Eschatology
The Study of Last Things
by WordExplain

Bringing Truths from Different Books of the Bible into Focus, Perspective, and Understanding.

"...Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus."
Titus 2:13



























A Comparison of the Rapture and the Second Coming

by WordExplain


The Rapture

The Second Coming of Christ
1. Christ comes FOR His saints to take them back to His Father’s House (John 14:1-6)
1. Christ comes WITH His saints to rule the world. (Revelation 19:11-21; Rev. 20:1-6)
2. A movement from earth to heaven. (John 14:1-3; 1 Thess. 4:13-18)
2. A movement from heaven to earth. (Matt. 24:29-31; Rev. 19:11-21)
3. Living believers get “resurrection” bodies. (1 Cor. 15:50-53; 1 Thess. 4:17)
3. No “resurrection” bodies for the living. (Those who have died during the Tribulation will be resurrected - Rev. 20:4, 6.)
4. All living saints go to heaven. (John 14:1-3; 1 Thess. 4:13-18)
4. All living saints remain on earth. (Matt. 25:31-46)
5. The world is unjudged at Christ's coming and continues in sin. (Rev. 6:1-18:24). [The entire world of people who survive the Tribulation will be judged at the Second Coming (Matt. 25:31-46).]
5. The world is judged, and righteousness fills the earth! (Isa. 66:15-24; Zech. 14:1-21; Matt. 25:31-46)
6. Delivers Christians from coming wrath. (1 Thess. 1:10; 4:13-5:9)
6. Relieves believers who survived wrath. (Matt. 24:21-22; 25:31-40, 46; 2 Thess. 1:5-10; Rev. 6:9-11; Rev. 13:7-10)
7. Imminent event. Could happen any time, because no signs are given. (John 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:50-55; 1 Thess. 1:10; 4:13-18; 5:9; 2 Thess. 2:1) 7. Preceded by many signs. (Matt. 24:1-31; Rev. 6:1-18:24)
8. Truth revealed only in the New Testament. (John 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:50-55; 1 Thess. 1:10; 4:13-18; 5:9; 2 Thess. 2:1)
8. Predicted in both Old and New Testaments. (Psalm 2:4-9; 110:1-7; Isa. 59:15-21; 60:1-2,  19; 63:1-6; Joel 3:1-3, 9-17; Zech. 14:1-19; Matt. 24:1-25:46; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; Rev. 19:11-21)
9. Affects only the saints. (John 14:1-3; 1 Cor. 15:50-55; 1 Thess. 1:10; 4:13-18; 5:9; 2 Thess. 2:1) 9. Affects both believers and unbelievers. (2 Thess. 1:5-10)
10. Satan is not bound and is very active. (2 Thess. 2:9; Rev. 12:9, 12)
10. Satan is bound for 1000 years. (Rev. 20:1-6)
11. Only the Church benefits. (1 Thess. 1:10; 4:13-18; 5:9)
11. Redeemed Israelis and Gentiles are the main beneficiaries. (Matt. 25:1-46)
12. Is followed by a seven-year period known as the Tribulation (Rev. 7:14) and The Day of the Lord (1 Thess. 4:13-13; 1 Thess. 5:1-9; Rev. 6:1-18:24)
12. Is followed by Christ’s 1000-year reign (the Millennium). (Rev. 19:11-20:6)
13. No angels are said to do any collecting or sorting. (An archangel speaks or shouts, but that is the only mention of an angel - 1 Thess. 4:16.)
13. Angels are dispatched to collect the righteous and sort out the wicked. (Matt. 13:40-43, 49-50; Rev. 19:14, 19)

Rapture Passages

Second Coming Passages
John 14:1-6
Isaiah 63:1-6
1 Corinthians 15:50-53
Zechariah 14:1-9
1 Thessalonians 1:9-10
Matthew 24:27-31; Mark 13:24-27; Luke 21:25-27
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
2 Thessalonians 1:6-10
2 Thessalonians 2:1 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10
1 John 3:1-3
Revelation 19:11-21
Revelation 3:10
 



 

A Comparison of the Rapture and the Second Coming
Prepared by James T. Bartsch
September, 2009

Published Online by WordExplain.com

Email Contact: jbartsch@wordexplain.com

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE ®,

Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)