lessons

21-Jun-2025: Understanding the Difference Between the Rapture and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ

Opening Prayer

Introduction

Is there a difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming of Christ? YES! There is a Big Difference.

Sometimes understanding God’s Word might seem difficult. The key to understanding God’s Word is to Pray to God that through His Holy Word that we can understand. God tells us to ask Him for wisdom and if we do and believe we will receive it He will give it to us.

James 1:5-6

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Prophetic Scriptures speak of two separate and distinct events — The Rapture of The Church and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
God’s People are His The Rapture will occur when Jesus Christ returns for His Church. We are His Church. You are His Chosen People, A Royal Priesthood.

1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

You Are “His Chosen People, A Royal Priesthood” God has called you brothers and sisters in Pakistan to be His believers in Jesus Christ.
All of you are chosen by God, set apart to Serve Him, and called to reflect His Holiness. As a Royal Priesthood, You all share in Christ’s authority, have direct access to God, and are entrusted with proclaiming His greatness.
Your priestly role includes offering spiritual sacrifices — such as worship, prayer, and service — and living lives that represent God’s Kingdom and Character in this world.

John 15:16

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit — fruit that will last — and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

This passage tells us that Jesus chooses his followers, not the other way around. He appoints you with a purpose: to live fruitful lives that have lasting spiritual impact. This fruitfulness is linked to the promise that prayers made in Jesus’ name will be answered, highlighting themes of divine initiative, purposeful living, and effective prayer.
One day in the very near future all true believers in Christ will be taken from the earth by God into Heaven to Live in Eternity. In Fact, Jesus is there now preparing a place just for you. Each and every one of you:

John 14:2

My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

1 Corinthians 15:51-52

Listen, I will tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — 52 in a moment, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

The Second Coming will happen when Jesus Christ returns with The Church to defeat the antichrist, overthrow evil and then establish his thousand-year reign on earth.

Revelation 19:11–16

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the wine-press of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS!

The Mystery of the Blessed Hope

Titus 2:13

“…while we wait for the blessed hope — the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ”

There is a profound mystery found in Scripture known as the Blessed Hope — the Rapture of the Church. And yet, many believers confuse this with the Second Coming of Christ. These two events are not the same. They are distinct, separate moments in God’s prophetic timeline.

The Apostle Paul writes:

1 Corinthians 15:51-52

“Listen, I will tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet…”

Rapture vs. Second Coming (The Difference is Crucial)

Let’s break it down and examine the differences clearly.

Rapture – Christ Comes For His Church: Jesus returns in the air to snatch away believers

This event is hidden, quick, and can happen at any moment.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

“…we who are still alive…will be caught up…to meet the Lord in the air…”

Second Coming – Christ Comes With His Church: Jesus returns to the earth to defeat the Antichrist and establish His reign.

This will be a visible, glorious event for all to see.

Revelation 19:14 describes the armies of heaven returning with Christ.

Key Differences in Scripture

Rapture: Believers meet Christ in the clouds (1 Thess. 4:17). Second Coming: Christ returns with believers.

Revelation 19:14

The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.

This presents a powerful vision of Christ’s triumphant return, where the armies of heaven — redeemed saints and angels — follow Him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. The white horses symbolize purity and victory, while the fine linen represents the righteousness given to believers through Christ.
These armies follow Jesus in obedience and unity, participating in His final victory over evil. The verse highlights the glory, authority, and righteousness of Christ and the role of His redeemed people in His ultimate triumph.

Before vs. After the Tribulation: Rapture: Occurs before the 7-year Tribulation. “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath…”

1 Thessalonians 5:9

For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

These scriptures assure believers that God’s purpose for them is not judgment but salvation through Jesus Christ. While God’s wrath will be poured out in judgment, particularly during the Day of the Lord, those who trust in Christ are not appointed to experience it.
Instead, they are destined to receive salvation — a gift of grace that brings eternal life and fellowship with God. This verse offers comfort and hope, reminding believers to live with confidence and expectation, knowing they are secure in God’s redemptive plan.

Second Coming: Happens after the Tribulation. Christ comes to judge the world

Revelation 19:17–18

And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and the mighty, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, great and small.”

Here depicts an angel calling birds to gather for the “great supper of God,” where they will feast on the flesh of those defeated in the final battle against Christ.
This includes kings, generals, warriors, and people of all social statuses. The vivid imagery symbolizes the total judgment and utter defeat of all who oppose God. As part of the broader vision of Christ’s triumphant return, this passage emphasizes the finality of God’s justice and the complete overthrow of evil.

Deliverance vs. Judgment: Rapture: God delivers His people. “We will be with the Lord forever…”

1 Thessalonians 4:17

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Here is described a future moment when believers who are alive at Christ’s return will be “caught up” together with resurrected believers to meet the Lord in the air.
This event, often associated with the concept of the rapture, signifies the uniting of all believers — living and dead — with Christ in a shared, eternal fellowship.
The imagery of being caught up in the clouds reflects a heavenly gathering and assures believers that they will forever be with the Lord. The verse offers hope, encouragement, and a promise of eternal communion with Christ for all who trust in Him.

Second Coming: God brings judgment upon the rebellious. “He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty…”

Revelation 19:15

Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.

Here it presents Jesus Christ as the divine warrior and judge at His second coming. A sharp sword from His mouth symbolizes the power of His word to bring judgment.
He strikes down the nations, rules with an iron rod — signifying just and absolute authority — and treads the winepress of God’s fierce wrath, portraying the complete judgment of sin.
This verse fulfills Old Testament prophecies and underscores Christ’s role in executing God’s justice and establishing His eternal kingdom.

Hidden vs. Seen by All: Rapture: Happens suddenly and invisibly. “In the twinkling of an eye…”

1 Corinthians 15:52

In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Second Coming: Every eye will see Him. “Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him…”

Revelation 1:7

“Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”So shall it be! Amen.

Imminent vs. Conditional: Rapture: Could happen at any moment. “While we wait for the blessed hope…”

Titus 2:13

While we wait for the blessed hope — the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Second Coming: Will happen after certain events (e.g., rise of Antichrist). “He sets himself up in God’s temple…”

2 Thessalonians 2:4

He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

IF YOU ARE NOT WITH CHRIST AT THE TIME OF THE RAPTURE — THERE IS STILL HOPE: If you are left behind after the Rapture, there is still hope — but it will be a time of intense suffering during the Great Tribulation.

The Mark of the Beast: The Bible warns not to take the mark of the beast.

Revelation 13:16–17

“…so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark…”

Revelation 14:9–11

“…Anyone who worships the beast…will drink the wine of God’s fury…” Once you take the mark, the Bible says there is no going back.

Refusing the Mark: Eternal Life, Even Unto Death: If you refuse the mark, you may be killed — but you will be resurrected and reign with Christ if you repent of your sins, Confess Jesus is Lord and are Baptized in His Name even during this horrible time on earth. “I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus… They came to life and reigned with Christ…” (Revelation 20:4)

Call to Action: Repent, Believe and Be Ready

Let us be ready for the rapture: This message is not meant to scare you but to prepare you. Jesus said in Matthew 24:44: “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

If you have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, now is the time. Today is the day of salvation. Repent of your sins. Be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Do you know what the last word in The Holy Bible is? Let’s see what it says. Just like everytime we read a Scripture from God’s Holy Word you all say together “AMEN” That is The Last Word in The Bible. At least for now.

Revelation 22:20-21

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

Live a Holy life, watching and waiting for His return. Stay vigilant. Stay faithful. Watch for the signs, but more importantly, live for the Savior. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”