulation will be tempted to say, "I have at least another 7 years to do whatever I choose, then, I'll get ready for Jesus to come." A very dangerous viewpoint.
The scriptural description of the endtimes, and especially the seven year tribulation period-it's beginning and it's end-may be complex, but the scripture is very plain if you study it carefully and prayerfully. Like all other scripture, it must spiritually discerned. 1 Cor. 2:10-12
With the fiery love of the Lord for Him and for you, Redeemer Revival Ministries
www.revivalwaters.net
http://glassysea.net
Lyrics to "Mighty Warrior" author unknown
Mighty Warrior
Mighty Warrior
Mighty Warrior, dressed for battle
Holy Lord of all is He
Commander in chief, bring us to attention
Lead us into battle to crush the enemy
Satan has no authority in this place
he has no authority here
For this habitation
Was fashioned for the Lord's presence
No authority here
©Public Domain
Words and Music by Unverified
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