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Pastor Scott L. Harris
Grace Bible Church, NY
January 4, 2026
*What’s the Difference? Rapture, Second Coming, Day of the Lord
Selected Scriptures
Introduction
Last week we examined Revelation 19:11-21 and *the Second Advent, more often referred to as the Second Coming, when Jesus Christ returns as the conquering king to destroy the beast, his armies and all who have remained in rebellion against God. (See: The Second Advent: The Return of the King). We will get to Revelation 20 next week and the fact of the millennium, the thousand year reign of Christ described in that chapter and foretold by multiple prophets. The week after that we will examine some of those prophecies that give more detailed descriptions about what the millennium will be like. The millennium ends with a final rebellion led by Satan which will be quickly put down followed by final judgment and punishment of the wicked as described at the end of that chapter. Revelation 21-22 describes the new heavens and new earth of eternity concluding with Jesus’ declarations, “I am coming quickly.”
This morning I want to pause in our progression through Revelation to try to bring some clarity to the relationship of the major events that will occur in the future according to Biblical prophecy. *Eschatology, the doctrine of last things, can be difficult and confusing since the same terms can be used to describe different events, and some events have many similarities that can make them seem like they are the same events unless they are carefully examined to note the differences too. Today I want to answer the question, What is the difference between the Day of the Lord, the Rapture, the Second Coming, and the final battles in Revelation 19:11-21 and 20:7-10? I will not be exhaustive since that would take a full length book, but I do want to recognize both the similarities and the differences which distinguish them as separate events. To that end, I have also included some charts along with the Sermon Notes that will help with this.
*The Day of the Lord
I want to begin with the Day of Yahweh or Day of the Lord. The Day of Yahweh chart included in the bulletin (Day of the Lord Chart) is a bit complex, but that is exactly my first point. *The phrase Day of the Yahweh / the Lord is used to refer to many different events, both historical and future, so great care must be taken to interpret its usage in its context. There are at least 10 different groups or nations that are the objects of a Day of Yahweh. In some it may be just one group or nation and in other applications it is multiple groups or nations or all nations in general. There are 13 different specific descriptions applied to a Day of Yahweh, and again, some include one description, some many, and some none. The results of a Day of Yahweh also vary between negative or positive with some including both. And the fulfillment of a particular Day of Yahweh ranges from imminent, to near historical, to eschatological and several with both near and eschatological fulfillment.
*Ezekiel 13 is an example of a Day of Yahweh that had a near fulfillment against a specific group. Ezekiel prophesied against the foolish prophets of Israel who spoke falsehoods and lied misleading God’s people. In His wrath, God would bring upon them a violent wind, flooding rain and hailstones to consume them in God’s wrath. They did not survive the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar.
*Zechariah 14 is an example of an eschatological day of Yahweh. It is specifically called a unique day in vs. 14. It describes elements of what we have seen in our study of Revelation including the fleeing of a remnant to be protected by God after which Yahweh returns to fight against the nations that gather to wage war on Jerusalem and destroy them in a unique way. The chapter continues on to describe aspects of what the millennium will be like.
*Isaiah 13 is an example of a Day of Yahweh that is both near historical and eschatological in it fulfillment. The prophecy is specifically against Babylon because of their pride. Yahweh would bring upon them distress and destruction through the Medes. That part was fulfilled as recorded in Daniel 5 which was relatively near future for them. But the passage then jumps to a broader eschatological fulfillment with celestial signs that match what Jesus said in Matthew 24: 29 would occur during the great tribulation. Joel 2 is similar in starting with a Day of Yahweh that is imminent and fulfilled in the locust plagues, but it then jumps to eschatological fulfillment with descriptions also matching those of the tribulation period and concluding with the salvation of the remnant that calls on the name of the Lord.
*2 Peter 3:10-14 gives the broadest usage of the day of the Lord. It begins with a statement of its imminence that it “will come like a thief,” but then Peter jumps past the tribulation and the millennium to describe the utter destruction of the present heavens and earth in preparation for the new heavens and earth of eternity.
*2 Peter 3 is my favorite passage on eschatology because Peter makes the purpose of knowing what will happen at the end of time so clear in verses 11 & 14: 11“Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” . . . 14 Therefore, beloved, since you are looking for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, 15 and consider the patience of our Lord as salvation.” If it is all going to burn, why spend your life in the pursuit of worldly things? Pursue holiness and godliness instead. This is a dramatic way of emphasizing the truth Jesus taught in Matthew 6:19-21 to not store up treasures on earth where it can be stolen or destroyed, but instead, store up treasures in heaven where it is eternally safe, “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
*Whenever you see a reference to the Day of Yahweh / the day of the Lord, be careful to examine the context so that you will know what Day of Yahweh is being talked about. While the phrase always refers to Yahweh’s actions that have an effect on human affairs, the phrase is used for things He has done that are now history and also for things are still future that He will do.
*The Rapture – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
The doctrine of the Rapture comes from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Apparently Paul had taught the Thessalonicans this doctrine when he was there, but now he needed to clarify aspects of it because a concern has arisen about what would happen to those Christians that had died. Would they miss the rapture? Paul wrote, 13 “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
*The doctrine of the Rapture simply stated is that Jesus will return for His church prior to the millennium. Christians, both those living and dead, will have their bodies transformed into the glorified state and be caught up to meet Jesus in the clouds and shall always be with Him thereafter. *1 Corinthians 15:50-57 adds to our understanding of this event by describing this change for Christians as the dead are resurrected and perishable flesh and blood taking on imperishable immortality. This takes place so quickly he describes it as “in the twinkling of an eye.” It occurs at the last trumpet and brings about the fulfillment of Isaiah 25:8 that death will be swallowed up in victory. (See: Comfort & Hope in Christ’s Return)
*The doctrine of the Rapture is attacked by many theological systems. Most of those attacks come from the ignorance demanded by submission to a theological system instead of submission to the actual text of Scripture, and all come from a failure to interpret the Scriptures by the grammatical-historical method – according to the plain sense of the text. In other words, since the theological system rejects the Rapture, any passage suggesting it must be therefore interpreted to fit that theological system.
The most ignorant claim is that the Rapture cannot be true because that term, made up of the letters r a p t u r e joined together to form one word, is not in the Bible. I guess that depends on which translation of the Bible you are examining. *The word actually is used in several English translations, though not in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 upon which the doctrine is based. The English word rapture arises from the medieval Latin raptus or raptura meaning “to seize.” The Vulgate, the Latin translation of the Scriptures used that word in its form rapiemur to translate the Greek aJrpaghsovmeqa / harpag sometha, which is translated in English versions as “we will be caught up.” Since scholars like to use Latin or Greek based terms to name things, the doctrine has been referred to as the Rapture instead of “the catching up” or something similar, or the harpag sometha, which would be a mouthful to say.
Another ignorant claim is that the doctrine of the Rapture is something new, usually also with the claim that pre-millennial theology is recent. *While many elements within both the doctrines of pre-millennialism and the Rapture have been more precisely defined and described in the last couple of hundred years, both doctrines trace back to the early church fathers. The majority Christian view in first three centuries was that Jesus was returning to Jerusalem to establish His Kingdom for 1,000 years. We call that pre-millennialism today, but back then it was referred to as Chilliasm (from the Greek word for 1,000). Among those that wrote of this expectation are Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Ireneaus and Tertullian. *In Against Heresies (~ AD 180-199) Ireneaus further detailed his belief that the church would be taken to be with Christ prior to the great tribulation writing, “and therefore, when in the end the Church shall be suddenly caught up from this, it is said, ‘There shall be tribulation such as has not been since the beginning, neither shall be’” (from Matthew 24:21). The belief that Jesus would deliver His saints from the coming wrath of God is also found in the writings of Cyprian of Carthage (AD 200-258), Vitorinus of Pettau (AD 24-303) and Ephraem the Syrian (AD 303-37). The doctrine of the Rapture was taught in the earliest times of the church, so it is an ignorant and false statement to claim that it is something new. The details have been better defined and clarified since way back then, but it is an ancient doctrine.
*Rejection of the Rapture is one of the reasons that it is often conflated with the Second Coming of Christ. The other reason is that eschatology demands careful attention to the details otherwise it can become confusing and separate events are merged together or mixed up with each other.
*The Rapture vs The Second Coming
The second chart in the bulletin notes (Comparison Chart of Rapture vs 2nd Coming) simply lists out the distinct aspects described in passages dealing with either the Rapture or the Second Coming. *The comparisons in the chart make it easy to see that there are at least two separate events and points to the major distinctions between them. The first five passages, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:50-57, Luke 17:22:37, Matthew 24:32-44 and 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 all list elements that do not fit the characteristics of the Second Coming.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 is the defining passage about the Rapture both because it specifically states that Christians will be caught up – raptured, and because it gives the most details about that event. While both it and the passages on the second advent speak about the coming of the Lord and both mention clouds, the descriptions of what happens and the purposes of each are in contrast to each other.
*In the Rapture, The Lord’s descent from heaven is announced with a shout, the voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God. In the Second Coming: A) No shout is mentioned; B) The angels accompany the Lord, but there is no mention of their voice much less the voice of the archangel; C) There is a great trumpet that sounds when the angels are sent out to gather the elect (Matt. 24:31), but that does not seem to match “the trumpet of God” in 1 Thess. 4:16 or “the last trumpet” of 1 Cor. 15:52 since the later two are articular, specific trumpets and not an anarthrous great trumpet. In addition and of more significance is that the last trumpet and the trumpet of God are not preceded by any signs as is the great trumpet in Matthew 24:31.
*That imminent suddenness is an important feature of the Rapture and all the passages that point to it. While there are plenty of general signs that the end is getting near, there are no specific signs that precede it. For that reason the Lord’s coming at the Rapture can be described as a thief in the night in 1 Thessalonians 5:2. It comes suddenly and without warning. The many statements in the epistles to be on watch for the Lord’ return have that same sense of imminence. We know He is coming back, and though we do not know when, we are to be eagerly awaiting it (Romans 8:23; 1 Cor. 1:7; Gal. 5:5; Phil. 3:20; Heb. 9:28) and actively looking for it (Titus 2:13) because He is near (Phil. 4:5), even standing at the door (James 5:7-9).
*There are many general signs that the end is getting near since they point to how prophecies concerning the tribulation period can be fulfilled. An example of that is the rebirth of the nation of Israel since that has put Jews back in the land and in Jerusalem where a future temple will have to be rebuilt in order for the antichrist to desecrate it. Another is the preparations the Jews have already made to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem quickly as soon as the opportunity arises. There is now even a breed line of red heifers needed for the consecration. International political alignments change all the time, but the current rise of anti-Semitism, more accurately described as hatred of Jews, is putting more pressure on Jews to immigrate to Israel, and it also sets up the conditions by which the government over the Jews at the time the tribulation begins will be willing to enter into a treaty with the political leader that will turn out to be the anti-Christ. All these things point to events that will happen during the tribulation and therefore also the Second Coming, but none of them need to be fulfilled prior to the Rapture. *That is a very important point to expand on by pointing out some of the major events that must take place prior to the Second Coming of Christ, but are not required prior to the Rapture.
*A covenant made between the antiChrist and the Jews (Dan. 9:27)
*A rebuilt temple & resumption of sacrifices & offerings (Dan. 9:27)
*The sacrifices stopped and the temple desecrated by the abomination of desolation midway in the tribulation period (Dan. 9:27; Matthew 24:15)
*The fleeing of a Jewish remnant to the mountains after the abomination of desolation (Matt. 24:15; Rev. 12:6,14; Zech. 14:5)
*A great tribulation worse than anything before it (Matt. 24:20)
*Celestial signs including Sun being darkened, moon not giving its light, and stars falling from the sky (Matt. 24:30; Luke 21:25)
*Increase in wars, famines and earthquakes (Matt. 24:7; Luke 21:11)
*The seal judgments (Rev. 6)
*The trumpet judgments (Rev. 8 & 9)
*The bowl judgments (Rev. 16)
*The rise of the antichrist to world political, military and then religious domination (Dan. 9:27; Rev. 13, 15)
*The nations gather to battle the Lord (Zech. 14:2; Rev. 16:14; 17:14)
*There are also great differences in the particulars of Jesus coming for His church in the Rapture and His Second Coming as the conquering king that will destroy His enemies.
*Purpose: In the Rapture, Jesus returns for His church, transforming the saints so that will evermore be with Him (1 Thess. 4:7) and rescues them from the wrath to come (1 Thess. 1:10). In the Second Coming, Jesus returns to wage war and destroy the wicked and then rule the nations (Zech. 14:3; Joel 3; Rev. 19:11-21).
*Appearance: No description is given about Jesus’ appearance in the Rapture. Jesus’ appearance at the Second Coming is that of a warrior. He comes on a white horse, has many diadems, is wearing a robe dipped in blood & labeled King of kings and Lord of lords, has a sharp sword and has His armies with Him (Rev. 19:11-15).
*Clouds: In the Rapture, Jesus descends from heaven but remains in the clouds where the transformed saints meet Him (1 Thess. 4:16-17. In the Second Coming, Jesus comes in the clouds and then to earth to stand on the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4).
*Saints: In the Rapture, Jesus returns for His church, the saints who are on earth (1 Thess. 4:16-17) who then go up to heaven. In the Second Coming, Jesus returns with His armies which are in heaven, the chosen and faithful, who accompany Him to earth (Rev. 17:14; 19:14).
*Angels: In the Rapture, only the voice of an archangel is mentioned (1 Thess. 4:16). In the Second Coming, Jesus returns with all the angels (Matt. 25:31; Zech. 14:5).
*Gathering: In the Rapture, the saints are resurrected and transformed and caught up together to heaven without indication of angelic involvement, and no gathering of the wicked. In the Second Coming, the sheep and the goats, the righteous and unrighteous are both gathered and separated (Matthew 25:31-33). Jesus revealed in Matthew 13:41-42 that at the end of the age, angels are sent forth to “gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks and those who commit lawlessness” to be thrown into the furnace of fire. In Matthew 24:31 Jesus said “He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”
*The Rapture and the Second Coming are two separate events with two separate purposes, and so it is no surprise that the descriptions of them have very distinct elements that help us to discern between. That includes the clues needed to place passages that can be confusing such as 1 Thess. 5:2-3 and Matthew 24:32-44.
*The difficulty with 1 Thessalonians 5 is that though this immediately follows Paul’s clarification of the Rapture in chapter 4, the context is set more generally in a discussion of the times and epochs of which he then states they have no need of anything to be written to them. Paul then introduces the topic of the day of the Lord, which we have already seen can have wide range of specific meaning and timing of application. It is Paul’s statement that “the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night” that points to him talking about the Rapture because it comes unexpectedly without warning. That means that his comment in verse 3 gives us an idea of what the conditions will be like just prior to the Rapture. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. It will be a time when it appears the turmoil normal in the world seems to be calming down so that there is peace among nations and the safety that brings can be enjoyed. Like a woman with child, she knows the potential, yet nevertheless, the labor pains come suddenly when she is not expecting. So destruction will come suddenly at an unexpected time just as described in Revelation 6 with the start of the seal judgments.
*The parable of the fig tree in Matthew 24:32-44 is more difficult. The point of the parable is to discern the signs of the season and be on the alert for the coming of the Son of Man though the day and hour is not known except to the Father. The immediate context is that after the tribulation of those days described in verses 15-28, the Son of Man returns in verses 29-31. *However, the warning to be alert in vs. 42-44 is that the Lord’s coming will be like a thief that comes at an unknown time of night, and that it will occur when you do not think it would come. That describes the unexpected nature of the Rapture. While the hour of the Second Coming is not known, it is preceded by many very definite signs, and a close calculation can be made to when it should be expected since it will occur three and a half (3 ½) years after the abomination of desolation (Cf, Daniel 9:27; 12:11; Matt. 24:15, 23-30, Rev. 12:14). The Second Coming will be at a time when it will be expected. In addition, the description in verse 38 that it will “as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage,” also better fits the time before the Rapture. The time prior to the Second Coming will be filled with coping with multiple worldwide disasters and the armies of the world gathering to make war with the Lamb (Rev. 16-19). Life was normal prior to the Flood, It will not be normal before the Second Coming.
*Which Armageddon?
There is one last confusion in eschatology I want to clarify before concluding this sermon, and that is distinguishing between the Armageddon at the end of the tribulation period and the one that occurs at the end of the millennium. Both are described in similar ways, but there are enough clear differences to distinguish them as separate events.
*First, the term Armageddon or Har-Magedon meaning “mountain of Megiddo” comes from Revelation 16:14-16 and is the place where spirits of demons gather the kings of the whole world together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty. *The location is the south side of the plain of Megiddo, also known as the plain of Jezreel, in northern Israel which has been the site of many major battles throughout history (Barak & Deborah vs. Canaanites in Judges 5; Joram & Ahaziah vs. Jehu in 2 Kings 9; Pharaoh vs. Josiah in 2 Kings 23:29). *The reference to it in Revelation 16:16 is a consequence of the pouring out of the sixth bowl of wrath which dries up the Euphrates river to prepare the way for the kings of the east to join with the rest of the kings in gathering there. *The battle itself is described briefly in Revelation 17:14 as the beast and the ten kings aligned with him that will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them. The battle is described in more detail in Revelation 19:11-21 which I covered in last week’s sermon. Messiah returns with His armies to earth to destroy the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him (vs. 19). *The beast and his false prophet are seized and thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. The rest of the armies gathered there are killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh. The wicked of the world that worshiped the beast taking his mark will be reaped and cast into the great wine press of the wrath of God and executed (Rev. 14:9-11, 17-20).
*It is very important to point out that this Armageddon is part of what takes place in relationship to the tribulation period and especially the bowls of wrath. The battle itself and the destruction of the wicked is specifically related to the beast, his armies and those who take his mark.
*What comes after this in Revelation 20 is all related to what occurs over a period of the next thousand years, a millennium. Even for those that reject the thousand years being literal an instead an undetermined long length of time, they still have to acknowledge that specific period of time occurs six times in Revelation 20:2-7. Satan is bound for that period of time and not released until it has passed (vs. 2, 3 & 7). The martyrs of the tribulation period are resurrected and reign with Christ for that period of time (vs. 4, 6). The rest of the dead are not resurrected until after that period of time (vs. 5).
*It is in relationship to that period of time that the next battle takes place that is often referred to as Armageddon though that term is not used in Revelation 20. That battle is briefly described in Revelation 20:7–10. What I want to point out here is the differences between it and the Armageddon described in Revelation 14, 16 & 19.
*Two of the differences described in the text could be resolved with some rather simple explanations. In the first Armageddon, it is the spirits of demons that deceive the kings into gathering for battle (Rev. 16:14), and in the second it is Satan himself that deceives the nations (Rev. 20:8). Though it is not stated this way, it could be argued that Satan uses the spirits of the demons to deceive the nations, and that is not unreasonable.
*Another difference is that in the first Armageddon the nations gather at Har-Magedon, and in the second they gather “on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city.” It could be reasonably argued that in both the massive size of the armies gathered would mean they would be spread out throughout Israel from the plains of Megiddo down to Jerusalem
*The next three differences cannot be explained away without distorting the plain meaning of the texts. First and most obvious is that the first Armageddon occurs before the start of the millennial time period prior to the second one which does not occur until after the millennial time period (Rev. 20:7).
*Next, the armies gathered under the leadership of the beast in the first Armageddon are slain by the sharp sword from the mouth of the Messiah and their bodies are left there to be eaten by the birds. In the second it is fire from heaven that comes down from heaven that devours the armies gathered under the leadership of Satan. To devour, katesqivw / katesthi , is to destroy utterly, consume completely. There are no bodies left for the birds to eat.
*Next, the first Armageddon is followed by a thousand year period of Christ reigning with the resurrected martyrs. The second is followed by final judgment and then passing away of the present heaven and earth and the coming of the new heaven and new earth.
*Finally, the beast and false prophet are seized and cast alive into the lake of fire and brimstone after the first Armageddon, but Satan is only bound. After the second one Satan is also cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and false prophet are already.
*These unreconcilable distinctions confirm that these are two different events, and it is those distinctions that enable other prophecies about them to be understood properly and where they fit. For example, Zechariah 14 fits the first Armageddon and not the second because it is followed by the nations worshiping the King, Yahweh of hosts in Jerusalem and punished if they do not.
*Conclusions
While there are many things in the Bible that can be difficult to understand, and the details of eschatology is certainly one of them, the basic truths are not difficult to grasp, and even the more difficult things can be figured out with diligent study when the desire is to know what God has revealed instead of how to force the scriptures into predetermined theological boxes.
*The phrase the Day of the Lord is used for many different events and time periods, so care must be taken to carefully examine context to determine what is being referred to by that phrase.
*The future Rapture of the church is a true, Biblical doctrine which is very distinct from the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in purpose and in the details of what happens when it occurs. This is a source of great comfort and hope for Christians. We will indeed be kept from the wrath of God that comes during the tribulation period.
*Armageddon is a distinct event occurring at the end of the tribulation prior to the millennium which should not be confused with the final rebellion of a large portion of mankind led by Satan which occurs after that thousand years of the reign of Messiah on Jerusalem on David’s throne.
*The Bible is true. Jesus keeps all His promises. He will return for His church. God will carry out His plans for the future including blessing for those made righteous by faith in Jesus Christ and eternal punishment for those that reject Him. *All those being true, what manner of life should you be living now? Take Peter’s admonishment to heart to “be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.”
If you do not know Jesus yet as your Lord and Savior, talk with any of our church leaders. We would be glad to answer any of your questions and show you how to receive forgiveness of your sins by faith in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and then know that the blessings of eternity with Him will belong to you instead of the torments of Hell.
Sermon Notes – 1/4/2026
What’s the Difference? Day of the Lord, Rapture, Second Coming,- Selected Scriptures
Introduction
The Day of the Lord – See chart
The Day of the Lord is used to refer to many _______________diverse events both historical and future
Ezekiel 13 – _________fulfillment against a specific group
Zechariah 14 – _________________fulfillment of Messiah’s victory and reign
Isaiah 13 – Fulfillment in _______historical about Babylon, & _________________in the Great Tribulation
2 Peter 3:10-14 – ____________beginning then jumping in eschatology to eternity
Eschatology is to be a motivation to live __________and __________ lives in the present
The ___________of The Day of the Lord passages must be examined carefully in order to interpret properly
ē- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Rapture: Christians given glorified bodies & _______ to be with Jesus at His return prior to the Millennium
1 Corinthians 15:50-57 – this happens in the twinkling of an eye at the ____trumpet giving victory over death
The Rapture rejected largely due to submission to theological _______instead of the plain sense of Scripture
Rapture is from _______rapiermur (to seize) used to translate Greek harpagēsometha (we will be caught up)
__________________(pre-millennialism) was the majority Christian view in the first three centuries
Ireneaus & other early church fathers believed that Jesus would deliver His church _______to the tribulation
Rejection of the Rapture easily leads to _______________it with the Second Coming
The Rapture vs The Second Coming – See chart
Comparing passages dealing with either the Rapture or the Second Coming demonstrate ____separate events
Both _________in the details of the description of Lord’s descent from heaven
The Rapture is imminent coming suddenly and _______________having no specific signs preceding it
There are many general signs pointing to this being the _______preceding specific eschatological fulfillment
Major events that ______take place prior to the Second Coming but are _____required prior to the Rapture:
*A covenant made between the antiChrist and the Jews (Dan. 9:27)
*A rebuilt temple and resumption of sacrifices and offerings (Dan. 9:27)
*The abomination of desolation (Dan. 9:27; Matthew 24:15)
*The fleeing of a Jewish remnant to the mountains (Matt. 24:15; Rev. 12:6,14; Zech. 14:5)
*A great tribulation worse than anything before it (Matt. 24:20)
*Specific celestial signs – sun & moon darkened, stars falling (Matt. 24:30; Luke 21:25)
*Increase in wars, famines and earthquakes (Matt. 24:7; Luke 21:11)
*Seal, trumpet and bowl judgments (Rev. 6, 8-9; 16)
*The rise of the antichrist to world political, military & then religious domination (Dan. 9:27; Rev. 13, 15)
*The nations gather to battle the Lord (Zech. 14:2; Rev. 16:14; 17:14)
Great differences in the _____________descriptions of the Rapture & the Second Coming
*Purpose: To _________Church from God’s wrath vs. To __________God’s wrath upon the world
*Appearance: No description vs. ____________description of return as a conquering king with His armies
*Clouds: Descends to the clouds & __________there vs. Comes in clouds to _________- Mount of Olives
*Saints: Church on ______raptured to heaven vs. Church in _______returns with Messiah going to the earth
*Angels: Only the voice of the archangel vs. Jesus returning with ______His angels
*Gathering: Church gathered to heaven, no gathering of the wicked vs. Angels gather all, then separated
The Rapture and the Second Coming are ______________events – the details help place confusing passages
Imminent return and sudden destruction places 1 Thessalonians 5:2 as part of the ____________
The parable of the fig tree (Matt. 24:32-44) is ___________due to immediate context of the Second Coming
Its purpose to warn of imminent, sudden & ______________return place it as part of the Rapture
Which Armageddon?
Armageddon / Har-Magedon is the place the ____________gathers to battle God – Rev. 16:14-16
Location is __________of Megiddo / Jezreel where many battles have been fought (Jdg 5; 2 Kings 9; 23:29)
______ bowl prepares the way for it and it is described as part of ______bowl in Rev. 17:14 & 19:11-21
The _________& his armies wage war against the Lamb, the Messiah & His armies coming from heaven
The beast & false prophet seized & thrown into lake of fire, rest of armies destroyed by _______, birds feast
Armageddon (Rev. 19 & earlier) concerns the tribulation, the ______, his armies & those that take his mark
Revelation 20 details what happens ________Armageddon and the thousand year period following it
The battle in Revelation 20:7-10 ___________match the battle of Armageddon described in earlier chapters
*Deception of kings: By Spirits of demons vs. Satan – though Satan could use demons
*Location: Har-Magedon vs. broad plain & around Jerusalem – though both may involve all Israel
*Timing: Occurs at end of tribulation period __________millennium vs. ___________ of millennium
*Armies: Lead by the beast, slain by _____, eaten by birds vs. lead by Satan, devoured by ____, no bird food
*Succeeding state: _________reign of Messiah with saints vs. final judgment & beginning of ________state
*Satan: Seized & only bound for ___________time vs. Seized & cast into lake of fire for ___________
The distinctions prove the are _______________________events and enable placement of other prophecies
Conclusions
Eschatology can be difficult, but the major events are _______________& proper hermeneutics help the rest
The Bible is true! Jesus keeps all His promises! What _____________of life should you then live?
KIDS KORNER
Parents, you are responsible to apply God’s Word to your children’s lives. Here is some help. Young Children – draw a picture about something you hear during the sermon. Explain your picture(s) to your parents at lunch. Older Children – Do one or more of the following: 1) Count how many references are made to the Rapture and to the Second Coming. 2) Discuss with your parents the manner in which Jesus returns to conquer the world.
THINK ABOUT IT!
Questions to consider in discussing the sermon with others. Compare the differences between the Rapture and the Second Coming and between Revelation 19:11-21 and Revelation 20:7-11.
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