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Bible Basics
For Smart People
Who Do Not Want To Be Dummies
About God and the Bible
(Parts I, II, III)
By J. George Cover
Lesson 16
What About the Second Coming of Jesus? (Text Version)
Scripture References: John 14:1-6; Acts 1:9-11; Matthew 2425; Luke 21:5-36; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 1:7; Revelation 19; Zechariah 14; Daniel 2:44-45.
What Is Not Meant by the Second Coming of Jesus:
- The Second Coming of Jesus the same as the death of a Christian in going to be with the Lord. It is the very opposite -- the resurrection of the Christian, the reuniting of the soul and body take place, instead.
- It is not conversion, when Christ comes into the life of a repentant sinner.
- It is not an invisible coming in 1914 as taught by the so called, Jehovah's Witnesses. They state in 'Make Sure of All things," page 319, published by Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, under "Return of Christ", This second presence (parousia) of Christ the Messiah was to be invisible and the unmistakable sign he gave shows conclusively that this return of Christ began in the year 1914.
- It is not some mysterious, spiritualized happening.
What Is Meant by the Second Coming:
- It is the literal, personal, return of the same Jesus who lived on the earth almost 2,000 years ago to the earth.
2. Just as His first coming included various events -- birth in Bethlehem, Baptism, Lamb of God, Redeemer at Calvary, so His second coming includes a number of events.
(a) The Rapture, "Parusia" (appearing, presence, arrival), secretly, suddenly, to catch away believers (Matthew 24:3651; Luke 17:34-37; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; Revelation 5:8-9).
(b) The Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21-28).
(c) The rewarding of the believers to share in His kingdom on earth during the millennium (Revelation 20:1-6; Matthew 15:14-31).
(d) The visible return of Jesus Christ with his saints. to establish the Messianic Kingdom (Acts 1:9-11; Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:27-31; 25:31-46; Revelation 19:11-21; Zechariah 14:4-21).
- The phase of the second coming of Christ described in (a) above is referred to as "The Rapture of the Church," although the word "Rapture" is not in the Bible itself.
- The phase of the second coming of Christ described in (d) is referred to as "The Revelation of Jesus Christ to the world."
The Differences in the Two Appearings
of Christ's Second Coming
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Rapture
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Revelation
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- He comes for the church (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
- The tribulation begins (Revelation 4:1; Matthew 24:21-22).
- The saints go up to meet Him (1 Thessalonians 4-13-18).
- He does not touch the earth (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
- His appearing is sudden (Mark 13:36; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52).
- As a thief (Matthew 24:36-51).
- Some are taken; others left (Matthew 24:38-51).
- No visible conflict (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15).
- At any time (Matthew 24:44; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52).
- The Judgment of saints, dead and living, follows (2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Corinthians 3:13-14).
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- He comes to set up His kingdom (Revelation 19:11-20; Zechariah 14; Daniel 2:44-45).
- The tribulation closes (Revelation 19:19-20:6).
- Saints come down with Him (Jude 14).
- He stands on the Mt. of Olives (Zechariah 14:1-4).
- His appearing is gradual (Revelation 1:7; 6:14-17; 19:11-16).
- Seen by all (Revelation 1: 7; Zechariah 14).
- All nations wail because of Him (Revelation 1:7; Zechariah 12:9-14).
- Battle of Armageddon (Zechariah 14; Revelation 16:16; Revelation 14:18-20; Joel 3:9-17).
- At time appointed (Acts 3:21; 17:31; Daniel 9:24-27).
- Judgment of living nations follows (Matthew 25:31-46).
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"Please tell me more."
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