There are TWO STAGES to Christ’s Second Coming. The first stage will be the RAPTURE, when Christ comes to take all believers home to heaven as He promised He would do in John 14:2-3, “In My father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” The DETAILS of the Rapture are found in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, and the RESULTS of the Rapture are found in Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Corinthians 15:51-57 and Ephesians 5:27. These two events will be separated by approximately SEVEN YEARS (the Tribulation Period which is outlined in Revelation chapters 6-18.

The second stage will be the REVELATION, which is His Personal and visible return to earth to establish His 1,000-year kingdom. We see the promise of this event in Acts 1:11 where two angels told His disciples (who had just seen Jesus ascend to heaven from the Mount of Olives), “Men of Galilee, who do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” The DETAILS of the Revelation are found in Jude 14 and Revelation 19:11-16, and the RESULTS of the Revelation are found in Jude 15; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; 2:8; Revelation 19:17-30:3; and Matthew 25:31-46.

Here are 9 Contrasts between the Rapture and the Revelation (The Rapture will be indicated by “A” and

the Revelation by “B”):

          1. (A) A sign less, imminent event—Phil. 3:20; 1 Thess. 1:10

              (B) Signs to be observed and prophecies fulfilled—Matt. 24:3-30; 2 Thess. 2:2-8

          2. (A) He comes for His saints—John 14:3; 1 Thess. 4:16,17; 2 Thess. 2:1

              (B) He comes with His saints—Jude 14; Rev. 19:7,8,14

          3. (A) He comes to the Air—1 Thess. 4:17

              (B) He comes to the Mount of Olives—Acts 1:9-12 & Zechariah 14:1-4

          4. (A) He comes as the Morning Star—Rev. 22:16; 2 Pet. 1:19

              (B) He comes as the Sun of Righteousness—Malachi 4:2

          5. (A) He comes as the Bridegroom—Matt. 25:1, 10; Rev. 19:7-9; 2 Cor. 11:2

              (B) He comes as the King of Kings—Rev. 19:11-16; Rom. 11:26; Isa. 9:6-7

          6. (A) Unseen by the world—1 Cor. 15:52

              (B) Every eye shall see Him—Rev. 1:7

          7. (A) Source of comfort—1 Thess. 4:18

              (B) Source of fear—Luke 21:25-27

          8. (A) The Day of Christ—Phil. 1:6,10; 2:16; 1 Cor. 1:8; 2 Cor. 1:14

              (B) The Day of the Lord—1 Thess. 5:2; 2 Thess. 2:2 (JND)

          9. (A) Christians are judged as to rewards—1 Corinthians 3:13-15

              (B) The nations are judged as to the kingdom—Matthew 25:31-46  (DO)  (702.3)