The Rapture and the Second Coming

I thought that I would take time to address some questions that I have received about when the Rapture of the Church will occur, as well as when the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus will occur. One thing that helps in understanding more about what Scripture says about the timing of the Rapture and the timing of the Second Coming is to understand that they are two separate events. Most of the theologians that think they can narrow it down to a specific time frame also believe that the Rapture is a part of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. I have had friends and professors that disagree with me over this, but that's okay. It's not a fundamental issue to divide over, but I think that it is an important issue for every Christian to decide upon, one way or another because it affects how you intepret much of the Bible's prophecy. Let me explain my position and why I believe it.

The Bible calls for two events to occur in the last days that cannot be one and the same. The Rapture cannot be a part of the Second Coming and the Second Coming cannot be a part of the Rapture. These are two separate events that occur and we must therefore be careful to separately explain their prophecies.

I believe that the Rapture is a pre-Tribulation event, or in other words, I believe that the Rapture will occur before the seven year Tribulation period, and also that the Rapture will usher in that time of judgment on this world. Jesus was referring to the Rapture rather than His Second Coming when He said, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming" (Matthew 24:36-42, NKJV). Jesus emphasized two things about the Rapture here: first, that it will come just before God's judgment on the world (like in "the days of Noah"), and second, that it will come unexpectedly.

To emphasize that last point, Jesus went on to give this illustration, saying, "But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (Matthew 24:43-44, NKJV). This provides the symbolism that is used in the rest of the New Testament concerning the Rapture, namely that Jesus will come like a thief in the night, like someone who slips in and takes what He wants without being seen. The Apostle Paul used this imagery with the Rapture, saying, "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night" (1 Thessalonians 4:16-5:2, NKJV). The Apostle Peter also used this same imagery with the initiation of God's judgment on the world, saying, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up" (2 Peter 3:9-10, NKJV). Though Peter clearly summed up the final result of that judgment, he also pointed to the fact that Jesus will usher in that judgment in an unexpected way. What will be a time of grace and glory for Christians, will usher in a time of death and destruction for the rest of humanity still on Earth.

On a more positive note, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will occur in a very public and expected way at the end of the seven year Tribulation period. That is what Jesus was referring to when He said, "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" (Matthew 24:29-30, NKJV). The Apostle John excitedly praises the Lord with this event in mind, saying, "Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen" (Revelation 1:7, NKJV)! Clearly, Jesus will not be returning at this point like "a thief in the night," but rather as the rightful King who is returning to claim His Kingdom!

If Jesus was referring to His Second Coming when He said, "But of that day and hour no one knows..." (Matthew 24:36a, NKJV), then Jesus would have to visibly return before the Tribulation period, because once the Tribulation period began, His return could be predicted to the day seven years later. The same is true if Jesus was referring to a post-Tribulation Rapture, because it could easily be predicted once the Tribulation started. Jesus could have only been referring to the Rapture of the Church, which Scripture clearly teaches will happen before the seven year Tribulation period. The only good part to the Tribulation period is that it is a seven year countdown to when the Lord will visibly return to stay!

So when will the Rapture occur? Scripture simply tells us that it could happen at any time and that it will happen at an unexpected time. That is why we are also told to live a life that is clearly prepared for that moment. The Apostle Paul put it best, saying, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:11-13, NKJV). I personally believe and hope that it will happen soon! That's why I have got to say, "Come, Lord Jesus, come!"