Marilyn Agee (24 Aug 2014)
"Pastor Bob (17 Aug 2014) ""Compare and Contrast The Rapture and The Second Coming"""


From: Marilyn Agee
Hi:
 
Thanks for your interesting posts. When studying Bible Chronology, I went along with Anstey, but knew about some of Panin’s work on that. However, I had no idea that he was the one that uncovered so much of the miraculous sevening of Scripture. I am so glad you covered that so well. I want to keep copies of those posts.
 
> > Most assuredly, the comparison and contrast between the Rapture and the Second Coming, can only be interpreted to support only a Pre-Tribulation Rapture.
 
However, most of those differences could support a Mid-Trib Rapture. Here is some food for thought, and I understand that you are too busy to answer. Keep doing what you are doing. I look eagerly for your posts.
 
It now seems to me that the First Rapture (I Thess. 4:13-18) can only happen at the first “trump of God”, Mid-Trib, and the Last Rapture (I Cor. 15:51-54) can only happen “at the last trump”, on the great and terrible Day of the Lord.
 
RAPTURE ONE: “THE TRUMP OF GOD”: PROBABLY MID-TRIB
 
1Th 4:13-18 says, “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (phthano, precede)  them which are asleep. 16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
 
RAPTURE TWO: “AT THE LAST TRUMP”: THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF GOD’S WRATH, THE DAY OF THE LORD AT THE END OF THE TRIBULATION
 
1Co 15:51-54 says, “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
 
Isa_13:6 says, “Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.”
 
Isa_13:9 says, “Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.”
 
Isa_34:8 says, “For it is the day of the LORD'S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.”
 
Jer_46:10 says, “For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries”.
 
Lam_2:22 says, “Thou hast called as in a solemn day my terrors round about, so that in the day of the LORD'S anger none escaped nor remained”.
 
Eze_13:5 says, “Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.”
 
Eze_30:3 says, “For the day is near, even the day of the LORD is near, a cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen.”
 
Joe_1:15 says, “Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.”
 
Joe_2:1 says, “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh”
 
Joe_2:11 says, “And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?”
 
Joe_2:31 says, “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.”
 
Joe_3:14 says, “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.”
 
Amo_5:18 says, “Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light.”
 
Amo_5:20 says, “Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?”
 
Oba_1:15 says, “For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.”
 
Zep_1:7 says, “Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice”.
 
Zep_1:8 says, “And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD'S sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel.”
 
Zep_1:14 says, “The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.”
 
Zep_2:3 says, “Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid (i.e., Raptured) in the day of the LORD'S anger.”
 
Zec_14:1 says, “Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.”
 
Mal_4:5 says, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD”.
 
Act_2:20 says, “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come”
 
1Th_5:2 says, “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”
 
2Pe_3:10 says, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”
 
Joel 2:11 says, “And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?”
 
Joel 2:31 says, “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.”
 
Rev 6:16, 17 says, “And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17  For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”
 
May the Lord bless you abundantly. Keep up the good work.
 
Agape,
Marilyn Agee
mjagee@verizon.net
prophecycorner.theforeverfamily.com
 
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                     The Rapture:                                                                      The Second Coming:

1.  At the Rapture, Jesus comes FOR His Church.                   1.  At the Glorious Appearing (Second Coming),
     (John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17).                                   Jesus comes WITH His Church.  (Zechariah
                                                                                                        (Zechariah 14:5; Colossians 3:4; Jude 14,
                                                                                                        Revelation 19:14).

2.  At the Rapture, Christians are caught up to                         2.  At the Glorious Appearing, Jesus feet touch
     meet Jesus in the air.  (1st Thessalonians 4:13-18).                the Earth.  (Zechariah 14:4; Revelation 19:11-21).

3.  At the Rapture, Christians are taken first and                      3.  At the Glorious Appearing, the wicked are taken
     unbelievers are left behind.  (1 Thessalonians                         first, but the righteous (the Tribulation saints)
     4:13-18).                                                                                   are left behind.  (Matthew 13:28-30).

4.  At the Rapture, Jesus will gather His Bride, the                   4. At the Glorious Appearing, Jesus will execute
     Church, unto Himself in preparation of the                               judgment on the Earth and establish His
     Marriage of the Lamb.  (Revelation 19:6-9).                             Kingdom.  (Zechariah 14:3-4, Jude 14-15;
                                                                                                       Revelation 19:11-21).

5.  The Marriage of the Lamb takes place in                             5.  War on Earth comes AFTER the Marriage of
     Heaven AFTER the Rapture of the Church.                              the Lamb at the Glorious Appearing when the
     (Revelation 19:6-9).                                                                   King of Kings and Lord of Lords lays the
                                                                                                       smack-down on evil!  (Revelation 19:11-21).

6.  The Rapture will happen in a moment, in the                       6.  The Glorious Appearing will be a slow coming.
     twinkling of an eye.  (Blink, and it's over!).                                 Everyone will see Jesus coming with great
     (1st Corinthians 15:52).                                                              power and great glory!  (Zechariah 12:10;
                                                                                                        Matthew 24:30; Revelation1:7).

7.  At the Rapture, only those who are looking                         7.  At the Glorious Appearing, every eye will see
     for Him (Christian believers) will see Him.                                Him and those who have rejected Him will
     (1st John 3:2; 1 Corinthians 15:52).                                          wail.  (Revelation 1:7).

8.  At the Rapture, Jesus will descend from                             8.  At the Glorious Appearing, no shout is mentioned,
     Heaven with a shout (calling for the Saints                              although the Lord does slay the wicked with the
     at the resurrection).  (1st Thessalonians 4:16).                        sword of His mouth.  (Revelation 19:11-21).

9.  At the Rapture, a resurrection will take place.                     9.  At the Glorious Appearing, there is no resur-
     (1st Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1st Corinthians                            rection spoken of.  (Zechariah 12:10; Zechariah
     15:51-54).                                                                                 14:4-5; Revelation 1:7, 19:11-21).

10.The Rapture can happen at any time ... maybe                  10. The Glorious Appearing will occur at the end of
     even now which is why we are to be WATCHING                     seven-year Tribulation period.  (Daniel 9:24-27;
     for the return of Christ Jesus!  (Revelation 3:3;                         Matthew 24:29-30; 2nd Thessalonians 2:3-8).
    1st Thessalonians 5:4-6).
 

11. At the Rapture, no angels are sent to gather                      11. At the Glorious Appearing, angels will be sent
     the Church.                                                                                to gather people together for judgment. 
                                                                                                        (Matthew 13:39,41 & 49; Matthew 24:31;
                                                                                                        Matthew 25:31; 2nd Thessalonians 1:7-10).

12. At the Rapture, those who died in Christ Jesus                  12. At the Glorious Appearing, Christians will return
      will return with Jesus to recover their resurrected                       with Jesus already in their resurrected bodies
      bodies.  (1st Thessalonians 4:14-16).                                       riding on white horses.  (Revelation 19:11-21).

13. At the Rapture, Jesus doesn't return riding                         13. At the Glorious Appearing, Jesus will return
      a white horse.                                                                            riding a white horse.   (Revelation 19:11).

14. The Rapture will bring with it a message of hope                14. The Glorious Appearing will bring with it a
      and comfort.  (1st Thessalonians 4:18; Titus 2:13;                    message of judgment.  (Joel 3:12-16;
      1st John 3:3).                                                                             Malachi 4:5; Revelation 19:11-21).

15. The world is deceived.  (2nd Thessalonians 2:3-12).          15. Satan is bound.  (Revelation 20:1-2).

16.  The focus is on the Lord and the Church.                           16. The focus is on Israel and the Kingdom.
       (1st Thessalonians 4:13-18).                                                     (Matthew 24:14).

17.  No signs precede the Rapture.  (1st Thessalonians            17. Signs precede the Second Coming.  (Luke
       5:1-3).                                                                                        21:11,15).

18.  The Tribulation begins.                                                        18. The Millennial Kingdom begins.

19.  The removal of believers.  (1st Thessalonians 4:17).          19.  The manifestation of Christ Jesus.  (Malachi
                                                                                                           4:2).
 
20.  Jesus claims His Bride.                                                        20.  Jesus comes with His Bride.  (Revelation
                                                                                                            19:6-14).

21.  The Marriage Supper of the Lamb follows the                     21.  The Great Supper of the wicked follows the
       Rapture.  (Revelation 19:9).                                                        Tribulation.  (Revelation 19:17).

22.  The world will not see Christ Jesus at the Rapture;             22.  Jesus will descend bodily and visibly for all
       but rather, believers ascend and go to meet Him in the              to see, just as He ascended bodily and
       air.  (1st Thessalonians 4:17).                                                     visibly.  (Acts 1:9-11).

23.  The Judgment Seat of Christ follows the Rapture.               23.  The Judgment of the Nations follows the
       (2nd Corinthians 5:9-11).                                                             Tribulation.  (Matthew 24:32-46).

24.  Believers receive a new, immortal glorified body                  24.  Saints saved during the Tribulation enter
       fashioned like unto the Lord's.  (Philippians 3:21;                        the Millennium kingdom with their
       1st Corinthians 15:51-54).                                                            earthly bodies.  (Isaiah 65:20).

25.  The Antichrist is revealed after the Rapture.                        25.  The Antichrist is defeated and cast into the
       (2nd Thessalonians 2:8).                                                             Lake of Fire at the Second Coming.
                                                                                                            (Revelation 19:20).

26.  Israel is persecuted during the Tribulation.  Two                  26.  Israel is regathered.  (Jeremiah 23:5-8).
       out of three Jews in Israel are killed.                                           
       (Zechariah 13:8-9).

27.  World government (the New World Order)                           27.  Christ Jesus' reign an government follows the
       follows the Rapture.  (Revelation 13:15).                                    Second Coming.  (Daniel 2:34-35).

28.  World famine, pestilence, war, and sorrow follow                28.  World peace follows Christ's Second Coming
       the Rapture.  (Matthew 24:6-10).                                                when He reigns from Jerusalem.  (Isaiah
       (Matthew 24:6-10; Luke 17:31).                                                  11:6).

---------------------------------------------------------------
 
Pastor Bob (17 Aug 2014)
""Compare and Contrast The Rapture and The Second Coming""


All Doves:

There are many people that still dispute the issue of a Rapture of Bible-believing Christians.  While I have focused my posts on the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, much of the liberal Church today rejects the very idea of such a Rapture of Bible-believing Christians.  The folks that come from a "Covenant/Reformed" hermeneutic, which represents 90% of the Church - Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, United Presbyterians, United Methodists, Nazarenes, Wesleyans, Christian, Church of Christ, Reformed Presbyterian, and a few others are so confused they can't seem to recognize the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming.

I majored in Civil Engineering for two years before transferring to a Christian College, in preparation for ministry that required its students to write essay type questions for all exams because they believed essay exams better prepared a student for graduate school.  I could bet money that would be the fact that any exam I took would begin with the question, "Compare and Contrast..........."  I had two semesters of Russian History, and my final exam for the second class was, "Compare and Contrast the Causes of the Russian Revolution of 1917". That was it, just a single question.  I had two hours to answer that one question.  I filled up five "blue" books, that were used in college written exams back in the 1960's. 

I thought it might be helpful for the reader if we did a "compare and contrast" between the Rapture and the Second Coming.  There are 28 distinctions between the two that follow below.  I just hope they line up like I typed them:

The Rapture:                                                                            The Second Coming:

1.  At the Rapture, Jesus comes FOR His Church.                   1.  At the Glorious Appearing (Second Coming),
     (John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17).                                   Jesus comes WITH His Church.  (Zechariah
                                                                                                        (Zechariah 14:5; Colossians 3:4; Jude 14,
                                                                                                        Revelation 19:14).

2.  At the Rapture, Christians are caught up to                         2.  At the Glorious Appearing, Jesus feet touch
     meet Jesus in the air.  (1st Thessalonians 4:13-18).                the Earth.  (Zechariah 14:4; Revelation 19:11-21).

3.  At the Rapture, Christians are taken first and                      3.  At the Glorious Appearing, the wicked are taken
     unbelievers are left behind.  (1 Thessalonians                         first, but the righteous (the Tribulation saints)
     4:13-18).                                                                                   are left behind.  (Matthew 13:28-30).

4.  At the Rapture, Jesus will gather His Bride, the                   4. At the Glorious Appearing, Jesus will execute
     Church, unto Himself in preparation of the                               judgment on the Earth and establish His
     Marriage of the Lamb.  (Revelation 19:6-9).                             Kingdom.  (Zechariah 14:3-4, Jude 14-15;
                                                                                                       Revelation 19:11-21).

5.  The Marriage of the Lamb takes place in                             5.  War on Earth comes AFTER the Marriage of
     Heaven AFTER the Rapture of the Church.                              the Lamb at the Glorious Appearing when the
     (Revelation 19:6-9).                                                                   King of Kings and Lord of Lords lays the
                                                                                                       smack-down on evil!  (Revelation 19:11-21).

6.  The Rapture will happen in a moment, in the                       6.  The Glorious Appearing will be a slow coming.
     twinkling of an eye.  (Blink, and it's over!).                                 Everyone will see Jesus coming with great
     (1st Corinthians 15:52).                                                              power and great glory!  (Zechariah 12:10;
                                                                                                        Matthew 24:30; Revelation1:7).

7.  At the Rapture, only those who are looking                         7.  At the Glorious Appearing, every eye will see
     for Him (Christian believers) will see Him.                                Him and those who have rejected Him will
     (1st John 3:2; 1 Corinthians 15:52).                                          wail.  (Revelation 1:7).

8.  At the Rapture, Jesus will descend from                             8.  At the Glorious Appearing, no shout is mentioned,
     Heaven with a shout (calling for the Saints                              although the Lord does slay the wicked with the
     at the resurrection).  (1st Thessalonians 4:16).                        sword of His mouth.  (Revelation 19:11-21).

9.  At the Rapture, a resurrection will take place.                     9.  At the Glorious Appearing, there is no resur-
     (1st Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1st Corinthians                            rection spoken of.  (Zechariah 12:10; Zechariah
     15:51-54).                                                                                 14:4-5; Revelation 1:7, 19:11-21).

10.The Rapture can happen at any time ... maybe                  10. The Glorious Appearing will occur at the end of
     even now which is why we are to be WATCHING                     seven-year Tribulation period.  (Daniel 9:24-27;
     for the return of Christ Jesus!  (Revelation 3:3;                         Matthew 24:29-30; 2nd Thessalonians 2:3-8).
    1st Thessalonians 5:4-6).

11. At the Rapture, no angels are sent to gather                      11. At the Glorious Appearing, angels will be sent
     the Church.                                                                                to gather people together for judgment. 
                                                                                                        (Matthew 13:39,41 & 49; Matthew 24:31;
                                                                                                        Matthew 25:31; 2nd Thessalonians 1:7-10).

12. At the Rapture, those who died in Christ Jesus                  12. At the Glorious Appearing, Christians will return
      will return with Jesus to recover their resurrected                       with Jesus already in their resurrected bodies
      bodies.  (1st Thessalonians 4:14-16).                                       riding on white horses.  (Revelation 19:11-21).

13. At the Rapture, Jesus doesn't return riding                         13. At the Glorious Appearing, Jesus will return
      a white horse.                                                                            riding a white horse.   (Revelation 19:11).

14. The Rapture will bring with it a message of hope                14. The Glorious Appearing will bring with it a
      and comfort.  (1st Thessalonians 4:18; Titus 2:13;                    message of judgment.  (Joel 3:12-16;
      1st John 3:3).                                                                             Malachi 4:5; Revelation 19:11-21).

15. The world is deceived.  (2nd Thessalonians 2:3-12).          15. Satan is bound.  (Revelation 20:1-2).

16.  The focus is on the Lord and the Church.                           16. The focus is on Israel and the Kingdom.
       (1st Thessalonians 4:13-18).                                                     (Matthew 24:14).

17.  No signs precede the Rapture.  (1st Thessalonians            17. Signs precede the Second Coming.  (Luke
       5:1-3).                                                                                        21:11,15).

18.  The Tribulation begins.                                                        18. The Millennial Kingdom begins.

19.  The removal of believers.  (1st Thessalonians 4:17).          19.  The manifestation of Christ Jesus.  (Malachi
                                                                                                           4:2).
 
20.  Jesus claims His Bride.                                                        20.  Jesus comes with His Bride.  (Revelation
                                                                                                            19:6-14).

21.  The Marriage Supper of the Lamb follows the                     21.  The Great Supper of the wicked follows the
       Rapture.  (Revelation 19:9).                                                        Tribulation.  (Revelation 19:17).

22.  The world will not see Christ Jesus at the Rapture;             22.  Jesus will descend bodily and visibly for all
       but rather, believers ascend and go to meet Him in the              to see, just as He ascended bodily and
       air.  (1st Thessalonians 4:17).                                                     visibly.  (Acts 1:9-11).

23.  The Judgment Seat of Christ follows the Rapture.               23.  The Judgment of the Nations follows the
       (2nd Corinthians 5:9-11).                                                             Tribulation.  (Matthew 24:32-46).

24.  Believers receive a new, immortal glorified body                  24.  Saints saved during the Tribulation enter
       fashioned like unto the Lord's.  (Philippians 3:21;                        the Millennium kingdom with their
       1st Corinthians 15:51-54).                                                            earthly bodies.  (Isaiah 65:20).

25.  The Antichrist is revealed after the Rapture.                        25.  The Antichrist is defeated and cast into the
       (2nd Thessalonians 2:8).                                                             Lake of Fire at the Second Coming.
                                                                                                            (Revelation 19:20).

26.  Israel is persecuted during the Tribulation.  Two                  26.  Israel is regathered.  (Jeremiah 23:5-8).
       out of three Jews in Israel are killed.                                           
       (Zechariah 13:8-9).

27.  World government (the New World Order)                           27.  Christ Jesus' reign an government follows the
       follows the Rapture.  (Revelation 13:15).                                    Second Coming.  (Daniel 2:34-35).

28.  World famine, pestilence, war, and sorrow follow                28.  World peace follows Christ's Second Coming
       the Rapture.  (Matthew 24:6-10).                                                when He reigns from Jerusalem.  (Isaiah
       (Matthew 24:6-10; Luke 17:31).                                                  11:6).

Most assuredly, the comparison and contrast between the Rapture and the Second Coming, can only be interpreted to support only a Pre-Tribulation Rapture.

Keep looking up and listening for the sound of the trumpet.

Pastor Bob