It’s now time to start pulling information together and quit beating around the bush. The first thing people usually get confused about is the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming.
Two Advents, Two Phases Each
Although scripture gives detailed prophecies about the time and place of Jesus’ first coming to earth, relatively few knew about it. We could call it a secret made known to only a few.
- Joseph, Mary, and Elisabeth (Matt. 1:20-24, Lk. 1:26-56)
- The Magi (Matt. 2:1-2) Likely students of Daniel’s writings from Babylon.
- Simeon (Lk. 2:25-35)
- Anna (Lk. 2:36-38)
- The Shepherds (Lk. 2:8-20)
After His birth, there is a period of about 30 years before His coming is made known to everyone publicly (Lk. 3:21-23). Here we see two distinct phases of His First Advent; one secret and one public.
Likewise, we see two phases to Jesus’ Second Advent. These two phases are often called “the Rapture” and “the Revelation.” Two verses indicate a two phase return:
- II Thess. 2:1 speaks of “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (the Revelation when He physically sets foot on the earth) and “our gathering together unto him” (the Rapture when the saved, dead and alive, are gathered together to meet Him in the air).
- Titus 2:13 speaks of “that blessed hope” (our hope of being raptured out of here) and “the glorious appearing” (when He comes in power and glory publicly).
As with His First Advent, there is a time interval between the two phases of His Second Advent. This interval is at least seven years long, although it could be longer. We need to be careful to distinguish these two phases when reading scripture. Here are a few verses that refer to the first phase–the Rapture:
- I Thess. 4:15-18
- I Cor. 15:51-53
- John 14:1-3
- Song of Sol. 2:10-12
Where Did You Find That Word “Rapture”?
As pointed out previously, you won’t find this word in your concordance. The word “rapture” comes from the Latin word raptus. The word means to seize, to capture, carry away, abduct, etc. The Bible uses the phrase “caught up” in I Thess. 4:17.
The word “rapture” simply gives us a one word alternative to the phrase “caught up.” Feel free to use either.
Instances of Rapture in the Bible
There are several instances when humans are physically removed from this earth and carried into Heaven.
- Enoch whilst living. (Gen.5:18-24, Heb. 11:5-6)
- Moses after his death. (Deut. 34:5-6, Jude 1:9, Matt. 17:1-5)
- Elijah whilst living. (II Kings 2:1-13)
- Old Testament saints held in the heart of the earth until their sins are paid for at Calvary. (Eph. 4:8-12, Matt. 27:50-53)
- New Testament saints living and dead. (II Thess. 4:15-18)
- The Two Witnessess (Moses and Elijah) after being resurrected. (Rev. 11:8-12)
- Tribulation saints right before the Second Coming in glory by King Jesus. (Matt. 24:29-31, Isa. 26:16-21, Psa. 50:1-6)
Conclusion
You should now begin to see the doctrine of the Pre-millenial, Pre-tribulational Rapture taking shape if you prayerfully study each of the above verses.
