The Second Coming of Christ

As we have seen from previous messages, a simple comma in the text is often significant and may represent a long period of time. To demonstrate why the scriptures were written in this way, imagine looking up at a distant star. With the naked eye, it appears as one single dot in a sky of black. Now imagine holding a powerful telescope up and looking at the same dot. Now it appears as actually several smaller dots of light. The closer you could get to the lights, the more details you would distinguish and the distance between the lights would grow until they were quite significant. This is often the way it is with prophecy. Here is an example:

Isaiah 9

7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Here is another example:

Isaiah 61

them that are

2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

Other examples can be found in Zechariah 9:9-10, Luke 1:31-33 etc.

We shall now look closely at the second coming of Christ. Many people do not really know what this term refers to. Some think it is the rapture while others say it is when Christ returns to earth, ie touches down on the Mount of Olives to set up His physical kingdom on earth.

Actually, the second coming of Christ can be divided into at least four parts, William McDonald in his book "Here's the Difference" describes these phases as: The beginning, the course, the manifestation and the climax.

The words translated as "coming" in the new testament include:

602 apokalupsis {ap-ok-al'-oop-sis} from 601; TDNT - 3:563,405; n f AV - revelation 12, be revealed 2, to lighten + 1519 1, manifestation 1, coming 1, appearing 1; 18	3952 parousia {par-oo-see'-ah} from the present participle of 3918; TDNT - 5:858,791; n f AV - coming 22, presence 2; 24
1) laying bear, making naked 2) a disclosure of truth, instruction 2a) concerning things before unknown 2b) used of events by which things or states or persons hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible to all 3) manifestation, appearance	1) presence 2) the coming, arrival, advent 2a) the future visible return from heaven of Jesus, to raise the dead, hold the last judgment, and set up formally and gloriously the kingdom of God

The context of the verses usually indicates which way we should interpret this word and in most cases in reference to the second coming, we will see that it is a prolonged presence that is meant.

As mentioned above, the second coming has four phases:

The Rapture
The Course
The Manifestation or Revelation
The Climax - The Day of God

*1)The Rapture:*	The beginning of Christ's Coming is the Rapture, that is, the Coming of Christ for His saints. He will come to the air, the dead in Christ will be raised, living believers will be changed, and all will go to the Father's house. This could take place at any moment and will happen in the twinkling of an eye.
	1 Thessalonians 4 13 ¶ 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 them which are asleep. {prevent: or, come before, or, anticipate, or, precede} 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. {comfort: or, exhort}
	Other references include: 1 Cor. 15:22, 23, 1 Thess 4:13-18, 2 Thess 2:1, Jas 5:7, 1 John 2:28, John 14:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, Philippians 3:20-21, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, Hebrews 9:28, 1 John 3:2, Revelation 22:7, 20.
*2)The Course:*	The second stage, the course of Christ's coming, includes the Judgment Seat of Christ, when rewards will be given to believers for faithful service. It could also include the marriage supper of the lamb as this event appears to be just before Christ's manifestation or revelation.
	1 Corinthians 3 11 ¶ For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. {it shall be: Gr. it is} 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
	Other references include: 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 5:23, Romans 14:10-12, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Timothy 4:7, 8, Rev 19:6-14, 11:18.

While these events are taking place in heaven the earth will be experiencing a time of tribulation. This will be a period of approximately seven years during which God will pour out judgments of ever-increasing intensity upon the earth (Dan. 9:27; Matt. 24:4-28; Rev. 6-19). The last half of the period is known as the Great Tribulation; it will witness distress and disasters of unprecedented severity (Matt. 24:15-31).

The rapture and Bema seat as well as other events which believers are involved with are often referred collectively to as "the day of Christ". One exception is found in 2 Thess 2:2 McDonald says that this should really be "the day of the LORD" as it refers to judgment and tribulation and every other references to "the day of the LORD" in scripture refers to judgment particularly involving Israel, including the Great Tribulation mentioned above. References to "the day of Christ" or "the day of the Lord Jesus Christ" are all in reference to the hope of the believer, the believer's reward etc.

Here are some examples:

Day of Christ: Philippians 1:6, 1:10, 2:16, 1 Corinthians 1:8, 5:5, 2 Corinthians 1:14,

Philippians 2
14 ¶ Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Day of the LORD: Isaiah 2:12, 13:6, 13:9, 34:8, Ezekiel 13:5, Joel 1:15, 2:1, 2:11, 2:31, Amos 5:18, 5:20, Acts 2:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:2*, 2 Peter 3:10, 3:12, Rev 16:14 ...

Amos 5
20 Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?

3)The Manifestation or Revelation: The third phase is the manifestation of Christ's coming, that is, His return to earth in power and great glory to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. The Rapture will not be seen by the world; it will take place in the twinkling of an eye. But every eye will see Christ when He comes to reign. Therefore it is called the manifestation of His coming.

Zechariah 14
4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.

Other references include: Matthew 24:3, 27, 37, 39, 1 Thessalonians 3:13, 2 thessalonians 2:8, Zechariah 14:4; Malachi 4:1-3; Acts 1:11; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 14; Revelation 1:7, 19:11-16.

4)The Climax - The Day of God: The final stage is the climax of Christ's coming, the destruction of the heavens and earth by fire. It follows the thousand year reign of Christ on earth. It is referred to in 2 Peter 3:4, 7-13:

2 Peter 3
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 ¶ But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 ¶ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 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.
11 ¶ Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

"But," someone may ask, "How do you know that the first and third stages, the Rapture and Revelation, are separate events?" The answer is that they are differentiated in the Scriptures in the following ways:

	Rapture	Revelation
1	Christ comes to the air (1 Thess 4:16, 17)	He comes to the earth (Zech. 14:4).
2	He comes for His saints (1 Thess 4:16, 17).	He comes with His saints (1 Thess. 3:13; Jude 14).
3	The Rapture is a mystery, i.e., a truth unknown in Old Testament times (1 Cor. 15:51).	The Revelation is not a mystery; it is the subject of many Old Testament prophecies (Psa. 72; Isa. 11; Zech. 14).
4	Christ's Coming for His saints is never said to be preceded by signs in the heavens	Christ's Coming with His saints will be heralded by signs in the heavens. (Matt. 24:29, 30).
5	The Rapture is identified with The Day of Christ (1 Cor. 1:8; 2 Cor. 1:14; Phil. 1:6, 10).	The Revelation is identified with the Day of the Lord (2 Thess. 2:1-12, ASV).
6	The Rapture is presented as a time of blessing (1 Thess. 4:18).	The main emphasis of the Revelation is on judgment (2 Thess. 2:8-12).
7	The Rapture takes place in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor. 15:52).	The Revelation will be visible worldwide (Matt. 24:27; Rev. 1:7).
8	The Rapture seems to involve the Church primarily (John 14:1-4; 1 Cor. 15:51- 58; 1 Thess. 4:13-18).	The Revelation involves Israel primarily, then also the Gentile Nations (Matt. 24:1-25:46).
9	Christ comes as the Bright and Morning Star (Rev. 22:16).	Christ comes as the Sun of Righteousness with healing in his wings (Mal. 4:2).

Conclusion:

In conclusion, we must carefuly examine scriptures in reference to Christ's second coming. Tradition has confused things for too long. The truth is made clear when you distinguish the day of Christ from the day of the LORD and when you compare the rapture and manifestation (or revelation) as compared above. We have a blessed hope, we are not appointed to wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:8-11). Chapters such as Matthew 24 have wrongly been applied to us for too long. Careful reading will leave no room for doubt or confusion.

In all of the above discussion, the thing which concerns us immediately is how we spend our lives here on earth until the rapture.

1 Peter 2

are

10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

your

Here's the Difference

J Stephen 15/3/98

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Day of Christ:	Philippians 1:6, 1:10, 2:16, 1 Corinthians 1:8, 5:5, 2 Corinthians 1:14,
	Philippians 2 14 ¶ Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Day of the LORD:	Isaiah 2:12, 13:6, 13:9, 34:8, Ezekiel 13:5, Joel 1:15, 2:1, 2:11, 2:31, Amos 5:18, 5:20, Acts 2:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:2*, 2 Peter 3:10, 3:12, Rev 16:14 ...
	Amos 5 20 Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?

*3)The Manifestation or Revelation:*	The third phase is the manifestation of Christ's coming, that is, His return to earth in power and great glory to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords. The Rapture will not be seen by the world; it will take place in the twinkling of an eye. But every eye will see Christ when He comes to reign. Therefore it is called the manifestation of His coming.
	Zechariah 14 4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. 5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
	Other references include: Matthew 24:3, 27, 37, 39, 1 Thessalonians 3:13, 2 thessalonians 2:8, Zechariah 14:4; Malachi 4:1-3; Acts 1:11; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 14; Revelation 1:7, 19:11-16.
*4)The Climax - The Day of God:*	The final stage is the climax of Christ's coming, the destruction of the heavens and earth by fire. It follows the thousand year reign of Christ on earth. It is referred to in 2 Peter 3:4, 7-13:
	2 Peter 3 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 ¶ But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 ¶ The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 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. 11 ¶ Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.